天门冬（百五） 味苦微甘，气大寒。味浓气薄，沉也，阴也。入肺肾两经，除虚劳内热。其味
苦寒，故上定热喘，下去热淋，苦杀三虫，润滋骨髓，解渴除烦，消痰止嗽，降火保肺，退热滋阴，
大润血热燥结。虚寒假热，
脾肾溏泄最忌。使宜贝母、地黄。去皮去心方用。
菟丝子（百六） 味甘辛，气微温。其性能固，入肝脾肾三经。先用甜水淘洗净，浸胀，次用酒
渍，煮熟晒干，炒之更炒。补髓添精，助阳固泄，续绝伤，滋消渴，缩小便，止梦遗带浊余沥，暖
腰膝寒疼，壮气力筋骨，明目开胃，进食肥肌，禁止鬼交，尤安梦寐。汤液丸散，任意可用，古人
不入煎剂，亦一失也。欲止消渴，煎汤任意饮之。
五味子（百七） 皮甘肉酸，性平而敛；核仁味辛苦，性温而暖，俱兼咸味，故名五味。入肺、
肾二经。南者治风寒咳嗽，北者疗虚损劳伤。整用者用其酸，生津解渴，止泻除烦，疗耗散之肺金
，滋不足之肾水，能收敛虚火，亦解除酒毒。敲碎者用其辛温，补元阳，壮筋骨，助命门，止霍乱。
但感寒初嗽当忌，恐其敛束不散。肝旺吞酸当忌，恐其助木伤土。
何首乌（百八） 味甘涩微苦，阴中有阳，性温。此其甘能补，涩能固，温能养阳。虽曰肝肾之药，
然白者入气分，赤者入血分，凡血气所在，则五阴之脏何所不至？故能养血养神助气，壮筋骨，强
精髓，黑须发，亦治妇人带浊失血，产后诸虚等疾。第其性效稍缓，暂服若不甚显，必久服之，诚
乃延年益寿，滋生助嗣之良剂。至如断疟疾，安久痢，活血治风，疗痈肿瘰 ，风湿疮疡、及一切
冷气肠风宿疾，总由其温固收敛之功，血气固则真元复，真元复则邪自散也。故唐之李翱着有《何
首乌传》，即李时珍亦曰此物不寒不燥，功在地黄、门冬之上，诚非诬也。若其制用之法，则有用
黑豆层铺，九蒸九晒者；有单用米泔浸三宿，切焙为未而用者；有用壮健人乳拌晒三次，生杵为末
而用者。总之，生不如熟，即单用米泔浸透，蒸之极热则善矣，或不必人乳与豆也。服此之后，须
忌生萝卜并诸血败血等物。
栝蒌仁（百九） 味甘，气寒。气味俱浓，性降而润。能降实热痰涎，开郁结气闭，解消渴，定
胀喘，润肺止嗽。但其气味悍劣善动，恶心呕吐、中气虚者不宜用。《本草》言其补虚劳，殊为大
谬。
天花粉（百十） 即栝蒌根。味苦，性寒。气味颇轻，有升有降，阴中有阳。最凉心肺，善解热渴，
大降膈上热痰，
消乳痈肿毒痔 疮疖，排脓生肌长肉，除跌扑瘀血，通月水，除狂热，去黄胆，润枯燥，善解酒毒，
亦通小肠，治肝火疝痛。
金银花（百十一） 一名忍冬。味甘，气平，其性微寒。善于化毒，故治痈疽肿毒疮癣，杨梅风
湿诸毒，诚为要药。毒未成者能散，毒已成者能溃。但其性缓，用须倍加。或用酒煮服，或捣汁搀
酒顿饮，或研烂拌酒浓敷。
若治瘰 、上部气分诸毒，用一两许，时常煎服，极效。
葛根（百十二） 味甘，气平寒。气轻于味，浮而微降，阳中微阴。用此者，用其凉散，虽善达诸阳
经，而阳明为最。以其气轻，故善解表发汗。凡解散之药多辛热，此独凉而甘，故解温热时行疫疾，
凡热而兼渴者，此为最良，当以为君而佐以柴、防、甘、桔极妙。尤散郁火，疗头痛，治温疟往来，
疮疹未透，解酒除烦，生津止渴，除胃中热狂，杀野葛、巴豆、毒箭、金疮等伤。但其性凉，易于
动呕，胃寒者所当慎用。
茜草（百十三） 亦名过山龙。味苦甘，气微寒。阴中微阳，血中要药。其味苦，故能行滞血；
其性凉，故能止动血。治劳伤吐衄时来，除虚热漏崩不止，亦通经滞，又疗乳痈，散跌扑血凝瘀聚，
解蛊毒败血烂肝，凡诸血热血瘀，并建奇功。若女人经血不通，以一两酒煎服之，一日即通，甚效。
若气虚不摄血，及脾寒者勿用。
土茯苓（百十四） 一名仙遗粮味甘淡，性平。能健脾胃，强筋骨，去风湿，利关节，分水道，
