味甘。性平。无毒。正禀土中阳气而生。可升可降。阴中阳也。白术、苦参为使。反
大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻。恶远志。忌猪肉。
【主治】主五脏六腑寒热邪气。坚筋力。长肌肉。倍力。金疮肿。解毒。（本经）温中。
下气
【归经】入肝脾二经。通入十二经。为调和之品。（兼泻剂 能调百药专解百毒）
【前论】丹溪曰。甘草味甘。大缓诸火。东垣曰。凡心火乘脾。腹中急痛。腹皮急缩者。
宜
用之得其平。仲淳曰。凡解毒必入甘草。盖诸毒遇土则化。甘草为土精。故能化毒。解一切
邪气。纲目曰。甘草头生用。能行肝胃二经瘀浊之血。消肿导毒。甘草梢生用。治胸中积热
。去茎中痛。加酒煮延胡索、苦楝子尤妙。李言闻曰。欲达下焦。须用梢子。
鳌按、甘草功用甚多。各本草所详亦甚繁而难记。因总括前贤笺记而举其要如左。甘草
入和
邪热
能协和诸药。使不相争。资其土气而生肌。藉其甘味而止痛。通行十二经脉而益精养气。壮
骨
和筋。故有国老之称。而为九土之精也。
【禁忌】经疏曰。凡中满人。呕家。酒家。诸湿肿满。及胀满病。均忌。
【炮制】纲目曰。生用则补脾胃不足而泻心火。炙用则补三焦元气而解表寒。炙法用长
流水
味甘。性微温。无毒。禀天之阳气。地之冲气以生。可升可降。阳也。茯苓为使
甲、白藓皮。
【主治】主痈疽久败疮。排脓止痛。大风癞疾。痔 。补虚。小儿百病。（本经）女人
子
脏冷
主虚喘
及诸经
【归经】入肺大肠二经。为实表助气泻火之品。
【前论】宏景曰。虚而客热。用出白水者凉补之。虚而客冷。用出陇西者温补之。好古
曰。
补
发
气盛则无陷下之忧也。嘉谟曰。凡痈疮毒瓦斯。化则成脓。补气故能内托。若不能成脓。死不
治。毒盛而元衰也。痘亦然。
【禁忌】经疏曰。黄 功能实表。有表邪者忌。又能助气。气实者忌。又能塞补不足。
胸膈
人多
[Licorice Root]
Sweet in flavor. Neutral in nature. Non-toxic. It is born from the Yang Qi of Earth. It can ascend and descend; it is Yin containing Yang. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen) serve as its guides. It is incompatible with Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Daji), Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua), Kansui Radix (Gansui), and Sargassum (Haizao). It opposes Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi). Pork should be avoided.
【Indications】Mainly treats Cold-Heat pathogenic factors in the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Strengthens tendons and sinews, promotes muscle growth, increases strength, treats traumatic injuries with swelling, and detoxifies. (*Shennong Bencao Jing*) Warms the Middle Jiao. Directs Qi downward.
【Meridian Tropism】Enters the Liver and Spleen meridians. Connects to all Twelve Meridians. It is a harmonizing agent. (Also acts as a purgative; it harmonizes hundred herbs and specifically resolves hundred toxins.)
【Preceding Discussions】Danxi said: Licorice is sweet in flavor and greatly moderates various Fires. Dongyuan said: Whenever Heart Fire invades the Spleen, causing acute abdominal pain and contraction of the abdominal wall, it should be used to achieve balance. Zhongchun said: For any detoxification, Licorice must be included. Because various toxins transform when encountering Earth, and Licorice is the essence of Earth, it can thus resolve toxins and dispel all kinds of pathogenic factors. *Bencao Gangmu* stated: Raw Licorice head can move stagnant and turbid blood in the Liver and Stomach meridians, reduce swelling, and guide out toxins. Raw Licorice tip treats accumulated heat in the chest and removes pain in the urethra/genitals. Adding wine-boiled Corydalis Rhizoma (Yanhusuo) and Melia Toosendan Fructus (Kuilianzi) is particularly excellent. Li Yanwen said: To reach the Lower Jiao, one must use the tip.
Ao's Note: Licorice has many functions. The details in various Materia Medica are extensive and difficult to memorize. Therefore, I summarize the annotations of former sages and list the essentials below. Licorhe enters to harmonize and clear pathogenic heat. It can harmonize various medicines so they do not conflict. It relies on its Earth Qi to generate flesh and its sweet flavor to relieve pain. It circulates through the Twelve Meridians, benefiting Essence and nourishing Qi, strengthening bones, and harmonizing sinews. Thus, it is called the "State Elder" and is the essence of the Nine Soils.
【Contraindications】*Jingshu* stated: Those with fullness in the middle Jiao, those who vomit frequently, drinkers, those with dampness-induced swelling and fullness, and diseases of distension and fullness should all avoid it.
【Processing】*Bencao Gangmu* stated: When used raw, it tonifies deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach and drains Heart Fire. When honey-fried, it tonifies the Primordial Qi of the Sanjiao and releases exterior cold. The frying method uses long-flowing water.
[Astragalus Root]
Sweet in flavor. Slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. It is born from the Yang Qi of Heaven and the rushing Qi of Earth. It can ascend and descend; it is Yang. Poria Cocos (Fuling) serves as its guide [and potentially interacts with Dictamni Cortex (Bai Xianpi)].
【Indications】Mainly treats chronic, ulcerated sores from carbuncles and abscesses. Expels pus and relieves pain. Treats severe leprosy-like diseases and hemorrhoids. Tonifies deficiency. Treats various ailments in children. (*Shennong Bencao Jing*) Treats coldness in the uterus of women, deficiency-type wheezing, and issues in various meridians.
【Meridian Tropism】Enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. It is an agent that solidifies the exterior, assists Qi, and drains fire.
【Preceding Discussions】Hongjing said: For deficiency with external heat, use Astragalus from Baishui for cool tonification. For deficiency with external cold, use Astragalus from Longxi for warm tonification. Haogu said: When Qi is abundant, there is no worry of sinking/collapse. Jiamo said: Regarding the toxic vapors of carbuncles and sores, if they transform into pus, tonifying Qi allows for internal support/expulsion. If pus cannot form, death is inevitable due to excessive toxin and deficient Yuan Qi. This also applies to smallpox.
【Contraindications】*Jingshu* stated: Astragalus functions to solidify the exterior; those with exterior pathogens should avoid it. It also assists Qi; those with excess Qi should avoid it. It also fills deficiencies... [Text cuts off regarding chest/diaphragm fullness].