巴豆带壳者良，是唯一品，无有伪品。宋王硕曰∶巴豆不压油而用之，巴豆之功，多在
于油也。王硕者，能知巴豆之功者也。
大乌头煎证曰∶寒疝绕脐痛。
乌头汤证曰∶历节不可屈伸疼痛。又曰∶香港脚疼痛，不可屈伸。又曰∶寒疝、腹中绞痛。
乌头桂枝汤证曰∶寒疝腹中痛。
以上三方，蜜各二升。
大陷胸丸证曰∶结胸、项亦强。
上一方，白蜜二合。
大半夏汤证曰∶呕吐、心上痞硬。
上一方，白蜜一升。
甘草粉蜜汤证曰∶心痛。
上一方，蜜四两。
下瘀血汤证曰∶产妇腹痛。
上一方，蜜和为丸，酒煎，又与诸药等分之例。
甘遂半夏汤，证不具。
上一方，蜜半升。
据此诸方，则蜜能治诸结毒急迫疼痛明矣！最能治腹中痛者，故同乌头用，则治寒疝腹
痛；同甘草用，则治心痛急迫；同大黄用，则治胸腹结痛；同甘遂用，则治水毒结痛；同半
夏用，则治心胸硬满。由此观之，则蜜能治其急痛，而又能助诸药之毒也。故理中丸、八味
丸、栝蒌瞿麦丸、半夏麻黄丸、赤丸、桂枝茯苓丸、麻子仁丸、矾石丸、皂荚丸、当归贝母
苦参丸、乌头赤石脂丸，上十一方，皆蜜和为丸，是弗助诸药之毒耶。故如乌头、附子、巴
豆、半夏、皂荚、大黄，皆以蜜和丸。则倍其功一层矣！是其征也。若或以糊为丸，则必减
其功之半，常试有验，无不然者。余故曰∶蜜能助诸药之毒矣！或云∶炼过则缓诸病之急，
不炼则助诸药之毒，岂其然乎哉？
Bitter apricot seed (Badou, *Crotonis Fructus*) used with the shell is of good quality; it is the only species without counterfeit products. Wang Shuo of the Song Dynasty said: "If Bitter apricot seed is used without pressing out the oil, its efficacy lies mainly in the oil." Wang Shuo was one who understood the efficacy of Bitter apricot seed.
Honey treats urgent pain caused by accumulated toxicity and assists the toxicity of other herbs to enhance their therapeutic effect.
The indication for Da Wutou Jian states: "Cold hernia with pain around the umbilicus."
The indication for Wutou Tang states: "Lijie disease causing inability to flex or extend joints due to pain." It also states: "Hongxiangjiao (podagra/foot swelling) causing pain, unable to flex or extend." It also states: "Cold hernia, colic pain in the abdomen."
The indication for Wutou Guizhi Tang states: "Cold hernia with abdominal pain."
In the above three formulas, honey is used in the amount of two sheng each.
The indication for Daxiexion Wan states: "Jiechest syndrome, with stiffness in the neck."
In the aforementioned formula, Bai Mi (white honey) is used in the amount of two he.
The indication for Ban Xiexia Tang states: "Vomiting, epigastric fullness and hardness."
In the aforementioned formula, Bai Mi is used in the amount of one sheng.
The indication for Gancao Fenmi Tang states: "Heart pain."
In the aforementioned formula, honey is used in the amount of four liang.
The indication for Xia Yuxue Tang states: "Abdominal pain in postpartum women."
In the aforementioned formula, honey is used to blend into pills, decocted with wine; this is also an example of equal proportion usage with other herbs.
Gansui Banxia Tang, the indications are incomplete.
In the aforementioned formula, honey is used in the amount of half a sheng.
Based on these formulas, it is clear that honey can treat urgent pain caused by various accumulated toxicities! Since honey is most effective in treating abdominal pain, when used with Aconitum carmichaelii root (Wutou, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*), it treats cold hernia abdominal pain; when used with Licorice root (Gancao, *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma*), it treats urgent heart pain; when used with Rhubarb (Dahuang, *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma*), it treats chest and abdominal accumulated pain; when used with Kansui root (Gansui, *Kansui Radix*), it treats water-toxin accumulated pain; when used with Pinellia tuber (Banxia, *Pinelliae Tuber*), it treats chest and heart fullness and hardness. From this perspective, honey treats urgent pain and assists the toxicity of other herbs. Therefore, Lizhong Wan, Bawei Wan, Gualou Qumei Wan, Banxia Mahuang Wan, Chi Wan, Guizhi Fuling Wan, Maziren Wan, Fanshi Wan, Zao Ying Wan, Danggui Beimu Kushen Wan, and Wutou Chishizhi Wan—these eleven formulas—are all blended with honey into pills. Is this not assisting the toxicity of other herbs? Thus, herbs such as Aconitum carmichaelii root, Prepared aconite lateral root (Fuzi, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*), Bitter apricot seed, Pinellia tuber, Soap pod (Zao Ying, *Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus*), and Rhubarb are all blended with honey into pills, thereby doubling their efficacy by one layer! This is the evidence. If paste made from starch is used instead, the efficacy will certainly be reduced by half; frequent trials have verified this, without exception. Hence I say: Honey assists the toxicity of other herbs! Some claim: Refined honey alleviates the urgency of diseases, while unrefined honey assists the toxicity of other herbs. Is this really the case?