止泻痢，治拘挛骨痛，疗痈肿喉痹，除周身寒湿恶疮，尤解杨梅疮毒，及轻粉留毒，溃烂疼痛诸证。
凡治此者，须忌茶、酒、牛、羊、鸡、鹅，及一应发风动气等物。
使君子（百十五） 味甘，气温，有小毒，性善杀虫。治小儿疳积，小便白浊。凡大人小儿有虫
病者，但于每月上旬，侵晨空腹食数枚，或即以壳煎汤咽下，次日虫皆死而出也。或云七生七煨食，
亦良。或云一岁食一枚。食后忌饮热茶，犯之即作泻。凡小儿食此，亦不宜频而多，大约性滑，
多则能伤脾也。李时珍曰∶凡杀虫药多是苦辛，惟使君子、榧子甘而杀虫，亦异也。但使君子专杀
蛔虫，榧子专杀寸白虫耳。
牵牛（百十六） 一名黑丑味苦辛，热，气雄烈，性急疾，有毒。下气逐水，通大小便，善走气
分，通水道，消气实气滞水肿，攻症积，落胎杀虫，泻虫毒，去湿热痰饮，开气秘气结。古方多为
散丸，若用救急，亦可佐群药煎服。然大泄元气，凡虚弱之人须忌之。
防己（百十七） 味苦，性寒，阴也，降也。去湿热水肿，利大小便，解诸经热壅肿痛，湿热香港脚，
通九窍热闭，逐膀胱肝肾湿热，及热毒诸疮、湿热生虫等证。
萆 （百十八） 味微甘而淡，气温。能温肾去湿，理阴痿阴寒，失溺白浊，茎中作痛，及四肢
瘫痪不随，周身风湿恶疮。性味纯缓，用宜大剂。
钩藤（百十九） 味微甘微苦，性微寒。能清手厥阴之火，足厥阴、足少阳之风热，故专理肝风
相火之病。凡大人小儿惊痫眩运，斑疹天钓，头旋烦热等证，用之而风静火息，则诸证自除矣。
山豆根（百二十） 味大苦，大寒。解诸药热毒，消痈肿疮毒，杀寸白诸虫。含而咽汁，解咽喉
痹痛。研末汤服五七分，解内热喘满腹胀。磨汁服，解热厥心痛。研汁涂诸热毒热疮肿痛，及诸虫
热毒所伤。
威灵仙（百二一） 味微辛微咸，性温，可升可降，阴中阳也。善逐诸风，行气血，走经络，宣
通五脏，去腹内冷滞，心膈痰水， 瘕 癖，气块积聚，膀胱宿水，腰膝肢体冷痛，亦疗折伤。此
药性利善走，乃治痛风之要药，故崔元亮言其去众风，通十二经脉，朝服暮效。其法采得根，阴干
月余，捣末，温酒调服一钱匕，空腹服之；如人本性杀药，可加及六钱，微利两行则减之，病除乃
停药。其性甚善，不触诸药，但恶茗及面汤。李时珍曰∶威灵仙辛能泄气，咸能泄水，故于风湿痰
饮之病，气壮者服之有捷效。其性大抵峻利，久服恐损真气，气弱者亦不可服之。
马兜铃（百二二） 味微苦微辛，性寒气薄，阴中微阳。入手太阴肺经。降肺火，清肺气，除
热痰咳嗽，喘急不得卧。多用则作吐。凡蛊毒蛇毒于饮食中得之，咽中如有物，咽不下，吐不出者，
以此一两煎汤服之，即毒从吐出。若治痔 肿痛，用马兜铃于瓶中烧烟熏病处良。
青木香（百二三） 即马兜铃根，亦名土木香味苦微辛，性寒。有毒，能吐能利，不可多服。煮
汁服，可吐蛊毒鬼疰诸毒。捣末水调，涂疔肿热毒蛇毒，日三四次，立瘥。亦可敷瘙痒秃疮。
白蔹（百二四） 味苦，微寒，性敛。取根捣敷痈毒，及面上疮 、刀箭伤、汤火毒。诸疮不敛，
生肌止痛，俱宜为末敷之。若为丸散，亦治眼目赤痛，小儿惊痫，妇人阴中肿痛，赤白带下。
木通（百二五） 亦名通草。味苦，气寒，沉也，降也。能利九窍，通关节，消浮肿，清火退热，
除烦渴黄胆，治耳聋目痛，天行时疾，头痛鼻塞目眩，泻小肠火郁，利膀胱热淋，导痰湿呕哕，消
痈肿壅滞，热毒恶疮，排脓止痛，通妇人血热经闭，下乳汁，消乳痈血块，催生下胎。若治小水急
数疼痛，小腹虚满，宜加葱煎饮。若治喉痹咽痛，宜浓煎含咽。
