产热河绥远者最佳。老者黑色。名铁甘草。功力尤胜。
主治。生者益胃气。通小便。解百药毒。入汗剂解肌表寒热。入凉剂泻内外邪热。入峻
剂能使姜附无僭上之患。硝黄无峻下之病。灸者宜入和剂。补益脏腑气血。安神志。
甘草泻心汤。甘草四两。黄芩三两。黄连一两。干姜三两。半夏（洗）一两。大枣十二
枚。
水一斗煮六升。去滓再煮三升。温服一升。日三次。治伤寒误下。胸痞呕利。脾胃虚损。
按此药功用至多。大要以解毒和胃安神去热为主。凡治各疾。用海藻昆布者。尤宜佐以
生草。使胃不滞。
主治补虚。壮气。强心。益胃。凡病呈衰弱之证。皆宜用之。即痈疽发背。防其内陷。
亦宜重用此药。生者能表能补。炙者补而不表。
黄 人参汤。黄 （炙）人参白术（炒）陈皮麦冬（去心）当归身（酒拌）甘草（炙）
补曲（炒）五
味子（杵）各一钱。黄柏（酒洗炒）升麻各四分。苍术（米泔浸炒）五分。水二钟。加生姜
三片。
大枣二枚。煎至一钟。去滓空心温服。忌一切激刺饮食。治痈疽脓血大泄。或食少发热。或
作痛少寐。服后痛减。大便不实者去 冬。心下痞闷加黄连三分。胃脘当心痛。减大寒药。
加草豆蔻仁五分。胁下痛或缩急。加柴胡二三分。头痛目中流火。加黄连二三分。川芎三分。
头目不清利。上壅上热者。加蔓荆子川芎各三分。 本生地各二分。北细辛一分。气短精神
少。梦寐间困弱无力。加五味子九粒。大便涩滞食少。加当归身生地各五分。桃仁（去皮尖
研三粒）。麻子仁（研泥）五分。大便又不通快。加制大黄五分。胸中气滞。加青皮。气滞
太
甚。加木香缩砂仁各二三分。白豆蔻二分。腹痛不恶寒者。加芍药五钱。黄芩二分。减五味
子。水四盏。煎至一盏。一服便效。
黄 内托散。黄 当归川芎各二钱。白术（土炒）银花皂角刺天花粉各一钱。泽泻甘草
各
五分。水二钟。煎至八分。食前服。治便毒初起肿甚。
黄 四物汤。黄 人参白术茯苓芍药甘草生姜当归地黄川芎。多加银花煎服。补气血。
黄散。黄 牡蛎（煨）生地各等分。研末。水煎不拘时服。治虚热盗汗。（按生 有化脓
去
热平血压之功。向皆目为补气之药。实未尽其功用。）
产于热河绥远地区的甘草品质最佳。老根呈黑色，称为“铁甘草”，其药效尤为显著。
生甘草的主治功效：能补益胃气，通利小便，解除各种药物的毒性。若用于发汗剂中，可解除肌表的寒热邪气；若用于清热凉剂中，可泻除内外的邪热；若用于药性峻猛的方剂中，能使干姜、附子不致产生上冲之弊，使芒硝、大黄不致造成剧烈泻下的损伤。炙甘草适宜用于调和剂中，能补益脏腑气血，安定神志。
甘草泻心汤方：甘草四两，黄芩三两，黄连一两，干姜三两，半夏（洗）一两，大枣十二枚。
用水一斗，煮取六升，滤去药渣，再煎至三升。每次温服一升，每日三次。主治伤寒因误用下法导致的胸中痞满、呕吐、下利，以及脾胃虚损之证。
按语：此药的功用非常多，大抵以解毒、和胃、安神、清热为主。凡是治疗各种疾病，若使用海藻、昆布者，尤其适宜佐以生甘草，以使胃气不致壅滞。
炙甘草的主治功效：补虚损，壮元气，强心脏，益胃气。凡是疾病呈现衰弱证候的，都适宜使用。即使是痈疽发背，为了防止毒邪内陷，也适宜重用此药。生甘草既能发散表邪又能补益，炙甘草则只补益而不发散。
黄芪人参汤方：黄芪（炙）、人参、白术（炒）、陈皮、麦冬（去心）、当归身（酒拌）、甘草（炙）、补曲（炒）、五味子（捣碎）各一钱，黄柏（酒洗炒）、升麻各四分，苍术（米泔水浸炒）五分。
用水二钟，加生姜三片，大枣二枚，煎至一钟。空腹时温服。忌食一切刺激性食物。主治痈疽脓血大量流失，或饮食减少伴发热，或疼痛伴失眠。服药后若疼痛减轻但大便不成形，去掉麦冬；若心下痞闷，加黄连三分；若胃脘当心处疼痛，减去大寒药物，加草豆蔻仁五分；若胁下疼痛或拘急，加柴胡二三分；若头痛且眼中感觉如火烧，加黄连二三分、川芎三分；若头目不清爽，上部壅塞有热者，加蔓荆子、川芎各三分，本生地各二分，北细辛一分；若气短精神不足，睡梦中感到困弱无力，加五味子九粒；若大便涩滞、饮食减少，加当归身、生地各五分，桃仁（去皮尖研碎三粒）、火麻仁（研泥）五分；若大便仍不通畅，加制大黄五分；若胸中气机阻滞，加青皮；若气滞严重，加木香、缩砂仁各二三分，白豆蔻二分；若腹痛且不恶寒，加芍药五钱、黄芩二分，并减去五味子。
用水四盏，煎至一盏。服用一次即可见效。
黄芪内托散方：黄芪、当归、川芎各二钱，白术（土炒）、银花、皂角刺、天花粉各一钱，泽泻、甘草各五分。
用水二钟，煎至八分。饭前服用。主治便毒初起肿胀严重者。
黄芪四物汤方：黄芪、人参、白术、茯苓、芍药、甘草、生姜、当归、地黄、川芎。多加金银花煎服。功效为补益气血。
黄芪散方：黄芪、牡蛎（煨）、生地各等分，研成末。用水煎服，不拘时间。主治虚热盗汗。（按语：生黄芪有化脓、退热、平血压的功效，以往人们多将其视为补气药，实际上并未完全发挥其功用。）
The best quality Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) is produced in Suiyuan, Rehe. The old roots are black and are called "Iron Licorice" (Tie Gancao, 铁甘草), possessing superior efficacy.
