味咸。性寒。无毒。得水气以生。降也。阴也。
【主治】主十二种水肿。瘿瘤聚结气。 疮。（别录）破积聚。（思邈）
【归经】入胃经。为软坚润下。除热散结之品。
【前论】东垣曰。咸能软坚。故瘿坚如石者。非此不除。与海藻同功。
鳌按、昆布消坚。诚为要品。余曾用此同茯苓、归身、白术、半夏、陈皮。治梅核膈。
二帖
一物
山
味甘。性平。无毒。得水之冲气以生。降多于升。阳中阴也。
【主治】主妇人乳痈肿。水煮汁服之。又封之。立消。（本经）
【归经】入肾经。兼入脾胃二经。为解毒散结之品。（足少阴君药）
【前论】时珍曰。古方有擦牙乌须发还少丹。甚言此草之功。盖取其能通肾也。故东垣
以为
味苦。性寒。无毒。禀天地芬烈之气以生。可升可降。阴中阳也。伏硫黄。
【主治】主疥瘙痂痒恶疮。杀虱。留热在骨节间。明目。（本经）风毒心痛。妇人血气。
腹内
〔青蒿
【归经】入肝胆二经。为除热补劳之品。（二经血分药 专治骨蒸劳热蓐劳虚热）
【前论】时珍曰。得春木少阳之气最早。故所主皆少阳厥阴血分之病。
【禁忌】经疏曰。产后气虚内寒作泻。及饮食停滞泄泻者。均忌。凡产后脾胃薄弱。忌
与归
味苦辛。性寒。无毒。得土金之气而生。降也。阳中阴也。土瓜为使。伏汞砂。
【主治】主寒热瘰 。鼠 头疮。破症。散瘿结气。脚肿湿痹。（本经）
【归经】入肝胆二经。为散结解热之品。（补肝血缓肝火解内热散结气）
【前论】丹溪曰。此草大有补养厥阴血脉之功。楼全善曰。此治目珠疼。至夜则甚者。
神效
者。
草四
故昼
[Kunbu (Laminaria japonica)]
Taste: Salty. Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. Born from the Qi of water. Descending. Yin in nature.
Indications: Primarily treats twelve types of edema, goiter with accumulated Qi, and sores. (from *Bielu*) Breaks up accumulations and masses. (Sun Simiao)
Meridian Tropism: Enters the Stomach meridian. It is a substance that softens hardness, promotes downward movement, clears heat, and dissipates nodules.
Preceding Discussion: Li Dongyuan stated: "Salty flavor can soften hardness. Therefore, for goiters that are hard as stone, this herb is indispensable for elimination. Its efficacy is similar to that of Haizao (Sargassum)."
Note by Ao: Kunbu is indeed an essential herb for dissipating hardness. I once used this herb combined with Fuling (Poria), Dangguishen (Radix Angelicae Sinensis Root), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to treat Meihege (Plum-pit qi).
Two doses.
One ingredient.
Mountain...
[Shancao / Certain Herb]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. Born from the rushing Qi of water. Descending more than ascending. Yang containing Yin.
Indications: Primarily treats breast abscesses in women. Boil in water, drink the juice, and apply externally. It disappears immediately. (from *Benjing*)
Meridian Tropism: Enters the Kidney meridian, and also enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It is a substance that resolves toxicity and dissipates nodules. (The Sovereign Drug of the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian)
Preceding Discussion: Li Shizhen stated: "Ancient prescriptions include 'Caiya Wuxufa Huanshao Dan' (Blackening Hair and Rejuvenation Pill for Brushing Teeth), which highly praises the efficacy of this herb. This is likely because it can unblock the Kidney. Therefore, Li Dongyuan believed..."
[Qinghao (Artemisia annua)]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. Endowed with the fragrant and potent Qi of Heaven and Earth. Can ascend and descend. Yin containing Yang. Counteracts realgar.
Indications: Primarily treats scabies with itching and crusts, malignant sores, kills lice, residual heat in the bone joints, and improves vision. (from *Benjing*) Wind-toxin causing heart pain, women's blood and Qi disorders, abdominal internal...
Meridian Tropism: Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It is a substance that clears heat and tonifies deficiency. (Blood-level drug of these two meridians; specifically treats bone-steaming consumption fever, postpartum consumption fever, and deficiency heat)
Preceding Discussion: Li Shizhen stated: "It receives the Shaoyang Qi of Spring Wood earliest. Therefore, its indications all relate to diseases of the Shaoyang and Jueyin blood levels."
Contraindications: Miao Xiyong stated: Contraindicated for postpartum patients with Qi deficiency, internal cold leading to diarrhea, and those with food stagnation leading to diarrhea. For postpartum patients with weak Spleen and Stomach, it is contraindicated to use with Danggui (Angelica sinensis)...
[Xiakucao (Prunella vulgaris)]
Taste: Bitter, Pungent. Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. Born from the Qi of Earth and Metal. Descending. Yang containing Yin. Uses Tugua (Melon) as a guide. Counteracts cinnabar.
Indications: Primarily treats chills and fever, scrofula, rat-fistula head sores, breaks up masses, dissipates goiter and accumulated Qi, and leg swelling with damp-bi. (from *Benjing*)
Meridian Tropism: Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It is a substance that dissipates nodules and clears heat. (Tonifies Liver blood, moderates Liver fire, clears internal heat, dissipates accumulated Qi)
Preceding Discussion: Zhu Danxi stated: "This herb has great merit in nourishing the Jueyin blood vessels." Lou Quanshan stated: "This herb is miraculous for treating eye pain that worsens at night..."