〔凡部性之有毒者，俱注明本药有毒，无毒者，俱不注。〕人参〔甘微温。入肺、脾二经。反藜芦
。去芦用。其色黄中带白，大而肥润者佳。〕补气安神，除邪益智，〔气足，则精神自安，正旺，
则邪气自除；心气强，则善思多智。〕疗心腹虚痛，〔得补则痛自止。按之不痛者为虚，可用之。〕
除胸胁逆满。〔得补则气自归元。〕止消渴，〔气回则津液自生。〕破坚积。〔气旺则脾健能运。〕
胃虚得之而能食，脾弱得之而能消。大补元气之圣药，能回元气于垂危，理一切虚症。气虚者固无
论矣，即血虚者亦不可缺，所谓无阳则阴无以生，又血脱者补气是也。
参芦三、五钱，煎汤，吐虚人胶痰留饮，用代瓜蒂甚良。
肺家有热，咳痰吐血，及痧疹初发，身大热而斑点未形，伤寒始作，症未定而邪热内炽，误设立祸。
甘草 〔甘平，入脾经。反芫花、大戟、甘遂、海藻。忌猪肉〕。补脾以和中，止泻长肌肉，〔
脾虚则泻，脾损则瘦。〕润肺而疔痿，治咳止咽疼。〔皆益阴除热之功。〕解千般毒，〔诸毒遇土则化，
甘草为九土之精，故能解一切金石草木虫鱼禽兽诸毒。〕和一切药〔调和诸药，相协力共为而不争。
又热药用之，缓其热，寒药用之，缓其寒。理中汤用之，恐其僭上，承气汤用之，恐其速下。〕生则泻
火，炙则温中。梢止茎中作痛，节医肿毒诸疮，调和群品，有元老之称，善治百邪，得王道之用。
甘能缓中，故中满者忌之。呕家忌甘，下焦药中宜少用，恐太缓不能自达。
生地黄 〔甘苦寒，入心、脾、肝、肾四经。忌萝卜。产怀庆，黑而肥实者佳。〕凉血补阴，祛瘀生
新。〔新血生，则瘀血去。〕养筋骨，益气力，〔补肝血，则筋受荣；益肾阴，则骨强而力壮。〕
理胎产主劳伤，〔胎产劳伤，皆阴血为病，养血益阴，其症自痊。〕通二便，〔肾开窍于二阴，况血主
濡之故也。〕消宿食。〔湿热甚则食不消，生地能去诸湿热〕。治手足心热，〔掌中属心，足心属肾，
凉心
血，补肾阴，热自除矣。〕止诸窍出血。〔血热则妄行，血凉则自止〕。
熟地黄 〔酒拌，九蒸九晒。〕滋肾水，封填骨髓，利血补脉，益真阴，治久病余胫股酸痛。
〔阴伤之咎。〕新产后脐腹急疼，〔血败之故。〕补肾益阴之要药。熟者稍温，其功更溥。血热者
宜生用，血衰者宜熟用。生地能生精血，天冬引入所生之处，熟地能补精血。麦冬引入所补之处。
生地性寒而润，胃虚泻多，均在禁例。熟者性滞，若痰多气郁之人，能窒碍胸膈，当酌用。
麦门冬 〔甘微寒，入心、肺、胃三经。忌鲫鱼。去心用。〕退肺中伏火，〔色白性寒，故清肺
多功。〕清心内烦热，〔如盛热得凉风，炎蒸若失。〕止渴益精，宁嗽除喘。〔金不燥则不渴，
金生水则益精，火不乘金，而咳喘俱宁。〕主妄行之血，〔心主血，心清则血不妄行。〕除虚劳之热，
〔阴虚则热，养阴则热自除。〕能止呕吐，〔胃热不上冲也。〕善疔痿 。〔清肺胃之热，痿 治本
之道也。〕治经水干枯及乳汁不下。〔内热既除，精血自生。〕润肺除热、清心，为心肺虚热之神
品。以甘先入脾胃，故又为阳明之正药。本经谓其主羸弱者胃病则脾无所禀，而肌肉不生。《别录》
谓其疗身重目黄，心下支满，能消谷调中者。盖脾胃之热去，则湿除而诸症愈，脾胃安而能食，肥健矣。
虚寒泄泻者忌之。
天门冬 〔甘苦寒，入肺肾、二经。忌鲤鱼，去心用。色白而甘多者佳。〕止嗽消痰，而喘促
得宁；除烦解渴而诸血可止。〔阴虚火动，上炎灼肺，而为咳、为喘、为烦渴，煎熬津液而为痰，水
不制火而为血妄行。清热保肺，而滋肾阴，故诸症自平。〕养肌肤，〔肺主皮毛，肺喜清润，则肌肤得
养而滑泽。又伏热在中，饮食不泽肌肤，热清而肌肤得养。〕去寒热，〔补阴之力也。〕强骨髓，〔
肾为作强之官，而主骨。湿热下注，使人骨痿。苦能软坚，寒能除热，热去则湿除，肾得滋补，而髓满
骨强矣。〕疔疗痈。〔治肺痿、肺痈者，清金降火润燥之功。〕善杀三，〔虚而内热，三虫生焉，补虚
去热。三虫杀矣。〕能利二便，〔肺清肃而气化及州都，性寒润而利大肠。〕润燥滋阴，清金降火。又
下通于肾，为肺肾虚热之要药。
性寒而滑，若脾胃虚而泄泻恶食者，人非所宜；即有前症，当同米仁、山药、白芍、甘、茯用，或
用麦冬代之，盖
阴虚之人脾胃久弱故也。
葳蕤 〔甘平，入肺、脾、肝、肾四经。蜜水拌蒸。〕补中益气，〔味甘归脾，脾主中焦，
故补中。脾为后天生气之源，故益气。〕润肺止咳，养肝而理目痛 烂泪出，〔血虚火炎所致。
又云∶头痛不安，加而用之，总借其滋补，则火自降也。〕益肾而除虚热腰痛茎寒。〔阴精不足
，则为发热，为腰痛，上盛下虚，则阴茎中寒。补肾则皆疗。〕滋益阴精，与地黄同功；增长
阳气，与人参同力。润而不滑，和而不偏，譬诸盛德之人，无往不利。时珍每用治虚损寒热劳疟，
及一切不足之症，用代参、 ，不寒不热，大有殊功。
玄参 〔苦咸微寒，入肾经。反藜芦，忌铜器。蒸晒。〕补肾益精，退热明目，理虚劳骨蒸，
〔壮水之效。〕解伤寒斑毒。〔散火之功。〕止烦渴，利咽喉，〔俱滋阴降火之力。〕能散瘰 ，
可消肿毒。〔寒能解热，咸能软坚。〕色黑味咸。益阴除热，乃肾经君药也。《活人书》治伤寒汗
下后，毒不散及心下懊 ，烦不得眠，心神颠倒欲绝者，俱用玄参，治胸中氤氲之气，无根之火
，此为圣药。
性寒而滑，脾虚泄泻者忌之。
沙参 〔甘苦微寒，入肺经〕清肺火，治久咳，肺痿须用，〔清肺之功。〕寒热能除，
〔补阴之效。〕兼治身痒，复医疮癣。〔肺主皮毛，清肺热则自安。〕沙参甘寒体轻，专清
肺热，补阴而制阳。人参甘温体重，专益肺气，补阳而生阴。又云∶沙参能补五脏之阴，人参能
补五脏之阳，然亦须本脏药同用之。
寒客肺经而嗽者勿服。
贝母 〔辛苦微寒，入心、肺二经。反乌头。去心研，川者佳。〕下气消痰，止咳定喘，疗
痰红吐衄之血；〔皆清金润肺之功。〕散胸中郁结之气，〔辛主散也。〕兼治淋沥，〔清心家之烦
热，则小肠热亦解。〕复理喉痹，〔散结除热清心之功。〕乳难可通，〔肝、胃二经之气结滞，则
乳不通。辛能散结通滞。〕外科亦简。〔取其散结除热，以消痈肿，痰症尤宜。〕辛宜归肺，苦宜
归心。大抵心清气降，肺赖以宁，且润而化痰，故多功于西方。
贝母治肺经燥痰。若脾经湿痰及寒痰，食积痰，并禁用之。
知母 〔苦寒，入肺、胃、肾三经。去毛。上行、酒焙，下行、盐水焙。〕泻肺火，疔喉中腥
臭痰嗽；滋肾水，治命门相火有余。〔故阳强不痿者，每同黄柏、天冬、甘草、车前治之有效。〕
消肢体浮肿，〔诸病浮肿，皆属于火。能泻肺、胃、膀胱、肾家诸经之火，而又能利水，浮肿自消矣。〕
除伤寒烦躁。〔烦躁不眠者，肺热则烦，肾热则躁，胃不和则不卧也。〕善止消渴，能医色疸。〔皆清热
滋阴之效。〕主泻肾家之火，而又最能清肺、胃之热。
阴寒之品。久服则令人泄。故肾虚阳痿，脾虚溏泄，不思食、不化食者，皆不可用。
