徐之才曰。宣可去壅。生姜、橘皮之属是也。李杲曰。外感六淫之邪。欲传入里。三阴
实而不受。逆于胸中。窒塞不通。而或哕或呕。所谓壅也。三阴者脾也。故必破气药如生姜、
橘皮、藿香、半夏之类泻其壅塞。王好古曰。木郁达之。火郁发之。土郁夺之。金郁泄之。
水郁折之。皆宣也。
味苦辛。性微温。有小毒。感轻清之气而生。升也。阳中阴也。畏白芨、龙胆草。忌
猪肉。伏砒。
【主治】主胸胁痛如刀刺。腹满肠鸣幽幽。惊恐悸气。（本经）利五脏肠胃。除寒热风
痹。
疗咽喉痛。下蛊毒。（别录）治下痢。破血积气。消聚痰涎。去肺热气促嗽逆。除腹中冷痛。
主中恶。小儿惊痫。（甄权）下一切气。止霍乱转筋。心腹胀痛。除邪辟温。破症瘕肺痈。
养血排脓。补内漏。及喉痹。（大明）利窍。治肺部风热。清利头目咽嗌胸膈滞气及痛。除
鼻塞（元素）治寒呕。（东垣）主口舌生疮。赤目肿痛。（时珍）
【归经】入肺心二经。兼入胃经。为开发和解之品。（兼泻剂肺经气分药）
【前论】张元素曰。桔梗清肺气。利咽喉。其色白。故为肺部引经。同甘草为舟楫之剂。
如大黄苦泄峻下之药。欲引至胸中至高之分。须用辛甘升之。譬如铁石入江。非舟楫不载。
所以诸药有此一味。不能下沉也。朱震亨曰。干咳嗽。乃痰火之邪郁在肺中。宜桔梗开之。
痢
【禁忌】经疏曰。凡攻补下焦药中勿入。气逆上升不得下降。及邪在下焦。均忌。
【炮制】雷公曰。凡用。须去头上尖硬二三分。并去浮皮。泔浸。微炒。
Xu Zhicai stated: "Xuan" (dispersing/promoting) agents can remove stagnation. Ginger and tangerine peel are examples of such agents. Li Gao stated: When external pathogens of the six excesses (wind, cold, summerheat, dampness, dryness, fire) desire to transmit inward, but the Three Yin meridians (Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin) are in a state of excess and cannot accept them, the pathogens rebel in the chest, causing obstruction and blockage, leading to hiccups or vomiting. This is referred to as "stagnation." The Three Yin meridians primarily refer to the Spleen; therefore, Qi-breaking herbs such as ginger, tangerine peel, patchouli, and pinellia must be used to drain the stagnation. Wang Haogu stated: For Wood stagnation, promote its free flow; for Fire stagnation, vent it; for Earth stagnation, purge it; for Metal stagnation, drain it; for Water stagnation, control it. All these constitute the method of "Xuan."
Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) tastes bitter and acrid, is slightly warm in nature, and has slight toxicity. It is generated by absorbing light and clear Qi, possesses an ascending property, and belongs to Yang containing Yin. It is incompatible with Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma) and Longdancao (Gentianae Radix). It is contraindicated with pork. It can neutralize arsenic.
[Indications] It mainly treats stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal fullness with low-frequency borborygmi, and fright palpitations. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*) It benefits the five Zang organs and the intestines and stomach, eliminates wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, and treats sore throat and gu poison. (From *Bencao Jing Jiuzhu*) It treats dysentery, breaks up blood stasis and Qi stagnation, dissipates accumulated phlegm and saliva, clears Lung heat causing rapid breathing and coughing with rebellious Qi, removes cold pain in the abdomen, treats sudden evil invasion, and pediatric convulsions. (From Zhen Quan) It directs all Qi downward, stops cholera with muscle cramps, relieves heart and abdominal distension and pain, expels evil and prevents warm diseases, breaks up masses and lung abscesses, nourishes blood, drains pus, supplements internal leakage, and treats throat obstruction. (From Li Shizhen's era commentaries) It opens orifices, treats Wind-Heat in the Lungs, clears and benefits the head, eyes, throat, and diaphragm by resolving stagnant Qi and pain, and removes nasal congestion. (From Zhang Yuansu) It treats cold-induced vomiting. (From Li Dongyuan) It mainly treats mouth and tongue ulcers, and red, swollen, and painful eyes. (From Li Shizhen)
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Lung and Heart meridians, and concurrently enters the Stomach meridian. It is a category of opening and harmonizing agents. (Concurrently acts as a draining agent for Qi level in the Lung meridian.)
[Preceding Discussions] Zhang Yuansu stated: Jiegeng clears Lung Qi and benefits the throat. Its white color makes it a guiding herb for the Lung meridian. Combined with Gancao (Licorice Root), it forms a "vessel and oar" formula. Just as harsh purgatives like Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) need to be guided to the highest part of the chest, one must use acrid and sweet ascending herbs. It is like iron or stone thrown into a river; without vessels and oars, they cannot float. Therefore, adding this single herb to various formulas prevents them from sinking. Zhu Zhenheng stated: Dry cough results from Phlegm-Fire pathogens constrained within the Lungs; it is appropriate to use Jiegeng to open and disperse them.
[Contraindications] According to *Bencao Shu*: Do not include Jiegeng in formulas that attack or tonify the Lower Jiao. Since it causes Qi to rise and prevents descent, it is contraindicated when pathogens reside in the Lower Jiao.
[Processing] Lei Gong stated: When using Jiegeng, one must remove the hard tip at the top (about two to three fen), peel off the floating skin, soak it in rice water, and stir-fry it lightly.