气寒，味苦辛，辛能散郁，苦能降火，故凡心中不和，而生诸疾者，皆当用之。治喉痹，
消痈肿，止咳嗽，疗金疮，消痰润肺之要药也。人多用之代半夏，误矣。盖贝母本手太阴之
剂，而半夏乃足太阴阳明之药也。但烦渴热极诸失血，及痰中带血，阴虚火动而咳嗽者，禁
用半夏，为其燥也。此皆以贝母为佐使者宜矣。若脾胃之津液不能营运，因而成痰者，非半
夏何以燥之。
气寒，味甘润，无毒，沉也阴也。甘能补肺，润能降气导痰，治嗽之要药也。润肺生津
液，又能解烦渴、除热毒，治疮疖痈疽。仲景小柴胡症作渴者，以此剂易半夏，取其苦能润
肺，而去半夏之辛燥耳。瓤和明矾粉，并主痰喘咳哮，姜汁糊丸立应。子入柴胡汤，总能润
肺止渴，消痰降火甚捷。瓤须阴干、为快意，子必去油、免恶心。
气微温，味辛苦，气薄味浓，升也，阴中阳也。止喉疼，除鼻塞，利膈气，疗肺痈。同
甘草，理喉闭甚捷。入解毒，消痈肿立应。诚诸药之舟楫，肺经之引药也。补遗以为开提
气血，何哉？盖气血凝滞，则痰涎因之而作，今用之以开提，则气血流行，而痰壅自是疏通
矣。故诸疮疡痈疽，及在表实者，皆当用之。且苦能泄毒，辛能散肿，又为诸疮疡痈疽之要
药也。经曰苦以泄之，辛以散之，是也。反花猪肉。
Nature is cold, taste is bitter and pungent. Pungency can disperse stagnation, bitterness can descend fire; therefore, for any condition where the heart-mind is disharmonious and various diseases arise, this herb should be used. It treats throat obstruction (Hou Bi), dissipates carbuncles and swellings, stops coughing, heals metallic wounds (Jin Chuang), and is a key herb for resolving phlegm and moistening the lungs. Many people use it as a substitute for Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), which is a mistake. Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus) belongs to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, whereas Banxia belongs to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. However, in cases of extreme thirst, excessive heat causing various hemorrhages, blood in sputum, or cough due to Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, Banxia is contraindicated because of its dryness. In such cases, using Beimu as an assistant or courier drug is appropriate. If spleen and stomach fluids fail to circulate properly, leading to phlegm formation, only Banxia can dry dampness and resolve phlegm.
Nature is cold, taste is sweet and moistening, non-toxic, sinking and yin in nature. Sweetness tonifies lung qi, moistening descends qi and guides out phlegm; it is a key herb for treating coughs. It moistens the lungs, generates body fluids, relieves irritability and thirst, clears heat toxins, and treats skin sores, boils, and carbuncles. When Zhang Zhongjing encountered thirst in Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) patterns, he substituted this herb for Banxia, taking advantage of its ability to moisten the lungs with bitterness and remove the acrid dryness of Banxia. The pulp combined with alum powder treats phlegm-wheezing, cough, and asthma; pills made with ginger juice paste act immediately. The seeds, when added to Xiao Chai Hu Tang, effectively moisten the lungs, stop thirst, resolve phlegm, and descend fire with great speed. The pulp must be dried in the shade for comfort; the seeds must have their oil removed to avoid nausea.
Nature is slightly warm, taste is acrid and bitter, thin in qi and strong in taste, ascending, yang within yin. It stops sore throat, removes nasal congestion, benefits diaphragmatic qi, and treats lung abscesses. Combined with Gancao (Licorice Root), it rapidly manages throat closure. Added to detoxifying formulas, it promptly dissipates carbuncles and swellings. It is indeed the "boat and oar" (carrier herb) among all herbs, and a guiding herb for the Lung meridian. Ben Cao Shi Yi suggests it opens and lifts qi and blood; why? Because when qi and blood stagnate, phlegm and saliva arise from it. Now, by using it to open and lift, qi and blood flow freely, and phlegm obstruction is naturally cleared. Therefore, it should be used for various sores, ulcers, carbuncles, and exterior excess patterns. Moreover, bitterness can drain toxicity, and pungency can disperse swelling; thus, it is a key herb for various sores, ulcers, and carbuncles. The classics state: "Bitter drains it, pungent disperses it," which is correct. [Note: "Fan hua zhu rou" appears to be a textual anomaly or specific dietary instruction unrelated to standard pharmacology, translated literally].