气微温，味甘平，无毒，降也，阳也。能保肺气，养肝血，补虚羸，故止血安胎，止嗽
止痢，治痰治痿，皆效。惟久嗽久痢久痰，及虚劳失血之症者宜用。若初发邪胜者，不可骤
用，恐强闭其邪，致生他证也。倘肺家要用，须用桑白皮同剂，以监制之，立效。何者？盖
阿胶敛肺之药，桑白皮泻肺之药，以此监彼，但取阿胶之能，而泻阿胶之敛故耳。若痢家要
用，即多枳壳槟榔，无有不可，此又通变之妙用也。
气寒，味苦酸咸，无毒，升也，阳也。本草主解心热，止烦乱，安心神，镇诸惊，何谓
哉？盖寒能制热，苦能泄火，寒苦入心，则心热解，而烦乱止矣，热解烦止，更兼酸以敛神，
则
曰清音者，盖火热上行逼肺，故音哑，今火热既去，且又咸以滋肾，则水又足以胜火，而目
之所以明者，此也，音之所以清者，此也。大都伤寒瘟疫，风肿疮疡诸症，皆火热为之也，
今火热既去，则邪不得以夺正，而寒疫之所以除者，此也，肿疡之所以消者，此也。易老云∶
上焦蓄血，犀角地黄汤主之。中焦蓄血，桃仁承气汤主之。下焦蓄血，抵当汤主之。三法宜
知，不可忽也。痘家热症，逼血妄行，及烦闷小便赤涩，并痘色红紫者，宜用之以解热，若
虚寒症勿用。畏川乌草乌。
气微寒，味甘平，无毒，降也，阳中微阴也。阳乃肺药，微阴去肺中之伏火，火去则肺
金生，金生则烦渴止，而心亦清矣，心清而神亦保安矣。惟肺金得令，则金能生水，又能强
阴益精，心清神安，则气血和畅，又能治血妄行。夫曰解烦渴补虚劳者，正以其润肺清心也，
心清而肺润，则心统气行，而郁结之患可释矣。夫曰能复脉者，何也？盖心主脉，而百脉之
朝宗于肺，若肺润心清，则脉亦调和，气血无所阻，必听命以遂脉之通畅也。能引生地而至
所生之处。痘家用之，以止烦渴。诸症便滑者忌之。
Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao): The qi is slightly warm, the taste is sweet and neutral, non-toxic, descending in nature, belonging to Yang. It can protect Lung Qi, nourish Liver Blood, and tonify deficiency and emaciation; therefore, it stops bleeding, calms the fetus, relieves cough, stops dysentery, treats phlegm disorders, and treats flaccidity syndromes, all with efficacy. It is suitable only for conditions of chronic cough, chronic dysentery, chronic phlegm, and deficiency consumption with blood loss. If the pathogen is strong at the initial stage of onset, it should not be used abruptly, lest it forcibly close the pathogen and cause other complications. If required for the Lung system, it must be used together with Bai Sang Pi (Cortex Mori Radicis), to monitor and restrain its effects, yielding immediate results. Why? Because Ejiao is a herb that astringes the Lung, while Bai Sang Pi is a herb that drains the Lung. By using one to monitor the other, one takes only the efficacy of Ejiao while eliminating its astringent drawback. If required for dysentery patients, adding more Zhi Qiao (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Bing Lang (Arecae Semen) makes it acceptable; this is another subtle application of flexible variation.
Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao): The qi is cold, the taste is bitter, sour, and salty, non-toxic, ascending in nature, belonging to Yang. Materia Medica states it mainly resolves Heart heat, stops agitation, calms the Spirit, and subdues various palpitations/fright. What does this mean? Generally, cold nature controls heat, and bitter nature drains fire. Cold and bitter entering the Heart channel resolve Heart heat and stop agitation. With heat resolved and agitation stopped, combined with sour flavor to astringe the Spirit, the reason why the voice becomes clear is that fire-heat rising upward forces the Lung, causing hoarseness. Now that fire-heat is gone, and salty flavor nourishes Kidney Water, Kidney Water is sufficient to overcome Fire. Thus, the eyes become bright, and the voice becomes clear, due to this mechanism. Mostly, typhoid fevers, epidemics, wind-induced swelling, sores, and ulcers are caused by fire-heat. Now that fire-heat is removed, pathogens cannot deprive righteous Qi, thus cold epidemics are eliminated and swellings/ulcers dissipate, due to this. Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) said: For accumulated blood in the Upper Jiao, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhino-horn and Rehmannia Decoction) governs it; for accumulated blood in the Middle Jiao, Tao Ren Chengqi Tang (Peach Kernel and Rheum Decoction) governs it; for accumulated blood in the Lower Jiao, Didang Tang (Definite Conquest Decoction) governs it. These three methods should be known and not neglected. For smallpox patients with heat syndromes forcing blood to move recklessly, along with agitation, red/bitter urination, and red/purple rash color, it is suitable to use it to resolve heat; do not use for deficiency-cold syndromes. It fears Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti Carmerhanii Preparata) and Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii).
Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong): The qi is slightly cold, the taste is sweet and neutral, non-toxic, descending in nature, belonging to Yang with slight Yin characteristics. The Yang aspect is a Lung herb; the slight Yin aspect removes latent fire from the Lung. When fire is removed, Lung Metal generates; when Lung Metal generates, agitation and thirst cease, and the Heart becomes clear. When the Heart is clear, the Spirit is also secure. Only when Lung Metal is in command can Metal generate Water, strengthen Yin, and benefit Essence. When the Heart is clear and Spirit is secure, Qi and Blood flow harmoniously, and it can also treat reckless movement of blood. Regarding resolving agitation/thirst and tonifying deficiency/consumption, this is precisely because it moistens the Lung and clears the Heart. When the Heart is clear and Lung is moist, the Heart governs Qi movement, and ailments of stagnation can be released. Regarding restoring the pulse, why? Because the Heart governs the vessels, and all vessels pay homage to the Lung. If the Lung is moist and the Heart is clear, the pulse harmonizes, Qi and Blood encounter no obstruction, and they obey to maintain pulse patency. It can guide Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) to the place where it is generated. Smallpox practitioners use it to stop agitation and thirst. It is contraindicated for cases with loose stools/diarrhea.