天花粉 〔甘苦微寒，入心、肺二经。反乌头。〕生津止渴，除烦消痰，利膈清心。除肠胃痼热
，而疔诸疽，〔纯阴
清寒，故除热疗疽。〕消扑损瘀血，而通月经。〔非若桃仁、姜黄之能直行血分；热清则血不瘀，而经自
通。〕治耳鸣猝聋、〔清痰降火之功。〕能散肿排脓。实名栝蒌。〔捣
烂〕涤痰结而疗胸痹，止消渴，〔又治伤寒结胸，皆取其下气降火消痰之功。且又能洗涤胸膈中垢腻郁
热，为治消渴之神药。〕润肺燥而除咳嗽，利咽喉。〔肺受火逼，失降下之令，则生痰咳嗽。今得甘缓润
下之助，则痰自降，宜其为治咳之要药。利咽喉者，清润之力也。〕能利大肠，〔 末服之，可治久痢
。〕又消肿毒。子名栝蒌仁，〔炒研用。〕润肺化燥痰。天花粉为润燥止渴，消痰解热之品，微苦降火，
甘不伤胃，作粉食之，大宜虚弱人。
脾胃虚寒作泻者，仍宜忌之。
百部 〔甘苦微寒，入肺经。言微温误也。〕主咳嗽上气，〔清热润肺下降之功。〕治传尸骨蒸。
〔传尸劳有虫，其性善杀虫。能治骨蒸，则性微寒可知。〕杀蛔虫、寸白，除蝇、虱、蛀虫。〔烧烟熏
之，辟蝇去虱，杀树木蛀虫。〕祛虫蚕咬毒，治疥疮疡。〔俱浸酒服之。〕清热润肺，性善杀虫。
脾胃虚人，须兼保脾胃药同用，恐其伤胃滑肠耳。
款冬花 〔辛甘温。入肺经。蜜水焙。〕化痰则喘嗽无忧，〔又能降气。〕润肺则痈痿有赖。
〔辛苦能润。〕辛温开豁，而又能降下，并不助火，无分寒热虚实，皆可施用。为治嗽要药。
紫菀 〔辛苦温，入肺经，蜜水焙。〕疗肺病咳喘，〔苦能下气，辛能散邪。〕治胸中结气
。〔亦辛之力。〕
冬花、紫菀皆辛温暂用之品。阴虚肺热者不宜专用、多用，须二冬、桑皮共之。
郁金 〔辛苦寒，入心、肺、胃、肝四经。折之光明脆彻，苦中带甘味者真，但难得耳。〕
治血气心腹之痛，〔以其为血分之气药。故治血积气壅有神。〕止大怒气逆之血。〔气降则血归
经。〕能开郁滞，故为调逆气、行瘀血之要药。
阴虚火炎失血，非关气逆呕吐者用亦无功。
桔梗 〔辛苦甘平，入肺经。〕除风热而清头目，通鼻塞；〔入肺，开发和解之功，〕治肺
痈而止咽疼，理痰嗽。〔辛苦清肺，甘平泻火。〕止胸胁刺痛，〔辛散、苦泄、甘和，则邪解而气和
，痛自止矣。〕定痢疾腹疼。〔因肺气郁在大肠之间，桔梗能开提之也。〕肺经要药，为舟楫
之剂，能引诸药上至高之分。
凡病气逆上升，及攻补下焦药中勿入。
茅根 〔甘寒，入肺、胃二经，捣碎。〕凉金定喘，疗诸失血；〔甘寒，能除内热，则血不妄行
。性又入血消瘀，故血闭而
寒热者宜之。〕利水通淋，能祛黄胆。〔内热解则便自利，淋自愈。治黄胆者除热利水之功也。〕
中寒者勿用。
芦根 〔甘寒，入胃经。捣碎。〕治消渴呕逆，除噎膈反胃。〔皆除热降火之功。〕可清烦热，
能止便频。〔热甚则小便频数，火性急速故也。〕独入阳明，清热下降。笋性更佳，能解河 毒。
呕吐因寒者勿服。
石斛 〔甘平，入脾、胃、心、肾四经。酒拌蒸。形长细坚，味甘不苦者为真，不宜入丸。〕
清胃生肌，逐皮肤虚热，〔清胃中之虚热，则胃气平而肌肉生，皮肤虚热，岂有不除。〕补肾益力，
疗腰脚软弱，〔入肾壮筋骨之效。〕浓肠止泻。〔益脾胃去湿热之功。〕安神定惊。〔则入心矣。〕
勿误用木斛，大苦损人。
白芍药 〔苦酸平微寒，入肺、脾、肝三经。反藜芦。酒焙。〕安脾而止中满腹痛泻痢不和；
〔理中气则脾实而中满消，脾和而腹痛止，中气不下陷，而又使肝邪不敢犯。则泻痢除。〕
敛肺而止胀逆喘咳，腠理不固；〔敛逆气则火不上炎。而肺急胀喘咳逆俱平；收阴气则津不外泄，而腠
理自固。〕制肝而主血热目疾胁下作痛。〔制肝则气得平，肝火不旺，而肝血不热。目疾胁痛之患除矣
。〕赤者专行恶血，〔白补而赤泻。白收而赤散故也。〕兼消痈肿，〔行血凉血之功也。〕
专入脾经血分，能泻肝家火邪，故功用颇多，一言以蔽之，曰敛气凉血而已矣。同白术则补脾，同人参
则补气，同黄
连止泻痢，同炙甘草止腹痛，惟治血虚腹痛有效。仲淳云∶脾虚中满，夜剧昼静，属脾阴虚也。同山药、
茯苓、莲肉、扁豆、石斛、枣仁用，为补脾阴之药。
凡腹中疼痛，中满作泄，及肠胃中觉冷者忌之。赤者破血，凡血虚诸症，及产后恶露已行，痈疽已
溃，勿用。
当归 〔辛甘大温，入心、肝、脾三经，酒洗去芦。入止血药中醋炒。〕去瘀生新，〔辛以散之润
之，温以通之畅之，则瘀自行，甘以补之，则新自生。〕舒筋润肠。〔筋得血养，而舒，肠得滑剂而润。
〕温中止心腹之痛，〔寒则血凝气滞而痛，得温则血行而痛止，且归为血中气药也。〕养营疗肢节之疼。
〔和血活血之功。〕女科沥血崩中，〔归为血药，故补女子诸不足〕外科排脓止痛。〔亦和血活血之功，
肿疡忌当归者，以辛温活血恐其散大也，已溃则补血而生肌肉矣。金疮及破伤风，俱活血补血为要，故
咸补之。〕心主血，脾统血，肝藏血，归为血药，故入三经，为活血之要药。全和血，身补血，头止血，
尾破血，能引诸血，各归其所当归之经故名当归。
性能滑肠，泄泻者禁用，呕家咳家血热家并禁。
丹参 〔苦平入心经。反藜芦。〕养血安神，〔心血有养，则神自安。〕调经治疝。
〔养血则经水调，活血则疝痛止。〕去瘀血，生新血，安生胎，落死胎。女科恒用，外科亦宜。
[For all drugs with toxic properties, it is noted that the drug is toxic; for those without toxicity, no note is made.] Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) [Sweet, slightly warm. Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Incompatible with Veratrum Viride Rhizoma et Radix (Lilu). Remove the rhizome before use. Those that are yellowish-white in color, large, and plump are of good quality.] Tonifies primordial Qi, calms the Spirit, dispels pathogenic factors, and enhances wisdom. [When Qi is sufficient, the Spirit naturally calms; when Righteous Qi is robust, pathogenic factors