〔有消肿，排脓止痛，生肌长肉之功。〕色赤、味苦，为心经血分之药。古称丹参一味与四物同功。
虽能补血，长于行血，妊娠无故勿服。
远志 〔辛苦温，入心、肾二经，杀附子毒，甘草汤浸去水用。〕定心神而止惊悸，补肾气
而治健忘。〔肾藏精与志，志伤则善忘其前言。治健忘者，强志益精之功也。〕散心下郁气，疗
一切痈毒。〔皆辛散苦泄温畅之力。〕心肾并补，为二经气分之药。
若心家有实火，应用黄连、生地者，禁与参、术补气等药同用。
秦艽 〔辛苦平，入胃、大肠、肝三经。〕祛风除湿，而疗肢节疼痛，养血荣筋，而治通身挛急
。〔长于养血，所谓治风先治血，血行风自灭，又能泄热利水，而去湿热。〕能理黄胆
。可解酒毒。〔去阳明湿热之功也。〕
下部虚寒人，及小便不禁，大便滑者忌用。
续断 〔辛苦微温，入肝、肾二经，酒焙。〕补劳伤而续筋骨。〔理肝肾之功。〕破瘀结而
利关节。〔通宣血脉之力。〕益气力，止腰痛，〔补肾之效。〕胎产必收，〔以其胎前能保，产后能行，
且又止崩中漏血。〕外科亦宜。〔以其有消肿止痛生肌之功。〕补而不滞，行而不泻，故女科外科
，取
用宏多。同归、膝、元胡用，则行血理伤；同地、冬、枸杞、杜仲、五味、山萸、参、 用，则止崩漏
补不足。
茅草根似续断，误用令人筋软。
牛膝 〔甘酸平，入肝、肾二经。〕壮筋骨而理腰膝软弱，〔峻补肝、肾精血之功。〕治痹症而
解四肢拘挛。〔补血则筋舒，行血则痛止，正旺血行邪自除矣。〕益精止腰脊之痛，填髓去脑中之疼。
〔热多则阴分伤也。〕善疗五淋，〔小肠有气，则小便胀，有血则淋，有热则痛，故便淋或尿血，茎中痛
甚者用之，取其性下行，逐恶血也。〕破 结，更主通经，堕胎，理拆伤。又能消痈散肿，〔皆行血逐
瘀之功。〕肝、肾二经之药。大抵酒蒸则能补精血，生用则能祛恶血。
善引诸药下行，上焦药中勿入，血崩不止者，切戒用之。
何首乌 〔苦涩微温。入肝、肾二经。选大者赤白合用，泔浸，黑豆拌蒸，晒九天。〕养血益肝，
而疗风疾；〔如头面风疮，半体无汗，遍身瘙痒，大风疠疾诸病，皆取其活血治风之功。〕固精益肾，
而能续嗣。〔涩能敛精。〕强筋壮骨，黑发悦颜，〔精血充足之征。〕止肠风下血，治女人崩带；〔益
血而涩又能收敛也。〕疗阴伤久疟，〔养血益肝之效〕。及疥癣满身。〔赤者能消肿毒，外科呼为红内
消，又名疮帚。〕入肝而兼入肾，为益血祛风之上药。
与萝卜同食，能令须发早白，犯铁器损人。
五味子 〔甘酸，核中苦辛咸。性温，入肺、肾二经。嗽药生用，补药微焙。〕滋肾经不足之
水，强阴涩精，除热解渴；〔精盛则阴强收摄，除热者壮水镇阳也，解渴者酸能生津也。〕收肺家耗散
之气，疗咳定喘，敛汗固肠，〔久咳则肺气耗散，酸能收敛，故止咳定喘。肺主皮毛，与大肠为表
里，故敛汗固肠。〕敛肺保肾之药也。同扁豆、干葛，能解毒。
风邪在表，痧疹初发，一切停饮，及肺家有实热者皆禁。
沙菀蒺藜 〔甘温入肾经，炒用。状如肾子，带绿色，咬之有生豆气者真，不入汤药。〕沙菀
者，强阴固精；〔功专补肾。〕有刺者，〔炒去刺研。〕明目治风。〔兼入肝矣，以肝开窍于目。又肝
主风也。同首乌、胡麻、地黄、天冬，能治遍身风痒。〕
沙苑蒺藜，阳道数举，媾精难出者勿服。
沙苑蒺藜∶可入汤剂。本品与刺蒺藜名同物异，功用有别。前者温补肝肾，治疗遗精早泄带下等证
；而后者则平肝散风，行血明目。故不可混同。〔见《中药学》南京中医学院、江苏新医研究所编〕
覆盆子 〔甘平，入肾、肺二经，去蒂酒蒸。〕起阴痿而令坚
长，益肾脏而缩小便。〔故有覆盆之名。〕固涩之品，精滑者宜之。
小便不利者禁用。
菟丝子 〔辛甘平，入肾、肝二经。酒煮烂，焙干。不入汤药。〕添精髓而强阴茎，疗精
寒自出、溺有余沥；〔 而能补肾中阳气故也。〕坚筋骨而益气力，治口舌燥渴，肝伤目昏。〔补肾肝
则筋骨强而气力增。水虚则内热津干，故口苦燥渴。肾恶燥，急入辛以润之，此与香燥之辛不同。
明目者肝得血而能视也。〕
肾家多火，强阳〔不痿〕者勿用。
巴戟天 〔辛甘微温，入肾经，酒浸焙。〕强筋骨，起阴痿。〔助火之功。〕
内热者忌之。
肉苁蓉 〔甘咸微温，入肾经。大至斤许，不腐者佳，酒洗去甲。〕益精壮阳事，补血润大肠
。〔若骤用之，反动便滑，故独用二三两，顿饮，治血枯便燥有神。〕滋肾峻补精血之要
药。锁阳功用相仿，可代苁蓉。
苁蓉性滑，泄泻禁用，阳易举而精不固者勿服。锁阳禁忌亦同。
补骨脂 〔辛大温，入肾经。盐水浸三日，胡桃油炒。〕兴阳事，〔补助相火之功也。〕固精
气，〔取其辛大温之气，以壮真阳，使之涵乎阴精而不走。〕止肾泄，〔命门火衰，
不能熏蒸脾胃，腐熟水谷。以致五更溏泄，丹田得暖，而泄自除。〕治腰疼。〔肾气虚弱，或风冷乘
之，或寒湿浸之，或因气滞不散，或因跌扑瘀凝，皆取其辛散温行，而又有 补水脏之功。〕 补水脏
，壮水益土之要药。
大温而燥，凡阴虚内热之人及大便闭结者，戒用。
大茴香 〔辛大温，入胃、肾二经。小如粟者力薄。〕补命门真火，治小肠疝气。
黄 〔甘微温，入肺、脾二经。恶防风，得防风其功愈大。补气药中，蜜水炙，疮疡药中，盐
水炒。〕补肺气而实皮毛，敛汗如神；益胃气而去肌热，止泻有效。〔劳倦则发热，甘温能除大热也。止
泻者，补中气之功也。〕肠风崩带俱用，〔益气补虚，则得统摄而血止矣。〕止渴除喘亦宜。〔气主煦之
，故益气则津生，虚气则喘，故补肺则喘除。〕能托疮而生肌肉，〔未溃能同败毒药而托出走表，已溃能同
补脾药以生肌长肉。〕治风疠而理痘疮。〔治风疠者，以邪之所凑其气必虚。气充于外，邪无所容矣。痘
疮因阳分表虚气不足者宜之，血热者则大忌也。〕
功能实表，有表邪者勿用，能助气，气实者勿用，能补阳，阴虚者勿用；多怒则肝气不和，亦禁用之。
白术 〔甘苦温，入脾、胃二经。于潜者佳。泔浸土蒸，蜜水拌炒。〕健脾强胃，消谷嗜食，
