味辛苦，性微温无毒，入肝经。治一切冷热气血凝滞，吐衄血瘀积血，跌扑伤血，产后
恶血。通月经，除风痹，催产难。畏菟丝子，忌蒜。
按∶丹皮主用，无非辛温之功，禹锡等言其治冷，当矣。本草曰性寒，不亦误耶！夫肝
为血舍，丹皮乃血剂，固宜入之，本功专行血，不能补血，而东垣以此治无汗骨蒸，六味丸
及补心丹皆用之，盖以血患火烁则枯，患气郁则新者不生。此剂苦能泻阴火，辛能疏结气，
故为血分要药。
雷公云∶凡采后日干，用铜刀劈破，去骨细锉，如大豆许，用清酒浸蒸，从巳至未，出
日晒干用。
味甘辛，性平无毒，入肾经。主男子肾虚精寒，腰膝冷痛，茎中寒，精自出，溺有余沥，
鬼交泄精，久服强阴坚骨，驻颜明目轻身，令人多子。浸五宿，蒸熟，杵作饼，晒干研用。
山药，松脂为使，恶藿菌。
按∶雷公云∶菟丝子禀受中和，凝正阳气，故宜入补少阴，温而不燥，不助相火，至和
至美之剂，宜常用之。
雷公云∶凡使勿用天碧草子，其样真相似。只是天碧草子，味酸涩，并粘，不入药用，
其菟丝子禀中和正阳之气所结，补卫气，助人筋脉。采得去粗薄壳，用苦酒浸二日，漉出，
用黄精自然汁浸一宿，至明，微用火煎至干，入臼中热烧，铁杵三千余成粉，并黄精自然汁
与菟丝子相对用之。
**Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan):**
Pungent and bitter in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian. It treats all types of Qi and Blood stagnation caused by cold or heat, as well as hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), blood stasis accumulation, bleeding from traumatic injuries, and lochia retention postpartum. It promotes menstruation, dispels wind-bi syndrome, and facilitates difficult labor. It is incompatible with Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) and should be avoided with garlic.
Commentary: The primary efficacy of Mudanpi lies in its pungent-warm properties. Yu Xi and others stated that it treats cold conditions, which is correct. The *Bencao* records its nature as cold; is this not an error? The Liver is the residence of Blood. Since Mudanpi is a blood-moving agent, it naturally enters the Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to move Blood but not to tonify Blood. Li Dongyuan used it to treat bone-steaming fever without sweating. It is also used in Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) and Buxin Dan (Heart-Tonifying Pill). This is likely because when Blood is scorched by fire, it becomes dry; when affected by Qi stagnation, new Blood cannot be generated. The bitterness of this herb can drain Yin-fire, and its pungency can disperse constrained Qi, thus making it an essential herb for the Blood level.
Lei Gong states: After harvesting, dry it in the sun. Split it with a copper knife, remove the woody core, and finely chop it into pieces the size of soybeans. Soak it in clear wine, steam it from Si hour (9–11 AM) to Wei hour (1–3 PM), then take it out, dry it in the sun, and use it.
**Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen):**
Sweet and pungent in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney Meridian. It primarily treats male Kidney deficiency with cold essence, cold pain in the lower back and knees, coldness in the penis, spontaneous emission of semen, dribbling after urination, nocturnal emission due to "ghost intercourse" (dream emission), and long-term use strengthens Yin, hardens bones, preserves youthfulness, improves vision, lightens the body, and increases fertility. Soak it for five nights, steam until cooked, pound into cakes, dry in the sun, and grind for use. Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) and Songzhi (Pinus Resina) act as guiding herbs. It is adverse to Huojun.
Commentary: Lei Gong states: Tusizi inherits the harmonious and balanced Qi, condensing pure Yang Qi. Therefore, it is suitable for tonifying the Shaoyin (Kidney/Heart) meridian. It is warming but not drying, does not assist Ministerial Fire, and is a most harmonious and excellent formula suitable for regular use.
Lei Gong states: When using it, do not use Tianbicaozi (seeds of *Boehmeria nivea* or similar look-alikes), as they resemble the true herb closely. However, Tianbicaozi tastes sour and astringent, is sticky, and is not used medicinally. Tusizi is formed from the harmonious and positive Yang Qi, tonifies Wei-Qi (Defensive Qi), and assists the tendons and vessels. After harvesting, remove the coarse thin shells. Soak it in bitter vinegar (Ku Jiu) for two days, strain it out, soak it in the natural juice of Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) overnight. By dawn, simmer gently over low heat until dry. Place it in a mortar, heat-roast it, and pound it with an iron pestle for over three thousand times until it becomes powder. Use it in conjunction with the natural juice of Huangjing.