味苦辛，性寒无毒，入肝经。主瘰 瘿瘤，湿脾脚肿，肝虚目痛，冷泪羞明，散血破症，
生肌解毒，土瓜为使。
按∶夏枯草三四月开花，是时正厥阴风木主令，其为肝经之药明矣。丹溪曰∶夏至即枯
者，盖禀纯阳之气，得阴气则枯也。
味甘辛，性微温无毒，入肺脾胃三经。开胃口，进饮食，止霍乱，除吐逆。
按∶藿香辛温，入肺经以调气。甘温，入脾胃以和中。治节适宜，中州得令，则脏腑咸
安，病将奚来？
味辛苦，性微温无毒，入肺肝二经。主结气瘀血，酒伤食滞，能发汗，去皮毛诸风，凉
血热，疗痛痒诸疮，其治产晕如神，陈久者良。
按∶荆芥行血疗风，则太阴厥阴之入，固其宜也。今人但遇风证，辄用荆防，此流气散
之相沿尔，不知风在皮里膜外者，荆芥主之，非若防风之入骨肉也，有汗者勿用。
味辛，性微温无毒，入肺胃二经。主下气，除烦热，定霍乱，止呕吐，疗腹痛，散水肿，
调中温胃，最解暑气。
按∶香薷性温，其除热解暑之功，何若是其着也！不知炎威酷暑，则脏腑伏阴，胸腹有
凝结之忧，而皮肤多蒸热之气，得香薷之辛以散之，温以解之，而伤暑之证，从兹远矣。热
服令人泄泻，久服耗人真气。江右硬梗石生者良，土香薷苗软，但能解暑，其他无效。
[Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica)]
Taste: Bitter, Acrid. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Liver Meridian. Indications: Mainly treats scrofula (lump in the neck), goiter (thyroid swelling), edema of the feet due to Spleen dampness, eye pain due to Liver deficiency, cold tearing with photophobia, disperses blood and breaks stasis, generates flesh and resolves toxicity. Guided by Digerae Fructus (Tugua).
Commentary: Xiakucao blooms in the third and fourth lunar months, a time when the Jueyin Wind-Wood phase is dominant; thus, its nature as a herb for the Liver Meridian is evident. Zhu Danxi stated: The reason it withers at the Summer Solstice is that it possesses pure Yang Qi, and withering occurs upon receiving Yin Qi.
[Huoxiang (Agastaches Herba)]
Taste: Sweet, Acrid. Nature: Slightly Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung, Spleen, and Stomach Meridians. Indications: Opens the appetite, promotes food intake, stops cholera-like symptoms (acute gastroenteritis), eliminates vomiting and regurgitation.
Commentary: Huoxiang is acrid and warm, entering the Lung Meridian to regulate Qi; sweet and warm, entering the Spleen and Stomach to harmonize the Middle Jiao. When treatment is appropriate and the Middle Jiao functions correctly, the Zang-Fu organs are pacified, and how could disease arise?
[Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba)]
Taste: Bitter, Acrid. Nature: Slightly Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung and Liver Meridians. Indications: Mainly treats Qi stagnation and blood stasis, alcohol injury and food retention, induces sweating, expels wind from the skin and hair, cools blood heat, treats various sores with pain and itching, and is miraculous in treating postpartum dizziness. Aged herbs are superior.
Commentary: Jingjie moves blood and treats wind, so its entry into the Taiyin and Jueyin meridians is fitting. Nowadays, people indiscriminately use Jingjie and Fangfeng whenever wind syndromes occur, following the tradition of "Qi-Flowing Powders." They do not realize that Jingjie treats wind located between the skin and fascia, unlike Fangfeng which penetrates deep into bones and muscles. It should not be used in patients with spontaneous sweating.
[Xiangru (Moslae Herba)]
Taste: Acrid. Nature: Slightly Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung and Stomach Meridians. Indications: Mainly directs Qi downward, eliminates vexation and heat, stabilizes cholera-like symptoms, stops vomiting, treats abdominal pain, dissipates edema, regulates the Middle Jiao and warms the Stomach, and is most effective in resolving summerheat.
Commentary: Xiangru is warm in nature; why is its efficacy in clearing heat and resolving summerheat so prominent? One must understand that during intense heat and summer heat, Yin cold lurks within the Zang-Fu organs, causing condensation in the chest and abdomen, while the skin has steaming hot Qi. The acridity of Xiangru disperses this, and its warmth resolves it, thereby keeping summerheat injury at bay. Taken hot, it may cause diarrhea; taken long-term, it depletes true Qi. Those grown in stone crevices in Jiangxi with hard stems are of good quality. Tu Xiangru has soft shoots and can only resolve summerheat, being ineffective for other purposes.