〔土恶湿，湿去则脾健而消谷，胃强而嗜食。〕化痰逐水，消肿止泻。〔湿客中焦则生痰生水，湿胜则为泻
为肿，除湿则诸症自安。〕君枳实以消痞，〔强脾胃之力。〕佐黄芩而安胎，〔化湿热之功。〕益气
和中除湿之圣药也。人但知白术补脾，而不知脾恶湿，湿去则脾健，故曰补也。
若脾虚而无湿邪者用之，反燥竭津液，是损脾阴矣，此最误人，特表出之。凡阴虚内热，便秘滞下
，肝、肾有动气者勿服。
苍术 〔辛苦温入脾经。茅山者佳。泔浸蒸晒。〕燥湿消痰，〔湿去则痰饮不生。〕发汗解郁，
〔辛主散，香快气也〕除山岚瘴气，弥灾 恶疾。〔芳气能辟邪也。〕芳烈燥湿之品，为湿家要药。
无湿症者大忌。
香附 〔辛苦微温，入肺、肝二经。童便浸晒焙。惧燥，蜜水炒；惧散，醋炒。〕开郁快气，
〔辛能散之，苦能降之，温能通之畅之。〕发表散邪。〔亦辛温之力。〕消痰化食，治心腹之疼；
〔皆快气之功。〕调经止带，理胎产之疾，〔血随气行，香附为血中之气药，气调则血亦从之而和畅
，故能调月经而治胎产之疾也。诸气白带，因肝气郁而脾受伤，此能升降诸气，而治一切气疾故也
。〕为三焦肝经气分之主药，而兼通十二经气分也。生则上行胸膈，外达皮肤，熟则下走肝肾，外彻
腰足。得参、术则补气，得归、地则补血，得木香则流滞和中，得沉香则升降诸气，得茯神则交济心
肾，得紫苏则解散邪气，得三棱、莪术则消磨积块，得苍术、抚芎则总解诸郁，得黄连、山栀则能降火
，统领诸药，随用得宜，乃气分之总司，女科之主帅也。
辛香温燥之品，若月经先期者，法当凉血，不可误用。
木香 〔辛温，入脾、肺、肝三经，生用理气，煨熟止泻。〕调诸气而开郁，能消食而止泻，疗心腹
冷气之作疼。佐连、黄、白芍以治痢，三焦气分之药，能升降诸气。诸气愤郁，皆属于金，故上焦气滞
者宜之，金郁则泄之也，中气不运，皆属于脾，故中焦气滞者宜之，脾胃喜芳香也。大肠气滞则后重，
膀胱气不化则淋癃，肝气郁则为痛，故下焦气滞者宜之，塞者通之也。治下焦气滞药中，如后重须槟榔，
淋癃须沉香降下之品以佐之。
香燥而偏于阳，肺虚有热，血枯而燥者，慎勿犯之。
砂仁 〔辛温，入肺、脾、胃、大肠、肝、肾六经。炒去衣研。〕下气而治呕吐、奔豚，〔可升
可降。降多于升，故能下气，下气开胃，则呕吐止。奔豚属肾火虚衰，阴凝结气上攻。此能下气，温
肾散结。〕化食而理心疼、腹痛。〔醒脾气则食化，散结气则痛止。〕霍乱与泻痢均资，〔霍乱因正
气壅塞，泻由食仃，痢由积滞，故咸主之。〕安胎〔胎喜疏利〕与中满肿胀并效。〔脾虚中满，佐补
药以和中气。肿胀或因食积，或因痰、因气、因水，皆用之以理气。〕兼治上气咳嗽。〔指寒邪郁肺，
气不得舒之症。咳因肺热者不宜用之。〕开脾胃之要药，和中气之正品。若肾虚气不归元，非此向导
不济。
性温而燥，凡因热火升腹痛作呕，伤暑作泻，胎动由于血热，肿胀由于燥热，咳逆由于火冲，难
以概投。孕妇食之太多，耗气必致难产。
白豆蔻 〔辛大温，入脾、胃二经。去衣焙研。〕温中除吐逆，开胃消饮食。〔脾胃喜香喜温喜
通，故也。〕疟症宜投，〔能消能磨，流行三焦，荣卫一转，寒热自平。〕腹痛须简。〔取其辛温散寒
，而又能散滞气也。〕
凡腹痛、呕吐因火热者忌之。
藿香 〔辛微温，入肺、脾二经。忌见火〕。能开胃进食，〔取其芳香也。〕止吐泻霍乱。
〔开胃理脾，正气通畅之功也。〕
阴虚火旺，胃热作呕者，勿用。
前胡 〔辛苦微寒，入肺、脾、胃、大肠四经。〕散风邪，〔辛也。〕清肺热，〔辛先入肺
，苦能泄热而性又微寒也。〕下气消痰，止咳定喘。〔长于下气，与柴胡上升之性不同，气降则痰
亦降，而咳喘俱止。〕能祛气实风痰，与贝母之治燥痰，半夏之治湿痰者各别。
凡阴虚火动之痰，及不因外感而有痰者勿服。
防风 〔辛甘温，入膀胱、小肠、肝、胆、脾、胃六经，色白而润者佳。〕通治诸风，〔三
十六般风皆用。〕兼能去湿。〔能去经络中留湿，以风能胜湿也，故疮科多用之。〕疗周身骨节之疼，
〔邪散痛自止。〕去头目四肢之疾。〔如头痛头眩，头面湿风，目赤多泪，四肢挛急，亦邪散而诸症
安。〕能防御外风，故名防风，乃风药中润剂也。卑贱之卒，随所
引而至。
虚劳骨节疼痛，血虚火炎头痛，阳虚自汗，阴虚盗汗，诸症皆忌。
荆芥 〔辛温，入肝经。反驴肉、无鳞鱼、河豚、蟹黄、 鱼。〕祛风邪，除寒热，〔散邪
解肌，寒热除矣。〕头痛目眩可安。〔亦散邪之功。〕便血崩中皆治。〔能入血分之风药，性升而上
行也。〕童便调末，〔炒研细末。〕而理胎产血晕；〔其功能散瘀血，以其入血分，而有辛散温行之
力，童便引之，功更捷矣。〕生地君之，而治遍身疥疮，〔血热有湿则疮，凉血除湿而自愈。〕
风药主升主散，表虚有汗，非关外邪寒热、头痛目眩者忌之。
独活 〔辛甘苦微温，入膀胱、小肠、肝、肾四经。〕善祛风寒，能除湿热。〔羌独皆祛风、
散寒、除湿，透关利节之品。〕产中国者名独活，气细而治足少阴伏风头痛，〔为肾家引经之药
也。〕两足湿痹，不能行动。〔肾为水脏，湿易流入。〕出西羌者曰羌活，〔乃一类二种。〕气雄而
治足太阳感邪头痛，〔风寒湿三气皆邪也。为膀胱引经之药。〕四肢百节，一身尽痛。
若血虚头痛，及遍身肢节痛，误用增剧。
麻黄 〔辛苦热，入心、肺、膀胱三经。去根节煮去沫。〕主冬令之伤寒，〔惟冬令太阳正伤寒症
无汗者，方可用之。〕开毛孔而出汗。〔轻扬入肺而善散也。〕头痛发热恶寒顿蠲，身疼腰痛脊强皆
安。〔皆太阳经伤寒之症，发散则邪去而安。〕咳嗽能止，痰喘可除。〔皮毛外闭、则邪热内攻，入肺
经而散火郁，则咳喘自除。〕其性轻扬，疗伤寒为发汗第一药。根节甘平，止汗如神。其性能行周身
肌表，故引诸药，外至卫分，而固腠理也。又取为末，同牡蛎粉扑之甚良。加糯米粉尤效。
