味甘,性平无毒,入心经。主安五脏,利心志,杀诸虫,消痈肿,续筋骨,令人欢乐无
怒,轻身明目,花主小儿撮口,煎汤洗拭,跌打伤疼,热酒调下。
按∶合欢味甘,何以独入心家?经所谓以甘泻之之说也。心得所胜,而痈疮诸患为之自
释矣!其叶细细相并,至夜则合,又名夜合花,似绒拂可爱,俗又谓之乌绒。
味甘,性寒无毒,入脾肺二部经。主砂淋水气,酒疸身黄,小便赤涩,身体烦热,大热
衄血,安五脏,利心志,令人喜悦忘忧,轻身明目。采其嫩苗,功亦相仿,花名宜男,最利
胸膈,孕妇佩之,转女为男。
按∶萱草之甘,宜归脾部,而肺则其所生者,故亦入之。嵇康养生论云∶合欢蠲忿,萱
草忘忧,《图经》亦共言之,当非虚语。
味苦,性温无毒,入心肺二经。主下气,除症破血通经,疗霍乱水泻,止金疮出血,汤
火所伤,亦堪捣敷,酒蒸曝用。
按∶寄奴之苦,宜归心脏,而温暖之性,又与脾部相宜,故两入之。盖心实主血,脾实
裹血,所以专疗血证,唐本云∶多服令人利,亦以其宣泄耳。
雷公云∶采得后去茎叶,只用实。凡使先以布拭去薄壳皮令净,拌酒蒸,从巳至申出,
晒干用。
味甘酸,性温无毒,入肝肾二经。主肾伤精滑,阴痿不起,小便频数,补虚续绝,益气
温中,安和五脏,补肝明目,黑发润肌。亦疗中风发热成惊,女子食之多孕,久服延年。去
黄叶及蒂,水淘净,酒蒸曝干用。
按∶覆盆之酸,宜归肝部,而肾则其母也。且温补之性,适与相宜,故咸入之。《衍义》
云
雷公云∶凡使用东流水淘净,子叶并皮蒂尽了,用酒蒸一宿,以东流水淘两遍,又晒干
方用。
Huanaluo Bark (Albiziae Cortex): Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic, enters the Heart Meridian. Its primary functions are to soothe the five Zang organs, regulate the mind and spirit (Shen), eliminate various parasites, resolve carbuncles and swellings, reconnect tendons and bones, induce joy and eliminate anger, promote physical lightness and clear vision. The flowers are mainly used to treat neonatal trismus (infant lockjaw); decocted as a wash for cleansing and wiping the affected area. For traumatic injuries and pain, take with hot wine.
Commentary: Huanaluo has a sweet flavor; why does it specifically enter the Heart? This aligns with the classic saying "using sweetness to drain/purge." When the Heart receives what it overcomes (i.e., Spleen Earth energy), conditions such as carbuncles and sores naturally resolve! Its leaves grow finely side-by-side and close at night, hence also called Night-Closing Flower (Yehehua). It resembles velvet and is lovely to the touch; colloquially known as Wurong.
Fupenzi (Rubus Fruit): Sweet in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic, enters the Spleen and Lung meridians. Its primary functions are to treat sand-strangury (lithiasis) and water-dampness, relieve jaundice-induced yellowing of the body due to alcohol, alleviate red and scanty urination, reduce bodily irritability and heat, stop epistaxis caused by excessive heat, soothe the five Zang organs, regulate the mind and spirit, induce joy and forgetfulness of sorrow, promote physical lightness and clear vision. Picking its tender shoots yields similar effects. Its flower is named Yinan (Suitable-for-Man), most beneficial for the chest and diaphragm; pregnant women wearing it is said to change female fetus to male.
Commentary: The sweetness of Xuancao (Daylily) suits the Spleen department, while the Lung is generated by it (Earth generates Metal), thus it also enters the Lung. Ji Kang's *Discourse on Nourishing Life* states: "Huanaluo dispels anger, Xuancao forgets sorrow," and *Tu Jing* also mentions this, which should not be empty talk.
Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit): Bitter in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic, enters the Heart and Lung meridians. Its primary functions are to direct Qi downward, eliminate mass formations (Zheng), break blood stasis, unblock meridians, treat cholera-like watery diarrhea, stop bleeding from metal wounds, and can be applied externally as a poultice for scalds and burns. It should be steamed with wine and sun-dried before use.
Commentary: Jinu (alias for Wuweizi) has a bitter flavor suitable for the Heart, and its warm nature suits the Spleen, hence it enters both. Since the Heart governs Blood and the Spleen envelops Blood, it specializes in treating blood disorders. *Tang Bencao* notes that excessive consumption causes diarrhea, due to its purgative/drainage properties.
Leigong's Processing Method: After harvesting, remove stems and leaves, using only the fruit. Before use, wipe off the thin shell skin cleanly with cloth, mix with wine, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Shen hour (3-5 PM), then sun-dry for use.
Fupenzi (Rubus Fruit): Sweet and sour in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Its primary functions are to treat kidney injury leading to seminal emission, impotence, frequent urination, tonify deficiency, repair severe damage, benefit Qi and warm the middle, harmonize the five Zang organs, tonify the Liver and brighten the eyes, blacken hair and moisten skin. It also treats convulsions resulting from wind-stroke fever, promotes conception in women who consume it frequently, and extends longevity with long-term use. Remove yellow leaves and pedicels, wash clean with water, steam with wine, and sun-dry for use.
Commentary: The sourness of Fupenzi suits the Liver department, and the Kidney is its mother organ (Water generates Wood). Moreover, its warming and tonifying nature is highly compatible, hence it enters both. *Yanyi* states...
Leigong's Processing Method: When using, wash clean with running water from eastward-flowing streams. Ensure seeds, leaves, skins, and pedicels are completely removed. Steam with wine overnight, wash twice more with running water from eastward-flowing streams, then sun-dry before use.