Library

Some say that those who hold a mirror to examine their faces cannot perceive the texture of their skin and pores; similarly, those who treat diseases by strictly following prescriptions cannot achieve divine flexibility. This is indeed so: medical books should not be entirely trusted. Alas! How have prescriptions ever wronged people? The fault lies only in using herbs without trial and applying formulas without experience, arbitrarily establishing rules while hoping to accidentally hit the mark. This book first investigates the origin of diseases to supplement the deficiencies of Li Dongyuan (Li Gao); secondly, it distinguishes the potency of herbs to assist the biases of Zhang Zhongjing's theories. In argumentation, it proceeds from the principles of root and branch to meridians; in examining properties, it moves from Yin and Yang to mutual antagonism and incompatibility. Regarding the Six Qi transformations and pulse diagnosis, nothing is left unrefined. The commonly used herbs are arranged in order for easy reference, making it truly a clear mirror for past and present generations. Scholars of ancient times seeking prescriptions, if they obtain and preserve this book, will find that treating diseases need not be as easy as reading one's palm, nor does examining herbs require an overwhelming breadth of knowledge. Without the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), one can still understand life preservation; without Shuhe's works, one can still know pulses. Other methods such as resolving doubts and various schools' techniques would merely serve as footnotes. It should respond instantly to inquiries and prove effective immediately upon use. Such individuals, who do not suffer premature death or plague, certainly rely on this book. To regard it as just another book and discard it like worn-out shoes is to abandon a mirror when judging beauty and ugliness. Is there such logic?

Preface by Du of Xianyuan, Wanling, at the end of summer in the Wuxu year of the Wanli era.

*Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin) that is withered clears Lung Metal; that which is solid cools the Large Intestine and descends phlegm-heat. When assisted by *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu), it can stabilize pregnancy. *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian) drains Heart Fire, thereby generating body fluids naturally; it removes damp-heat, thereby thickening the stomach and intestines. Processed with ginger juice, it descends phlegm. These two herbs, *Scutellariae Radix* and *Coptidis Rhizoma*, if stir-fried with pig bile, can also descend Liver and Gallbladder Fire. *Phellodendri Cortex* (Huangbai) treats flaccidity syndromes and calms roundworms, retreats latent fire, drains deficiency heat, nourishes insufficient Water, and greatly treats Yin deficiency. *Anemarrhenae Rhizoma* (Zhimu) benefits True Yin, treats bone-steaming fever with sweating, tonifies Kidney Water, and drains rootless Fire. These two herbs, *Phellodendri Cortex* and *Anemarrhenae Rhizoma*, become warm when wine-stirfried, and descend when salt-processed; both are essential herbs for tonifying Yin. *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao) stops diarrhea and dysentery, supplements Yin blood, treats deficiency pain in the heart and abdomen, especially strengthens the Spleen meridian. Its nature can tonify and astringe; wine-processing makes it excellent. *Paeoniae Radix Rubra* (Chishao) promotes urination, reduces carbuncles and swellings, and is also a key herb for fiery eyes. Its nature can purge and disperse; raw use is appropriate. For these two Red and White Peony roots, they should not be used postpartum because their sour-cold nature can damage the vital energy of growth. *Gypsum Fibrosum* (Shigao) descends Stomach Fire and regulates headaches. It releases the muscle layer and stops irritability and thirst. *Gardeniae Fructus* (Zhizi) descends fire extremely quickly, excreting it through urine; its nature bends and moves downward. It can also clear irritability in the Lungs and Stomach, stop hematemesis and epistaxis, and must be wine-stirfried until slightly black. *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* (Shudihuang) nourishes the Kidneys and benefits True Yin, invigorates blood, and fills the marrow. *Rehmanniae Radix Recens* (Shengdihuang) generates blood and cools the Heart and Kidneys. For these two types of Rehmannia, wine-rinsing makes them warm, and ginger-processing prevents stagnation in the diaphragm. *Asparagi Radix* (Tian dong) stops thirst and tonifies deficiency, treats cough with phlegm, moistens the Lungs, and can guide *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* to the place where it is needed. *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong) generates