味苦辛，性温无毒，入心肺脾胃四经。活精血，疗产后之疾，调月水，主胎前之证，一
切因血作痛之证并治，酒炒行血，醋炒止血，生用破血，炒用调血。
按∶玄胡索可升可降，为阴中之阳，故能行上下四经，此理血之剂也苟非血证，用之无
益。
味苦甘酸，性微寒无毒，入大肠肝二经。主下部积热之血痢，止下焦不禁之月经，又主
金疮，除恶肉，崩中带下。得发良，恶麦门冬。
按∶地榆沉寒属阴，专入肝肠以理下焦，血证有热者宜之，若虚寒下陷，血衰泄泻者勿
用。
味辛苦，性平温无毒，入十二经。尤善腰以下至足湿热肿盛，疗中风手脚挛急，口眼
斜，疥癣虫疮，止嗽消痰，利大小便，去留热。垣衣为使，恶细辛、萆 ，杀雄黄毒。
按∶防己为阳中之阴，于经络无所不入。又主降，故下部多功，象之于人，则险而健者
也，用之当，则可展其能。一不当，而反阶之祸。惟十二经真有湿热壅塞，及膀胱积热，下
疰香港脚，此诚要药，无可代者。然臭味拂人，妄服之令人减食。其不可用有四∶若饮食劳倦，
元气既亏，而以防己泄大便，则重亡其血，一也；发渴引饮，热在肺经气分，防己乃下焦血
药，二也；外伤风寒，邪传肺部，以至小便黄赤不通，此上焦气分禁忌血药，三也；久病之
后，津液不行，此上焦虚渴，宜补宜甘温，若用苦寒之剂，则速其危，四也。分木汉二种，
即根苗为名，汉主水气，木主风气为少异耳。
雷公云∶凡使勿使水条，以其水防己黄腥，皮皱，上有了足，子不堪用，夫使防己。要
心花大黄色者佳，车前草根相对同蒸半日后，出晒，车前草去之，细锉用。
[Xuanshusuo (Corydalis Rhizome)]
Bitter and acrid, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. It activates essence and blood, treats postpartum diseases, regulates menstruation, and manages prenatal conditions. It treats all pain syndromes caused by blood stasis. Wine-fried promotes blood circulation; vinegar-fried stops bleeding; raw form breaks blood stasis; stir-fried form regulates blood.
Commentary: Xuanshusuo can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yin. Therefore, it can circulate through the upper, lower, and four extremities. It is a blood-regulating agent. If not used for blood syndromes, it offers no benefit.
[Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix)]
Bitter, sweet, and sour, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Large Intestine and Liver meridians. It primarily treats bloody dysentery caused by accumulated heat in the lower part of the body, stops menstrual flow that cannot be controlled due to deficiency in the lower jiao, and also treats metal wounds (Jinchuang), removes foul flesh, and manages metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. It harmonizes with Fa Liang (likely a specific preparation or herb mentioned in context, kept as proper noun) and opposes Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong).
Commentary: Diyu is heavy, cold, and belongs to Yin. It specifically enters the Liver and Intestines to regulate the lower jiao. It is suitable for blood syndromes with heat. However, it should not be used for sinking due to deficiency-cold or diarrhea due to blood deficiency.
[Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix or Cistanches Herba - Context implies Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix usually, but text mentions Wood vs Han type)**]
Acrid and bitter, neutral-warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the twelve meridians. It is particularly effective for damp-heat swelling from the waist down to the feet. It treats limb spasms and stiffness due to Wind-Stroke, facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eyes), scabies, tinea, insect sores, relieves cough and eliminates phlegm, promotes urination and defecation, and removes retained heat. Wall moss (Yuanyi) serves as an assistant drug. It opposes Asari Radix (Xixin) and Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bixie), and detoxifies Realgar (Xionghuang).
Commentary: Fangji is Yin within Yang and penetrates all meridians. Its primary action is descending, thus it has more effects on the lower body. Metaphorically, it is like a person who is perilous yet vigorous. Used correctly, it exerts its power; used incorrectly, it becomes a source of disaster. It is truly an essential medicine without substitute only when there is genuine damp-heat congestion in the twelve meridians, bladder accumulated heat, lower limb zhu-qi (infectious disease of lower limbs), or Hong Kong foot (Beriberi/Podagra). However, its odor is unpleasant, and improper use reduces appetite. There are four contraindications: 1. If Qi and Yuan energy are depleted due to diet and overwork, using Fangji to purge bowels will further destroy blood. 2. If thirst with desire to drink indicates heat in the Qi level of the Lung meridian, Fangji is a Lower Jiao Blood-level drug and is inappropriate. 3. If external Wind-Cold pathogens transmit to the Lung, causing yellow-red obstructed urination, this is Upper Jiao Qi-level pathology where Blood-level drugs are contraindicated. 4. After prolonged illness, if fluid metabolism fails causing Upper Jiao deficiency-thirst, tonification with sweet-warm agents is needed; using bitter-cold agents accelerates danger. Fangji is divided into Mu Fangji (Wood Fangji) and Han Fangji (Han Fangji), named after their root/stem forms. Han Fangji primarily treats water retention, while Mu Fangji primarily treats wind patterns, with slight differences.
Lei Gong states: When processing, do not use Shui Tiao (Water Fangji), as it is yellowish and fishy-smelling, wrinkled, and has specific morphological features making it unsuitable. Select Fangji with large, bright yellow heart/spiral structure. Steam it with roots of Plantago asiatica (Cheqiancao) for half a day, then sun-dry. Remove the Plantago roots, finely chop, and use.