味苦，性微寒无毒，入心肝胆胃三焦大肠六经。泻六经之血热，散诸肿之疮疡，利小
肠，杀白虫，通月经，疗五淋，破瘿瘤，解痘毒。鼠粘子为使。
按∶连翘苦寒虽泻六经，而心经为最，诸疮淋闭等证，俱属心火，故能疗之。药性曰∶
除六经热，与柴胡同功，然此治血热，柴胡治气热之别耳。
味甘咸，性寒无毒，入膀胱肾三焦小肠四经。主去胞垢，退阴汗，治小便淋涩仙药，
疗水病湿肿灵丹。畏海蛤，文蛤，色白者佳。
按∶泽泻下降为阴，专主渗泄，宜入膀胱诸经，其行水之功，过于猪苓。《衍义》曰∶
小便既多，肾气焉得复实。扁鹊曰；多服病患眼。《药性》曰∶令人面光无子，乃本草称其
补虚明目治泄精消渴，《珍囊》注其生新水止虚烦，恐无是理。即六味丸中用之，以其渗去
脾湿，退命门火为向导尔。又《药性赋》云∶补阴不足，盖以补阴之功不足也。后世不察，
谓其可以补阴分之不足，大失本旨。
扁鹊云∶多服病患眼，一名水泻，一名及泻，一名芒芋，一名鹄泻。生汝南汝泽，五月
八月，采根阴干。实味，甘无毒，主风痹消渴，益肾气。强阴补不足，除邪湿，久服面生光，
令人无子，九月采。
雷公云∶不拘多少，细锉，酒浸一宿，漉出曝干任用也。叶味咸无毒，主大风，乳汁不
出，产难，强阴气，五月采。
[Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus)]
Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and Large Intestine meridians. It drains blood-heat from the six meridians, dissipates various swellings and sores, promotes urination via the Small Intestine, kills white parasites, regulates menstruation, treats five types of strangury (Lin syndrome), breaks up goiters, and resolves toxin from smallpox. Arctii Fructus (Niu Bang Zi) serves as a guiding herb.
Commentary: Although Lianqiao is bitter and cold and can drain heat from the six meridians, its effect on clearing Heart-fire is the most prominent. Various conditions such as sores and strangury obstruction are attributed to excessive Heart-fire; therefore, it can treat these ailments. *Yao Xing Lun* states that it clears heat from the six meridians with efficacy similar to Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix). However, this distinction lies in the fact that Lianqiao treats blood-heat, whereas Chai Hu treats qi-heat.
[Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma)]
Sweet and salty in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Bladder, Kidney, Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and Small Intestine meridians. It primarily removes utrine filth, reduces sweating in the genital region, treats painful and difficult urination (strangury), and is regarded as an "immortal medicine." It treats edema and dampness-induced swelling and is called a "miraculous elixir." It is incompatible with Haige (Arca Shell) and Wen Ge (Meretrix Meretrix Shell); those with a white color are superior.
Commentary: Zexie has a descending, yin nature and specializes in promoting diuresis and draining dampness, making it suitable for entering the Bladder meridians. Its water-draining efficacy surpasses that of Zhuling (Polyporus). *Bencao Yan Yi* states: "If urination is already frequent, how can Kidney Qi be replenished?" Bian Que stated that long-term use causes eye diseases in patients. *Yao Xing Lun* claims it makes the face radiant but leads to infertility, which contradicts the *Ben Cao* assertion that it tonifies deficiency, brightens the eyes, and treats seminal emission and thirst. The annotation in *Zhen Nang* suggests it generates fresh fluids and stops vexation due to deficiency, which is likely unfounded. Even when used in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, it is employed to drain Spleen dampness and guide the decline of Mingmen Fire. Furthermore, *Yao Xing Fu* mentions it tonifies insufficient Yin, implying its capacity to do so is limited. Later generations failed to examine this carefully, claiming it can tonify insufficient Yin, thereby greatly deviating from its original intent.
Bian Que stated that long-term use causes eye diseases. Also known as Shui Xie, Ji Xie, Mang Yu, or Gu Xie. It grows in Ruze, Runan. The root is harvested in May and August and dried in the shade. The fruit is sweet and neutral in nature, non-toxic. It treats wind-bi (painful obstruction syndrome) and thirst, benefits Kidney Qi, strengthens Yin, dispels pathogenic dampness, makes the face radiant with long-term use, but causes infertility. It is harvested in September.
Lei Gong stated: Regardless of quantity, finely chop, soak in wine overnight, strain, sun-dry, and use as needed. The leaves are salty in taste and non-toxic. They treat severe wind disorders, lack of lactation, dystocia, and strengthen Yin Qi. Harvested in May.