非冬月伤寒，及腠理不密之人皆禁用。汗多亡阳，能损人寿，戒之戒之。
葛根 〔辛甘平，入胃经。〕主阳明之风寒，〔邪在太阳，未入阳明，误服之是引贼入室矣。
〕善解肌而出汗，〔轻扬开
腠，为阳明解肌之要药，以胃主肌肉故也。〕头痛壮热随停，目痛鼻干可疗。〔额颅痛属阳明，胃
[It has the efficacy of reducing swelling, discharging pus, relieving pain, and generating flesh.] Its color is red and taste is bitter; it is a herb entering the Heart meridian blood level. Ancient texts state that Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) alone has the same efficacy as Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction).
Although it can tonify blood, it excels at promoting blood circulation; pregnant women should not take it without cause.
Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: warm. Enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. It can neutralize the toxicity of Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). Soak in Gan Cao Tang (Licorice Decoction), remove water, and use.] It calms the spirit and stops palpitations; tonifies Kidney Qi and treats forgetfulness. [The Kidney stores Essence and willpower; if Willpower is injured, one easily forgets previous words. Treating forgetfulness involves strengthening Willpower and benefiting Essence.] It disperses stagnant Qi under the Heart and treats all types of carbuncles and sores. [These effects are due to its pungent-dispersing, bitter-draining, and warming-unblocking properties.] It tonifies both Heart and Kidney and is a herb entering the Qi level of these two meridians.
If there is Excess Fire in the Heart, requiring Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), it must not be used together with Qi-tonifying herbs like Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma).
Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: neutral. Enters the Stomach, Large Intestine, and Liver meridians.] It dispels Wind-Dampness and treats joint pain; nourishes Blood and benefits sinews, treating generalized spasms and cramps. [It excels at nourishing Blood; as the saying goes, "To treat Wind, first treat Blood; when Blood moves, Wind extinguishes itself." It also drains Heat and promotes urination, removing Damp-Heat.] It regulates jaundice. It can resolve alcohol toxicity. [This is the effect of clearing Damp-Heat from the Yangming channel.]
Contraindicated in individuals with deficiency-cold in the lower jiao, urinary incontinence, or loose stools.
Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: slightly warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Roast over wine.] It tonifies labor injuries and reconnects bones and tendons. [This is the function of regulating Liver and Kidney.] It breaks up stasis and nodules and benefits joints. [This is the power of unblocking and circulating Blood vessels.] It boosts Qi and strength, relieves lower back pain, [This is the effect of tonifying the Kidney.] effective for pregnancy and postpartum conditions, [Because it protects during pregnancy and invigorates after delivery, and also stops metrorrhagia and leukorrhea.] suitable for surgery. [Because it reduces swelling, relieves pain, and generates flesh.] It tonifies without stagnation and moves without purging; therefore, it is widely used in gynecology and surgery. Used with Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizoma), it invigorates Blood and heals injuries; used with Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it stops metrorrhagia and tonifies deficiencies.
Mao Gen Cao (Imperatae Rhizoma) resembles Xu Duan; mistaken use causes softening of tendons.
Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) [Taste: sweet, sour; Nature: neutral. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.] Strengthens sinews and bones and treats weakness of the waist and knees. [This is the profound tonification of Liver and Kidney Essence and Blood.] Treats Bi syndrome and resolves limb spasms. [Tonifying Blood relaxes sinews; moving Blood stops pain; when Righteous Qi is strong and Blood flows, pathogens are naturally eliminated.] Benefits Essence, stops lower back and spine pain, fills Marrow, and removes brain pain. [Excessive heat injures the Yin level.] Excellent for treating the five types of strangury. [If there is Qi in the Small Intestine, urine is distended; if Blood, it is strangury; if Heat, it is painful. Thus, for strangury, hematuria, or severe penile pain, this herb is used for its descending nature to drive out evil Blood.] Breaks up masses, primarily opens menstruation, induces abortion, and treats traumatic injuries. It can also reduce carbuncles and dissipate swellings. [All are effects of moving Blood and driving out stasis.] A herb for the Liver and Kidney meridians. Generally, wine-steamed it tonifies Essence and Blood; raw it expels evil Blood.
