此马蹄决明也。味甘苦咸。性微寒。无毒。得水土阴精之气。兼禀乎清阳以生。恶
仁。捣碎煎。
【主治】主青盲目淫。肤赤白膜。眼赤痛泪出。疗唇口青。久服益精光。（本经）助肝
气。
除
【归经】入肝胆二经。为泻肝明目之品。（肝家正药）
【前论】仲淳曰。补肝明目益精。除肝脏热之要药也。此疗目疾外。无他用。故无禁忌。
味辛苦。性寒。无毒。
【主治】主一切痈疽发背。疔肿瘰 。无名肿毒。恶疮。（纲目）
【归经】入肝脾二经。为除热解毒之品。（外科要药）
【前论】宁原曰。研末酒服三钱。能治黄胆内热。
鳌按、紫花地丁纲目止疗外科症。但考古人每用治黄胆喉痹。取其泻湿除热之功也。大
方家
即紫蝴蝶根。味苦。性平。有毒。禀金气而兼火气以生。降也。阳中阴也。
【主治】主咳逆上气。喉痹咽痛。不得消息。散结气。腹中邪逆。食饮大热。（本经）
疗
老血
破症
痰。治
【归经】入心心包三焦三经。兼入肺肝脾三经。为清火解毒。散血消痰之品。
【前论】丹溪曰。射干属金有木与火。行足厥阴手足太阴之积痰。使结核自消甚捷。又
治便
宁
【禁忌】经疏曰。性不益阴。凡脾胃弱。脏寒。气血虚。病无实热。均忌。
This is *Cassiae Semen* (Jue Ming Zi, 决明子), specifically the variety resembling a horse's hoof. It tastes sweet, bitter, and salty. Its nature is slightly cold. It is non-toxic. It derives its essence from the yin of water and earth, and simultaneously inherits clear yang qi for its growth. It should not be used with *Armeniacae Semen Amarum* (Xingren, 杏仁). It should be crushed before decoction.
[Indications] Primarily treats blindness (Qingmang, 青盲), excessive ocular discharge, skin redness and white membranes (cataracts/pterygium), red and painful eyes with tearing, and cyanosis of the lips and mouth. Long-term consumption enhances visual acuity and brilliance. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Assists liver qi.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It is an herb that drains liver heat to brighten the eyes. (The principal herb for liver disorders.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Zhongchun stated: It is a key herb for nourishing the liver, brightening the eyes, benefiting essence, and clearing heat from the liver. Aside from treating eye diseases, it has no other uses; therefore, there are no contraindications.
It tastes pungent and bitter. Its nature is cold. It is non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats all types of carbuncles and sores, back carbuncles (Fabei, 发背), ding sores (Dingzhong, 疔肿), scrofula (Luoli, 瘰疬), unclassified swellings and toxins, and malignant ulcers. (From *Bencao Gangmu*)
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver and Spleen meridians. It is an herb that clears heat and detoxifies. (A key herb for external medicine.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Ningyuan stated: When ground into powder and taken with wine (3 qian), it can treat jaundice and internal heat.
Ao’s Note: *Viola Yedoensis* (Zihua Diding, 紫花地丁) in *Bencao Gangmu* only records its use for external surgical conditions. However, ancient texts show it was often used to treat jaundice and throat obstruction (Houbi, 喉痹), taking advantage of its ability to drain dampness and clear heat.
It is also known as the root of the Purple Butterfly (*Belamcanda chinensis*, Shuye, 射干). It tastes bitter. Its nature is neutral. It is toxic. It inherits metal qi and combines with fire qi for its growth. It has a descending action. It belongs to yin within yang.
[Indications] Primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, throat obstruction and sore throat, difficulty in breathing/swallowing, disperses stagnant qi, corrects rebellious qi in the abdomen, and addresses heat from retained food and drink. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Treats old blood stasis, breaks mass formations (Zhengjia, 症瘕), and resolves phlegm.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Heart, Pericardium, and Sanjiao meridians, and additionally enters the Lung, Liver, and Spleen meridians. It is an herb that clears fire, detoxifies, invigorates blood, and resolves phlegm.
[Preliminary Discussion] Danxi stated: *Belamcanda chinensis* belongs to Metal but possesses characteristics of Wood and Fire. It eliminates accumulated phlegm in the Foot Jueyin, Hand Taiyin, and Foot Taiyin meridians, causing nodules to dissipate very quickly. It also treats...
[Contraindications] *Bencao Jing Shu* states: Its nature does not benefit yin. It is contraindicated in cases of weak spleen and stomach, cold viscera, deficiency of qi and blood, and conditions lacking excess heat.