Library

(Those with strong flavors belong to Yin within Yin. Strong flavors have a purgative/descending effect. Sour, bitter, and salty flavors with cold qi belong to this category.)

*Scutellariae Radix* (Huanglian, 黄连): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic. Its medicinal force and flavor are both strong; it can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang within Yin. It enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its functions include six aspects: first, clearing Heart Fire; second, removing damp-heat from the Middle Jiao; third, essential for treating various sores; fourth, dispelling wind-dampness; fifth, treating sudden onset of red eyes; sixth, stopping bleeding in the middle region. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in all five varieties of Xixin Decoction (Cordis Dispersing Decoction) for treating nine types of epigastric fullness. Li Dongyuan states: *Scutellariae Radix* enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; due to its bitter dryness, it enters Heart Fire to address dryness. However, "clearing the Heart" actually clears Spleen Fire. According to Five Elements theory, "the child can make the mother full"; when excess occurs, drain the child. In treating blood disorders, Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, 防风) acts as the ascending guide, *Scutellariae Radix* as the middle guide, and Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu, 地榆) as the descending guide. Remove roots and fine-cut for use.

*Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belongs to Yin, specifically slight Yang within Yin. Enters the Blood aspect of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Li Guo states: Its qi is cool, taste bitter-sweet, qi is strong while flavor is thin, floating and ascending, belonging to Yin within Yang. Enters the Hand-Shaoyang Gallbladder and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridians. Wine-fried to direct action upward. Li Dongyuan further notes: The hollow and light variety clears Lung Fire, benefits Qi, resolves phlegm, dispels wind-heat, and eliminates heat in the muscle layer. The solid and heavy variety clears Large Intestine Fire, nourishes Yin, reduces Yang, supplements Bladder cold water, and nourishes the source of transformation. This parallels the usage of Atractylodis Fructus (Zhishi, 枳实) and Aurantii Fructus (Zhiqiao, 枳壳). Li Guo summarizes nine uses: first, clearing Lung heat; second, resolving wind-heat and wind-dampness in the Upper Jiao skin; third, clearing various heat pathogens; fourth, benefiting Qi in the chest; fifth, eliminating phlegm in the diaphragm; sixth, removing dampness in the Spleen meridian; seventh, essential for summer use; eighth, nourishing Yin and reducing Yang postpartum; ninth, calming the fetus. Wine-fried to ascend, treating upper accumulation of blood. For dysentery with pus and blood, abdominal pain, tenesmus, and persistent fever, combine with Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao, 白芍) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gancao, 甘草). For painful sores, use bitter-cold herbs like *Scutellariae Radix*, distinguishing upper/lower regions and using guiding herbs. Su Song records: Zhang Zhongjing uses *Scutellariae Radix* in all four Xixin Decoctions for epigastric fullness because it treats various heats and benefits the Small Intestine. Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction) is used for diarrhea, wheezing, and sweating after incorrect purgation in Taiyang disease. Sanmu An Tai San (Sanmu Calming Fetus Powder) also frequently uses it. Li Shizhen records: Li Guojie states *Scutellariae Radix* clears Lung Fire and treats Spleen dampness; Dongyuan states Pian Qin (slice form) treats Lung Fire, Tiao Qin (strip form) treats Large Intestine Fire; Danxi states it treats Upper and Middle Jiao fire. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) for Shaoyang syndrome, Huang Qin Tang for Taiyang-Shaoyang combined disease with diarrhea, and Xixin Decoction for post-purgation epigastric fullness without pain. Cheng Wuji states *Scutellariae Radix* enters the Heart via bitterness to clear fullness heat, indicating it enters the Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Yangming, Foot-Taiyin, and Foot-Shaoyang meridians. Generally, its cold nature and bitter taste enter the Heart to clear heat and treat Spleen damp-heat. This prevents Metal from being controlled by Fire and stops Stomach Fire from entering the Lung, thereby saving the Lung. It is unsuitable for Lung deficiency as bitter-cold damages the Spleen and Stomach (the Mother organ). Shaoyang syndrome presents with alternating chills and fever, hypochondriac fullness, silent desire not to eat, irritability, or vomiting. Although located half-exterior half-interior, hypochondriac fullness involves Upper Jiao pathogens of Heart and Lung, while irritability and aversion to food involve Middle Jiao Spleen and Stomach. Thus, *Scutellariae Radix* treats the Ministerial Fire of Shaoyang. Cheng Wuji’s commentary only mentions dispersing transmitted heat, missing the subtlety of treating Fire. Yang Shiying claims Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡) is inferior to *Scutellariae Radix* for reducing fever, not realizing Chaihu disperses the branch of fire, while *Scutellariae Radix* conquers heat to break the root. Zhang Zhongjing advises removing *Scutellariae Radix* for abdominal pain or adding Fu Ling (Poria) for palpitations and difficult urination, seemingly contradicting *Ben Cao* statements on treating lower abdominal cramps. Cheng Shi attributes this to *Scutellariae Radix* hardening the Kidney via bitterness, but this is likely incorrect. One must differentiate via pulse and symptoms: if caused by cold/drink with non-rapid pulse, avoid it; if caused by heat-jue or Lung heat, use it. Skilled readers seek principles rather than literal text. Remove skin and black rot, fine-cut, and sieve.

*Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huangbai, 黄柏): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic. Strong medicinal force and flavor, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin, slightly pungent among Yin, thus Yang within Yin. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, serving as a guiding herb for the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Li Dongyuan states: Treats Wei syndrome, Jue syndrome, and weak knees/legs due to Kidney Water and Bladder insufficiency. Add small amounts to Huang Bai Tang to restore strength. Honey-fried powder treats mouth ulcers miraculously and is essential for paralysis. It clears Bladder heat, benefits the lower orifice, clears Bladder meridian fire, and supplements Kidney insufficiency. *Neijing* states: "Bitterness hardens." The Kidney dislikes dryness and retains dampness. Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus) and Huang Qin enter the Lung, Huang Lian enters the Heart, Huang Bai enters the Kidney; each addresses dryness according to its affinity. Huoren Shu’s Jiedu Tang treats internally and externally. Use raw for descending real fire; wine-processed for upper body; salt-processed for lower body; honey-processed for middle body without damaging Stomach.

*Gardeniae Fructus* (Zhizi, 栀子): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic. Li Guo states: Thin qi, strong flavor, light and clear ascending, floating qi, descending flavor, Yang within Yin. Li Dongyuan states: Sinking, Yin. Enters the Blood aspect of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Li Shizhen notes: *Ben Cao* does not mention emetic properties, but Zhang Zhongjing used it as an emetic. It is not inherently emetic; rather, pathogenic factors in the upper region reject food, causing vomiting to expel pathogens ("The high ones, cause them to vomit"). Some use it to promote urination, but it actually clears the Lung. Clearing the Lung allows Qi transformation, enabling the Bladder to excrete fluids. *Ben Cao* mentions treating Large and Small Intestine heat due to elemental combinations. Zhang Zhongjing uses Zhizi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction) for irritability (Qi/Lung) and restlessness (Blood/Kidney). Red color/bitter taste enters Heart for irritability; black color/salty taste enters Kidney for restlessness. Kou Zongshi records: Used after sweating/vomiting/purging for insomnia and mental agitation due to deficiency, avoiding Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) due to its cold toxicity. Zhizi treats internal empty heat from fluid/blood loss. For Heart heat and dark urine, combine with processed Da Huang, Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, 连翘), and roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix. Select grains resembling quail brains with nine ridges and red color. Kernel for chest heat; peel for surface heat; whole shell for Upper/Middle Jiao; peeled for Lower Jiao; charred for blood disorders.

*Gypsum Fibrosum* (Shigao, 石膏): Cold in nature, sweet-pungent, non-toxic. Enters Hand-Taiyin Lung, Shaoyang, and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Li Guo states: Cold, pungent-bland, thin qi/flavor, heavy and sinking, Yin. Major cold herb for Yangming Meridian. Treats headache, toothache, thirst, heatstroke, and tidal fever. However, it may chill the Stomach and suppress appetite; avoid unless extreme heat exists. Also treats Yangming heat, fever with aversion to cold, dryness, afternoon tidal fever, muscle fever, turbid urine, intense thirst, spontaneous sweating, and severe headache. Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) addresses this. Avoid if these signs are absent; misdiagnosis of blood-deficiency fever or Spleen-Stomach deficiency can be fatal. Li Dongyuan adds: It clears Lung heat constrained by Yangming fire. For rapid pulse, use it; avoid in weak Stomach. Effective for warm diseases with thirst and surging pulse, even in winter. Do not strictly follow Dongyuan’s advice to avoid it after End of Heat. It is also known as Hanshui Shi (Cold Water Stone) or Ying Shigao (Hard Gypsum). Fine white texture is best. Crush to millet size, boil first before adding other herbs.

