蒲黄，味甘，气平，无毒。入肺经。能止衄血妄行，咯血、吐血亦可用，消瘀血，止崩
漏白
带，调妇人血候不齐，去儿枕痛，疗跌扑折伤，亦佐使之药，能治实，而不可治虚。虚人用
之，必有泄泻之病，不可不慎也。《本草》谓其益气力，延年作仙，此断无之事，不可尽信
。
或问蒲黄非急需之药，而吾子取之以备用，不知何用也？夫蒲黄治诸血症最效，而治血
症中
尤效者，咯血也。咯血者，肾火上冲，而肺金又燥。治肾以止咯血，而不兼治肺，则咯血不
能止。蒲黄润肺经之燥，加入于六味地黄汤中，则一服可以奏功，非若他药如麦冬、五味，
虽亦止咯，而功不能如是之捷。此所以备之，而不敢删耳。
何首乌，味甘而涩，气微温，无毒。神农未尝非遗之也。以其功效甚缓，不能急于救人，
故
尔失载。然首乌蒸熟，能黑须鬓，但最恶铁器。凡入诸药之中，曾经铁器者，沾其气味，绝
无功效。世人久服而不变白者，正坐此耳，非首乌之不黑须鬓也。近人尊此物为延生之宝，
余薄而不用。惟生首乌用之治疟，实有速效，治痞亦有神功，世人不尽知也。虽然首乌蒸熟
，以黑须鬓，又不若生用之尤验。盖首乌经九蒸之后，气味尽失，又经铁器，全无功效矣。
不若竟以石块敲碎，晒干为末，同桑叶、茱萸、熟地、枸
杞子、麦冬、女贞子、乌饭于黑芝麻、白果，共捣为丸，全不见铁器，反能乌须鬓，而延年
至不老也。
或问何首乌蒸熟则味甘，生用则味涩，自宜制熟为黑，则白易变为黑矣，此情理之必然
也，
先生独云生用为佳，亦有说乎？曰∶首乌制黑，犹生地之制熟也，似宜熟者之胜生。然而首
乌不同生地也，生地性寒而味苦，制熟则苦变甘，而寒变温矣，故制熟则佳。首乌味本甘而
气本温，生者原本益人，又何必制之耶。况生者味涩，凡人之精，未有不滑者也，正宜味涩
以止益，奈何反制其不涩，使补者不补也。余所以劝人生用之也。
或疑何首乌乃乌须圣药，不制之，何能乌须？先生谓生胜于熟，读先生之论，则实有至
理，
然未见先生之自效，恐世人未必信先生之言也。曰∶吾谈其理，何顾吾须之变白不变白哉。
况吾须之白而乌，乌而白者屡矣，乃自不慎酒色，非药之不验也，盖服乌须之药，必须绝欲
断酒，否则无功耳。
或疑何首乌既能延年，而神农未尝言，先生又薄其功用之缓，是此药亦可有可无之药也。
虽
然，何首乌乌可缺也，亦顾人用之何如耳。大约用之乌须延寿，其功缓，用之攻邪散疟，其
功速。近人用之，多犯铁器，所以皆不能成功也。
或疑何首乌今人艳称之，吾子薄其功用，得毋矫枉之过欤？嗟乎。何首乌实有功效，久
服乌
须鬓，固非虚语。吾特薄其功用之缓，非薄其无功用也。如补气也，不若黄 、人参之捷。
如补血也，不若当归、川芎之速。如补精也，不若熟地、山茱之易于见胜。此余之所以宁用
彼，而不用此也。至于丸药之中，原图缓治，何首乌正宜大用，乌可薄而弃之哉。
或问何首乌毕竟以大者为佳，近人用何首乌而不甚效者，大抵皆细小耳，未必有大如斗
者也
。曰∶古人载何首乌，而称极大者为神，乃夸诩之辞，非真亲服而有验也。且何首乌小者之
力胜于大者，世人未知也。近来士大夫得一大首乌，便矜奇异，如法修制，九蒸九晒，惟恐
少越于古人，乃终年吞服，绝不见发之乌而鬓之黑，可见大者功用劣于细小者矣。无如今人
为古人所愚，舍人参、熟地之奇，而必求首乌为延生变白之药，绝无一效，而不悔惑矣。
蒲黄，味道甘甜，气性平和，没有毒性。归入肺经。能够制止鼻出血等血液妄行，咯血、吐血也可以使用，能消除瘀血，止住崩漏和白带，调理妇女月经周期不齐，去除产后儿枕痛，治疗跌打损伤造成的骨折外伤，它也可以作为辅助药物使用，能够治疗实证，但不能治疗虚证。体虚的人使用它，必然会导致腹泻的病症，不可不谨慎啊。《本草》书中说它能益气力，延年益寿甚至成仙，这绝对是无稽之谈，不能完全相信。
有人问：蒲黄不是急需的药物，而你却收藏它以备用，不知道有什么用途呢？答：蒲黄治疗各种血症效果最显著，而在治疗血症中，尤其对咯血效果最好。咯血的原因，是肾火上冲，而肺金又干燥。治疗肾脏以止住咯血，如果不兼治肺脏，那么咯血就不能停止。蒲黄能滋润肺经的燥气，加入六味地黄汤中服用，一剂就能见效，不像其他药物如麦冬、五味子，虽然也能止住咯血，但功效不能如此迅速。这就是为什么我储备它，而不敢删减它的原因。
何首乌，味道甘甜而涩，气性微温，没有毒性。神农尝百草时并非遗漏了它。因为它的功效非常缓慢，不能急于救人，所以被失载。然而，何首乌蒸熟后，能使胡须鬓发变黑，但它最忌讳铁器。凡是进入各种药物之中，曾经接触过铁器的，沾上铁的气味，就完全没有功效了。世人长期服用而不能使白发变黑，正是因为这个原因，并不是何首乌不能让须鬓变黑。近来人们尊奉此物为延生长生的宝物，我却轻视它而不使用。只有生何首乌用来治疗疟疾，确实有快速的效果，治疗痞块也有神奇的功效，世人并不完全了解这一点。虽然如此，何首乌蒸熟后使须鬓变黑，还不如生用效果更好。大概何首乌经过九次蒸煮之后，气味已经丧失殆尽，再加上接触铁器，就完全没有功效了。不如直接用石块敲碎，晒干研成粉末，同桑叶、山茱萸、熟地黄、枸杞子、麦冬、女贞子、乌饭树果、黑芝麻、白果一起捣碎制成丸药，完全不见铁器接触，反而能使须鬓乌黑，并延年益寿至不老。