are naturally expelled; when Heart Qi is strong, one thinks well and possesses wisdom.] Treats deficiency-type pain in the heart and abdomen. [Pain ceases naturally upon tonification. Pressing the abdomen without pain indicates a deficiency pattern, making this herb suitable.] Eliminates rebellious fullness in the chest and hypochondrium. [Upon tonification, Qi naturally returns to its origin.] Stops Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), [As Qi recovers, body fluids are naturally generated.] Breaks down hard accumulations. [When Qi is vigorous, the Spleen becomes healthy and transportive.] For those with Stomach deficiency, it promotes appetite; for those with Spleen weakness, it aids digestion. It is the supreme medicine for greatly tonifying primordial Qi, capable of rescuing Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) in critical conditions, and regulating all deficiency patterns. It is certainly applicable for Qi deficiency, and even indispensable for Blood deficiency, as stated: "Without Yang, Yin cannot be generated," which also refers to "tonifying Qi in cases of Blood loss."
Shen Lu (Ginseng Rhizome) 3-5 qian, decocted in water, can induce vomiting to expel sticky phlegm and retained fluid in deficient patients, serving as an excellent substitute for Gua Di (Melon Seed).
If there is heat in the Lungs causing cough with sputum or hemoptysis, or if Sha Zhen (Sand Rash) is just emerging with high fever but spots have not yet appeared, or if Shang Han (Cold Damage) has just begun with undetermined symptoms and intense internal pathogenic heat, misusing Ren Shen will cause disaster.
Gan Cao (Licorice Root) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen meridian. Incompatible with Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua), Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Daji), Kansui Radix (Gansui), and Sargassum Thallus (Haizao). Avoid pork.] Tonifies Spleen Qi to harmonize the Middle Jiao, stops diarrhea, and promotes muscle growth. [Spleen deficiency leads to diarrhea; Spleen damage leads to emaciation.] Moistens the Lungs and treats Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome), treats cough, and relieves sore throat. [These are effects of nourishing Yin and clearing heat.] Resolves various toxins. [Various toxins transform when encountering Earth; Gan Cao is the essence of the nine soils, thus resolving all kinds of toxins from metals, stones, herbs, plants, insects, fish, birds, and beasts.] Harmonizes all other herbs. [Harmonizes various herbs, enabling them to cooperate without conflict. When added to hot herbs, it moderates their heat; when added to cold herbs, it moderates their coldness. Used in Lizhong Tang to prevent rebellion upward; used in Chengqi Tang to prevent rapid purgation.] Raw Gan Cao clears fire; roasted Gan Cao warms the Middle. The tip stops pain in the urethra; the node treats swelling, toxins, and sores. It harmonizes various substances and is known as the "Elder Statesman," skilled in treating various pathogens, utilizing the "Kingly Way" method.