the pulse, clears the Heart, stops thirst, eliminates latent fire in the Lungs, and can guide *Rehmanniae Radix Recens* to the place where it is generated. *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu) treats pain in both hypochondria, guiding the Shaoyang channel. It resolves alternating chills and fever, suitable for external contractions. It can ascend clear Qi from the Stomach, rotating upward from the left. *Lepidii Fructus* (Shengma) disperses Cold pathogenic factors of the Hand-Yangming channel and treats toothache of the Foot-Yangming channel. It ascends clear Qi from the Stomach, rotating upward from the right. *Peucedani Radix* (Qianhu) removes internal and external phlegm-solidities miraculously and drives away chest and hypochondriac qi-knots uniquely. *Rhinocerotis Cornu* (Xijiao) resolves fire-toxins and treats epistaxis and sores. It calms the Spirit and removes irritability, thirst, and wind-toxins. If introduced into the Stomach channel, *Lepidii Fructus* can also be used as a substitute. *Concha Ostreae* (Muli) astringes essence and stops spontaneous sweating, treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, and calcining is best. *Natrii Sulfas* (Piaoxiao) opens heat-bindings and unblocks the Zang-Fu organs. It purges excess and softens hardness; even retained phlegm can be transformed. *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma* (Dahuang) is the General of cleansing, moving but not staying. It overcomes Earth depression without congestion, breaks blood stasis, and causes downward flow. *Moutan Cortex* (Mudanpi) treats bone-steaming fever without sweat, eliminates blood accumulation in the Lower Jiao, stops hematemesis and epistaxis in the Upper Jiao, and is also suitable for breaking blood. *Lycii Cortex* (Digupi) treats bone-steaming fever with sweat, also expels wind pathogens, and is particularly suitable for reducing fever. *Menthae Haplocalycis Herba* (Zhuye) drives away upper rebellious Qi, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath; reduces deficiency heat, irritability, and insomnia. It specifically cools Heart Fire and especially repels wind-spasm. *Bambusae Caulis in Taedia* (Zhuru) treats mental distress, vomiting, and hiccups, and also treats swelling and pain. *Artemisiae Scopariae Herba* (Yinchen) repels jaundice and wind-dampness, promoting urination. *Chrysanthemi Flos* (Juhua) stops tearing, brightens the eyes, treats cephalalgia due to wind, and stops headaches. Brewed with *Rehmanniae Radix*, it helps intoxicated persons recover consciousness easily. *Menthae Haplocalycis Herba* (Bohe) clears the meeting point of the six Yang channels, cools the Heart and diaphragm, treats head-wind, and generally clears heat. *Schizonepetae Spica* (Jingjie) clears the head and eyes, releasing the exterior immediately. It descends blood stasis, and sores heal quickly. *Trichosanthis Semen* (Gualouren) directs Qi downward, eliminates phlegm, moistens the Lungs, and stops cough. It treats chest bind, unblocks stagnant heat in the chest, and is a key herb for treating cough. *Trichosanthis Radix* (Tianhuafen) stops thirst, unblocks menstruation, descends hot phlegm above the diaphragm, and is the holy medicine for wasting-thirst syndrome. *Stemonae Radix* (Huaihua) stops visceral bleeding, especially when heat is blazing and dripping. *Imperatae Rhizoma* (Maogen) stops hematemesis; taking the juice for decoction is preferred. *Sanguisorbae Radix* (Diyu) treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, stops menstruation, especially treats bloody dysentery, and is indispensable for lower body bleeding. *Sophorae Flavescentis Radix* (Shandougen) resolves heat-toxin and stops sore throat; chewing and swallowing the juice is wonderful. *Platycodonis Radix* (Jiegeng) treats lung abscess, benefits the pharynx and diaphragm, unblocks Lung Qi, and stops sore throat. It transforms phlegm, smooths Qi, lifts other herbs upward, serving as a carrier agent. *Puerariae Radix* (Gegen) releases the exterior, resolves the muscle layer, stops thirst, and generates fluids. It can resolve alcohol toxicity, sparing the Heart and Lungs. *Akebiae Caulis* (Mutong) drains Bladder Fire and promotes urination. It unblocks joints; being a drug that benefits both urination and defecation, it can unblock all. *Alismatis Rhizoma* (Zexie) benefits water pathways and firms the stool. It reduces yin-sweating, preventing dribbling. However, it is insufficient for tonifying Yin. *Immaturus Citri Reticulatae Fructus* (Zhiqiao) expands the middle and directs Qi downward, attacking intestinal accumulations; its nature is slow and long-lasting. *Immaturus Citri Reticulatae Fructus* (Zhishi) eliminates phlegm and reduces accumulation, draining chest fullness; its nature is urgent and rapid. *Talcum* (Huashi) promotes