Library

Li Dongyuan stated: "Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) acts as a boat or pillar among herbs, capable of carrying other medicinal substances upward to the highest regions of the body." At that time, the distinction between sweet and bitter varieties was not clearly made. When deducing its functions, it should be categorized under the sweet nature; whereas bitter Jiegeng drains Lung Qi, meaning it can drain Qi from the high region but cannot raise Qi to the high region. Recently, authors of materia medica texts have listed this view under the entry for Bitter Jiegeng (Ku Jiegeng), which is erroneous. Sweet Jiegeng (Tian Jiegeng) has a sweet taste and a quiet nature; it can ascend and generate Stomach Qi, thereby detoxifying various medicines, functioning similarly to Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix). Later generations also claimed that Jiegeng can open the Lungs and release the exterior. Neither sweet nor bitter Jiegeng possesses this efficacy. Moreover, various medical texts explicitly state that for coughs, bitter Jiegeng should be used to open them. Why? This is likely because people observe the pungent and fishy odor contained within bitter Jiegeng, failing to realize that its pungency cannot overcome its bitterness! Therefore, Xu Lingtai said: "For coughs caused by external pathogens, using Jiegeng and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) to clear the Lungs will result in consumptive disease (Lao Sun). This can be called an outstanding insight!"

Contemporary physicians lack skill; they discuss herbs rather than analyze diseases. Regardless of the severity of the condition, whenever they encounter a herb with slightly potent force, they avoid it like a tiger, without investigating where the alleged potency lies. Thus, when a disease requires purgation, mild cases are treated with Taoren (Prunus Persica Seed) and Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex); severe cases with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas); even more severe cases with Qianniuzi (Semen Phytolaccae) and Badou (Crotonis Fructus). However, regarding insect-based drugs such as Shuizhi (Hirudo), Mengchong (Tabanus), and Qicao (Otiorhynchus larva), they absolutely dare not try them once. Why? Because their understanding of both the disease and the herbs is imprecise, so they merely select mild agents to muddle through. Does this not cause significant harm to people's lives! Drugs like Qianniuzi and Badou act directly to break Qi; they can push out有形 (solid) waste in the intestines and stomach but cannot leisurely secrete laterally into the tortuous areas of meridians to relieve stasis.

Therefore, for Blood Bi (Blood Stasis Obstruction) located in the deep and tortuous parts of meridians and organs, only formulas like Didang Tang (Resist the Stasis Decoction) will achieve success. Misusing Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras), Dahuang, Qianniuzi, and Badou, which act directly to break Qi, amounts to punishing the innocent (damaging healthy Qi while missing the pathogen). Furthermore, if Blood Bi is present and Qi is broken, will Qi deficiency not prevent the blood from resolving the obstruction? The reason people prefer one approach and detest another is often simply that Mengchong and Shuizhi are considered toxic. Are Qianniuzi and Badou truly non-toxic? I privately assert, offering even a trivial insight as a solemn declaration to the world: Qianniuzi and Badou break both Qi and Blood; their action is direct and rapid. If the pathology is within the straight pathways of the intestines and stomach and has not yet spread to lateral infiltration, purging with these agents will cure the disease. However, if blood vessels are tortuous and all have stasis, only the horizontal and slow action of Mengchong and Shuizhi can reach the affected areas. Mengchong and Shuizhi attack Blood exclusively, causing minimal damage to Qi. Moreover, being creatures that move by wriggling, they inherently possess the vital energy of Heaven and Earth, and thus can slightly benefit human vital Qi. Having Qi implies agility, allowing them to navigate tortuous paths and reach lateral areas. Zhang Yuansu (Haizang) stated: "In pregnancy complicated by Blood Accumulation, Didang Tang and Taoren are contraindicated; instead, using Dahuang combined with Siwu Tang ensures neither mother nor fetus is harmed, and the disease resolves." Since the fetus relies on Blood for nourishment, one must not use Mengchong and Shuizhi to break Blood too aggressively. However, the fetus is also supported by Great Qi; if there is Qi deficiency, it is safer to use Didang Tang and Taoren supplemented with Qi-tonifying herbs.