气寒，味苦，无毒。气味俱浓，沉也，阴也。其用有四。除下部风湿，一也。除下焦湿
热，二也。除脐以下至足肿痛，三也。除寒湿香港脚，四也。又曰，益肝胆气，凡眼肿睛胀，
瘀肉高起，痛不可忍者，以柴胡为君，胆草为使，此又眼病必用之药也。小儿惊病，亦多用
之。
气温，味苦辛，无毒，降也，阴也。坠诸药下行，故治里急后重如神，取其坠也，必兼
木香用之。补遗谓破滞气，泄胸中至高之气，由其性沉重，坠气下行，则拂郁之气散，至高
之气下矣。又曰能杀寸白虫者，非能杀虫也，以其性下坠，故能逐虫下行也。
气温，味辛，升也阳也。辟山岚瘴气，止霍乱恶心。辛则散宿食，立除膨胀。温则去邪
气，且却冷疼。同缩砂能温中焦，佐常山能截疫疟。大都中病即已，不可多服，盖此剂大耗
元气，而老弱虚羸之人，尤宜戒之。
气寒，味苦辛。性暴悍，善驱逐，能损真气，痰人稍近虚怯者，不可轻用。疟症药中，
少用则截。鬼蛊能消，水肿其逐。必须醋炒，方可免吐。忌葱。
气平，味酸，无毒。收敛肺气，扫除烦热，安心调中，治痢截疟，生津止渴，消痰益精。
如恶疮肉出，烧灰敷上，恶肉立尽。仲景治吐蛔下痢，用乌梅丸极验。同建茶干姜为丸，治
休息痢疾甚效。
气寒，味苦甘，无毒。驱时疫头痛，敛伤寒赤斑。能收五脏之郁火，能消膈上之热痰。
泻
肝火，止惊痫。消食积，杀诸恶虫尽化为水。又治小儿疳痢羸瘦，毛焦烦热。歌曰，烦热毛
焦口鼻干，皮肤枯槁四肢摊。腹中时时更下痢，青白赤黄一般般。眼涩面黄鼻孔赤，谷道开
张不欲看。忽然泻下成疳积，又且浓溶一团团。唇焦呕吐不乳哺，壮热增寒卧不安。此方便
是青黛散，取效犹如服圣丹。
[Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix)]
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter, and it is non-toxic. Both its qi and taste are dense; it sinks and belongs to Yin. Its functions are fourfold: first, it eliminates wind-dampness in the lower part of the body; second, it eliminates damp-heat in the lower jiao (lower burner); third, it eliminates swelling and pain from below the umbilicus down to the feet; fourth, it eliminates cold-dampness causing "Hong Kong foot" (podagra/jock itch). It is also said that it benefits the qi of the Liver and Gallbladder. For conditions such as swollen eyes, distended eyeballs, raised fleshy growths, and unbearable pain, with Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) as the Sovereign herb and Long Dan Cao as the Minister herb, this is again a must-use medicine for eye diseases. It is also frequently used for pediatric convulsive disorders.
[Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis)]
The qi is warm, the taste is bitter and acrid, and it is non-toxic; it sinks and belongs to Yin. It causes other medicines to descend, thus treating tenesmus (urgent need to defecate with heavy sensation in the anus) with miraculous effect, utilizing its descending property; it must be used together with Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix). *Bencao Gangmu Shiyi* states that it breaks stagnant qi and vents the highest qi in the chest because its nature is heavy, causing qi to descend; thus, pent-up qi dissipates, and the highest qi descends. It is also said that it kills tapeworms (Cestoda); however, it does not directly kill parasites but rather drives them downward due to its descending nature.
[Suo Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus)]
The qi is warm, the taste is acrid; it ascends and belongs to Yang. It repels mountain miasma and stops nausea caused by cholera-like vomiting. The acridity disperses retained food, immediately relieving distension. The warmth expels pathogenic factors and alleviates cold pain. When combined with Suo Sha Ren, it warms the middle jiao; when assisted by Chang Shan, it interrupts epidemic malaria. Generally, one should stop taking it once the illness is cured; it should not be taken in excess, as this preparation greatly depletes Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Especially elderly, weak, and emaciated individuals should strictly avoid it.
[Chang Shan (Dichroae Radix)]
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter and acrid. Its nature is fierce and aggressive, good at driving out pathogens, but it damages True Qi. For patients with phlegm who are slightly deficient or frail, it should not be used lightly. In antimalarial prescriptions, a small dose can interrupt malaria. It can eliminate "ghost蛊" (parasitic or strange diseases) and drive out edema. It must be stir-fried with vinegar to prevent vomiting. Green onions are contraindicated.
[Wu Mei (Mume Fructus)]
The qi is neutral, the taste is sour, and it is non-toxic. It astringes Lung Qi, clears vexatious heat, calms the mind and regulates the middle jiao, treats dysentery, interrupts malaria, generates fluids, and quenches thirst, resolves phlegm, and benefits essence. If malignant sores produce foul flesh, burning it into ash and applying it externally causes the foul flesh to fall off immediately. Zhang Zhongjing treated vomiting roundworms and dysentery using Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill), which is highly effective. Made into pills with Jian Cha (Jian tea) and Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it is very effective for treating chronic intermittent dysentery.
[Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis)]
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter and sweet, and it is non-toxic. It dispels headache caused by epidemic febrile diseases and收敛s red macules caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage). It can collect stagnant fire of the five zang organs and eliminate hot phlegm above the diaphragm. It purges Liver fire and stops convulsions and epilepsy. It digests food stagnation and kills various harmful parasites, eventually transforming them into water. It also treats pediatric gan accumulation (malnutrition syndrome), dysentery, emaciation, dry and brittle hair, and vexatious heat. The song says: Vexatious heat, dry hair, mouth and nose dry; skin withered, limbs flaccid. Frequent dysentery, colors green, white, red, yellow alike. Eyes gritty, face sallow, nostrils red; anus open, unwilling to look. Suddenly diarrhea forms gan accumulation, thick and molten in clumps. Lips cracked, vomiting, refusing milk; high fever with chills, restless sleep. This prescription is Qing Dai San (Indigo Powder), achieving results like taking the Holy Elixir.