马火也,故将火而梦马。火就燥,燥而不已则穷,故膏油所以为无穷也。药之膏油者莫
如地黄,啖老马,复为驹。乐天诗云∶与君啖老马,可使照地光。今人不复能知此法。吾晚
学道,血气衰耗,如老马矣。欲多食生地黄,而不可常致。忽见人言,循州兴宁令欧阳叔向,
于县圃中多种此药,意欲作书千之而未敢。君与叔向故人,可为致此意否。此药以二八月采
者良,如许,以此时寄惠为幸,欲烹以为煎也。
治肺痿客忤,鬼气传尸,伏连
等疾,卒得心痛,霍乱吐痢,时气。诸疟瘀血,月闭 癖,丁肿惊痫,邪气狐媚,
瘴疠万疾。
苏合香 白术 朱砂 沉香 诃子肉 丁香 木香 香附子 白檀香 乌犀屑 乳香
荜茇 安息香(各一两) 麝香 龙脑(各半两)
上为末,炼蜜丸,如鸡头实大。每服一丸,温酒嚼下,人参汤亦得。此方人家皆有,恐
未知其神验耳。本出《广济方》,谓之白术丸,后人编入《外台》。《千金方》云∶真宗朝,
尝出苏合香酒赐近臣,又赐苏合香丸,自此方盛行于世。此药大能安气血,却外邪。凡疾自
内作,不晓其名者,服此往往得效。唯治气疰气厥,气逆不和,吐利,荣卫阻塞,尤有神功。
予所亲见者,尝有淮南监司官谢执方,因呕血甚久,遂奄奄而绝,羸败已久,手足都冷,鼻
息皆绝,计无所出。唯研苏合香丸灌之,尽半两遂苏。又予所乘船,有一船工之子病伤寒,
日久而死。但心窝尚暖,不忍不与药,弃已不救。试与苏合香丸,灌之四丸乃醒,遂瘥。予
友人为两浙提点刑狱,尝病大泻。目视天地皆转,神思不理,诸药不效。服药至两丸许,顿
觉轻爽,腹泻亦止。予目睹救人于将绝者,不可胜记。人家不可无此药以备急难,瘟疫时,
尤宜服之,辟疫尤验。仓卒求人参不得,只白汤亦佳,勿用酒。古方虽云用酒下,酒多不效,
切宜记之。东阳刘使君,少时尝病瘵,日渐羸削。至于骨立,肌热盗汗,劳状皆具,人有劝
服此药,凡服八九两,所苦都瘥。一方有牛黄半两,古方本无,乃后人加之。
Horses belong to Fire; thus, when dreaming with a Fire influence, one dreams of horses. Fire tends toward dryness; if dryness persists without end, it leads to exhaustion. Therefore, fatty oils are regarded as inexhaustible. Among medicinal substances, those possessing a fatty/oily nature, none surpasses Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang, 生地黄). Feeding it to old horses restores them to the vigor of foals. Bai Juyi’s poem states: "Feeding you to the old horse, it can shine upon the ground." People today no longer understand this method. In my late years, while studying the Dao, my Blood and Qi have declined and been depleted, resembling an old horse. I wish to consume large amounts of raw Rehmanniae Radix, but cannot obtain it constantly. I suddenly heard that Ouyang Shuxiang, Magistrate of Xingning County in Xunzhou, cultivates this herb extensively in his garden. I intended to write to request some but dared not. Since you are an old friend of Shuxiang, could you convey this intention for me? This herb is best harvested in the second or eighth lunar month. If convenient, please send it to me at that time, hoping to decoct and take it.
It treats Lung Wei (Lung Atrophy), Ke Wu (Guest Malevolence), Gui Qi Chuan Shi (Ghostly Energy Transferring Corpse), Fu Lian (Hidden Continuation) and other diseases; sudden onset of Heart Pain, Huo Luan (Cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea), Shi Qi (Seasonal Epidemic Qi); various Malaria cases with Blood Stasis, Menstrual Amenorrhea, Pi Masses (abdominal lumps), Ding Swellings (carbuncles), Jing Xian (Convulsions/Epilepsy), Xie Qi Hu Mei (Evil Spirit Seduction), Zhang Li (Miasma Plague) and myriad other ailments.
Suhe Xiang (Styrax), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Zhusha (Cinnabar), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Hezi Rou (Terminalia Chebulae Mesocarp), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma), Baitanxiang (Santalum Album Lignum), Wuxi Xie (Rhinocerotis Cornu - note: modern substitute often used), Ruxiang (Olibanum), Bibie (Piperis Longi Fructus), Anshixiang (Benzoin Resin) (each 1 liang), Shexiang (Moschus), Longnao (Borneolum Syntheticum) (each 0.5 liang).
Grind the above into powder, refine honey, and make pills the size of Euryale Seed (Jiantou Shi). Take one pill per dose, chewed down with warm wine; Ginseng Decoction is also acceptable. This formula is common in households, yet people may not know its miraculous efficacy. It originally appeared in *Guangji Fang*, called Baizhu Wan, and was later compiled into *Waitai Miyao*. *Qianjin Fang* records: During the Zhenzong reign, Suhe Xiang Wine was granted to close ministers, and Suhe Xiang Wan was also bestowed, after which this formula became prevalent. This medicine greatly stabilizes Qi and Blood and repels external pathogens. For any disease arising internally whose name is unknown, taking this often yields results. It is particularly efficacious in treating Qi Zhu (Qi Transmission), Qi Jue (Qi Collapse), Qi Ni Bu He (Rebellious Qi Disharmony), Vomiting and Diarrhea, Ying Wei Blockage (Nutritive and Defensive Qi Obstruction), showing especially divine merit.
I personally witnessed cases where saving lives from near-death were countless. One such case involved Xie Zhifang, an official of the Huainan Surveillance Commission, who suffered prolonged hematemesis until he was nearly dead, emaciated and weak for a long time, with cold hands and feet and absent nasal respiration, leaving us helpless. Only by grinding Suhe Xiang Wan and forcing it down did he recover after consuming half a liang. Another instance occurred on my boat: a boatman's son died of Shanghan (Cold Damage) after a long illness. His epigastrium remained warm. Unwilling to abandon him without treatment despite hopelessness, I tried giving him Suhe Xiang Wan. After four pills were administered, he woke up and recovered. A friend of mine, serving as the Judicial Intendant of Liangzhe, once suffered severe diarrhea. The world seemed to spin around him, his spirit was disordered, and all medicines failed. After taking about two pills, he instantly felt refreshed, and the diarrhea stopped. I have witnessed saving people from the brink of death too many to count. Every household should keep this medicine for emergencies. During plague times, it is especially suitable for use, offering verified protection against epidemic qi. If Ginseng cannot be obtained in haste, plain boiled water is also good; do not use wine. Although ancient formulas state to take it with wine, using too much wine reduces efficacy. Remember this well. Liu Shijun of Dongyang suffered from Zhai (Consumption/Tuberculosis) in his youth, becoming progressively emaciated until he was skeletal, with muscle heat, night sweats, and full symptoms of Lao (Chronic Deficiency Exhaustion). Someone advised him to take this medicine. After taking eight or nine liang in total, all his suffering ceased. Another version contains Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 0.5 liang; this was not in the ancient formula but added by later practitioners.