Sweet flavor can moderate the Middle, so it is contraindicated for those with Middle Jiao fullness. Vomiting patients should avoid sweet herbs; they should be used sparingly in formulas targeting the Lower Jiao, lest they be too slow to reach the disease site.
Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) [Sweet, bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Avoid radish. Produced in Huaiqing; those that are black and plump are good.] Cools blood, nourishes Yin, removes blood stasis, and generates new blood. [When new blood is generated, stasis is removed.] Nourishes sinews and bones, benefits Qi and strength. [Tonifying Liver Blood nourishes sinews; benefiting Kidney Yin strengthens bones and increases strength.] Regulates pregnancy/childbirth and labor injuries. [Pregnancy, childbirth, and labor injuries are diseases of Yin Blood; nourishing Blood and benefiting Yin cures these conditions.] Promotes urination and defecation. [The Kidneys open into the two yin openings, and since Blood moistens, this effect occurs.] Eliminates retained food. [When damp-heat is severe, food is not digested; Sheng Di Huang can remove various damp-heat.] Treats heat in the palms and soles. [The palm center belongs to the Heart; the sole belongs to the Kidney. Cooling Heart Blood and nourishing Kidney Yin eliminates heat.] Stops bleeding from various orifices. [Heat in Blood causes reckless flow; cooling Blood stops bleeding.]
Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) [Steeped in wine, steamed nine times and sun-dried nine times.] Nourishes Kidney Water, seals and fills the Marrow, benefits Blood and vessels, supplements True Yin, and treats lingering soreness and pain in the shins and thighs after chronic illness. [This is due to Yin injury.] Treats urgent pain in the umbilical and abdominal area after new postpartum. [This is due to敗血 (decayed blood).] It is a key herb for tonifying the Kidney and benefiting Yin. Prepared form is slightly warm, with broader efficacy. For Heat in Blood, raw form is suitable; for Blood deficiency, prepared form is suitable. Sheng Di Huang generates Essence and Blood, with Tian Dong (Asparagus Tuber) guiding it to where it is generated; Shu Di Huang tonifies Essence and Blood, with Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) guiding it to where it is tonified.
