平,补,助阳
甘寒。助阳气,起阴痿,补虚劳,壮筋骨,明目充肌(时珍曰∶《别录》、《大明》皆
云楮实大补益,而《修真秘书》又云久服令人骨痿,《济生秘览》治骨哽用楮实煎汤,岂非
软骨之征乎?《本草发明》甚言其功,而云今补药中罕用,惜未之察耳)。
取子浸去浮者,酒蒸用。
楮皮善行水。治水肿气满(皮可为纸。楮汁和白芨飞面,调糊接纸,永不解脱)。
泻肺,行水,十剂作燥,以其行水也
甘辛而寒。泻肺火(罗谦甫曰∶是泻肺中火邪,非泻肺气也。火与元气不两立,火去则
气得安矣,故《本经》又云益气。东垣曰∶甘,固元气之不足而补虚。辛,泻肺气之有余而
止嗽。然性不纯良,不宜多用。钱乙泻白散,桑皮、地骨各一两,甘草五钱,每服二钱,入
粳米百粒煎。时珍曰∶桑皮、地骨,皆能泻火从小便出。甘草泻火缓中,粳米清肺养血,乃
泻肺诸方之准绳也。一妇,鼻久不闻香臭,后因他疾,缪仲醇为处方,每服桑皮至七八钱,
服久而鼻塞忽通),利二便,散瘀血,下气行水,止嗽清痰(《发明》曰∶肺中有水,则生痰
而作嗽,除水气,正所以泻火邪,实则泻其子也。火退气宁,则补益在其中矣。《十剂》曰
∶燥可去湿,桑白皮、赤小豆之类是也)。
治肺热喘满,唾血热渴,水肿胪胀。肺气虚及风寒作嗽者慎用。为线可缝金疮。
刮去外皮,取白用(如恐其泻气,用蜜炙之)。续断,桂心为使。忌铁。
桑乃箕星之精。其木利关节,养津液,行水(《录验》方∶枝皮细 ,酿酒服良)祛风
(桑枝一升,细锉,炒香,水三升,熬至二升,一日服尽,名桑枝煎,治风气、香港脚、口渴)
。其火拔引毒瓦斯,祛风寒湿痹(凡痈疽不起,瘀肉不腐,瘰 、流注、 顽、恶疮不愈,用
桑木片扎成小把,燃火,吹息,灸患处。内服补托药良)。煎补药,熬诸膏,宜用桑柴,内
亦宜桑枝搅。
桑椹甘凉。色黑入肾而补水。利五脏关节,安魂镇神,聪耳明目。生津止渴(炼膏,治
服金石药热渴),利水消肿,解酒乌髭。晒干为末,蜜丸良。取极熟者,沪汁熬膏,入蜜炼
稠,点汤和酒并妙。入烧酒经年愈佳(每日汤点服,亦治瘰 ,名文武膏,以椹名文武实也)
。
桑叶甘寒。手、足阳明(大肠、胃)之药,凉血(刀斧伤者,为末干贴之妙)燥湿,去
风明目(采经霜者,煎汤洗眼,去风泪。洗手足,去风痹。桑叶、黑芝麻等分,蜜丸,名扶
桑丸,除湿去风,乌须明目。以五月五日,六月六日,立冬日,采者佳。一老人年八十四,
夜能细书,询之云得一奇方,每年九月二十三日,桑叶洗目一次,永绝昏暗)。末服止盗汗
(严州有僧,每就枕,汗出遍身,比旦,衣被皆透,二十年不能疗。监寺教采带露桑叶,焙
干为末,空心米饮下二钱,数日而愈),代茶止消渴。
【楮实】
性平,具有补益作用,能助阳。味甘、寒。能助长阳气,治疗阳痿不起,补益虚损劳伤,强壮筋骨,使眼睛明亮、肌肉丰满。(李时珍说:《名医别录》和《大明本草》都说楮实大补益人,但《修真秘书》又说长期服用会导致骨痿,《济生秘览》记载治疗骨哽用楮实煎汤,这难道不是软骨的征兆吗?《本草发明》极力称赞它的功效,却说现在补药中很少使用,可惜人们没有仔细考察罢了)。
取种子浸泡,去掉浮起的劣质者,用酒蒸后使用。
【桑白皮】
楮皮善于利水。治疗水肿气胀(楮树皮可以做纸。楮汁混合白及和飞面,调成糊状接纸,永远不会脱落)。
泻肺火,利水,在“十剂”中属于燥剂,因为它能行水。
味甘、辛,性寒。泻肺火(罗谦甫说:这是泻肺中的火邪,不是泻肺气。火与元气不能两立,火去则气得安宁,所以《本经》又说它能益气。李东垣说:甘味,能固护元气之不足而补虚;辛味,能泻肺气之有余而止咳。然而其性质不纯良,不宜多用。钱乙的泻白散,用桑白皮、地骨皮各一两,甘草五钱,每次服二钱,加入粳米一百粒煎煮。李时珍说:桑白皮、地骨皮,都能通过小便排出火邪。甘草泻火并缓和药性,粳米清肺养血,这是治疗肺热诸方的准则。有一位妇女,鼻子长久闻不到香臭,后来因其他疾病,缪仲醇为她开处方,每次服用桑白皮多达七八钱,久服后鼻塞忽然通畅),通利大小便,消散瘀血,降气行水,止咳清痰(《本草发明》说:肺中有水湿,就会生痰而咳嗽,去除水气,正是为了泻火邪,这是“实则泻其子”的方法。火退气宁,补益的作用就在其中了。《十剂》说:燥可以祛湿,桑白皮、赤小豆之类就是)。
治疗肺热引起的喘满、咳唾带血、热渴、水肿腹胀。肺气虚及风寒引起的咳嗽者慎用。做成线可以缝合金疮。
刮去外皮,取白色部分使用(如果担心它泻气,可以用蜜炙过再用)。续断、桂心作为引经药。忌铁器。