*Anemarrhenae Rhizoma* (Zhimu, 知母): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, strong qi/flavor, sinking, Yin, slight Yang within Yin. Primary herb for Kidney Meridian, entering Foot-Yangming and Hand-Taiyin Qi aspects. Li Dongyuan states: Four uses: clearing rootless Kidney fire, treating bone-steaming with sweat, stopping deficiency heat, and nourishing the source of Yin. Zhang Zhongjing combines it with Shigao in Baihu Tang for restlessness. Fang Feng guides up, Zhimu clears Kidney source, Gancao and Jing Mi (Coix Seed) slow descent. For urinary obstruction with thirst (Upper Jiao heat blocking Water generation), use bland-draining herbs to clear Lung fire. For urinary obstruction without thirst (Lower Jiao blood heat/Yin deficiency), use Huangbai and Zhimu to tonify Kidney/Bladder, allowing Yang to transform and urine to flow. Select plump, white interior, remove hairs. Wine-processed for ascending; salt-water processed for descending. (Avoid iron).

*Fraxini Cortex* (Qinpi, 秦皮): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic, sinking. Treats heat-dysentery with heaviness and lower Jiao deficiency. *Neijing* states "bitterness hardens," hence used with Weitou Wang and Huangbai. Treats wind-cold-damp bi, eye opacities, male infertility, female leukorrhea, and pediatric convulsions. Wash eyes with decoction. Extract blue-green juice, mix with Lithospermi Radix (Zicao, 紫草) for better effect. Guided by Euphorbiae Humifusa Herba (Daji, 大戟); incompatible with Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu, 吴茱萸). Li Shizhen adds: Green color, cold/bitter/astringent nature targets Liver/Gallbladder meridians. Treats eye disorders and convulsions by pacifying Wood; treats dysentery and leukorrhea by astringency; treats infertility by astringent tonification. Often overlooked except for eye treatments.

*Pulsatillae Radix* (Baitouweng, 白头翁): Cold in nature, bitter-pungent, non-toxic, thick qi/thin flavor, ascending/descending, Yang within Yin. Treats warm malaria, mania, cold-heat alternations, masses, blood stasis, and pain. Zhang Zhongjing uses Baitouweng Tang for heat-dysentery with urgency. Hardens lower Jiao via bitter taste. Treats hernia, alopecia, fetid discharge, and epistaxis. Effective for toxic dysentery. Wu Qian states: Suitable for heat-toxin dysentery with purple/fresh blood.

*Rhei Radix et Rhizoma* (Dahuang, 大黄): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic, strong qi/flavor, sinking, Yin. Use wine-soaked/roasted for "cold treated with heat." Wine directs to Taiyang; washing directs to Yangming. Li Dongyuan states: Bitter and峻 (severe) downward movement. Raw for lower body; wine-processed for upper body to drive heat down ("shooting at high targets"). Raw use leaves upper heat, causing post-recovery eye/throat/head issues. Kou Zongshi records: Zhang Zhongjing uses Dahuang in Xixin Decoction for hematemesis/epistaxis due to deficient Heart Qi invaded by heat. Bitterness tonifies Heart by clearing pathogenic heat. Zhu Danxi states: Dahuang clears excessive Yang fire causing blood rebellion. Huang Qin saves Lung, Huang Lian saves Liver. Li Shizhen states: Dahuang enters Blood aspect of Taiyin, Yangming, and Jueyin meridians. Use for blood disorders; avoid for Qi disorders. Xixin Decoction treats excess fire in Pericardium, Liver, Spleen, and Stomach. Epigastric fullness after incorrect purgation involves Cold injuring Nutritive Blood and pathogenic factors in Upper Jiao; "clearing Heart" actually clears Spleen. Chest binding involves Heat entering Blood aspect. Dahuang descends turbid Qi. Su Song records: Dahuang pushes out old and generates new. Ancient physicians used toxic herbs cautiously based on deficiency/excess. Yaoengt Tan advised against Dahuang for Emperor Wu of Liang due to age, but he refused and nearly died. For Emperor Yuan of Liang, Yaoingt Tan correctly diagnosed stagnation requiring Dahuang. Physicians should beware of indiscriminate use. Remove skin, cut, sieve.