有人问：何首乌蒸熟后味道甘甜，生用时味道涩，按理应该制作成熟品来使头发变黑，那么白发容易变为黑发，这是情理之中的必然结果，先生唯独认为生用更好，有什么说法吗？答：何首乌制作成黑色（熟品），就像生地黄制作成熟地黄一样，似乎应该是熟品胜过生品。然而何首乌与生地黄不同，生地黄性寒而味苦，制作成熟品后苦味变为甘味，寒性变为温性，所以制作成熟品很好。何首乌味道本来甘甜，气性本来温和，生用的原本就对人有益，又何必制作呢？况且生品味道涩，凡人的精气，没有不滑泄的，正适宜用涩味来固摄补益，怎么能反而去掉它的涩味，使得补益作用失效呢？所以我劝大家生用。
有人怀疑何首乌是乌发的圣药，不制作成熟品，怎么能乌发？先生你说生品胜于熟品，读先生的论述，确实有至理，然而没见先生自己见效，恐怕世人未必相信先生的话。答：我谈论的是药理，哪里顾得上我的胡须变白还是不变白呢？况且我的胡须由白变黑、由黑变白的情况屡见不鲜，那是由于我自己不慎于饮酒和色欲，并不是药物不灵验。大概服用乌须的药物，必须断绝欲望、戒酒，否则就没有功效。
有人怀疑何首乌既然能延年益寿，而神农未曾提及，先生又轻视其功用的缓慢，难道此药是可以有也可以没有的吗？答：虽然如此，何首乌怎么可以缺少呢？也只看人如何使用罢了。大致说来，用它来乌须延寿，功效缓慢；用它来攻邪散除疟疾，功效迅速。近来人们使用它，大多触犯铁器禁忌，所以都不能成功。
有人怀疑何首乌被今人艳称，我却轻视其功用，是不是矫枉过正了呢？唉！何首乌确实有功效，长期服用能使须鬓乌黑，这绝不是虚言。我只是轻视其功用的缓慢，并非轻视它没有功用。比如补气，不如黄芪、人参快捷；比如补血，不如当归、川芎迅速；比如补精，不如熟地黄、山茱萸易于见效。这就是我宁愿使用那些药物，而不使用何首乌的原因。至于在丸药之中，原本就是图谋缓慢治疗，何首乌正适合大量使用，怎么可以轻视并抛弃它呢？
有人问：何首乌毕竟以大者为佳，近来人们使用何首乌而不太有效的，大抵都是细小的，未必有大如斗的。答：古人记载何首乌，称极大者为神效，那是夸耀之辞，并非真正亲自服用而有验证。而且何首乌小者的效力胜过大的，世人并不知道。近来士大夫得到一个大何首乌，便矜持奇异，按照方法修制，九蒸九晒，惟恐稍微违背古人做法，于是终年吞服，绝对看不到头发变黑、鬓发变黑的效果，可见大者的功用劣于细小者。无奈如今人被古人愚弄，舍弃人参、熟地黄的神奇，而必求何首乌为延生长生变白的药物，绝对没有一种效果，却不后悔迷惑。
Puhuang (Polygoni Orientalis Pollen), with a sweet taste and neutral nature, is non-toxic. It enters the Lung Meridian. It can stop epistaxis and other forms of hemorrhage due to reckless blood movement; it is also applicable for hemoptysis and hematemesis. It resolves blood stasis, stops metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, regulates irregular menstruation in women, eliminates postpartum abdominal pain (child pillow pain), and treats traumatic fractures and injuries. It can also serve as an adjuvant drug; it treats excess syndromes but cannot treat deficiency syndromes. If used by persons with deficiency, it will inevitably cause diarrhea, so one must be cautious. The *Bencao* states that it boosts qi and strength, prolongs life, and even leads to immortality; this is absolutely unfounded and should not be fully believed.