天门冬（编号百五） 味道苦中带微甘，药性大寒。气味浓郁而质地轻清，性质沉降，属于阴药。归入肺、肾两经，能清除虚劳引起的内热。因其味苦性寒，所以能上清肺热以平定气喘，下清膀胱热以治疗热淋，苦味能杀灭肠道寄生虫，滋润骨髓，缓解口渴并消除烦躁，化解痰液并止咳，降火以保护肺脏，退热并滋养阴液，对于血热导致的燥结便秘有极大的润通作用。但对于虚寒证或假热证，以及脾肾虚弱导致的溏泄（大便稀薄），最为禁忌。配伍使用时，宜搭配贝母、地黄。使用前需去皮去心。
菟丝子（编号百六） 味道甘甜辛香，药性微温。其功能善于固摄，归入肝、脾、肾三经。使用前先用甜水淘洗干净，浸泡至胀大，然后用酒浸泡，煮熟后晒干，炒制后再进行炒制。能填补精髓、增添精气，助阳并固摄滑脱，接续绝伤，滋治消渴病，缩小便，止住梦遗及白带浑浊后的余沥，温暖腰膝的寒痛，增强气力与筋骨，明目开胃，促进进食使肌肉丰满，禁止鬼交（指梦中与人交接），尤其能安神定志。无论是汤剂、丸剂还是散剂，均可随意使用，古人不用它入煎剂，这也是一种失误。若想止住消渴，可煎汤任意饮用。
五味子（编号百七） 果皮味甘肉酸，药性平和且具有收敛作用；核仁味辛苦，药性温而暖，都兼有咸味，所以叫作五味。归入肺、肾二经。南产的五味子主治风寒咳嗽，北产的五味子治疗虚损劳伤。完整使用时利用其酸味，生津解渴，止泻除烦，治疗肺气耗散，滋补肾水不足，能收敛虚火，也能解除酒毒。敲碎使用时利用其辛温之性，补益元阳，强壮筋骨，辅助命门之火，止住霍乱。但是，刚感受寒邪初起咳嗽时应当忌用，恐怕其收敛作用导致邪气无法发散。肝气旺盛伴有吞酸症状时应当忌用，恐怕其助长肝木之气而损伤脾胃土气。
何首乌（编号百八） 味道甘涩微苦，阴中寓阳，药性温。它的甘味能补益，涩味能固摄，温性能养阳。虽然说是肝肾的药物，但白色的进入气分，红色的进入血分，凡是气血所在之处，五脏阴脏没有不到的地方？所以能养血、养神、助气，强壮筋骨，强健精髓，使须发变黑，也治疗妇女带下浑浊、失血，产后各种虚损等疾病。只是它的药效稍缓，暂时服用如果不明显，必须长期服用，确实是延年益寿、滋生助嗣的好药剂。至于断疟疾、安久痢、活血治风、治疗痈肿瘰疬、风湿疮疡以及一切冷气肠风等宿疾，总归是因为它温固收敛的功效，气血固摄则真元恢复，真元恢复则邪气自然消散。所以唐代的李翱著有《何首乌传》，就连李时珍也说此物不寒不燥，功效在地黄、天门冬之上，确实不是虚假之言。如果说到炮制方法，有用黑豆层层铺放，九蒸九晒的；有单独用米泔水浸泡三夜，切片焙干研末使用的；有用健壮人的乳汁拌和晒三次，生捣为末使用的。总之，生的不如熟的，即使单独用米泔水浸透，蒸至极热也很好了，或许不必用人乳与黑豆。服用此药后，必须忌食生萝卜以及各种动血败血之物。
栝蒌仁（编号百九） 味道甘，药性寒。气味都很浓厚，性质下降且滋润。能降泄实热痰涎，开通郁结的气机闭塞，消除消渴，平定胀满气喘，润肺止咳。但是它的气味悍烈善动，恶心呕吐、中气虚弱的人不宜使用。《本草》说它能补虚劳，这实在是很大的谬误。
天花粉（编号百十） 就是栝蒌根。味道苦，药性寒。气味比较轻清，有升有降，阴中寓阳。最凉心肺，善于解除热渴，大幅降低膈上的热痰，消除乳痈肿毒痔疮疮疖，排脓生肌长肉，去除跌打扑打的瘀血，通调月经，消除狂热，去除黄疸，润燥除枯，善于解除酒毒，也通利小肠，治疗肝火疝痛。
金银花（编号百十一） 又名忍冬。味道甘，药性平，性质微寒。善于化解毒素，所以治疗痈疽肿毒疮癣，杨梅风疹湿毒等各种毒症，确实是重要药物。毒未形成的能消散，毒已形成的能溃破。但是它的药性缓和，用量必须加倍。或者用酒煮服，或者捣汁搀酒一次性饮下，或者研烂拌酒浓敷。如果治疗瘰疬、上部气分各种毒症，用一两左右，经常煎服，效果极好。
