味甘平。主邪气，腹胀心痛，肺气不舒之疾。利大小便，肺为水源。补中，甘能补脾
。益气。肺主气，补肺则气益矣。
此以形为治也，百合色白而多瓣，其形似肺，始秋而花，又得金气之全者，故为清补肺
金之
味辛温。主女人漏下赤白，血闭阴肿，风在下焦而兼湿热之证。寒热。风在荣卫。风
头侵目泪出，风在上窍。长肌肤，润泽可作面脂。风气干燥，风去则肌肉生而润泽矣。
凡驱风之药，未有不枯耗精液者。白芷极香，能驱风燥湿，其质又极滑润，能和利血脉
而不枯耗，用之则有利无害者也。盖古人用药，既知药性之所长，又度药性之所短，而后相
人之
气血，病之标本，参合研求，以定取舍，故能有显效而无隐害。此学人之所当殚心也。
味苦平。主诸热，黄胆，大肠经中之郁热。肠 泄痢，大肠府中之郁结。逐水，水在
肠中者。下血闭，血之在阳明者使从大便出。恶疮疽蚀，火疡。阳明主肌肉，凡肌肉热毒等
病，此皆除之。
此以形色为治，黄芩中空而色黄，为大肠之药，故能除肠胃诸热病。黄色属土属脾，大
肠属阳明燥金，而黄芩之黄属大肠，何也？盖胃与大肠为出纳水谷之道，皆统于脾。又金多
借土之色以为色。义详决明条下，相参益显也。
味苦平。主腰背，强关机，缓急周痹，寒湿膝痛，凡邪气之在骨节间者皆能治之。颇
利老人。老人精血衰，则筋骨空隙中尤不能舒展，故于此药为尤宜也。
此以形为治，狗脊遍体生毛而多节，颇似狗之脊。诸兽之中，惟狗狡捷，而此药似之。
故能入筋骨机关之际，去其凝滞寒湿之气，而使之利健强捷也。形同而性亦近，物理盖可推
矣。
味甘平。主邪气，腹胀心痛，肺气不舒之疾。利大小便，肺为水源。补中，甘能补脾 。益气。肺主气，补肺则气益矣。
百合味道甘平。主治外邪侵袭引起的疾病，如腹部胀满、心区疼痛以及肺气郁滞不畅的病证。它能通利大小便，因为肺是体内水液代谢的源头（肺为水之上源）。它能补益中焦，因为甘味药物能够补益脾胃。它能补益元气，因为肺主管气的生成与运行，补益肺脏则元气得以充盛。
此以形为治也，百合色白而多瓣，其形似肺，始秋而花，又得金气之全者，故为清补肺 金之
这是运用“取象比类”的方法来解释药效。百合颜色洁白且花瓣众多，形状类似肺部，在初秋时节开花，又完全禀受了秋季金的清气，因此它是清除并补益肺金（肺脏）的药物。
味辛温。主女人漏下赤白，血闭阴肿，风在下焦而兼湿热之证。寒热。风在荣卫。风 头侵目泪出，风在上窍。长肌肤，润泽可作面脂。风气干燥，风去则肌肉生而润泽矣。
白芷味道辛温。主治妇女经血淋漓不断或带下赤白相间，经血闭阻及外阴肿胀，这是风邪位于下焦并兼夹湿热的证候。它也能治疗忽冷忽热的症状，这是因为风邪侵袭营卫之气。风邪侵犯头部上部孔窍会导致流泪，这是风邪在上部孔窍的表现。它能促进肌肤生长，滋润光泽，可以制作成面部护肤油脂。风邪导致的气血津液干燥，当风邪去除后，肌肉得以滋养而生润。
凡驱风之药，未有不枯耗精液者。白芷极香，能驱风燥湿，其质又极滑润，能和利血脉 而不枯耗，用之则有利无害者也。盖古人用药，既知药性之所长，又度药性之所短，而后相 人之 气血，病之标本，参合研求，以定取舍，故能有显效而无隐害。此学人之所当殚心也。
凡是祛除风邪的药物，没有不枯耗人体精微物质的。白芷气味极其芳香，能够驱散风邪、燥化湿气，它的质地又极其滑润，能够调和通畅血脉而不造成枯耗，使用它只有益处而没有害处。大概古代医家用药时，既了解药物性能的长处，又权衡药物性能的短处，然后观察患者的气血状况，分析疾病的本质与表象，综合研究探讨，从而决定药物的取舍，所以能有显著的疗效而没有隐蔽的危害。这是学习中医的人应当尽心钻研的。
味苦平。主诸热，黄胆，大肠经中之郁热。肠 泄痢，大肠府中之郁结。逐水，水在 肠中者。下血闭，血之在阳明者使从大便出。恶疮疽蚀，火疡。阳明主肌肉，凡肌肉热毒等 病，此皆除之。
黄芩味道苦平。主治各种热证，如黄疸，这是大肠经中的郁积热邪。治疗肠道泄泻和痢疾，这是大肠腑中的郁结阻滞。它能驱逐水饮，针对水湿停留在肠中的情况。它能通下血闭，使停滞在阳明经的血瘀从大便排出。治疗恶疮、痈疽、溃疡腐烂以及火热创伤。阳明经主管肌肉，凡是肌肉部位的热毒等疾病，黄芩都能清除它们。
此以形色为治，黄芩中空而色黄，为大肠之药，故能除肠胃诸热病。黄色属土属脾，大 肠属阳明燥金，而黄芩之黄属大肠，何也？盖胃与大肠为出纳水谷之道，皆统于脾。又金多 借土之色以为色。义详决明条下，相参益显也。
这是运用颜色和形状来解释药效。黄芩内部中空且颜色发黄，是作用于大肠的药物，所以能清除肠胃的各种热病。黄色在五行中属土，对应脾脏；大肠在五行中属阳明燥金。那么为什么黄芩的黄色对应大肠呢？因为胃和大肠是水谷摄入和排出的通道，都受脾脏统摄。另外，金（大肠）往往借用土（脾/黄色）的颜色作为自己的颜色。这一道理在决明子条目下有详细论述，相互参照更加明显。
味苦平。主腰背，强关机，缓急周痹，寒湿膝痛，凡邪气之在骨节间者皆能治之。颇 利老人。老人精血衰，则筋骨空隙中尤不能舒展，故于此药为尤宜也。
狗脊味道苦平。主治腰背部僵硬、关节拘挛、筋脉弛缓或紧急以及周身痹痛，寒湿引起的膝盖疼痛，凡是邪气停留在骨节间隙的疾病都能治疗。它对老年人特别有益。老年人精气血液衰退，筋骨之间的空隙尤其难以舒展，所以对于这种药物尤为适宜。
此以形为治，狗脊遍体生毛而多节，颇似狗之脊。诸兽之中，惟狗狡捷，而此药似之。 故能入筋骨机关之际，去其凝滞寒湿之气，而使之利健强捷也。形同而性亦近，物理盖可推 矣。
这是运用形状来解释药效。狗脊全身长满毛发且有很多节段，很像狗的脊椎。在所有动物中，只有狗狡猾敏捷，而这种药物也具有类似的特性。所以它能进入筋骨关节之间，去除其中凝滞的寒湿之气，使肢体变得灵活健壮、强劲敏捷。外形相同则药性也相近，事物的规律大概是可以推断出来的。
Gan (Sweet) and Ping (Neutral). It governs pathogenic factors, abdominal distension, heart pain, and diseases of lung qi stagnation. It promotes the free flow of urine and feces; the Lung is the source of water metabolism. It tonifies the Middle Jiao; sweetness can tonify the Spleen. It benefits Qi. The Lung governs Qi; tonifying the Lung increases Qi.
This treatment principle is based on shape correspondence. Baihe (Lily Bulb) is white and multi-petaled, its shape resembling the Lung. It blooms in early autumn and fully absorbs the Qi of Metal (Autumn), thus it serves to clear and tonify Lung Metal.
