味苦甘。性温。无毒。得土之冲气。兼禀天之春气以生。可升可降。阳也。忌猪肉
肉、米泔。害人。
【主治】主风寒头痛。风湿周痹四肢拘挛痛。恶肉死肌。膝痛。溪毒。（藏器） 治肝
热。
明
【归经】入肺经。为发汗散风胜湿之品。（上通脑顶下行足膝外达皮肤）
【前论】好古曰。苦以燥湿。甘以和血。温则通畅。春气发生而升。故主以上诸症。
鳌按、苍耳即 耳。治鼻渊鼻息。断不可缺。能使清阳之气上行巅顶也。
味甘。微苦。性温。无毒。感春升之气而生。升也。阳中阴也。
【主治】主目疾。退翳膜。消积块。益肝胆。疗肠风。止痢。及妇人月水不断。崩中赤
白。
【归经】入肝胆二经。为退翳发汗之品。（升散火郁风湿）
【前论】刘禹锡曰。木贼得牛角腮、麝香。治休息久痢。得禹余粮、川芎、当归。治崩
中赤
【禁忌】经疏曰。目疾由于怒气。及暑热伤血暴赤肿痛者。均忌。
味甘。性寒。无毒。禀清芬之气而生。浮也。阳也。
【主治】主五淋。（开宝） 泻肺。治阴窍涩不利。除水肿。癃闭。（元素） 治急喉痹。
烧灰
【归经】入心肺小肠三经。为清热行水之品。（兼通剂 降心火 清肺热 利小肠）
【前论】仲淳曰。其质轻通。其性寒。味甘淡。故能通利小肠热气下行。从小肠出。小
肠为
【禁忌】经疏曰。性专通利。虚脱人不宜用。
[Cang Er Zi (Xanthii Fructus)]
Taste: Bitter, sweet. Nature: Warm. Non-toxic. It acquires the balanced Qi of Earth and inherits the Spring Qi of Heaven for its growth. It can ascend and descend; it is Yang. Avoid pork and rice washing water (Mi Gan), as they are harmful.
[Indications] Mainly treats wind-cold headache, wind-dampness Bi syndrome (painful obstruction) with stiffness and pain in the four limbs, necrotic flesh and dead muscle, knee pain, and stream toxicity. (Cited from Zang Qi). Treats liver heat.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Lung Meridian. It is a substance that induces sweating, disperses wind, and overcomes dampness. (Ascends to the vertex of the head, descends to the feet and knees, and reaches the skin externally.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Li Haogu said: Bitterness dries dampness, sweetness harmonizes blood, warmth promotes circulation, and the generating nature of Spring Qi ascends. Therefore, it treats the aforementioned conditions.
Ao's Note: Cang Er Zi is also known as Er Shi. It is indispensable for treating bi yuan (nasal sinusitis) and nasal congestion/discharge. It enables clear Yang Qi to ascend to the vertex.
[Mu Zei Cao (Equiseti Herba)]
Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter. Nature: Warm. Non-toxic. It grows by sensing the ascending Qi of Spring. It primarily ascends; it is Yin within Yang.
[Indications] Mainly treats eye diseases, reduces corneal opacity (pterygium/leukoma), dissipates accumulations, benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, treats intestinal wind (hematochezia), stops dysentery, and addresses continuous menstruation in women, metrorrhagia with red and white discharge.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It is a substance that reduces corneal opacity and induces sweating. (Ascends and disperses fire stagnation and wind-dampness.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Liu Yuxi said: When combined with ox horn brim and musk, Mu Zei treats chronic persistent dysentery; when combined with Yu Yu Liang, Chuan Xiong, and Dang Gui, it treats metrorrhagia with red and white discharge.
[Contraindications] Miao Xiyong said: Contraindicated for eye diseases caused by anger, and for those suffering from sudden redness, swelling, and pain due to summer-heat injuring the blood.
[Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla)]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. It is endowed with a pure and fragrant Qi for its growth. It primarily floats; it is Yang.
[Indications] Mainly treats the five types of Lin syndrome (dysuria). (Cited from Kaibao Bencao). Drains the Lungs, treats涩不利 (stiffness and difficulty) in the yin orifices, eliminates edema, and treats long bi (difficulty or retention of urine). (Cited from Zhang Yuan-su). Treats acute throat bi (acute sore throat with obstruction). Use after burning to ash.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine meridians. It is a substance that clears heat and promotes water metabolism. (Acts as a unblocking agent, descends Heart Fire, clears Lung Heat, and benefits the Small Intestine.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Zhong Chun said: Its texture is light and penetrating, its nature is cold, and its taste is sweet and bland. Therefore, it can promote the downward movement of heat qi from the Small Intestine, expelling it through the Small Intestine. The Small Intestine serves as...
[Contraindications] Miao Xiyong said: Due to its specific purgative and draining properties, it should not be used in patients with deficiency and collapse.