葛根（编号百十二） 味道甘，药性平寒。气轻于味，浮而微降，阳中微阴。使用此药，是利用其凉散的特性，虽然善于通达诸阳经，但以阳明经最为显著。因为它的药气轻，所以善于解表发汗。凡是解散表邪的药物多辛热，唯独此药凉而甘，所以能解除温热时行疫疾，凡是发热兼有口渴的，这是最好的，应当作为君药并佐以柴胡、防风、甘草、桔梗，极为巧妙。尤其能疏散郁火，治疗头痛，治疗温疟往来寒热，疮疹不透，解酒除烦，生津止渴，清除胃中热狂，杀野葛、巴豆、毒箭、金疮等伤害。但是它的性质凉，容易引发呕吐，胃寒者应当慎用。
茜草（编号百十三） 又名过山龙。味道苦甘，药性微寒。阴中微阳，是血分的重要药物。它的味苦，所以能行滞血；它的性质凉，所以能止动血。治疗劳伤吐血衄血时常发作，消除虚热漏崩不止，也通经滞，又治疗乳痈，消散跌打扑打的血凝瘀聚，解蛊毒败血烂肝，凡是各种血热血瘀，都建立奇功。如果女人经血不通，用一两酒煎服，一天就能通畅，非常有效。如果是气虚不能摄血，以及脾寒者不要使用。
土茯苓（编号百十四） 一名仙遗粮。味道甘淡，药性平。能健脾胃，强筋骨，去风湿，利关节，分利水道，止泻痢，治疗拘挛骨痛，治疗痈肿喉痹，消除周身寒湿恶疮，尤其能解杨梅疮毒，以及轻粉残留的毒素，溃烂疼痛等各种证候。凡是治疗这些病症，必须忌茶、酒、牛、羊、鸡、鹅，以及一切发风动气等食物。
使君子（编号百十五） 味道甘，药性温，有小毒，性质善于杀虫。治疗小儿疳积，小便白浊。凡是大人小孩有虫病的人，只要在每月上旬，清晨空腹吃几枚，或者直接用壳煎汤咽下，第二天虫子都会死掉排出。有人说七生七煨着吃，也很好。有人说一岁吃一枚。吃完后忌喝热茶，犯了就会腹泻。凡是小孩吃这个，也不宜频繁和多，大概因为它性质滑利，多了会伤脾。李时珍说：凡是杀虫药多是苦辛，唯独使君子、榧子甘而杀虫，也是奇特的。但是使君子专杀蛔虫，榧子专杀寸白虫罢了。
牵牛（编号百十六） 一名黑丑。味道苦辛，热，药气雄烈，性质急疾，有毒。下气逐水，通大小便，善于走窜气分，通利水道，消除气实气滞引起的水肿，攻逐症积，堕胎杀虫，泻虫毒，去除湿热痰饮，开通气秘气结。古方多为散剂丸剂，如果用救急，也可以佐助群药煎服。但是会大泄元气，凡是虚弱的人必须忌用。
防己（编号百十七） 味道苦，药性寒，属阴，主降。去除湿热水肿，利大小便，解除各经络热壅肿痛，湿热香港脚，通九窍热闭，驱逐膀胱肝肾湿热，以及热毒各种疮疡、湿热生虫等证候。
萆薢（编号百十八） 味道微甘而淡，药性温。能温肾去湿，调理阳痿阴寒，失溺白浊，茎中作痛，以及四肢瘫痪不遂，周身风湿恶疮。性质味道纯缓，用量宜大剂。
钩藤（编号百十九） 味道微甘微苦，药性微寒。能清手厥阴心包经之火，足厥阴肝经、足少阳胆经的风热，所以专门调理肝风相火的病证。凡是大人小孩惊痫眩晕，斑疹天钓，头旋烦热等证候，用它则风静火息，各种证候自然消除。
山豆根（编号百二十） 味道大苦，大寒。解除各种药热毒，消除痈肿疮毒，杀寸白等各种虫。含在口中咽汁，解咽喉痹痛。研末汤服五七分，解内热喘满腹胀。磨汁服，解热厥心痛。研汁涂各种热毒热疮肿痛，以及各种虫热毒所伤。
威灵仙（编号百二一） 味道微辛微咸，药性温，可升可降，阴中阳也。善于驱逐各种风邪，行气血，走经络，宣通五脏，去除腹内冷滞，心膈痰水，癥瘕癖块，气块积聚，膀胱宿水，腰膝肢体冷痛，也治疗折伤。此药性质利善走，是治疗痛风的重要药物，所以崔元亮说它去众风，通十二经脉，早上服用晚上见效。其法是采得根，阴干月余，捣末，温酒调服一钱匕，空腹服；如果人本性耐受峻药，可加到六钱，轻微腹泻两次就减量，病除就停药。它的性质很好，不触犯其他药，只厌恶茶及面汤。李时珍说：威灵仙辛能泄气，咸能泄水，所以对于风湿痰饮的病，气壮者服用有捷效。它的性质大致峻利，久服恐怕损伤真气，气弱者也不可服用。