Xin (Acrid) and Wen (Warm). It governs leukorrhea with red and white discharge in women, blood obstruction, and vulvar swelling. These are conditions where Wind affects the Lower Jiao accompanied by Damp-Heat. It treats chills and fever, as Wind affects Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels. When Wind invades the upper orifices, it causes tearing from the eyes. It promotes skin growth and provides moisture, suitable for use as facial cream. When Wind causes dryness, removing Wind allows muscles to regenerate and become moist.
Generally, herbs that dispel Wind tend to consume Essence and Fluids. Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) is extremely aromatic, capable of dispelling Wind and drying Dampness; its texture is extremely smooth and moist, harmonizing and benefiting Blood vessels without causing consumption. Using it brings benefit without harm. Ancient physicians, knowing both the strengths and weaknesses of herb properties, then assessed patients' Qi and Blood, analyzed the root and branch of diseases, and integrated these factors to determine selection, thereby achieving obvious efficacy without hidden harm. This is what scholars must devote themselves to studying.
Ku (Bitter) and Ping (Neutral). It governs various Heat syndromes, such as Jaundice (Huangdan), which is stagnant Heat in the Large Intestine meridian. It treats intestinal diarrhea and dysentery, representing stagnation in the Large Intestine fu organ. It expels Water retention within the intestines. It promotes the passage of blood stasis, directing blood stagnated in the Yangming channel out through the stool. It treats malignant sores, carbuncles, ulceration, and fire burns. Yangming governs flesh/muscle; this herb eliminates heat-toxin diseases in the muscles.
This treatment principle is based on color and shape. Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) is hollow inside and yellow, acting on the Large Intestine, thus clearing various Heat diseases of the stomach and intestines. Yellow belongs to Earth and corresponds to the Spleen; the Large Intestence belongs to Yangming Dry Metal. Why does Huangqin's yellow correspond to the Large Intestine? Because the Stomach and Large Intestine are the pathways for intake and excretion of food and fluids, all governed by the Spleen. Furthermore, Metal often borrows the color of Earth. This meaning is detailed under the entry for Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen), and mutual reference makes it clearer.
Ku (Bitter) and Ping (Neutral). It governs stiffness of the waist and back, joint rigidity, alternating flaccidity and spasticity in generalized Bi syndrome, knee pain due to Cold-Dampness. It treats any pathogenic factors lodged between bone joints. It is particularly beneficial for the elderly. As the Elderly suffer from decline in Essence and Blood, the spaces between sinews and bones are especially unable to extend freely, making this herb particularly suitable for them.
This treatment principle is based on shape. Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma) is covered in hair and has many nodes, resembling a dog's spine. Among animals, only dogs are cunning and agile, and this herb resembles them. Thus, it can enter the spaces between sinews and bones, remove stagnant Cold-Damp Qi, and make movement flexible, strong, and agile. Similar forms imply similar natures; the principles of things can be deduced from this.