*Natrii Sulfas* (Mangxiao, 芒硝): Very cold, salty-bitter-pungent, slightly toxic. *Neijing*: Salty drains downward and softens hardness. Cold dissipates heat. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Daxiexiong Tang, Dachengqi Tang, and Tiaoweichengqi Tang to soften hardness and clear heat. Not for non-hard accumulations. Li Shizhen notes: Puxiao (Mirabilite) has pungent property to moisten Kidney dryness; modern texts emphasize salty property to soften. Safe in pregnancy with Dahuang for heat constipation ("If there is pathology, no harm"). Promotes urination and bowel movements. Li Guo states: Three uses: clearing real heat, cleansing intestinal residue, breaking hard heat masses. Li Shizhen distinguishes Puxiao (initial extraction, harsh) from Mangxiao (refined, mild). Mangxiao derives from Taiyin essence, enters Blood, moistens downward, clears Sanjiao/Stomach-Intestine real heat, and treats Yang-excess fire. Use raw.

*Dietary Fermented Soybean* (Xiangchi, 香豉): Cold in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic, Yin within Yin. Treats cold damage headache, irritability, and oppression. Use raw. Li Shizhen notes: Black beans are neutral; fermentation makes them warm, capable of ascending and dispersing. Combined with Congei Caulis (scallion) induces sweating; with Sal (salt) induces vomiting; with Alcohol treats wind; with Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (leek) treats dysentery; with Allii Sativi Bulbus (garlic) stops bleeding; cooked stops sweating.

*Artemisiae Scopariae Herba* (Yinchen Hao, 茵陈蒿): Slightly cold, bitter-pungent, non-toxic, slight Yang within Yin. Enters Foot-Taiyang Meridian. Clears irritability, treats wind-cold-damp-heat, heat-binding jaundice, generalized yellowing, and difficult urination. Kou Zongshi records: Effective for severe jaundice. Case study: Monk with lingering heat jaundice cured over 20 days using Yinchen, Zhizi, Qin Jiao, and Shengma. Li Shizhen notes: Yinchen Hao Tang treats damp-heat; Zhizi Baipi Tang treats dry-heat. Differentiate wet vs. dry jaundice. Han Zhihe and Li Sixun use Yinchen Fuzi Tang for cold jaundice. Remove stems, use leaves, crush by hand.

*Trichosanthis Fructus* (Gualou Shi, 栝蒌实): Cold in nature, sweet-mildly bitter, non-toxic. Zhu Danxi states: Sweet and moistening, tonifies Lung, directs Qi downward. Resolves phlegm in chest caused by Fire constraining Lung. Cleanses chest heat, treating thirst. Li Shizhen records: Zhang Zhongjing uses it for chest bi pain, coughing saliva, asthma, and chest binding. Its sweet-cold nature does not damage Stomach Qi, directs upper heat down, and moves phlegm. Cheng Wuji mistakenly called it bitter-cold. Use large, firm fruits with seed and skin, finely cut. Using only kernel is incorrect.

*Trichosanthis Radix* (Tianhuafen, 栝蒌根): Cold in nature, sweet-mildly bitter-sour, non-toxic. Treats thirst, fever, irritability, emptiness, regulates menstruation, reduces swelling, detoxifies, treats blood stasis, mania, and sores. Li Dongyuan states: Pure Yin, relieves thirst, moves fluids. Essential for dry heart. Combine with pungent-sour to guide swelling. Li Shizhen adds: Sour generates fluids; mild bitter clears heat; sweet does not damage Stomach. Past texts focusing only on bitter-cold missed this. Sift finely.

*Polypodi Rhizoma* (Tugua Gen, 土瓜根): Cold in nature, bitter, slightly toxic. Treats various pathogens, heat binding, water retention in joints, epidemic fevers, alcohol jaundice, fever, irritability, and consumption. Can induce vomiting or purging.

*Forsythiae Radix* (Lianyao, 连轺): Cold in nature, sweet-bitter, slightly toxic. Descends heat, benefits Yin essence. Zhang Zhongjing uses Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Dou Tang for heat-toxin jaundice.

*Bambusae Folium* (Zhuye, 竹叶): Cold in nature, sweet, non-toxic. Light bamboo is superior. Treats chest phlegm-heat, cough, and rebellious Qi. Kou Zongshi notes: Bamboo shoots are cold, so leaves are too. Zhang Zhongjing’s Zhuye Tang uses light bamboo. Li Guo states: Bitter-flat, slight Yang within Yin. Li Dongyuan states: Pungent-bitter-cold, ascending/descending, Yin within Yang. Two uses: clears new/old wind-heat irritability; stops wheezing and rebellious Qi.

*Broussonetiae Cortex* (Zibai Pi, 梓白皮): Cold in nature, bitter, non-toxic. Treats heat-toxin, parasites, seasonal warm diseases, headache, and fever. Use fresh inner bark boiled. Bitter is primary for clearing heat; cold nature conquers heat.