味辛，性微温，有小毒，入肺经。主肺热气奔，痰嗽鼻塞，清喉利膈，能载诸药入肺
节，皮为使，畏白芨、龙眼、龙胆草。
按∶桔梗味辛，故专疗肺疾，下部药中勿用，恐其上载而不能下达也。
雷公云∶凡使勿用本梗，真似桔梗，咬之只是腥涩，不堪用凡，使去头尖硬二三分以来，
并两畔，附枝子于槐砧上细锉，用百合水浸一伏时，漉出，缓火熬令干用，每修事四两，用
生百合五分，捣作膏，投水中浸。
味苦，性寒无毒，入肺心脾胃小肠五经。主肺火盛而喉痹，脾胃火胜而口齿肿痛，清心
利小便，消痰除咳嗽，排脓消肿，生肌长肉，止渴退烦热，补虚通月经。枸杞为使，恶干姜，
畏牛膝，干漆，反乌头。
按∶天花粉色白入肺，味苦入心。脾胃者，心之子，肺之母也，小肠与心相为表里，故
均入焉。本功清热，故主疗颇多，其理易达，惟曰补虚通经，此甚不可泥也。夫苦寒之剂，
岂能大补？以其能清火，则阴得其养，非真补也。月水不通，亦以热闭，热退则血盛经通，
非真能通也。此治本穷源之说耳，倘因寒致疾者，可误使哉。子名栝蒌，主胸痹。仁主润肺
下气，止痰嗽瘵，乳痈乳闭，并宜炒用。
味辛平，性生寒熟温，有毒，入肺脾胃三经。下气止呕吐，闭郁散表邪，除湿化痰涎，
大和脾胃。须汤淋十遍，姜矾甘草制用。射干，柴胡为使，恶皂荚，畏雄黄、生姜、干姜、
秦皮、龟甲，反乌头，忌羊肉、羊血、饴糖、海藻。
按∶半夏味辛入肺，性燥入脾胃，中其毒者，口噤发吐，烦渴及血证勿用，惟气证发渴
者不禁。
雷公云∶凡使勿用白傍几子，真似半夏，只是咬着误微酸，不入药用。若修事半夏四两，
用捣了白芥子末二两，头醋六两，二味搅令浊，将半夏投中，洗三遍用之。半夏上有陈涎，
若洗不净，令人气逆肝气怒满。
[Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng)]
Taste: Acrid. Nature: Slightly warm. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung Meridian. Indications: Mainly treats lung heat causing rebellious Qi, phlegm-cough, nasal congestion; clears the throat and benefits the diaphragm; acts as a carrier to guide other herbs into the Lung meridian. The stem nodes are considered the effective part, the skin is used as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji), Longan Aril (Longyan Rou), and Gentianae Radix (Longdancao).
Commentary: Platycodonis Radix is acrid in taste, thus specializing in treating lung diseases. It should not be used among herbs that descend, for fear that its ascending nature will prevent downward movement.
Lei Gong stated: When processing, do not use the true root stalk (ben geng), which resembles Platycodonis Radix but tastes merely fishy and astringent when chewed, making it unsuitable for medicinal use. When using Platycodonis Radix, remove the hard tip of about two or three fen, along with the lateral branches. Place on a locust wood cutting board and finely chop. Soak in Lily Bulb water for one shi (12 hours), drain, and dry over slow fire. For every four liang processed, use five fen of fresh Lily Bulb, pounded into a paste, and soaked in water.
[Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen)]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung, Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine meridians. Indications: Mainly treats hoarseness and throat obstruction due to excessive lung fire, and swelling and pain of mouth and teeth due to excessive stomach-spleen fire; clears the heart and promotes urination; eliminates phlegm and stops coughing; drains pus and reduces swelling; generates flesh and promotes tissue growth; relieves thirst and dissipates vexatious heat; tonifies deficiency and regulates menstruation. Lycii Fructus (Gouqi) is used as an assistant herb. It is adverse to Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), fearful of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) and Dried Lacquer (Ganqi), and inversely reactive with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wutou).
Commentary: Trichosanthis Radix has a white color entering the Lung meridian and a bitter taste entering the Heart meridian. The Spleen and Stomach are the child organs of the Heart and the mother organ of the Lung; the Small Intestine and Heart are exterior-interior pairs, hence it enters all these meridians. Its primary function is clearing heat, so it treats many conditions, a principle that is easy to understand. However, the claim that it "tonifies deficiency and regulates menstruation" should not be taken literally. How can bitter-cold agents provide substantial tonification? Because it clears fire, yin fluids are nourished, but this is not true tonification. Menstrual obstruction is often caused by heat closure; once heat subsides, blood becomes abundant and menstruation flows, indicating it does not truly unblock menstruation. This is merely a theoretical explanation tracing back to the root. If disease is caused by cold, how could it be mistakenly used? The fruit is named Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou), mainly treating chest bi syndrome. The seed (Ren) moistens the lungs, directs qi downward, stops phlegm-cough and consumptive disease; for mastitis and milk stasis, it is suitable for stir-frying.
[Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia)]
Taste: Acrid and neutral. Nature: Raw is cold, cooked is warm. Toxicity: Toxic. Meridian Tropism: Lung, Spleen, Stomach meridians. Actions: Directs qi downward and stops vomiting; resolves stagnation and disperses exterior pathogens; removes dampness and transforms phlegm-fluids; greatly harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach. It must be rinsed ten times with boiling water and processed with Ginger, Alum, and Licorice. Belamcanda Radix (Shegan) and Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) are used as assistant herbs. It is adverse to Saposhnikoviae Radix (Zaojia), fearful of Realgar (Xionghuang), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang), Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Phellodendri Cortex (Qinpi), and Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Guijia); inversely reactive with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wutou). Dietary taboos include mutton, sheep blood, malt sugar, and Sargassum (Haizao).
Commentary: Pinelliae Rhizoma is acrid entering the Lung meridian and drying entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Those who suffer poisoning experience locked jaws, vomiting, vexation, thirst, and bleeding syndromes; it should be avoided in such cases. It is only contraindicated if thirst arises from qi stagnation.
Lei Gong stated: When processing, do not use the white side-kidney-like objects, which resemble Pinelliae Rhizoma but taste slightly sour when chewed, rendering them unfit for medicinal use. To process four liang of Pinelliae Rhizoma, use two liang of powdered White Mustard Seed (Baijiezi) and six liang of head vinegar. Stir these two ingredients until turbid, immerse the Pinelliae Rhizoma in the mixture, wash three times, and then use. Old phlegm residues on Pinelliae Rhizoma, if not washed clean, can cause qi rebellion and liver qi stagnation with fullness and anger.