马兜铃（编号百二二） 味道微苦微辛，药性寒气薄，阴中微阳。入手太阴肺经。降肺火，清肺气，除热痰咳嗽，喘急不得卧。多用则作吐。凡是蛊毒蛇毒从饮食中得到，咽中如有物，咽不下，吐不出，以此一两煎汤服，即毒从吐出。如果治疗痔疮肿痛，用马兜铃在瓶中烧烟熏患处良。
青木香（编号百二三） 就是马兜铃根，又名土木香。味道苦微辛，药性寒。有毒，能吐能利，不可多服。煮汁服，可吐蛊毒鬼疰各种毒。捣末水调，涂疔肿热毒蛇毒，日三四次，立即痊愈。也可敷瘙痒秃疮。
白蔹（编号百二四） 味道苦，微寒，性质收敛。取根捣敷痈毒，以及面上疮疡、刀箭伤、汤火毒。各种疮不愈合，生肌止痛，都适宜研末敷之。如果做丸散，也治疗眼目赤痛，小儿惊痫，妇人阴中肿痛，赤白带下。
木通（编号百二五） 又名通草。味道苦，气寒，沉，降。能利九窍，通关节，消浮肿，清火退热，除烦渴黄疸，治疗耳聋目痛，天行时疾，头痛鼻塞目眩，泻小肠火郁，利膀胱热淋，导痰湿呕哕，消痈肿壅滞，热毒恶疮，排脓止痛，通妇人血热经闭，下乳汁，消乳痈血块，催生下胎。如果治疗小便急数疼痛，小腹虚满，宜加葱煎饮。如果治疗喉痹咽痛，宜浓煎含咽。
Tianmendong (Asparagus Root, *Radix Asparagi*) [No. 105] Taste: bitter with slight sweetness; Nature: very cold. The flavor is rich and the qi is thin, sinking in nature, belonging to Yin. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians; eliminates internal heat from deficiency labor. Due to its bitter and cold nature, it clears upper heat to calm wheezing, descends lower heat to treat hot strangury, kills intestinal parasites via bitterness, moistens and nourishes bone marrow, relieves thirst and removes irritability, resolves phlegm and stops coughing, descends fire to protect the lungs, reduces fever and nourishes Yin, and greatly moistens dryness and constipation caused by blood heat. It is strictly contraindicated for deficiency-cold patterns, false-heat patterns, and loose stools due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency. Compatible herbs include Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) and Dihuang (Rehmannia Root). Use after removing skin and heart.