桑树是箕星的精华。其木材能利关节,养津液,行水(《录验方》:枝皮细锉,酿酒服用效果良好)祛风(桑枝一升,细切,炒香,加水三升,熬至二升,一天服完,名叫桑枝煎,治疗风气、脚气、口渴)。其木炭火能拔引毒瓦斯,祛除风寒湿痹(凡是痈疽不起发,瘀肉不腐烂,瘰疬、流注、顽癣、恶疮不愈,用桑木片扎成小把,点燃吹熄,灸患处。内服补托药效果更好)。煎煮补药、熬制各种膏方,宜用桑柴火,内部搅拌也宜用桑枝。
【桑椹】
味甘、凉。色黑入肾而补水。利五脏关节,安魂镇神,使耳聪目明。生津止渴(炼成膏,治疗服用金石类药物后的热渴),利水消肿,解酒,使胡须变黑。晒干研末,蜜丸效果好。取完全成熟的,榨汁熬膏,加入蜂蜜炼至稠厚,冲汤或兑酒饮用都很妙。放入烧酒中陈放一年更好(每天用汤冲服,也治疗瘰疬,名叫文武膏,因为桑椹名叫文武实)。
【桑叶】
味甘、寒。归手、足阳明经(大肠、胃)。凉血(刀斧伤者,研末干贴效果奇妙)燥湿,祛风明目(采摘经霜的,煎汤洗眼,去风泪。洗手足,去风痹。桑叶、黑芝麻等分,蜜丸,名叫扶桑丸,除湿去风,乌须明目。以五月五日、六月六日、立冬之日采摘为佳。一位八十四岁的老人,夜里能看清小字,询问他说得到一个奇方,每年九月二十三日,用桑叶洗眼一次,永远摆脱昏暗)。研末服用可止盗汗(严州有个僧人,每次躺下睡觉,全身出汗,等到天亮,衣服被子都湿透,二十年治不好。监寺教他采集带露水的桑叶,焙干研末,空腹用米饮送服二钱,几天就好了),代茶饮用可止消渴。
[Eucommia Fruit / Broussonetia Papyrifera Fruit]
Nature: Neutral. Action: Tonifying, assisting Yang.
Flavor: Sweet, Cold. It assists Yang Qi, treats impotence (Yin Wei), tonifies deficiency and勞 (Lao - consumptive disease), strengthens sinews and bones, brightens the eyes, and plumps the muscles. (Li Shizhen said: *Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) and *Da Ming Ben Cao* both state that Broussonetia fruit is highly beneficial, yet *Xiu Zhen Mi Shu* claims long-term use causes bone atrophy. *Ji Sheng Mi Lan* records using Broussonetia decoction to treat fishbone stuck in the throat; does this not indicate it softens bones? *Ben Cao Fa Ming* praises its efficacy greatly but notes it is rarely used in modern tonics, which is a pity for not observing carefully.)
Preparation: Take the seeds, soak them, discard those that float, steam with wine, and use.
[Bark of Mulberry Tree / Sang Bai Pi]
The bark of Broussonetia papyrifera excels at promoting water metabolism. It treats edema and abdominal distension due to Qi stagnation (The bark can be made into paper. Broussonetia juice mixed with Bletilla striata (Baiji) and sifted flour creates a paste for joining paper that never separates).
Action: Draining Lung Fire, promoting water metabolism. In the "Ten Categories" (Shi Ji), it belongs to the Drying category because it promotes water flow.
