味甘,性寒无毒,入肺经。止渴生津,益气散郁。
按∶丹溪云∶兰叶禀金水之精,故入肺脏。昔东垣方中尝用之,经谓消渴治之以兰是也,
今
味辛酸,性寒无毒,入肺小肠二经。消水肿,利小便,逐风寒,堪浴遍身疮痒,发汗甚
于麻黄。
按∶水萍入肺,故主祛风。入小肠,故主祛湿。此是水中大萍,非沟渠所生者。高供奉
采萍歌云∶不在山,不在岸,采我之时七月半。选甚瘫风与痪风,些小微风都不算。豆淋酒
下二三丸,铁袱头儿都出汗。以此观之,其功甚于麻黄可知矣!
味咸苦甘,性平无毒,入肝经。主青盲赤白翳膜,时有泪出,除肝热,疗头风,研末涂
肿毒,贴脑止鼻红, 实为使,恶大麻子。
按∶决明专入厥阴,以除风热,故为眼科要药。鼻红肿毒,咸血热也。宜其疗矣。
味甘辛,有小毒,入脾大肠二经。主水腹腹满,脏腑燥热,无名肿毒,敷之可消;口眼
斜,敷之可正;涂足心,下胞胎如神;涂巅顶,收生肠甚捷。忌见铁器,服过者一生忌食
豆,误犯之腹胀猛甚。叶,主香港脚风肿不仁,捣蒸传之。
按∶丹溪云∶蓖麻子属阴,故入太阴阳明,以驱水满,以催产难固矣!而无名肿毒热也;
口眼 斜,风也。何并治之,岂其辛甘发散之功耶?
雷公云∶凡使勿用黑天赤利子,缘在地蒌上生,是以有毒。其蓖麻子形似巴豆而光滑,
有黄黑斑点,凡使先须和皮用盐汤浸半日,去皮取肉,研过用。
Lanye (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba): Sweet in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic, enters the Lung Meridian. It can stop thirst and generate body fluids, benefit Qi and dissipate depression.
Commentary: Zhu Danxi said: Lanye inherits the essence of Metal and Water, thus entering the Lung Zang. In the past, it was used in Li Dongyuan's prescriptions; the *Huangdi Neijing* states that Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) is treated with Lan Cao (Orchid Rhizome), which refers to this. Currently...
Fuping (Pistiae Herba): Pungent and sweet in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic, enters the Lung and Small Intestine meridians. It reduces edema, promotes urination, expels wind-cold, and is suitable for bathing to treat generalized pruritus due to sores; its diaphoretic effect is even stronger than Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba).
Commentary: Fuping enters the Lung, hence its primary function is dispelling wind; it enters the Small Intestine, hence its primary function is dispelling dampness. This refers to the large duckweed growing in water, not that growing in ditches. Gong Fengfu's song on harvesting duckweed says: "Not on the mountain, not on the shore, harvested in the middle of July. Whether it is paralysis or wind-stroke, even a slight breeze is insignificant. Taken with Dou Lin Jiu (Soybean-Infused Wine), two or three pills will cause sweating from an iron-wrapped head." From this, it can be seen that its efficacy surpasses that of Mahuang!
Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen): Salty, bitter, and sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic, enters the Liver Meridian. It treats Qing Mang (blindness/visual impairment), red and white nebulae, frequent tearing, clears Liver heat, treats Tou Feng (head wind/headache), and when ground into powder and applied, it treats swelling and toxins; applied to the brain region, it stops epistaxis. It acts as a guiding herb (Shi Yao), and is incompatible with Damaizi (Ricini Semen).
Commentary: Juemingzi specifically enters the Jueyin Liver meridian to dispel wind-heat, making it an essential drug for ophthalmology. Nasal redness, swelling, and toxin are due to blood heat, making it suitable for treatment with this herb.
Bimazi (Ricini Semen): Sweet and pungent in taste, slightly toxic, enters the Spleen and Large Intestine meridians. It treats Shui Fu (water distension) and abdominal fullness, dryness and heat in the Zang-Fu organs, and unnamed swellings/toxins; topical application can resolve them. For Kou Yan Xie Pi (facial paralysis with deviation of mouth and eye), topical application can correct it; applied to the sole of the foot, it assists in delivering the fetus like magic; applied to the vertex, it rapidly retracts prolapsed rectum. Avoid contact with ironware; those who have taken it must avoid eating beans for life, otherwise severe abdominal distension will occur. The leaves treat Hong Kong Jiao (podagra/gout-like swelling) and wind-swelling with numbness; they should be crushed, steamed, and applied as a compress.
Commentary: Zhu Danxi said: Bimazi belongs to Yin, thus entering the Taiyin and Yangming meridians to drive out water distension; its use in inducing labor for difficult delivery is established! Unnamed swellings/toxins are heat syndromes; facial deviation is a wind syndrome. Why does it treat both? Is it due to its pungent and sweet dispersing action?
Lei Gong said: When using, do not select Heitian Chilizhi (a toxic look-alike), because it grows on Di Lou vines and is therefore toxic. Bimazi resembles Badou (Crotonis Fructus) but is smooth with yellow-black spots. Before use, it must first be soaked in salt water for half a day with the skin on, then the skin is removed, the meat is taken, and it is ground for use.