It guides other herbs downward; do not include it in formulas for the Upper Jiao. Strictly contraindicated in cases of unstoppable metrorrhagia.
He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) [Taste: bitter, astringent; Nature: slightly warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Select large ones, use red and white varieties together, soak in rice wash water, steam with black soybeans, and sun-dry for nine days.] Nourishes Blood and benefits the Liver, treating Wind diseases; [For conditions like facial wind sores, half-body anhidrosis, generalized pruritus, and leprosy, it utilizes its blood-invigorating and Wind-resolving efficacy.] Secures Essence and tonifies the Kidney, aiding fertility. [Astringency secures Essence.] Strengthens sinews and bones, darkens hair, and beautifies the face. [This is a sign of sufficient Essence and Blood.] Stops intestinal wind bleeding, treats female metrorrhagia and leukorrhea; [Benefits Blood, and astringency further consolidates.] Treats chronic malaria due to Yin injury, [Effect of nourishing Blood and benefiting the Liver.] and widespread tinea. [Red variety reduces swelling and toxicity; surgery calls it Hong Nei Xiao, also known as Chuang Shu.] Enters the Liver and simultaneously the Kidney; it is a premier herb for nourishing Blood and dispelling Wind.
Consumed with radish, it causes premature graying of hair and beard; contact with ironware harms the body.
Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) [Taste: sweet, sour; seed contains pungent, bitter, salty. Nature: warm. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. Use raw for cough medicines, lightly roasted for tonics.] Moistens insufficient Water in the Kidney meridian, strengthens Yin, astringes Essence, clears Heat, and relieves thirst; [Abundant Essence strengthens Yin and retention; clearing Heat is by strengthening Water to suppress Yang; relieving thirst is because sourness generates fluids.] Collects dissipating Qi in the Lung, treats cough and stabilizes asthma, arrests sweating, and consolidates intestines. [Prolonged cough dissipates Lung Qi; sourness astringes, thus stopping cough and asthma. The Lung governs skin and hair and is exterior-interior with the Large Intestine, thus arresting sweat and consolidating intestines.] It is a herb that astringes the Lung and protects the Kidney. With Dou Bian (Lablab Album) and Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), it resolves toxicity.
Contraindicated when Wind pathogen is on the exterior, initial eruption of sand-rash, all fluid retention, and Excess Heat in the Lung.
Sha Yuan Ji Li (Astragali Complanati Semen) [Taste: sweet; Nature: warm. Enters the Kidney meridian. Stir-fry. Resembles a kidney bean, greenish; authentic ones smell like raw beans when bitten; not for decoctions.] Sha Yuan variety strengthens Yin and secures Essence; [Function specifically tonifies Kidney.] The thorny variety, [Stir-fry to remove thorns and grind.] brightens eyes and treats Wind. [Enters the Liver as well, since the Liver opens into the eyes. Also, the Liver governs Wind. With He Shou Wu, Hu Ma, Di Huang, and Tian Dong, it treats generalized pruritus.]
Sha Yuan Ji Li: Contraindicated for frequent erections and difficulty ejaculating.
Note: Sha Yuan Ji Li can be used in decoctions. Although named similarly to Ci Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus), they are different substances with different functions. The former warms and tonifies Liver-Kidney, treating spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and leukorrhea; the latter soothes the Liver, disperses Wind, invigorates Blood, and brightens eyes. Do not confuse them. [See *Chinese Materia Medica*, Nanjing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Jiangsu Institute of New Medical Research]
Fu Pen Zi (Rubiae Fructus) [Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral. Enters the Kidney and Lung meridians. Remove stalk, steam with wine.] Cures impotence, making it firm and long; benefits the Kidneys and reduces urination. [Hence the name "Covering the Basin."] An astringent substance, suitable for seminal emission.
Contraindicated in cases of difficult urination.
Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen) [Taste: pungent, sweet; Nature: neutral. Enter the Kidney and Liver meridians. Boil in wine until soft, roast dry. Not for decoctions.] Adds Essence and Marrow, strengthens the penis, treats cold semen spontaneous emission, and dribbling urine; [Pungency tonifies Kidney Yang.] Strengthens sinews and bones, boosts Qi and strength, treats dry mouth and throat, and blurred vision due to Liver injury. [Tonifying Liver and Kidney strengthens sinews/bones and increases strength. Water deficiency leads to internal heat and dry fluids, causing bitter/dry mouth. The Kidney dislikes dryness; urgently enter pungency to moisten; this differs from aromatic-dry pungency. Brightening eyes occurs when the Liver receives Blood.]
Contraindicated in cases of excessive Fire in the Kidney and those with strong erections [non-impotent].
Ba Ji Tian (Morindae Officinalis Radix) [Taste: pungent, sweet; Nature: slightly warm. Enters the Kidney meridian. Soak in wine, roast.] Strengthens sinews and bones, cures impotence. [Assists Fire.]