Tusizi (Dodder Seed, *Semen Cuscutae*) [No. 106] Taste: sweet and acrid; Nature: slightly warm. Its function is solidifying; enters the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. First wash clean with sweet water, soak until swollen, then soak in wine, cook until done, sun-dry, stir-fry, and stir-fry again. Fills essence and adds Jing, assists Yang and secures leakage, reconnects severed injuries, nourishes Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), reduces urination, stops nocturnal emission and turbid leukorrhea dribbling, warms cold pain in waist and knees, strengthens Qi, power, and sinews/bones, brightens eyes and opens appetite, promotes eating to fatten muscles, prevents "ghost intercourse" (nocturnal emissions with sexual dreams), and particularly calms sleep. Decoctions, pills, and powders can be used at will; ancients excluding it from decoctions was a loss. To stop wasting-thirst, decoct and drink freely.
Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry, *Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis*) [No. 107] Skin is sweet, flesh is sour; nature is neutral and astringent; core/kernel is bitter and acrid, nature is warm and warming; all possess salty taste, hence named "Five Flavors." Enters Lung and Kidney meridians. Southern variety treats wind-cold cough; Northern variety treats deficiency damage and labor injury. Used whole for its sourness: generates fluids, relieves thirst, stops diarrhea, removes irritability, treats consumption of Lung Metal, nourishes insufficient Kidney Water, converges deficient fire, and resolves alcohol toxicity. Crushed for its acrid-warmness: tonifies Original Yang, strengthens sinews/bones, assists Mingmen (Gate of Life), stops cholera. Contraindicated when cold pathogen first invades causing cough, fearing it traps pathogens. Contraindicated when Liver Qi is hyperactive with acid regurgitation, fearing it aids Wood to injure Earth.
Heshouwu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root, *Radix Polygoni Multiflori*) [No. 108] Taste: sweet, astringent, slightly bitter; Yin contains Yang; nature is warm. Sweetness tonifies, astringency secures, warmth nourishes Yang. Although known as a Liver-Kidney herb, white variety enters Qi level, red variety enters Blood level; wherever Qi and Blood exist, it reaches all Five Yin Zang organs. Thus, it nourishes Blood, Spirit, and Qi, strengthens sinews/bones, fortifies essence/marrow, darkens hair/beard, and treats women's leukorrhea/turbidity, hemorrhage, and postpartum deficiencies. Its effect is slow; short-term use may not show obvious results, requiring long-term use for longevity, fertility, and offspring assistance. It also stops malaria, cures chronic dysentery, invigorates blood, treats wind, heals carbuncles/lumps, rheumatic sores, and all cold qi/intestinal wind chronic diseases, owing to its warming, securing, and astringent power. When Blood/Qi are secured, True Yuan restores, and pathogens disperse. Li Ao wrote "Biography of Heshouwu"; Li Shizhen stated it is neither cold nor dry, superior to Dihuang and Tianmendong, which is true. Preparation methods vary: layered with black beans, steamed nine times and dried nine times; soaked in rice washing water for three nights, sliced, baked, and powdered; or mixed with milk from healthy people, dried three times, and raw-ground to powder. Generally, cooked is better than raw; soaking in rice water and steaming thoroughly is effective, possibly without milk or beans. After taking, avoid raw radish and blood-moving/dissipating foods.
Gualouren (Trichosanthes Seed, *Semen Trichosanthis*) [No. 109] Taste: sweet; Nature: cold. Flavor and Qi are dense; nature is descending and moistening. Descends excess heat-phlegm, opens depressed Qi blockage, resolves wasting-thirst, calms distension/wheezing, moistens lungs, stops cough. However, its flavor is harsh and moving; unsuitable for nausea/vomiting or Middle Qi deficiency. The claim in Bencao that it tonifies deficiency-labor is a major error.
Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root, *Radix Trichosanthis*) [No. 110] Is Gualou root. Taste: bitter; Nature: cold. Flavor and Qi are light, ascending and descending, Yin contains Yang. Most cooling to Heart/Lungs, excellent for resolving heat-thirst, greatly reduces upper diaphragm heat-phlegm, resolves mastitis/sores/hemorrhoids/furuncles, expels pus, generates flesh, removes traumatic blood stasis, regulates menstruation, removes fever/manic heat, clears jaundice, moistens dryness, resolves alcohol toxicity, unblocks Small Intestine, treats Liver Fire hernia pain.
Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower, *Flos Lonicerae Japonicae*) [No. 111] Also called Rendong. Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Excellent at transforming toxins; thus treats carbuncles, sores, ulcers, ringworm, yaws, rheumatism, and various toxic conditions; indeed a key herb. Disperses unformed toxin, ruptures formed toxin. Its nature is slow, so dosage must be doubled. Can be decocted in wine, crushed juice mixed with wine taken at once, or mashed and mixed with wine for thick application. For lumps/scrofula and upper Jiao Qi-level toxins, use approx. 1 liang, decoct frequently for extreme efficacy.
Gegen (Kudzu Root, *Radix Puerariae Lobatae*) [No. 112] Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral-cold. Qi is lighter than flavor, floating and slightly descending, Yang contains slight Yin. Used for its cooling dispersion; although it reaches all Yang meridians, it is best for Yangming. Due to light Qi, it excellently releases exterior and induces sweating. Most exterior-releasing herbs are acrid-hot; this one is uniquely cool and sweet, thus treating warm-heat seasonal epidemics. Best for fever with thirst; should be used as Sovereign herb assisted by Chaihu, Fangfeng, Gancao, Jiegeng. Especially disperses constrained fire, treats headache, treats warm-malaria alternating chills/fever, uncovers rash, resolves alcohol, removes irritability, generates fluids, stops thirst, clears stomach heat-manial states, antidotes wild gecko, croton, poisoned arrows, and metal wounds. Its cool nature may induce vomiting; caution in Stomach Cold.
Qiancao (Rubia Root, *Radix Rubiae Cordifoliae*) [No. 113] Also called Guoshanlong. Taste: bitter-sweet; Nature: slightly cold. Yin contains slight Yang; essential herb for Blood. Bitterness moves stagnant blood; coolness stops active bleeding. Treats labor-injury hematemesis/epistaxis, eliminates deficiency-heat leakage/metrorrhagia, unblocks menses, treats mastitis, dissipates traumatic blood stasis, resolves gu-toxin/rotting liver blood, excelling in all blood-heat/stasis cases. For amenorrhea in women, decoct 1 liang in wine; flows within one day, very effective. Avoid in Qi deficiency failing to control blood, or Spleen Cold.
Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome, *Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae*) [No. 114] Also called Xianyiliang. Taste: sweet-bland; Nature: neutral. Strengthens Spleen/Stomach, strengthens sinews/bones, dispels wind-damp, benefits joints, separates water pathways, stops diarrhea/dysentery, treats spasms/bone pain, heals carbuncles/sore throat, eliminates systemic cold-damp foul sores, especially resolves yaws toxin and calomel residual toxins, ulceration/pain syndromes. Avoid tea, alcohol, beef, mutton, chicken, goose, and all wind-inducing/agitating foods during treatment.
Shijunzi (Quassia Fruit, *Fructus Quassiae Amarae*) [No. 115] Taste: sweet; Nature: warm; slightly toxic; nature good at killing parasites. Treats pediatric gan accumulation, cloudy white urine. For adults/children with worms, eat several on empty stomach early morning in first half of lunar month, or decoct shells and swallow; worms die and pass next day. Some say seven raw, seven roasted; also good. One per year of age. Avoid hot tea after eating, causes diarrhea. Do not use frequently/excessively in children as slippery nature harms Spleen. Li Shizhen noted: most parasiticides are bitter-acrid; only Shijunzi and Feizi are sweet yet kill parasites. Shijunzi targets roundworms; Feizi targets tapeworms.
Qianniu (Morning Glory Seed, *Semen Pharbitidis*) [No. 116] Also called Heichou. Taste: bitter-acrid; Nature: hot; Qi is vigorous/fierce; nature is urgent/rapid; toxic. Descends Qi, drives out water, unblocks bowel/bladder, moves vigorously in Qi level, unblocks water pathways, resolves Qi-excess/Qi-stagnation edema, attacks mass accumulations, aborts fetus, kills parasites, drains parasite toxins, removes damp-heat phlegm-fluids, opens Qi constipation/blockage. Ancient formulas use powders/pills; for emergencies, can assist other herbs in decoction. But severely depletes Original Qi; contraindicated in weakness.
Fangji (Stephania Root, *Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae*) [No. 117] Taste: bitter; Nature: cold, Yin, descending. Removes damp-heat edema, benefits bowel/bladder, resolves heat-obstruction swelling/pain in meridians, damp-heat podagra, unblocks nine orifices heat-closure, drives bladder/Liver/Kidney damp-heat, treats heat-toxin sores, damp-heat worm generation syndromes.
