味苦。性寒。无毒。禀至阴之气。而得清寒之性以生。降也。阴也。恶干漆。
【主治】主五脏肠胃中结热。黄胆。肠痔。止泄痢。女子漏下赤白。阴伤蚀疮。（本经）
疗
惊气在皮间。肌肤热
权） 治骨蒸。洗肝
胱相火。补肾水不足。坚
冲脉气逆不渴而小便不痛。诸疮
【归经】入肾膀胱二经。为除热益阴之品。（肾家要药 膀胱引经药专治阴虚生内热诸
症）
【前论】元素曰。瘫痪必用之药。 东垣曰。黄柏、苍术乃治痿要药。 时珍曰。黄柏
能
制
上
虚
气不
心
久
合
【禁忌】经疏曰。阴阳两虚。脾胃薄弱者。均忌。
【炮制】纲目曰。黄柏性寒而沉。生用则降实火。熟用则不伤胃。酒制则治上。蜜制则
治中
味苦辛。性温。无毒。禀地二之气以生。兼得春阳而成。降也。阴中阳也。干姜为使。
恶泽泻、磁石、寒水石。忌豆。
【主治】主中风伤寒头痛寒热惊悸。气血痹死肌。去三虫（本经） 温中益气。消痰下
气。疗霍乱。及腹痛胀满。胃中逆冷。呕不止。泄痢。淋露。去留热。除惊。心烦满。浓肠
胃。（
杀肠中虫
水壳。止吐
古）
【归经】入脾胃二经。为下实散满之品。（苦降泻实满辛温散湿满）
【前论】丹溪曰。此能泻胃中之实。然滞行则宜去之。若气实人误服参、 药。多补气
胀闷
枳实、
益气是
苦则泻
【炮制】大明曰。凡使。去粗皮。姜汁炙。或浸炒用。
[Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbo)]
Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It inherits the qi of extreme yin and grows with a clear-cold nature. Its movement is descending, belonging to yin. It is incompatible with Dried Lacquer (Ganqi).
[Indications] Primarily treats internal knot-heat in the five zang organs and intestines/stomach, jaundice, intestinal hemorrhoids, stops dysentery and diarrhea, leukorrhea and uterine bleeding in women, and erosive sores of the genitals. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
Treats frightful qi lodged between the skin and muscles, fever of the skin and muscles... (Cited from [Author Name] Quan) Treats bone-steaming tidal fever, cleanses the liver... bladder ministerial fire, tonifies insufficient kidney water, strengthens... counterflow qi of the Chong vessel without thirst but with painless urination, various sores...
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians. It is an agent that clears heat and benefits yin. (Essential herb for the Kidney, guiding herb for the Bladder, specifically treating various syndromes of internal heat generated by yin deficiency.)
[Preliminary Discussions] Yuan Zhiyuan stated: An essential herb for paralysis. Li Dongyuan stated: Huangbo and Atractylodes Rhizome (Cangzhu) are essential herbs for treating flaccidity syndrome (Wei syndrome). Li Shizhen stated: Huangbo can... restrain... upper... deficiency... qi not... heart... long-term... combine...
[Contraindications] Chen Jinku stated: Contraindicated for those with dual deficiency of yin and yang, or weak spleen and stomach.
[Processing] Li Shizhen stated: Huangbo is cold in nature and heavy/sinking. Raw use reduces excess fire; processed use does not damage the stomach; wine-processed use treats the upper body; honey-processed use treats the middle body.
[Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Noupu)]
Bitter and acrid in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It inherits the qi of Earth number two to grow, and additionally acquires the spring yang qi to complete its nature. Its movement is descending, belonging to yang within yin. Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) serves as its assistant herb. It is incompatible with Alisma Rhizome (Zexie), Magnetite (Cishi), and Calcined Gypsum (Hanshuishi). It is contraindicated with beans.
[Indications] Primarily treats headache, chills and fever, palpitations due to wind-stroke and cold damage, blood and qi bi obstruction with dead muscle tissue, expels three types of parasites. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Warms the middle and benefits qi, resolves phlegm and directs qi downward, treats cholera, abdominal pain and distension, cold reversal in the stomach, incessant vomiting, dysentery, strangury with dripping urine, removes lingering heat, dispels fright, relieves mental restlessness and fullness, thickens the intestines and stomach... (Cited from ancient texts) Kills intestinal parasites... shell, stops vomiting...
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It is an agent that drains excess and disperses fullness. (Bitter drains and reduces excess fullness; acrid-warm disperses damp-fullness.)
[Preliminary Discussions] Zhu Danxi stated: This can drain excess in the stomach, but if it causes stagnation, it should be removed. If individuals with excess qi mistakenly take Ginseng... herbs, it often leads to tonifying qi... distension and oppression... Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi)... benefiting qi is... bitter then drains...
[Processing] Li Ming stated: Generally, remove the rough bark, roast with ginger juice, or soak and stir-fry before use.