Contraindicated in cases of internal Heat.
Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche Deserticola) [Taste: sweet, salty; Nature: slightly warm. Enters the Kidney meridian. Large pieces up to a jin, non-decayed are best. Wash with wine to remove scales.] Benefits Essence, strengthens sexual function, nourishes Blood, and moistens the Large Intestine. [If used abruptly, it may trigger loose stools; thus, using 2-3 liang alone in a single dose is miraculous for blood depletion and dry stool.] A key herb for profoundly tonifying Kidney Essence and Blood. Suo Yang has similar functions and can replace Rou Cong Rong.
Rou Cong Rong is slippery; contraindicated in diarrhea. Contraindicated for those with easy erections but insecure Essence. Suo Yang has the same contraindications.
Bu Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus) [Taste: pungent; Nature: very warm. Enters the Kidney meridian. Soak in salt water for three days, stir-fry with walnut oil.] Promotes sexual activity. [Supplements Ministerial Fire.] Secures Essence and Qi. [Uses its pungent, very warm nature to strengthen True Yang, keeping it contained within Yin Essence.] Stops Kidney diarrhea. [Mingmen Fire decline fails to steam Spleen/Stomach to digest food, causing morning diarrhea; warming the Dantian removes diarrhea.] Treats lower back pain. [Kidney Qi deficiency, or invasion by Wind-Cold/Damp-Cold, Qi stagnation, or trauma-induced stasis; uses its pungent-dispersing and warming-moving nature, plus benefit to the Water organ.] A key herb for tonifying the Water organ, strengthening Water, and benefiting Earth.
Very warm and drying. Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with internal Heat and constipation.
Da Hui Xiang (Foeniculi Fructus) [Taste: pungent; Nature: very warm. Enters the Stomach and Kidney meridians. Those small as millet have weak power.] Tonifies True Fire of Mingmen, treats Xiao Chang hernia.
Huang Qi (Astragali Membranacei Radix) [Taste: sweet; Nature: slightly warm. Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Dislikes Fang Feng, but efficacy increases with it. Honey-roasted for Qi tonics; salt-water fried for sore/ulcer formulas.] Tonifies Lung Qi and solidifies skin/hair, miraculously arrests sweating; benefits Stomach Qi, removes muscular heat, effectively stops diarrhea. [Fatigue causes fever; sweet-warm can remove great heat. Stopping diarrhea is the function of tonifying Middle Qi.] Used for intestinal wind, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea. [Tonifying Qi and deficiency allows control, stopping blood.] Suitable for thirst relief and asthma removal. [Qi provides warmth; tonifying Qi generates fluids; deficient Qi causes asthma; tonifying Lung removes asthma.] Can push out sores and generate flesh. [Unbroken sores: combined with detoxifiers to push pathogens out via exterior; broken sores: combined with Spleen tonics to generate flesh.] Treats leprosy and manages smallpox. [Treating leprosy: where pathogens gather, Qi must be deficient. External Qi sufficiency leaves no room for pathogens. Suitable for smallpox due to Yang-level exterior deficiency and insufficient Qi; strictly contraindicated in Blood Heat.]
Function: Solidifies exterior. Contraindicated with exterior pathogens. Assists Qi; contraindicated in Qi excess. Tonifies Yang; contraindicated in Yin deficiency. Contraindicated in anger-related Liver Qi disharmony.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) [Taste: sweet, bitter; Nature: warm. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Yuzhou origin is best. Soak in rice wash, steam in earth, stir-fry with honey water.] Strengthens Spleen and Stomach, aids digestion and appetite. [Earth dislikes dampness; removing dampness strengthens Spleen for digestion and Stomach for appetite.] Transforms phlegm, drives out water, reduces swelling, stops diarrhea. [Dampness in Middle Jiao generates phlegm/water; excess dampness causes diarrhea/swelling; removing dampness settles symptoms.] As chief with Zhi Shi to eliminate fullness. [Strengthens Spleen/Stomach power.] As assistant with Huang Qin to calm fetus. [Drains Damp-Heat.] A sage herb for tonifying Qi, harmonizing Middle, and removing Dampness. People know Bai Zhu tonifies Spleen, but not that Spleen dislikes dampness; removing dampness strengthens Spleen, hence called "tonifying."
If used in Spleen deficiency without Dampness, it dries fluids and injures Spleen Yin, which is most misleading. Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with internal Heat, constipation/dysentery, and moving Qi in Liver/Kidney.
Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: warm. Enters Spleen meridian. Maoshan origin is best. Soak in rice wash, steam, dry.] Dries Dampness, transforms phlegm. [Removing dampness prevents phlegm-fluid generation.] Induces sweating, resolves depression. [Pungency disperses; fragrance moves Qi.] Removes mountain miasma and epidemic diseases. [Fragrance repels pathogens.] Aromatic, fierce, drying Dampness; essential herb for Dampness disorders.
Strictly contraindicated without Dampness symptoms.
Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: slightly warm. Enters Lung and Liver meridians. Soak in child's urine, sun-dry, roast. Fear dryness: stir-fry with honey water; fear dispersion: stir-fry with vinegar.] Opens depression, moves Qi rapidly. [Pungency disperses, bitterness descends, warmth unblocks.] Releases exterior, scatters pathogens. [Also pungent-warm power.] Transforms phlegm, digests food, treats heart/abdominal pain. [All rapid Qi movement.] Regulates menstruation, stops leukorrhea, manages pregnancy/postpartum diseases. [Blood follows Qi; Xiang Fu is the Qi herb in Blood; regulating Qi harmonizes Blood, thus regulating menses and managing pregnancy/postpartum issues. Leukorrhea due to Liver Qi depression injuring Spleen; it rises and falls Qi, treating all Qi disorders.] Master herb of Qi level in San Jiao and Liver, connecting Twelve Meridians Qi level. Raw: ascends chest/diaphragm, reaches skin. Cooked: descends Liver/Kidney, reaches waist/feet. With Ren Shen/Bai Zhu: tonifies Qi. With Dang Gui/Di Huang: tonifies Blood. With Mu Xiang: moves stagnation, harmonizes Middle. With Chen Xiang: rises and falls Qi. With Fu Shen: connects Heart/Kidney. With Zi Su: scatters pathogens. With San Leng/E Zhu: dissolves masses. With Cang Zhu/Xiong Qiong: resolves all depressions. With Huang Lian/Zhi Zi: drains Fire. Leads all herbs; appropriate use makes it the General Manager of Qi level and Commander of Gynecology.
Pungent, aromatic, warm, drying. If menstruation comes early, cool Blood method applies; do not misuse.
Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) [Taste: pungent; Nature: warm. Enters Spleen, Lung, Liver meridians. Raw regulates Qi; baked stops diarrhea.] Regulates all Qi, opens depression, digests food, stops diarrhea, treats cold pain in heart/abdomen. With Lian, Huang, Bai Shao: treats dysentery. Herb of San Jiao Qi level, rises and falls Qi. All Qi frustration belongs to Metal; thus suitable for Upper Jiao Qi stagnation (Metal depression requires draining); Middle Qi immobility belongs to Spleen; thus suitable for Middle Jiao Qi stagnation (Spleen/Stomach likes fragrance); Large Intestine Qi stagnation causes tenesmus; Bladder Qi failure causes strangury; Liver Qi depression causes pain; thus suitable for Lower Jiao Qi stagnation (Obstruction requires unblocking). For Lower Jiao stagnation, add Bing Lang for tenesmus, Chen Xiang for strangury.
Aromatic, drying, biased toward Yang. Caution in Lung deficiency with Heat, Blood depletion with dryness.
Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) [Taste: pungent; Nature: warm. Enters Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Kidney meridians. Stir-fry, remove coat, grind.] Descends Qi, treats vomiting and Ben Tun (running piglet). [Can rise and fall; falls more than rises, thus descends Qi; descending Qi opens stomach, stopping vomiting. Ben Tun is Kidney Fire deficiency, Yin condensing Qi attacking upward; this descends Qi, warms Kidney, dissipates knots.] Digests food, treats heart/abdominal pain. [Awakens Spleen Qi to digest food, dissipates knot Qi to stop pain.] Beneficial for cholera and diarrhea/dysentery. [Cholera due to Righteous Qi obstruction; diarrhea due to food stagnation; dysentery due to accumulation; all treated.] Calms fetus [Fetus likes free flow] and treats abdominal fullness/swelling. [Spleen deficiency fullness: assist tonics to harmonize Qi. Swelling due to food/phlegm/Qi/Water: uses it to regulate Qi.] Also treats upper Qi cough. [Refers to Cold pathogen depressing Lung, Qi unable to舒展; not suitable for Lung Heat cough.] Key herb opening Spleen/Stomach, correct herb harmonizing Qi. If Kidney deficiency with Qi failing to root, this guide is essential.
Nature warm and drying. Not suitable for abdominal pain/vomiting due to Fire/Heat, summerheat diarrhea, fetal agitation due to Blood Heat, swelling due to Dry Heat, or cough due to Fire rushing. Too much consumption by pregnant women consumes Qi, leading to difficult labor.
Bai Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus) [Taste: pungent; Nature: very warm. Enters Spleen and Stomach meridians. Remove coat, roast, grind.] Warms Middle, stops vomiting, opens stomach, digests food. [Spleen/Stomach likes fragrance, warmth, and free flow.] Suitable for malaria. [Can digest and grind, circulate San Jiao, once Ying-Wei turns, cold/heat flatten.] Essential for abdominal pain. [Uses pungent-warm to scatter Cold and move stagnant Qi.]
Contraindicated in abdominal pain/vomiting due to Fire/Heat.
Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba) [Taste: pungent; Nature: slightly warm. Enters Lung and Spleen meridians. Avoid fire.] Opens stomach, promotes eating. [Due to fragrance.] Stops vomiting, diarrhea, cholera. [Opens stomach, regulates Spleen, promotes Righteous Qi flow.]
Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity and Stomach Heat vomiting.
Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: slightly cold. Enters Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine meridians.] Disperses Wind pathogen. [Pungent.] Clears Lung Heat. [Pungent enters Lung first, bitterness drains Heat, nature slightly cold.] Descends Qi, transforms phlegm, stops cough, stabilizes asthma. [Excels at descending Qi, unlike Chai Hu's ascending nature; descending Qi brings down phlegm, stopping cough/asthma.] Expels Wind-Phlegm in Qi Excess; distinct from Bei Mu treating Dry Phlegm and Ban Xia treating Damp Phlegm.
Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with Fire-moving Phlegm and Phlegm not due to external contraction.
Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) [Taste: pungent, sweet; Nature: warm. Enters Bladder, Small Intestine, Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach meridians. White and moist texture is best.] Universally treats all Winds. [Used for 36 types of Wind.] Also removes Dampness. [Removes lingering Dampness in collaterals; Wind overcomes Dampness; thus often used in dermatology.] Treats whole-body joint pain. [Pathogen disperses, pain stops.] Removes head/eye/limb diseases. [Headache/dizziness, facial wet-Wind, red eyes/tearing, limb spasms; pathogen disperses, symptoms settle.] Defends against external Wind, hence named Fang Feng; it is the moistening agent among Wind herbs. Like low-ranking soldiers, it goes wherever guided.
Contraindicated in consumptive joint pain, Blood deficiency with Fire-flare headache, Yang deficiency with spontaneous sweating, Yin deficiency with night sweats.
Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Spica) [Taste: pungent; Nature: warm. Enters Liver meridian. Antagonistic to donkey meat, scaleless fish, pufferfish, crab roe, catfish.] Dispels Wind pathogen, removes cold/heat. [Disperses pathogen, releases muscle layer, cold/heat removed.] Calms headache/dizziness. [Also pathogen dispersal.] Treats hematochezia and metrorrhagia. [Wind herb entering Blood level, ascending nature.] Mixed with child's urine powder, [Roasted, ground fine.] manages postpartum blood fainting. [Scatters stasis; enters Blood level, pungent-warm moving power; child's urine guides, enhancing speed.] Chief with Sheng Di treats generalized tinea. [Blood Heat + Dampness causes sores; cools Blood, drains Dampness, self-heals.]
Wind herbs ascend and disperse. Contraindicated in exterior deficiency with sweating, unless related to external pathogen cold/heat, headache, or dizziness.
Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) [Taste: pungent, sweet, bitter; Nature: slightly warm. Enters Bladder, Small Intestine, Liver, Kidney meridians.] Excels at dispelling Wind-Cold, removes Damp-Heat. [Qiang Huo and Du Huo both dispel Wind, scatter Cold, remove Dampness, penetrate joints.] Produced in China named Du Huo, subtle Qi treats Shao Yin latent Wind headache. [Meridian-guiding herb for Kidney.] Damp-Bi in both legs, inability to walk. [Kidney is Water organ, Dampness easily flows in.] From Western Qiang named Qiang Huo. [Same species, two types.] Vigorous Qi treats Taiyang pathogenic headache. [Wind-Cold-Damp are pathogens; meridian-guiding herb for Bladder.] Pain in limbs/joints/body.
Contraindicated in Blood deficiency headache and generalized joint pain; mistaken use worsens condition.
Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) [Taste: pungent, bitter; Nature: hot. Enters Heart, Lung, Bladder meridians. Remove roots/nodes, boil to remove foam.] Mainly for Winter Shang Han. [Only for Winter Taiyang true Shang Han with no sweat.] Opens pores, induces sweat. [Light and ascending, enters Lung, good at dispersing.] Headache, fever, aversion to cold instantly relieved; body/back/spine stiffness settled. [Taiyang Shang Han symptoms; dispersal removes pathogen.] Stops cough, removes phlegm-asthma. [External closure traps Heat inward, entering Lung to scatter Fire depression, stopping cough/asthma.] Light and ascending; primary diaphoretic for Shang Han. Roots/nodes sweet-neutral, miraculously stop sweat. Moves through body surface, guiding herbs to Wei level, securing couli. Powder mixed with Mu Li powder applied externally is excellent; adding glutinous rice powder is even more effective.
Contraindicated in non-Winter Shang Han and people with loose couli. Profuse sweating collapses Yang, shortening life; beware, beware.
Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) [Taste: pungent, sweet; Nature: neutral. Enters Stomach meridian.] Mainly Yangming Wind-Cold. [Pathogen in Taiyang, not yet Yangming; mistaken use invites thief indoors.] Good at releasing muscle, inducing sweat. [Light, opens couli; key Yangming muscle-releasing herb, as Stomach governs muscles.] Headache/high fever stop, eye pain/dry nose treated. [Forehead pain belongs to Yangming, Sto]