Sheng Di Huang is cold and moistening; it is contraindicated for those with Stomach deficiency and frequent diarrhea. Shu Di Huang is cloying/stagnant; for those with much phlegm and Qi stagnation, it may obstruct the chest and diaphragm, so use with discretion.
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) [Sweet, slightly cold. Enters the Heart, Lung, and Stomach meridians. Avoid crucian carp. Remove the heart before use.] Clears latent fire in the Lungs. [White in color and cold in nature, it has many lung-clearing effects.] Clears internal irritability and heat in the Heart. [Like cool wind on intense heat, evaporation ceases.] Stops thirst, benefits Essence, calms cough, and relieves asthma. [When Metal (Lung) is not dry, there is no thirst; Metal generates Water (Kidney) to benefit Essence; when Fire does not attack Metal, cough and asthma calm.] Mainly treats reckless bleeding. [The Heart governs Blood; when the Heart is clear, Blood does not flow recklessly.] Removes heat from deficiency consumption. [Yin deficiency causes heat; nourishing Yin eliminates heat.] Can stop vomiting. [Stomach heat does not rush upward.] Skilled at treating Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome). [Clearing heat in the Lungs and Stomach is the root treatment for flaccidity syndrome.] Treats dried-up menstruation and lack of lactation. [Once internal heat is removed, Essence and Blood are naturally generated.] Moistens the Lungs, removes heat, and clears the Heart; it is a divine product for deficiency-heat of the Heart and Lungs. Since sweet flavor enters the Spleen and Stomach first, it is also a principal herb for the Yangming channel. The *Ben Jing* states it treats wasting and weakness due to Stomach disease, where the Spleen receives nothing, and muscles do not grow. *Bie Lu* states it treats heaviness of the body, yellow eyes, subcostal fullness, and can digest grains and regulate the Middle. Essentially, removing heat from the Spleen and Stomach eliminates dampness and cures various symptoms; when the Spleen and Stomach are peaceful and eating is possible, the body becomes fat and healthy.
Contraindicated for deficiency-cold diarrhea.
Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) [Sweet, bitter, cold. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. Avoid carp. Remove the heart before use. Those that are white and sweet-tasting are good.] Stops cough and eliminates phlegm, calming asthma; removes irritability and quenches thirst, stopping various bleeds. [Yin deficiency with Fire movement flares upward, burning the Lungs, causing cough, asthma, irritability, and thirst, boiling body fluids into phlegm, and failing to control Fire leading to reckless bleeding. Clearing heat and protecting the Lungs while nourishing Kidney Yin levels all symptoms.] Nourishes skin and flesh. [The Lungs govern skin and hair; the Lungs prefer clarity and moisture, so skin and flesh are nourished and smooth. Also, latent heat inside prevents diet from nourishing skin; when heat clears, skin is nourished.] Removes chills and fever. [This is the power of tonifying Yin.] Strengthens bone marrow. [The Kidney is the official of strength and governs bones. Damp-heat pouring downward causes bone flaccidity. Bitterness softens hardness, cold clears heat; when heat leaves, dampness is removed, the Kidney is nourished, Marrow is full, and bones are strong.] Treats Fei Wei (lung flaccidity) and Fei Yong (lung abscess). [Treating lung flaccidity and abscess relies on clearing Metal, descending Fire, and moistening dryness.] Skilled at killing San Chong (three parasites). [Deficiency with internal heat breeds three parasites; tonifying deficiency and removing heat kills them.] Promotes urination and defecation. [When the Lungs are clear and肃 (descending), Qi transformation reaches the Bladder; its cold-moist nature benefits the Large Intestine.] Moistens dryness, nourishes Yin, clears Metal, and descends Fire. It also connects downward to the Kidneys, making it a key herb for deficiency-heat of the Lungs and Kidneys.
Its nature is cold and slippery; it is unsuitable for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency, diarrhea, and food aversion. Even if previous symptoms exist, it should be combined with Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Fu Ling (Poria), or substituted with Mai Dong, because Yin-deficient people often have long-standing weak Spleen-Stomach.
Wei Yu (Polygonatum Rhizome) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Lung, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Steeped in honey-water and steamed.] Tonifies the Middle and benefits Qi. [Sweet flavor enters the Spleen; the Spleen governs the Middle Jiao, thus tonifying the Middle. The Spleen is the source of postnatal Qi generation, thus benefiting Qi.] Moistens the Lungs, stops cough, nourishes the Liver, and treats eye pain, rotting, and tearing. [Caused by Blood deficiency and Fire flare-up. Also said: for headache and restlessness, adding Wei Yu utilizes its tonifying power to lower Fire.] Benefits the Kidney and removes deficiency-heat lumbar pain and cold penis. [Insufficient Yin Essence causes fever, lumbar pain, upper excess and lower deficiency leading to coldness in the penis. Tonifying the Kidney treats all.] Nourishes Yin Essence, with effects similar to Di Huang (Rehmannia); increases Yang Qi, with power similar to Ren Shen (Ginseng). Moist but not slippery, harmonious but not biased, like a person of great virtue, achieving success everywhere. Li Shizhen often used it to treat deficiency-consumption, chills and fever, labor malaria, and all insufficiency patterns, replacing Ren Shen and Huang Qi (Astragalus). Neither cold nor hot, it has remarkable effects.
Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) [Bitter, salty, slightly cold. Enters the Kidney meridian. Incompatible with Veratrum Viride Rhizoma et Radix (Lilu). Avoid copper vessels. Steam and sun-dry.] Tonifies the Kidney and benefits Essence, reduces fever, and brightens the eyes, regulates deficiency-consumption and bone-steaming fever. [Effect of strengthening Water.] Resolves Shang Han maculae toxins. [Effect of dispersing Fire.] Stops irritability and thirst, benefits the throat. [All due to nourishing Yin and descending Fire.] Can disperse Luo Li (scrofula), reduce swelling and toxins. [Cold resolves heat, saltiness softens hardness.] Black in color, salty in taste. Benefits Yin and removes heat; it is the Sovereign herb of the Kidney meridian. The *Huo Ren Shu* uses Xuan Shen to treat after Shang Han sweating/purging, where toxins do not dissipate, heart-bottom vexation, inability to sleep due to irritation, and mental confusion approaching despair. It treats misty Qi in the chest and rootless Fire, making it a holy medicine.
Nature is cold and slippery; contraindicated for Spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
Sha Shen (Glehnia Root) [Sweet, bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Lung meridian.] Clears Lung Fire, treats chronic cough, required for Fei Wei (lung flaccidity). [Effect of clearing the Lung.] Removes chills and fever. [Effect of tonifying Yin.] Also treats body itching and heals sores/tinea. [The Lungs govern skin and hair; clearing Lung heat brings peace.] Sha Shen is sweet-cold and light in weight, specifically clearing Lung heat, tonifying Yin, and controlling Yang. Ren Shen is sweet-warm and heavy in weight, specifically benefiting Lung Qi, tonifying Yang, and generating Yin. Also said: Sha Shen tonifies Yin of the five Zang organs; Ren Shen tonifies Yang of the five Zang organs. However, they must be used with herbs specific to the respective organ.
Contraindicated for cough caused by Cold invading the Lung meridian.
Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) [Bitter, pungent, slightly cold. Enters the Heart and Lung meridians. Incompatible with Aconitum Carlevarii Radix (Wutou). Remove heart, grind; Sichuan variety is best.] Descends Qi, eliminates phlegm, stops cough, calms asthma, treats blood from sputum, hematemesis, and epistaxis. [All are effects of clearing Metal and moistening the Lungs.] Disperses stagnant Qi in the chest. [Pungency disperses.] Also treats dripping strangury. [Clears irritability-heat in the Heart, resolving Small Intestine heat.] Also treats Hou Bi (sore throat obstruction). [Effect of dispersing nodules, removing heat, and clearing the Heart.] Unblocks difficult lactation. [Qi stagnation in the Liver and Stomach meridians blocks milk flow. Pungency disperses nodules and unblocks stagnation.] Also simple for external surgery. [Taking its nodule-dispersing, heat-removing effect to eliminate carbuncles and swellings; especially suitable for phlegm patterns.] Pungency enters the Lung; bitterness enters the Heart. Generally, when Heart Qi is clear and descends, the Lung relies on it for peace; moreover, it moistens and transforms phlegm, thus benefiting the West (Metal).
Bei Mu treats dry-phlegm of the Lung meridian. Contraindicated for damp-phlegm, cold-phlegm of the Spleen meridian, and food-stagnation phlegm.
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizome) [Bitter, cold. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. Remove hairs. For ascending action, bake with wine; for descending action, bake with salt water.] Drains Lung Fire, treats foul-smelling phlegm-cough in the throat; nourishes Kidney Water, treats hyperactive Ministerial Fire of the Mingmen. [Thus, for those with persistent erection without flaccidity, combining with Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), Tian Dong, Gan Cao, and Che Qian Cao (Plantago Leaf) is effective.] Reduces limb edema. [Most edema belongs to Fire. It drains Fire from the Lung, Stomach, Bladder, and Kidney meridians, and promotes urination, so edema disappears.] Removes Shang Han irritability. [Irritability and insomnia: Lung heat causes irritability, Kidney heat causes restlessness, Stomach disharmony causes inability to lie down.] Excellent at stopping Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), treats Se Dan (color jaundice). [All are effects of clearing heat and nourishing Yin.] Mainly drains Fire of the Kidney, and is most capable of clearing heat in the Lungs and Stomach.
It is a Yin-cold substance. Long-term use causes diarrhea. Thus, it is unusable for Kidney deficiency with impotence, Spleen deficiency with loose stools, loss of appetite, or indigestion.
Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root) [Sweet, bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Heart and Lung meridians. Incompatible with Aconitum Carlevarii Radix (Wutou).] Generates fluids, stops thirst, removes irritability, eliminates phlegm, benefits the diaphragm, and clears the Heart. Removes stubborn heat in the intestines and stomach, treats various ulcers. [Pure Yin and clear-cold, thus removing heat and treating ulcers.] Eliminates traumatic blood stasis and promotes menstruation. [Unlike Tao Ren (Apricot Seed) or Jiang Huang (Turmeric) which directly move Blood; when heat clears, Blood does not stagnate, and menstruation flows naturally.] Treats sudden tinnitus and deafness. [Effect of clearing phlegm and descending Fire.] Reduces swelling and expels pus. The mature fruit is called Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit). [Mashed.] Washes away phlegm nodules and treats Xiong Bi (chest bi-syndrome), stops Xiao Ke. [Also treats Shang Han Jie Xiong (knotted chest), taking its Qi-descending, Fire-reducing, phlegm-eliminating power. Moreover, it washes away greasy, stagnant heat in the chest and diaphragm, making it a divine medicine for Wasting-Thirst.] Moistens Lung dryness, removes cough, benefits the throat. [When the Lung is forced by Fire, losing its descending command, phlegm and cough arise. Now aided by sweet, mild, moistening, and descending properties, phlegm descends naturally, making it a key herb for treating cough. Benefiting the throat is due to clearing and moistening power.] Benefits the Large Intestine. [Powder taken orally can treat chronic dysentery.] Also reduces swelling and toxins. The seed is named Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthes Seed). [Roasted and ground.] Moistens the Lung and transforms dry-phlegm. Tian Hua Fen is a substance for moistening dryness, stopping thirst, eliminating phlegm, and resolving heat. Slightly bitter to descend Fire, sweet without damaging the Stomach; eaten as powder, it is highly suitable for weak persons.
Still contraindicated for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold causing diarrhea.
Bai Bu (Stemona Root) [Sweet, bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Lung meridian. Saying it is slightly warm is an error.] Mainly treats cough with rebellious Qi. [Effect of clearing heat, moistening the Lung, and descending.] Treats Chuan Shi Gu Zheng (transmitted corpse bone-steaming). [Chuan Shi Lao has parasites; its nature is good at killing insects. Being able to treat bone-steaming shows its slightly cold nature.] Kills roundworms, tapeworms, removes flies, lice, and wood-boring insects. [Burn smoke to fumigate, repel flies, remove lice, kill tree borers.] Dispels venom from insect/bite wounds, treats scabies and sores. [All taken steeped in wine.] Clears heat, moistens the Lung, nature is good at killing insects.
For those with weak Spleen-Stomach, it must be used together with Spleen-Stomach protecting herbs, lest it damage the Stomach and slip the intestines.
Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot Flower) [Pungent, sweet, warm. Enters the Lung meridian. Bake with honey-water.] Eliminating phlegm ensures no worry about asthma/cough. [Also descends Qi.] Moistening the Lungs provides reliance for Fei Yong (lung abscess/flaccidity). [Pungent and bitter can moisten.] Pungent-warm opens and clears, yet descends, does not assist Fire, applicable regardless of cold, heat, deficiency, or excess. It is a key herb for treating cough.
Zi Wan (Aster Root) [Pungent, bitter, warm. Enters the Lung meridian, baked with honey-water.] Treats Lung disease cough and asthma. [Bitter descends Qi, pungent disperses pathogens.] Treats knotted Qi in the chest. [Also due to pungency.]
Dong Hua (Kuan Dong Hua) and Zi Wan are both pungent-warm herbs for temporary use. They are not suitable for exclusive or heavy use in Yin deficiency with Lung heat; they must be combined with Er Dong (Tian Dong and Mai Dong) and Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark).
Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber) [Pungent, bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Lung, Stomach, and Liver meridians. Broken pieces are bright and brittle; those with a bitter taste containing sweetness are authentic, though rare.] Treats pain in the heart and abdomen due to Blood and Qi. [As it is a Qi herb in the Blood aspect. Thus, it is miraculous for treating Blood accumulation and Qi stagnation.] Stops bleeding due to great anger and rebellious Qi. [When Qi descends, Blood returns to its vessels.] Can open stagnation, thus being a key herb for regulating rebellious Qi and moving Blood stasis.
Ineffective for bleeding due to Yin deficiency with Fire flare-up, unrelated to Qi rebellion or vomiting.
Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) [Pungent, bitter, sweet, neutral. Enters the Lung meridian.] Removes Wind-Heat, clears head and eyes, unblocks nasal congestion. [Enters the Lung, developing harmonizing power.] Treats Fei Yong (lung abscess), stops sore throat, regulates phlegm-cough. [Pungent-bitter clears the Lung, sweet-neutral drains Fire.] Stops stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium. [Pungent disperses, bitter drains, sweet harmonizes; when pathogens resolve and Qi harmonizes, pain stops.] Calms abdominal pain in dysentery. [Due to Lung Qi stagnation between the Large Intestine, Jie Geng can lift it.] Key herb of the Lung meridian, acting as a boat and oar agent, capable of guiding other herbs to the highest parts.
Do not include in cases of Qi rebellion rising upward, nor in formulas attacking/tonifying the Lower Jiao.
Mao Gen (Imperata Rhizome) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Lung and Stomach meridians, crushed.] Cools Metal (Lung), calms asthma, treats various hemorrhages. [Sweet-cold removes internal heat, so Blood does not flow recklessly. Its nature also enters Blood to eliminate stasis, so it is suitable for Blood closure with chills and fever.] Promotes urination, unblocks strangury, removes Jaundice. [When internal heat resolves, urination becomes free, strangury heals. Treating jaundice relies on clearing heat and promoting urination.] Contraindicated for those with Middle Jiao Cold.
Lu Gen (Phragmites Rhizome) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Stomach meridian, crushed.] Treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), vomiting, and reversal; removes dysphagia and regurgitation. [All are effects of clearing heat and descending Fire.] Can clear irritability-heat, stops frequent urination. [Severe heat causes frequent urination due to the rapid nature of Fire.] Enters only the Yangming, clears heat and descends. Bamboo shoot nature is better, can resolve He Tun (pufferfish) toxin.