Someone asked: Puhuang is not an urgently needed medicine, yet you keep it for backup. What is its use? I replied: Puhuang is most effective in treating various blood disorders, especially hemoptysis. Hemoptysis is caused by Kidney Fire rushing upward while Lung Metal is dry. To treat the Kidney to stop hemoptysis without simultaneously treating the Lung, the bleeding cannot cease. Puhuang moistens the dryness of the Lung Meridian. When added to Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), one dose can achieve results swiftly, unlike other herbs such as Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) or Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), which although they can also stop hemoptysis, do not act with such rapidity. This is why I reserve it and dare not delete it.
Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), with a sweet and astringent taste and slightly warm nature, is non-toxic. Shennong did not omit it. Its efficacy is very slow, making it unsuitable for urgent rescue, hence it was omitted from records. However, steamed Heshouwu can darken beard and hair, but it abhors iron vessels above all else. Any herb that has come into contact with iron vessels absorbs their odor and loses all efficacy. The reason people take it for a long time without turning white hair black is precisely this; it is not that Heshouwu cannot darken hair. Recently, people have revered this substance as a treasure for longevity, but I disdain it and do not use it. Only raw Heshouwu used to treat malaria truly has rapid effects, and it performs miracles in treating masses (pi syndrome), though few are aware of this. Although steamed Heshouwu darkens hair, it is less effective than using it raw. After nine steamings, the flavor and aroma of Heshouwu are completely lost, and if exposed to iron, it becomes entirely ineffective. It is better to crush it with stones, dry it, grind it into powder, and mix it with Sangye (Mori Folium), Zhuyu (Corni Fructus), Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Nuzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Wufanyu (Vaccinii Erythrocarpi Fructus), Heimaizi (Sesami Fructus Nigrum), and Baiguo (Ginkgonis Semen), pounding them together into pills. Without any contact with iron, it can indeed darken hair and prolong life to the point of aginglessness.
Someone asked: Steamed Heshouwu tastes sweet, while raw Heshouwu tastes astringent. Logically, processing it into a ripe form should darken hair, turning white to black easily, which is inevitable according to reason. Why do you insist on using it raw? I answered: Processing Heshouwu into black (ripe) is similar to processing Shengdihuang (Raw Rehmanniae Radix) into Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix); one might think the processed form is superior. However, Heshouwu differs from Shengdihuang. Shengdihuang is cold and bitter; processing makes it sweet and warm, thus processing is good. Heshouwu is naturally sweet and warm; raw usage benefits people inherently, so why process it? Moreover, the raw form is astringent. Since human essence is prone to leakage, an astringent taste is suitable to consolidate and benefit. How can we remove its astringency, thereby nullifying its tonifying effect? Therefore, I advise using it raw.
Some doubt: Heshouwu is the holy medicine for darkening hair. Without processing, how can it darken hair? You claim raw is better than cooked. Reading your argument, there is profound truth, but since I haven't seen you apply it to yourself, people may not believe you. I said: I discuss principles; why should I care whether my beard turns white or stays black? Besides, my beard has turned from white to black and back multiple times. This was due to my own lack of caution regarding alcohol and sexual desire, not because the medicine failed. Generally, taking hair-darkening medicines requires abstaining from desires and alcohol; otherwise, there is no effect.
Some suspect: Since Heshouwu can prolong life, yet Shennong did not mention it, and you disdain its slow action, is it an optional medicine? I said: Even so, how can Heshouwu be omitted? It depends on how people use it. Roughly speaking, using it to darken hair and prolong life has a slow effect; using it to expel pathogens and dispel malaria has a fast effect. Recently, people often violate the iron taboo when using it, so they fail to succeed.
Some suspect: Heshouwu is highly praised by moderns, yet you disdain its efficacy. Are you overcorrecting? Alas! Heshouwu truly has efficacy; long-term use darkens hair and beard, which is not empty talk. I only disdain its slow action, not its lack of efficacy. For boosting Qi, Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix) are faster. For nourishing Blood, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) are quicker. For tonifying Essence, Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) show results more easily. This is why I prefer those and avoid Heshouwu. However, in pill formulations intended for slow treatment, Heshouwu is ideally suited for heavy use and should not be discarded.
Someone asked: Heshouwu is best when large. Recent failures are mostly due to using small pieces; surely none are as big as a bushel. I said: Ancient texts claiming the largest are miraculous are exaggerations, not based on personal verification. In fact, smaller Heshouwu is more potent than larger ones, a fact unknown to the world. Recently, scholars obtain a large Heshouwu, boast of its rarity, process it meticulously with nine steamings and nine sun-dryings, fearing deviation from ancients, yet swallow it all year without seeing black hair or temples. This proves large ones are inferior to small ones. Unfortunately, moderns are fooled by ancients, abandoning the wonders of Renshen and Shudihuang, seeking Heshouwu for longevity and whitening reversal, achieving nothing, yet refusing to repent their confusion.