**Indications of Raw Licorice Root:** It tonifies Stomach Qi, promotes urination, and detoxifies various medicines. When included in diaphoretic formulas, it releases exterior cold-heat pathogens; when included in cooling formulas, it drains internal and external pathogenic heat; when included in potent formulas, it prevents the excessive ascending effects of Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 干姜) and Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi, 附子), and prevents the severe purgative damage caused by Mirabilite (Mangxiao, 芒硝) and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄). **Prepared Licorice Root** is suitable for harmonizing formulas, tonifying Zang-Fu organs and Qi-Blood, and calming the Spirit (Shenzhi, 神志).
**Gancao Xiexin Decoction (Licorice Decoction to Drain the Heart):**
* Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) 4 liang
* Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, 黄芩) 3 liang
* Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) 1 liang
* Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 干姜) 3 liang
* Pinellia Tuber (Banxia, 半夏) [washed] 1 liang
* Jujube (Dazao, 大枣) 12 pieces
Decoct 1 dou of water to obtain 6 sheng, remove the dregs, and decoct again to obtain 3 sheng. Take 1 sheng warm each time, three times a day. It treats chest fullness, vomiting, and diarrhea due to erroneous purgation in Cold Damage (Shanghan, 伤寒), as well as Spleen-Stomach deficiency damage.
**Note:** This herb has numerous functions, primarily focusing on detoxification, harmonizing the Stomach, calming the Spirit, and clearing heat. In treating various diseases, when using Kelp (Haizao, 海藻) or Ecklonia (Kunbu, 昆布), it is especially advisable to add raw Licorice Root to prevent Stomach stagnation.
**Indications of Prepared Licorice Root:** Tonifies deficiency, strengthens Qi, strengthens the Heart, and benefits the Stomach. It is suitable for any disease presenting with weakness syndromes. Even in cases of carbuncles and sores on the back, heavy use is advisable to prevent the inward penetration of pathogens. Raw Licorice can release the exterior and tonify, whereas Prepared Licorice tonifies without releasing the exterior.