Contraindicated for vomiting due to Cold.
Shi Hu (Dendrobium Stem) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Kidney meridians. Steeped in wine and steamed. Long, thin, firm, sweet-tasting without bitterness is authentic; unsuitable for pills.] Clears the Stomach and generates flesh, drives away deficiency-heat of the skin. [Clearing deficiency-heat in the Stomach makes Stomach Qi peaceful and flesh grows; how could skin deficiency-heat not be removed?] Tonifies the Kidney and benefits strength, treats weak waist and legs. [Effect of entering the Kidney to strengthen sinews and bones.] Thickens intestines and stops diarrhea. [Benefiting Spleen-Stomach and removing damp-heat.] Calms the Spirit and settles fright. [Thus enters the Heart.] Do not mistakenly use Mu Hu (Wood Dendrobium), which is very bitter and harmful.
Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root) [Bitter, sour, neutral, slightly cold. Enters the Lung, Spleen, and Liver meridians. Incompatible with Veratrum Viride Rhizoma et Radix (Lilu). Bake with wine.] Calms the Spleen, stops Middle Jiao fullness, abdominal pain, and dysentery/diarrhea disharmony. [Regulating Middle Qi makes the Spleen solid and Middle fullness disappears; Spleen harmonizes and abdominal pain stops; Middle Qi does not sink, and Liver pathogens dare not invade. Thus dysentery/diarrhea is removed.] Astringes the Lung, stops distension, rebellious Qi, asthma, and cough, secures interstices. [Astringing rebellious Qi prevents Fire from flaring upward. Lung urgency, distension, asthma, and rebellious cough calm; gathering Yin Qi prevents fluid leakage, and interstices naturally secure.] Controls the Liver, mainly treats Blood-heat eye diseases and hypochondriac pain. [Controlling the Liver makes Qi peaceful, Liver Fire does not flourish, and Liver Blood is not hot. Eye diseases and hypochondriac pain are removed.] Red variety specifically moves evil Blood. [White tonifies, Red drains. White gathers, Red disperses.] Also reduces carbuncles and swellings. [Effect of moving and cooling Blood.] Specifically enters the Blood aspect of the Spleen meridian, can drain Liver Fire, thus having many functions. Summarized in one word: gathering Qi and cooling Blood. Combined with Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) tonifies the Spleen; combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng) benefits Qi; combined with Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) stops dysentery/diarrhea; combined with Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) stops abdominal pain; only effective for Blood-deficiency abdominal pain. Zhong Chun said: Spleen deficiency with Middle fullness, worse at night and quiet during the day, belongs to Spleen Yin deficiency. Combined with Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Fu Ling (Poria), Lian Rou (Lotus Seed), Bian Dou (Lablab Bean), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), and Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed) serves as a Spleen-Yin tonifying formula.
Contraindicated for abdominal pain, Middle fullness with diarrhea, and feeling cold in the intestines and stomach. Red variety breaks Blood; contraindicated for all Blood-deficiency patterns, postpartum lochia already flowing, and opened carbuncles/ulcers.
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) [Pungent, sweet, large warm. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians, washed with wine and remove rhizome. Stir-fry with vinegar when included in hemostatic formulas.] Removes stasis and generates new blood. [Pungency disperses and moistens, warmth unblocks and smooths, so stasis moves itself; sweetness tonifies, so new blood is born.] Relaxes sinews and moistens intestines. [Sinews are nourished by Blood and relax; intestines are moistened by slippery agents.] Warms the Middle, stops heart and abdominal pain. [Cold causes Blood coagulation and Qi stagnation leading to pain; warmth makes Blood flow and pain stops. Moreover, Dang Gui is a Qi herb within Blood.] Nourishes Ying (Nutrient) Qi, treats joint pain. [Effect of harmonizing and moving Blood.] In Gynecology, treats dripping blood and metrorrhagia. [As a Blood herb, it tonifies all deficiencies in women.] In Surgery, expels pus and stops pain. [Also effect of harmonizing and moving Blood. Carbuncles avoid Dang Gui because pungent-warm Blood-moving might cause spreading; once opened, it tonifies Blood and generates flesh. Golden wounds and broken-injury wind all require moving and tonifying Blood, thus all tonify it.] The Heart governs Blood, the Spleen controls Blood, the Liver stores Blood. Dang Gui is a Blood herb, thus entering these three meridians, being a key herb for moving Blood. The whole herb harmonizes Blood, the body tonifies Blood, the head stops bleeding, the tail breaks Blood. It can guide all Blood to return to their respective vessels, hence named Dang Gui (Angelica).
Nature tends to slip the intestines; contraindicated for diarrhea. Contraindicated for vomiting patients, cough patients, and Blood-heat patients.
Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root) [Bitter, neutral, enters the Heart meridian. Incompatible with Veratrum Viride Rhizoma et Radix (Lilu).] Nourishes Blood and calms the Spirit. [When Heart Blood is nourished, the Spirit naturally calms.] Regulates menstruation and treats hernia. [Nourishing Blood regulates menses; moving Blood stops hernia pain.] Removes blood stasis, generates new blood, calms the fetus, and expels dead fetus. Constantly used in Gynecology, also suitable for Surgery.