urination and especially clears heat of the six Fu organs. *Dianthi Herba* (Qumai) treats bloody strangury most swiftly and excels in promoting urination. *Cyperi Rhizoma* (Xiangfu) regulates Blood and Qi, opens depression pathways, and is a key herb for women. Boiled in vinegar to warm the meridians, stir-fried in child's urine to moisten dryness. *Polygala Tenuifolia Radix* (Changshan) treats malaria and transforms knotted phlegm; vinegar-boiling prevents vomiting. *Genkwa Flos* (Yuanhua) disperses subcutaneous edema and floating swelling, eliminating phlegm-fluid and rebellious Qi in the chest and diaphragm. *Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix* (Daji) reduces edema and abdominal fullness, removes dry pain of the skin; *Kansui Radix* has the same effect. These two drugs have the power to break iron and stone. *Periplocae Semen* (Tingli) stabilizes asthma, eliminates phlegm, and drives away vacuous edema. It drains Lung Qi and promotes urination; when stir-frying, paper separation is required. *Plantaginis Seed* (Cheqianzi) promotes urination and firms the stool, and especially brightens the eyes. *Hydrargyrum* (Shuiyin) kills parasites and expels dead fetus. It treats sores and removes scabies and lice. *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao) is cold and drains fire when raw, and warm and strengthens the Spleen meridian when honey-roasted. It harmonizes other herbs without conflict and resolves hundred toxins without worry. *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride* (Qingpi) breaks stagnant Qi, unblocking the Jueyin channel. It reduces hard accumulations and resolves dietary stagnation. *Forsythiae Fructus* (Lianqiao) treats sores, reduces toxic swellings, and disperses blood coagulation and qi gathering in all channels. For those with chronic deficiency, it should not be used lightly. *Persicae Semen* (Taoren) unblocks menstruation, breaks blood, and moistens the difficult-to-unblock Large Intestine. *Gentiana Scabra Radix* (Longdancao) removes guest-heat from the Liver channel and eliminates damp-swelling in the Lower Jiao. *Sappan Lignum* (Sumu) eliminates postpartum failed blood and treats sores. *Mori Cortex* (Sangbaipi) treats wheezing and cough, contributes to draining Lung Qi, and is used after honey-water roasting. *Sargassum* (Haizao) treats scrofula in the neck and reduces goiters under the chin. It immediately stops hernia and testicular swelling, and facilitates difficult urination. *Kelp* (Haidai) and *Ecklonia Stolonifera* (Kunbu) have the same effect and are both key herbs for breaking Qi. *Stephania Tetrandra Radix* (Hanfangji) drains dampness into the Bladder and treats podagra in the lower body. *Vitriolum* (Danfan) governs phlegm-Qi epilepsy and further resolves heat-toxins. *Aloe* (Lvhui) treats mania and various heats, especially killing childhood malnutrition worms. *Coicis Semen* (Yiyiren) taken in large quantities opens the appetite and treats lung abscess. It reduces edema, treats slow wind causing difficulty walking, strengthens sinews and bones, and governs wet-bi causing spasms. *Glehniae Radix* (Shashen) governs scabies, tinea, and malignant sores, disperses colicky pain of various hernias. It discharges pus, detoxifies, and tonifies the Yin Qi of the five Zang organs. *Curcumae Aromatae Radix* (Yujin) cools hyperactive Yang of the Heart, drives away pain caused by Blood and Qi, and still disperses accumulated blood returning to its vessel. *Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina* (Zaojia) and *Persicae Semen* (Taoren) can both relieve constipation. For Blood, Peach Kernel should move it; for Wind, Soap Pod should unblock it. *Bambusa Textilis Cataphylla* (Zhuli) and *Schizostachyum Chinense Cathetus* (Jingli) are both used for phlegm. But Bamboo is rarely eaten, while Schizostachyum is edible. *Camptotheca Fruit* (Douding) repels phlegm knots, wheezing, and shortness of breath, clearing heat-fire in the Lungs. *Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma* (Zicao) promotes urination, unblocks orifices, treats yellow eyes becoming jaundice, and cools blood-heat in carbuncles and sores. *Picrorhizae Rhizoma* (Huhuanglian) treats oral aphthous ulcers, treats carbuncles and sores, and additionally resolves bone-steaming heat. *Kochiae Scopariae Herba* (Difuzi) exclusively benefits water pathways, removing heat from the Bladder. Bathing the body repels skin itching; washing the eyes removes heat, dimness, astringency, and pain. *Prunella Vulgaris Spica* (Xiakucao) breaks hard carbuncles, goiters, and qi-knots, dispersing scrofula and rat-head sores. *Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix* (Kushen) sweeps whole-body itchy rashes and stops sudden severe heart pain.

The above totals seventy-four herbs.