Bixie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome, *Rhizoma Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae*) [No. 118] Taste: slightly sweet-bland; Nature: warm. Warms Kidney, removes dampness, regulates impotence/yin-cold, urinary incontinence/leukorrhea, penile pain, limb paralysis/immobility, systemic wind-damp foul sores. Nature/flavor purely mild/slow; requires large doses.
Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus cum Uncis, *Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis*) [No. 119] Taste: slightly sweet-bitter; Nature: slightly cold. Clears Fire of Hand-Jueyin (Pericardium), Wind-Heat of Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder); specifically manages Liver Wind and Ministerial Fire diseases. Treats adult/childhood convulsions, epilepsy, vertigo, macules/rash "Heaven Hook," dizziness, irritability/heat; wind calms, fire rests, symptoms resolve.
Shandougen (Sophora Root, *Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis*) [No. 120] Taste: very bitter, very cold. Resolves drug heat-toxins, eliminates carbuncles/sores, kills tapeworms/etc. Hold in mouth and swallow juice for sore throat obstruction. Powder decocted 5-7 fen resolves internal heat wheezing/fullness/distension. Ground juice resolves heat-jue chest pain. Juice applied treats heat-toxin sores/swelling, insect heat-toxin injuries.
Weilingxian (Clematis Root, *Radix Clematidis*) [No. 121] Taste: slightly acrid-salty; Nature: warm; ascending/descending; Yin contains Yang. Drives various winds, moves Qi/Blood, travels meridians, vents five Zang, removes abdominal cold-stagnation, heart/diaphragm phlegm-fluids, masses/growths, Qi-blocks/accumulations, bladder retained water, cold-pain in waist/knees/limbs, treats fractures. Nature is sharp/moving; key herb for gout. Cui Yuanliang said it removes all winds, unblocks twelve meridians, morning dose evening effect. Method: harvest roots, shade-dry >1 month, powder, mix with warm wine, take 1 qianbi empty stomach; if tolerant, up to 6 qian, reduce if slight diarrhea occurs, stop when cured. Harmonizes well with other herbs, dislikes tea/noodle soup. Li Shizhen: Acrid drains Qi, Salty drains Water; rapid effect for wind-damp/phlegm-fluid in robust persons. Nature is largely harsh/sharp; long-term use damages True Qi; weak Qi persons should not take.
Madouling (Aristolochia Fruit, *Fructus Aristolochiae*) [No. 122] Taste: slightly bitter-acrid; Nature: cold, Qi thin, Yin contains slight Yang. Enters Hand-Taiyin Lung. Descends Lung Fire, clears Lung Qi, removes heat-phlegm cough, wheezing inability to lie down. Excessive use causes vomiting. For gu/toxic snake venom ingested causing foreign body sensation in throat, decoct 1 liang, vomit out toxin. For hemorrhoid swelling/pain, burn in jar and smoke affected area.
Qingmuxiang (Aristolochia Root, *Radix Aristolochiae)* [No. 123] Is Madouling root, also Tumu Xiang. Taste: bitter-slightly acrid; Nature: cold. Toxic, induces vomiting/diarrhea, do not overuse. Decocted juice vomits gu/toxin. Powder mixed with water applies to carbuncles/heat-toxic snake bites 3-4 times daily for immediate cure. Also applies to itching/alopecia.
Bailian (Mallow Root, *Radix Malvae*) [No. 124] Taste: bitter, slightly cold, nature astringent. Crush root to apply for carbuncles, facial sores, knife/arrows burns/scalds. For non-healing sores, generate flesh, relieve pain, apply powder. Pills/powders treat red/painful eyes, childhood convulsions, women's vulvar swelling/pain, red/white leukorrhea.
Mutong (Akebia Stem, *Caulis Akebiae Trifolatae*) [No. 125] Also Tongcao. Taste: bitter, Qi cold, sinking, descending. Benefits nine orifices, unblocks joints, reduces edema, clears fire/reduces fever, removes irritability/thirst/jaundice, treats deafness/eye pain, epidemic fevers, headache/nasal congestion/vertigo, drains Small Intestine Fire stagnation, benefits Bladder hot-strangury, guides phlegm-damp vomiting/hiccups, resolves carbuncle obstruction, heat-toxin foul sores, expels pus/relieves pain, unblocks Blood-heat amenorrhea, promotes lactation, resolves mastitis/blood clumps, induces labor/abortion. For urgent painful urination/hypogastric fullness, add scallion and decoct. For sore throat/obstruction, decoct strongly and gargle/swallow.