**Huangqi Renshen Tang (Astragalus and Ginseng Decoction):**
* Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪) [prepared]
* Ginseng Root (Renshen, 人参)
* Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu, 白术) [stir-fried]
* Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮)
* Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong, 麦冬) [core removed]
* Angelica Sinensis Root Body (Danggui Shen, 当归身) [mixed with wine]
* Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) [prepared]
* Fermented Wheat Qu (Buchu, 补曲) [stir-fried]
* Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi, 五味子) [pounded]
*Each: 1 qian*
* Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai, 黄柏) [wine-washed and stir-fried]
* Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma, 升麻)
*Each: 4 fen*
* Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome (Cangzhu, 苍术) [soaked in rice wash water and stir-fried]: 5 fen
Decoct 2 zhong of water with 3 slices of Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜) and 2 Jujubes (Dazao, 大枣) until reduced to 1 zhong. Take warm on an empty stomach. Avoid all stimulating foods. Treats large loss of pus and blood from carbuncles/sores, or decreased appetite with fever, or pain with insomnia.
* If pain decreases but stool is loose after taking, remove Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong, 麦冬).
* If epigastric fullness occurs, add Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) 3 fen.
* If pain at the epigastrium/heart area occurs, reduce cold-natured herbs and add Cardamom Seed (Caodoukou, 草豆蔻) 5 fen.
* If hypochondriac pain or contraction/tightness occurs, add Bupleurum Root (Chaihu, 柴胡) 2-3 fen.
* If headache and sensation of fire in eyes occur, add Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) 2-3 fen and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 川芎) 3 fen.
* If head and eyes are unclear with upper congestion and heat, add Vitex Fruit (Manjingzi, 蔓荆子) and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 川芎) 3 fen each, Rehmannia Root (Shengdi, 生地) 2 fen each, and Asarum Root (Xixin, 细辛) 1 fen.
* If shortness of breath, low spirit, and weakness in dreams occur, add Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi, 五味子) 9 grains.
* If constipation and decreased appetite occur, add Angelica Sinensis Root Body (Danggui Shen, 当归身) and Rehmannia Root (Shengdi, 生地) 5 fen each, Peach Kernel (Taoren, 桃仁) [skin and tip removed, ground] 3 grains, and Hemp Seed (Huozhiren, 火麻仁) [ground into paste] 5 fen.
* If stool remains unsmooth, add Processed Rhubarb (Zhi Dahuang, 制大黄) 5 fen.
* If Qi stagnation in the chest occurs, add Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi, 青皮).
* If Qi stagnation is severe, add Ambergris (Muxiang, 木香) and Amomum Fruit (Suosharen, 缩砂仁) 2-3 fen each, and White Cardamom Seed (Baidoukou, 白豆蔻) 2 fen.
* If abdominal pain without aversion to cold occurs, add White Peony Root (Shaoyao, 芍药) 5 qian and Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, 黄芩) 2 fen, and reduce Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi, 五味子).
Decoct 4 zhan of water until reduced to 1 zhan. One dose yields immediate effect.
**Huangqi Neituo San (Astragalus Internal Support Powder):**
* Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪)
* Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui, 当归)
* Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 川芎)
*Each: 2 qian*
* Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu, 白术) [earth-stir-fried]
* Chrysanthemum Flower (Jinyinhua/Yinhuajin, 银花)
* Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zaocys/Saojiaoci, 皂角刺)
* Trichosanthes Root (Tianguafen, 天花粉)
*Each: 1 qian*
* Alisma Rhizome (Zexie, 泽泻)
* Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草)
*Each: 5 fen*
Decoct 2 zhong of water until reduced to 8 fen. Take before meals. Treats early-stage bubo (biandu, 便毒) with severe swelling.
**Huangqi Siwu Tang (Astragalus Four Substances Decoction):**
* Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪)
* Ginseng Root (Renshen, 人参)
* Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu, 白术)
* Poria (Fuling, 茯苓)
* White Peony Root (Shaoyao, 芍药)
* Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草)
* Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜)
* Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui, 当归)
* Rehmannia Root (Dihuang, 地黄)
* Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 川芎)
Add extra Chrysanthemum Flower (Jinyinhua, 银花) when decocting and taking. Functions to tonify Qi and Blood.
**Huangqi San (Astragalus Powder):**
* Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪)
* Oyster Shell (Muli, 牡蛎) [roasted]
* Rehmannia Root (Shengdi, 生地)
*Equal parts.* Grind into powder. Decoct in water and take at any time. Treats deficiency-heat night sweats.
*(Note: Raw Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪) has functions of promoting suppuration, clearing heat, and lowering blood pressure. Traditionally viewed merely as a Qi-tonifying herb, its full efficacy is not fully realized.)*