Flavor: Sweet, Acrid, Cold. Drains Lung Fire (Luo Qianfu said: This drains Fire pathogenic factors from the Lung, not Lung Qi. Fire and Original Qi cannot coexist; when Fire is removed, Qi becomes tranquil. Thus, *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* also states it benefits Qi. Li Dongyuan said: Sweet flavor secures insufficiency of Original Qi and tonifies deficiency. Acrid flavor drains excess Lung Qi and stops cough. However, its nature is not purely benign and should not be used excessively. Qian Yi's Xie Bai San uses Sang Bai Pi and Gu Pi each 1 liang, Gan Cao 5 qian, taken 2 qian per dose, boiled with 100 grains of Oryza sativa (Jingmi). Li Shizhen said: Both Sang Bai Pi and Gu Pi drain Fire via urination. Gan Cao drains Fire and moderates the middle, while Jingmi clears the Lung and nourishes Blood; these are the standards for formulas draining the Lung. A woman had lost her sense of smell for a long time. Later, due to another illness, Miao Zhongchun prescribed a formula where she took up to 7-8 qian of Sang Bai Pi per dose. After long-term use, her nasal congestion suddenly cleared.), unblocks the two excretions (urination and defecation), disperses blood stasis, descends Qi, promotes water metabolism, stops cough, and clears phlegm (*Ben Cao Fa Ming* says: When there is water-dampness in the Lung, phlegm is generated causing cough. Removing dampness is precisely draining Fire pathogenic factors, following the principle of "draining the son when the mother is excess." When Fire recedes and Qi calms, tonification is inherent within. *Shi Ji* says: Dryness can remove dampness; examples include Sang Bai Pi and Adzuki beans.).
Indications: Treats Lung heat causing wheezing and fullness, hemoptysis, thirst due to heat, edema, and abdominal distension. Use with caution in cases of Lung Qi deficiency and cough caused by Wind-Cold. Can be made into thread to suture metal wounds.
Preparation: Scrape off the outer bark and use the white inner part (If concerned about draining Qi, honey-fry it). Xu Duan and Rou Gui act as guiding herbs. Avoid iron.
[Mulberry Tree / Sang]
The Mulberry tree is the essence of the Ji Star. Its wood benefits joints, nourishes body fluids, and promotes water metabolism (*Lu Yan Fang*: Fine-cut branch bark brewed into wine is effective) and dispels Wind (One sheng of Sang Zhi, finely chopped and fried until fragrant, boiled in three sheng of water until reduced to two sheng, consumed in one day, named Sang Zhi Jian, treats Wind pathogens, Hong Kong foot [podagra/gout], and thirst). Its charcoal fire draws out toxic vapors and dispels Bi syndrome caused by Wind-Cold-Dampness (For any abscesses that do not suppurate, necrotic flesh that does not rot, scrofula, flowing abscesses, stubborn tinea, or malignant ulcers that do not heal, bundle small pieces of mulberry wood, ignite, blow out the flame, and moxa the affected area. Internal administration of tonifying and expelling drugs is beneficial.) For decocting tonics and boiling various ointments, mulberry wood fire is preferred, and stirring should be done with mulberry branches.
[Mulberry Fruit / Sang Shen]
Flavor: Sweet, Cool. Black color enters the Kidney to nourish Water. Benefits the joints of the five Zang organs, calms the soul and stabilizes the spirit, sharpens hearing and vision. Generates fluids and stops thirst (Refined into paste, treats thirst due to heat from ingesting mineral drugs), promotes water metabolism and reduces swelling, resolves alcohol intoxication, and darkens beard hair. Sun-dried and powdered, formed into pills with honey is good. Take fully ripe fruits, extract juice, boil into paste, add honey and refine until thick; mixing with water or wine is excellent. Stored in strong liquor for a year is even better (Taken daily with warm water, it also treats scrofula, named Wen Wu Gao, because the fruit is called Wen Wu Shi).
[Mulberry Leaf / Sang Ye]
Flavor: Sweet, Cold. Meridian tropism: Hand-Yangming (Large Intestine), Foot-Yangming (Stomach). Cools Blood (For cuts from knives or axes, applying dry powder is excellent) dries dampness, dispels Wind, and brightens the eyes (Harvest leaves after frost, decoct and wash eyes to remove Wind-tearing. Wash hands and feet to remove Wind-Bi. Equal parts Sang Ye and Sesamum indicum (Hei Zhima), honey-pilled, named Fu Sang Wan, removes dampness and Wind, darkens mustache/hair, and brightens eyes. Best harvested on May 5th, June 6th, and Start of Winter. An 84-year-old man could read fine print at night; he claimed to have obtained a miraculous prescription: washing eyes with Sang Ye once a year on September 23rd permanently eliminates dimness). Powdered oral administration stops nocturnal sweating (A monk in Yanzhou sweated all over upon lying down, soaking clothes and bedding by morning, untreated for 20 years. The temple supervisor taught him to collect dew-covered Sang Ye, bake dry, powder, and take 2 qian with rice water on an empty stomach; cured in a few days). Substitute for tea to stop Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome).