（气之薄者阳中之阴气薄则发泄辛甘淡平寒凉是也）
茯苓 气平味甘无毒〔洁〕性温味甘而淡气味俱薄浮而升阳也〔垣〕止渴利小便除湿益燥和中
益气
利腰脐间血为主治小
便不通溺黄或赤而不利如小便利或数服之则大损人目如汗多人服之损真气夭人寿医云赤泻白补上古无此说淡能利窍甘
以助阳除湿之圣药也味甘平补阳益脾逐水湿淫所胜小便不利淡味渗泄阳也治水缓脾生津导气〔海〕入足少阴手足
太阳色
白者入辛王癸赤者入丙丁伐肾邪小便多能止之小便涩能利之与车前子相似虽利小便而不走气酒浸与光明朱砂同用能秘
真味甘平如何是利小便去皮捣细纱罗过用
泽泻 气平味甘无毒〔洁〕沉而降阴也〔垣〕甘咸寒降阴也〔海〕阴中微阳入足太阳少
阴经除湿之圣药也治小便淋沥去阴间汗无此疾服之令人目盲〔寇〕泽泻之功长于行水张仲景治水蓄渴烦小便不利
或吐或泻五苓散主之方用泽泻故知其长
于行水本草引扁鹊云多服病患眼诚为以物性能水凡服泽泻散人未有不小便多者小便既多肾气焉得复实今人止泄精多不
敢用之仲景八味丸用之者亦不过接引桂附等归就肾经别无他意〔海〕本经云久服明目扁鹊云多服昏目何也易老云
去
脾中
宿垢以其味咸能泻伏水故也泻伏水去留垢故明目小便利肾气虚故昏目〔王〕寇宗 之说王好古韪之窃谓八味丸以
地黄为
君余药佐之非止补血兼补气也所谓阳旺则能生阴血也地黄山茱萸茯苓牡丹皮皆肾经之药附子官桂乃右肾命门之药皆不
待泽泻之接引而后至也则八味丸之用此盖取其泻肾邪养五脏益气力起阴气补虚损五劳之功而已虽能泻肾从于诸补药群
众之中则亦不能泻矣〔珍〕泽泻气平味甘而淡淡能渗泄气味俱薄所以利水而泄下脾胃有湿热则头重而目昏耳鸣泽
泻渗去
其湿则热亦随去而土气得令清气上行天气明爽故泽泻有养五脏益气力治头旋聪明耳目之功若久服则降令太过清气不升
真阴潜耗安得不目昏耶仲景地黄丸用茯苓泽泻者乃取其泻膀胱之邪气非引接也古人用补药必兼泻邪邪去则补药得力一
辟一阖此乃元妙后世不知此理专一于补所以久服必致偏胜之害捣碎纱罗过用
猪苓 气平味甘微苦无毒〔洁〕气味俱薄升而微降与茯苓同〔垣〕淡甘平降也阳中阴也〔海〕
甘重于苦阳也入足太阳足
少阴经助燥除湿比诸淡渗药大燥亡津液无湿证勿服〔颂〕仲景治消渴脉浮小便不利微热者猪苓散发其汗病欲饮水
而复吐
名为水逆冬时寒嗽如疟状者亦与猪苓此即五苓散也猪苓茯苓术各三两泽泻五分桂二分细捣筛水服方寸匕日三多饮暖水
汗出即愈利水道诸汤剂无如此验今人皆用之〔垣〕若以泄滞甘以助阳淡以利窍故能除湿利小便去黑皮里白者佳捣
罗过用
通草 气平味辛甘而淡无毒瓦斯平味薄降也阳中阴也治阴窍不利行小水除水肿闭治五淋生用〔洁〕泻肺利
小便甘平以
缓阴血〔垣〕本草十剂通可去滞通草防己之属是也夫防己大苦寒能泻血中湿热之滞又通大便通草甘淡能助西方秋
气
下降
利小便专泻气滞也肺受热邪津液气化之源绝则寒水断流膀胱受湿热癃闭约缩小便不通宜此治之其证胸中烦热口燥舌干
咽干大渴引饮小便淋沥或闭塞不通胫酸脚热并宜通草主之凡气味与之同者茯苓泽泻灯草猪苓皂角瞿麦车前子之类皆可
以渗湿利小便泄其滞气也又曰木通下利泄小肠火利小便与琥珀同功无他药可比去粗皮锉细竹筛齐之用
滑石气寒味甘无毒〔洁〕性沉重能泄上气令下行故曰滑则利窍治前阴窍涩不利利窍不比与渗淡诸药同
〔海〕入足太
阳经滑能利窍以通水道为至燥之剂猪苓汤用滑石阿胶同为滑剂以利水道葱豉生姜同煎去滓澄清以解利淡味渗泄为阳故
解表利小便也若小便自利者不宜用〔珍〕滑石利窍不独小便也上能利毛腠之窍下能利精溺之窍盖甘淡之味先入于
胃渗走
经络游溢津气上输于肺下通膀胱肺主皮毛为水之上源膀胱司津液气化则能出故滑石上能发表下利水道为荡热燥湿之剂
发表是荡上中之热利水道是荡中下之热发表是燥上中之湿利水道是燥中下之湿热散则三焦宁而表里和湿去则阑门通而
阴阳利刘河间之用益元散通治表里上下诸病盖是此意但未发出耳白者佳捣水飞用
芍药 气微寒味酸而苦气薄味浓阴也降也阴中之阳有小毒入手足太阴经〔垣〕补中焦之药得得炙甘草为
佐治腹中痛
夏月腹痛少加黄芩如恶寒腹痛加肉桂一钱白芍药三钱炙甘草一钱半此仲景神方也如冬月大寒腹痛加桂二钱半水二盏煎
一半去皮用脾经之药收阴气能除腹痛酸以收之扶阴而收阴气泄邪气扶阳与生姜同用温经散湿通塞利腹中痛胃气不通肺
燥气热酸收甘缓下利必用之药白补赤散泻肝补脾胃酒浸行经止中部腹痛东垣云但涩者为上或问古今方论中多以涩为收
今本经有利小便一句者何也曰芍药能停诸湿而益津液使小便自行本非通行之药所当知之又问有缓中一句何谓缓中曰损
其肝者缓其中又问当用何药次治之曰当用四物汤以其内有芍药故也赤者利小便下气白者止痛散气血入手足太阴经大抵
酸涩者为上为收敛停湿之剂故主手足太阴经收降之体故又能至血海而入于九地之下后至厥阴经也后人用赤泻白补者以
其色在西方故补色在南方故泄也难经云损其肝者缓其中即调血也本草云能利小便非能利之也以其肾主大小二便既用此
以益阴滋湿故小便得通也腹中虚痛脾经也非芍药不除盖补津液停湿之剂也〔修治〕锉片内热者生用中寒者酒炒用
五味子 气温味酸无毒味浓气轻阴中微阳入手太阴经血分足少阴经气分〔垣〕收肺气补气不足升也酸以
收逆气肺寒
气逆则宜此与干姜同治之又五味子收肺气乃火热必用之药故治嗽以之为君但有外邪者不可骤用恐闭其邪气必先发散而
后用之乃良有痰者以半夏为佐喘者以阿胶为佐但分两少不同耳〔海〕五味皮甘肉酸核中辛苦都有咸味故名五味子
仲景八
味丸用此为肾气丸述类象形也孙真人云五月常服五味子以补五脏气遇溽暑之时困乏无力无气以动与人参黄 麦门冬少
加黄柏煎汤服使人精神顿加两足筋力涌出又云六月常服五味子以益肺金之气在上则滋源在下则补肾故入手太阴足少阴
也生敲碎用
麦门冬 气寒味甘微苦阳中微阴降也无毒入手太阴经气分〔垣〕治肺中伏火脉气欲绝加五味子人参三味
为生脉之剂
补肺中元气不足按凉而能补补而不泥无逾于麦门冬者伤寒劳复与夫温热病及杂病阴不济阳而烦热燥渴者用之以生津液
濡枯而退热最有奇功又与地黄阿胶麻仁同为润经益血复脉通心之剂与五味子枸杞子同为生脉之剂去心不宜用汤浸
天门冬 气寒味微苦气薄味浓阴也阳中之阴无毒入手太阴足少阴经气分之药〔垣〕保肺气治血热侵肺上
喘气促加人
参黄 为主用之神效苦以泄滞血甘以助元气及治血妄行此天门冬之功也荣卫枯涸湿剂所以润之二门冬人参北五味子枸
杞子同为生脉之剂此上焦独取寸口之意去心铡细用
枳实 气微寒味苦辛无毒〔洁〕气浓味薄浮而升微降阴中阳也〔垣〕沉也阴也除寒热破结实消痰
癖治心
下痞逆气胁痛〔海〕枳壳主高枳实主下高者主气下者主血故壳主胸膈皮毛之病实主心腹脾胃之病大同小异朱肱活
人
书言治痞宜先用桔梗枳
壳汤非用此治心下痞也果知误下气将陷而成痞故先用此使不致于痞也若已成痞而用此则失之晚矣不惟不能消痞反损胸
中之气先之一字有谓也〔珍〕枳实枳壳气味功用俱同上世亦无分别魏晋以来始分实壳之用洁古东垣又分治高治下
之
说大
抵其功皆能利气气下则痰喘止气行则痞胀消气通则刺痛止气利则后重除故以枳实利胸膈枳壳利肠胃然仲景治胸痹痞满
以枳实为要药诸方治下血痔利大便闭塞里急后重又以枳壳为通用则枳实不独治下而壳不独治高也盖自飞门至魄门皆肺
主之三焦相通一气而已则二物分之可也不分亦无伤麸炒去瓤捣罗过用
旋复花 气温味咸甘有小毒主结气胁下满除水去五脏间寒热消胸上痰结唾如胶漆消坚软痞治噫气通血脉
〔颂〕仲景
治伤寒汗下后心下痞坚噫气不除有七物旋复代赭汤杂治妇人有三物旋复汤胡洽居士治痰饮在两胁胀满有旋复花丸用之
尤多〔成〕硬则气坚旋复之咸以软痞坚也
贝母 气平味辛苦无毒主伤寒烦热淋沥邪气风痉疗腹中结实心下满洗洗恶风寒目眩项直咳嗽上气止烦渴安五
脏利
骨髓〔海〕贝母乃肺经气分药也仲景治寒实结胸外无热证者三物小陷胸汤主之白散亦可以其内有贝母也成无己云
辛散而
苦泄桔梗贝母之苦辛用以下气内口鼻中有一颗米许大心宜去之捣细用
乌梅 气温平味酸涩无毒〔海〕乌梅脾肺二经血分药也能收肺气治燥嗽肺欲收急食酸以收之〔珍〕
乌梅白梅所主
诸病
皆取其酸收之义惟仲景治蛔厥乌梅丸及虫 中用者取虫得酸即止之义稍有不同耳梅花开于冬而实熟于下得木之全气故
其味最酸所谓曲直作酸也肝为乙木胆为甲木人之舌下有四窍两窍通胆液故食梅则津生者类相感应也故素问云味过于酸
肝气以津又云酸走筋筋病无多食酸不然物之味酸者多矣何独梅能生津耶〔修治〕去核微炒用忌猪肉
赤小豆 气平味甘酸辛阴中之阳无毒〔陶〕小豆逐津液利小便久服令人肌肤枯燥〔海〕治水者
惟知治水
而不知补胃则
失之壅滞赤小豆消水通气而健脾胃乃其药也〔珍〕赤小豆小而色赤心之谷也其性下行通乎小肠能入阴分治有形之
病故行
津液利小便消胀除肿止吐而治下利肠 解酒病除寒热痈肿排脓散血而通乳汁下胞衣产难皆病之有形者久服则降令太过
津血渗泄所以令人则体瘦而已
苦酒（醋） 气温味酸无毒张仲景治黄汗有黄 芍药桂枝苦酒汤治黄胆有麻黄醇酒汤用苦酒清酒方见金匮要略
盖取其
酸收之义而又有散瘀解毒之功
（气机轻薄者，属于阳中的阴气；气机轻薄则易于发散，对应辛、甘、淡味，性属平、寒、凉。）
茯苓：气味平和，味甘，无毒。〔李杲〕认为其性温，味甘而淡，气味俱薄，具有上浮上升的特性，能助阳气。〔张元素〕主要功效为止渴、利小便、除湿、益燥、调和脾胃、益气。以通利腰脐间的血液为主治作用。对于小便不通、尿色黄或赤且排尿不畅者有效；但如果小便本身通畅或频繁，服用此药则会严重损伤人体双目。如果出汗多的人服用，会损耗真气，折损寿命。医家说“赤泻白补”，上古时期并无这种说法。淡味能通利孔窍，甘味能助长阳气，是除湿的圣药。味甘平，能补阳、益脾、驱逐水湿淫邪、治疗小便不利。淡味具有渗泄作用，属于阳。用于治疗水肿、舒缓脾气、生津液、引导气机运行。〔王好古〕认为入足少阴经和手足太阳经。色白的入辛金、癸水；色赤的入丙火、丁火。能伐除肾邪，小便过多能使其停止，小便涩滞能使其通利。与车前子相似，虽然能利小便但不耗散气机。用酒浸泡后与光明朱砂同用，能固摄真元。味甘平。如何制作以利小便？需去皮捣碎，过细纱罗使用。
泽泻：气味平和，味甘，无毒。〔李杲〕认为其性质沉降，属阴。〔张元素〕认为其味甘咸，性寒，沉降，属阴中微阳。入足太阳经和足少阴经。是除湿的圣药。主治小便淋沥不尽，去除阴间汗出。若无此疾而服用，会导致失明。〔寇宗奭〕认为泽泻的功效特长在于行水。张仲景治疗水蓄积导致的口渴、心烦、小便不利，或者呕吐、腹泻，用五苓散主治。方中使用泽泻，可知其特长在于行水。《本草》引用扁鹊的话说，多服会使患者眼睛昏花，这确实是利用药物性能来治水。凡是服用泽泻散的人，没有不大便次数增多的。小便既已增多，肾气怎么能恢复充实呢？现在人只用于止泄精，大多不敢使用它。张仲景在八味丸中使用它，也不过是作为引经药，引导桂枝、附子等药归于肾经，没有其他意思。〔王好古〕引用《本经》说久服明目，扁鹊说多服昏目，这是为什么？易老（李东垣）说，是因为它能去除脾中的宿垢，因其味咸能泻伏留之水，所以能明目。小便通利导致肾气虚，所以会昏目。〔王肯堂〕认为寇宗奭的说法，王好古是赞同的。但我私下认为，八味丸以地黄为君药，其余药物为辅佐，不仅仅是补血，兼有补气的作用。所谓阳气旺盛就能生阴血。地黄、山茱萸、茯苓、牡丹皮都是肾经的药物，附子、官桂是右肾命门的药物，都不需要等待泽泻的引导才能到达。那么八味丸使用泽泻，大概是取其泻除肾邪、滋养五脏、益气力、起阴气、补虚损、治疗五劳的功效罢了。虽然它能泻肾，但在众多补药的群体中，也就不能起到泻的作用了。〔李时珍〕认为泽泻气味平和，味甘而淡。淡能渗泄，气味俱薄，所以能利水并向下排泄。脾胃有湿热，就会头重、目昏、耳鸣。泽泻渗去湿气，热邪也随之而去，土气得以当令，清气上行，天气明爽，所以泽泻有滋养五脏、益气力、治疗头晕、使耳目聪明的功效。如果久服，则降泄太过，清气不升，真阴暗中消耗，怎么会不眼睛昏花呢？张仲景在地黄丸中使用茯苓、泽泻，是取其泻除膀胱邪气的作用，并非为了引接。古人使用补药必定兼用泻邪药，邪气去除则补药得力，一开一合，这才是奥妙所在。后世不知道这个道理，专门一味进补，所以久服必然导致偏胜的危害。捣碎，过纱罗使用。
猪苓：气味平和，味甘微苦，无毒。〔李杲〕气味俱薄，上升而微降，与茯苓相同。〔张元素〕淡甘平，沉降，属阳中之阴。〔王好古〕甘味重于苦味，属阳。入足太阳经和足少阴经。帮助燥湿，除湿比诸般淡渗药更燥，亡失津液，无湿证者勿服。〔苏颂〕张仲景治疗消渴，脉浮，小便不利，微热者，用猪苓散发其汗。病欲饮水而又呕吐，名为水逆。冬季寒冷咳嗽如疟状者，也用猪苓。这就是五苓散。猪苓、茯苓、白术各三两，泽泻五分，桂枝二分，细捣筛成粉末，水服一方寸匕，每日三次，多喝暖水，出汗即愈。利水道，各种汤剂没有比这更灵验的，现在人都使用它。〔张元素〕如果能泄滞气，甘味能助阳，淡味能利窍，所以能除湿利小便。去掉黑皮，白色的为佳，捣碎过罗使用。
通草：气味平和，味辛甘而淡，无毒。瓦斯平和，味薄，沉降，属阳中之阴。主治阴窍不利，行小水，除水肿闭阻，治疗五淋。生用。〔李杲〕泻肺，利小便。甘平以缓阴血。〔张元素〕《本草》十剂中，“通可去滞”，通草、防己之类是也。夫防己大苦寒，能泻血中湿热之滞，又通大便；通草甘淡，能助西方秋气下降，利小便，专泻气滞。肺受热邪，津液气化之源断绝，则寒水断流；膀胱受湿热，癃闭约缩，小便不通，宜用此治疗。其证见胸中烦热，口燥舌干，咽干大渴引饮，小便淋沥或闭塞不通，胫酸脚热，都宜用通草主治。凡气味与之相同的，如茯苓、泽泻、灯心草、猪苓、皂角、瞿麦、车前子之类，都可以渗湿利小便，泄其滞气。又说木通下利，泄小肠火，利小便，功效与琥珀相同，没有其他药可以比拟。去掉粗皮，锉细，用竹筛齐整使用。
滑石：气寒，味甘，无毒。〔李杲〕性质沉重，能泄上焦之气令其下行，所以说“滑则利窍”。治疗前阴窍涩不利。利窍不同于与其他淡渗药同类。〔王好古〕入足太阳经。滑能利窍，以通水道为至。是极燥之剂。猪苓汤用滑石、阿胶同为滑剂，以利水道。葱豉生姜同煎，去滓澄清，以解表利小便。淡味渗泄属阳，故能解表利小便。若小便自利者不宜用。〔李时珍〕滑石利窍，不仅限于小便。上能利毛腠之窍，下能利精溺之窍。盖因甘淡之味先入于胃，渗走经络，游溢津气，上输于肺，下通膀胱。肺主皮毛，为水之上源；膀胱司津液，气化则能出。所以滑石上能发表，下利水道，是荡涤热燥湿的药剂。发表是荡涤上中之热，利水道是荡涤中下之热。发表是燥上中之湿，利水道是燥中下之湿热。湿热散则三焦安宁而表里调和，湿去则阑门通而阴阳通利。刘河间使用益元散通治表里上下诸病，大概就是这个意思，只是未明确阐发出来。白色为佳，捣碎水飞使用。
芍药：气微寒，味酸而苦，气薄味浓，属阴，沉降，阴中之阳，有小毒。入手足太阴经。〔张元素〕补中焦的药物，得炙甘草为佐，治疗腹中痛。夏月腹痛，少加黄芩；如恶寒腹痛，加肉桂一钱，白芍药三钱，炙甘草一钱半，这是张仲景的神方。如冬月大寒腹痛，加桂二钱半，水二盏，煎至一半，去皮用。脾经的药物，收阴气，能除腹痛。酸以收敛，扶阴而收阴气，泄邪气，扶阳。与生姜同用，温经散湿，通塞，利腹中痛。胃气不通，肺燥气热，酸收甘缓，是下利的必用药物。白补赤散，泻肝补脾胃。酒浸行经，止中部腹痛。东垣说但涩者为上品。有人问古今方论中多以涩为收，今《本经》有利小便一句，是什么道理？回答说：芍药能停聚诸湿而益津液，使小便自行，本非通行之药，应当知晓。又问有“缓中”一句，什么是缓中？回答说：损其肝者缓其中。又问应当用什么药次治之？回答说：应当用四物汤，因为其内有芍药。赤者利小便下气，白者止痛散气血，入手足太阴经。大抵酸涩者为上品，为收敛停湿之剂，所以主手足太阴经收降之体，所以又能至血海而入于九地之下，后至厥阴经。后人用赤泻白补，是因为其色在西方故补，色在南方故泄。《难经》说损其肝者缓其中，即调血也。《本草》说能利小便，并非真的能利之，而是因为肾主大小二便，既然用此以益阴滋湿，故小便得通也。腹中虚痛，属脾经，非芍药不除，盖是补津液停湿之剂。〔修治〕锉片，内热者生用，中寒者酒炒用。
五味子：气温，味酸，无毒。味浓气轻，阴中微阳。入手太阴经血分，足少阴经气分。〔张元素〕收肺气，补气不足，升也。酸以收逆气。肺寒气逆则宜此，与干姜同治之。又五味子收肺气，乃火热必用之药，故治嗽以之为君。但有外邪者不可骤用，恐闭其邪气，必先发散而后用之，乃良。有痰者以半夏为佐，喘者以阿胶为佐，但分两稍不同耳。〔王好古〕五味皮甘，肉酸，核中辛苦，都有咸味，故名五味子。张仲景八味丸用此为肾气丸，述类象形也。孙真人云五月常服五味子以补五脏气，遇溽暑之时困乏无力、无气以动，与人参、黄芪、麦门冬、少加黄柏煎汤服，使人精神顿加，两足筋力涌出。又云六月常服五味子以益肺金之气，在上则滋源，在下则补肾，故入手太阴、足少阴也。生敲碎用。
麦门冬：气寒，味甘微苦，阳中微阴，沉降，无毒。入手太阴经气分。〔张元素〕治肺中伏火，脉气欲绝，加五味子、人参三味为生脉之剂，补肺中元气不足。按凉而能补，补而不腻，无过于麦门冬者。伤寒劳复与夫温热病及杂病阴不济阳而烦热燥渴者，用之以生津液，濡枯而退热，最有奇功。又与地黄、阿胶、麻仁同为润经益血、复脉通心之剂。与五味子、枸杞子同为生脉之剂。去心，不宜用。汤浸。
天门冬：气寒，味微苦，气薄味浓，阴也，阳中之阴，无毒。入手太阴、足少阴经气分之药。〔张元素〕保肺气，治血热侵肺上喘气促，加人参、黄芪为主用之神效。苦以泄滞血，甘以助元气，及治血妄行，此天门冬之功也。荣卫枯涸，湿剂所以润之。二门冬、人参、北五味子、枸杞子同为生脉之剂，此上焦独取寸口之意。去心，铡细用。
枳实：气微寒，味苦辛，无毒。〔李杲〕气浓味薄，浮而升微降，阴中阳也。〔张元素〕沉也，阴也。除寒热，破结实，消痰癖，治心下痞，逆气胁痛。〔王好古〕枳壳主高，枳实主下。高者主气，下者主血，故壳主胸膈皮毛之病，实主心腹脾胃之病，大同小异。朱肱《活人书》言治痞宜先用桔梗枳壳汤，非用此治心下痞也。果知误下气将陷而成痞，故先用此使不致于痞也。若已成痞而用此，则失之晚矣，不惟不能消痞，反损胸中之气。“先之一字”有谓也。〔李时珍〕枳实、枳壳气味功用俱同上，世亦无分别。魏晋以来始分实壳之用，洁古、东垣又分治高治下之说。大抵其功皆能利气，气下则痰喘止，气行则痞胀消，气通则刺痛止，气利则后重除。故以枳实利胸膈，枳壳利肠胃。然张仲景治胸痹痞满以枳实为要药，诸方治下血痔利、大便闭塞、里急后重又以枳壳为通用，则枳实不独治下而壳不独治高也。盖自飞门至魄门皆肺主之，三焦相通一气而已，则二物分之可也，不分亦无伤。麸炒去瓤，捣罗过用。
旋复花：气温，味咸甘，有小毒。主结气，胁下满，除水，去五脏间寒热，消胸上痰结，唾如胶漆，消坚软痞，治噫气，通血脉。〔苏颂〕张仲景治伤寒汗下后心下痞坚，噫气不除，有七物旋复代赭汤。杂治妇人有三物旋复汤。胡洽居士治痰饮在两胁胀满，有旋复花丸，用之尤多。〔成无己〕硬则气坚，旋复之咸以软痞坚也。
贝母：气平，味辛苦，无毒。主伤寒烦热，淋沥邪气，风痉，疗腹中结实，心下满，洗洗恶风寒，目眩项直，咳嗽上气，止烦渴，安五脏，利骨髓。〔王好古〕贝母乃肺经气分药也。张仲景治寒实结胸，外无热证者，三物小陷胸汤主之，白散亦可以其内有贝母也。成无己云辛散而苦泄。桔梗、贝母之苦辛用以下气。内口鼻中有一颗米许大心，宜去之，捣细用。
乌梅：气温平，味酸涩，无毒。〔王好古〕乌梅脾肺二经血分药也，能收肺气，治燥嗽。肺欲收，急食酸以收之。〔李时珍〕乌梅、白梅所主诸病，皆取其酸收之义。惟张仲景治蛔厥乌梅丸及虫 中用者，取虫得酸即止之义，稍有不同耳。梅花开于冬而实熟于下，得木之全气，故其味最酸，所谓曲直作酸也。肝为乙木，胆为甲木，人之舌下有四窍，两窍通胆液，故食梅则津生者，类相感应也。故《素问》云味过于酸，肝气以津；又云酸走筋，筋病无多食酸。不然物之味酸者多矣，何独梅能生津耶？〔修治〕去核，微炒用，忌猪肉。
赤小豆：气平，味甘酸辛，阴中之阳，无毒。〔陶弘景〕小豆逐津液，利小便，久服令人肌肤枯燥。〔王好古〕治水者惟知治水而不知补胃，则失之壅滞。赤小豆消水通气而健脾胃，乃其药也。〔李时珍〕赤小豆小而色赤，心之谷也。其性下行，通乎小肠，能入阴分，治有形之病，故行津液，利小便，消胀，除肿，止吐，而治下利肠 ，解酒病，除寒热，痈肿，排脓，散血，而通乳汁，下胞衣，产难，皆病之有形者。久服则降令太过，津血渗泄，所以令人则体瘦而已。
苦酒（醋）：气温，味酸，无毒。张仲景治黄汗有黄耆芍药桂枝苦酒汤，治黄疸有麻黄醇酒汤用苦酒清酒。方见《金匮要略》。盖取其酸收之义，而又有散瘀解毒之功。
(Those with thin qi belong to yin within yang; when qi is thin, it tends to dissipate, corresponding to pungent, sweet, and bland flavors, with neutral, cold, or cool properties.)
Poria (Fuling): The qi is neutral, the flavor is sweet, non-toxic. [Li Gao] states its nature is warm, flavor sweet and bland, with thin qi and flavor, possessing a floating and ascending quality that aids yang qi. [Zhang Yuansu] primarily indicates its effects of quenching thirst, promoting urination, removing dampness, benefiting dryness, harmonizing the middle jiao, and tonifying qi. Its main therapeutic action is to promote blood circulation in the waist and umbilical region. It is effective for urinary obstruction, yellow or red urine, and difficult urination; however, if urination is already clear or frequent, taking this herb will severely damage the eyes. If taken by those with excessive sweating, it depletes true qi and shortens lifespan. Physicians say "red purges, white tonifies," but this distinction did not exist in ancient times. Bland flavors can open orifices, sweet flavors can assist yang, making it a holy medicine for removing dampness. Sweet and neutral, it tonifies yang, benefits the spleen, expels water-dampness excess, treats oliguria. Bland flavors have seeping and draining properties, belonging to yang. It is used to treat edema, soothe the spleen, generate fluids, and guide qi movement. [Wang Haogu] states it enters the Foot Shaoyin and Hand-Foot Taiyang meridians. White-colored ones enter Metal (Xin) and Water (Gui); red-colored ones enter Fire (Bing/Ding). It can subdue kidney pathogenic factors, stop polyuria, and relieve dysuria. Similar to Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi), although it promotes urination, it does not disperse qi. When soaked in wine and used together with Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), it can consolidate true yuan. Sweet and neutral. How to prepare it to promote urination? Peel, crush, and pass through fine silk gauze.
Alisma Rhizome (Zexie): The qi is neutral, the flavor is sweet, non-toxic. [Li Gao] states its nature is sinking and descending, belonging to yin. [Zhang Yuansu] states its flavor is sweet and salty, nature cold, sinking and descending, belonging to slight yang within yin. It enters the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin meridians. It is a holy medicine for removing dampness. It treats dribbling urination and removes sweat from the yin region. Taking it without such ailments causes blindness. [Kou Zongshi] states that Alisma's strength lies in moving water. Zhang Zhongjing treated water retention causing thirst, vexation, oliguria, vomiting, or diarrhea using Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). The prescription uses Alisma, indicating its strength in moving water. *Bencao* cites Bian Que saying long-term use causes eye dimming, truly utilizing the drug's property to manage water. Anyone taking Zexie San invariably experiences increased urination. If urination increases, how can kidney qi recover? Nowadays, people only use it to stop seminal emission and dare not use it otherwise. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Shengsan Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) merely as a guiding agent to direct Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) and Aconite Root (Fuzi) to the kidney meridian, with no other intent. [Wang Haogu] cites *Shennong Bencao Jing* saying long-term use brightens the eyes, while Bian Que says long-term use dims them. Why? Yilao (Li Dongyuan) explains it removes old turbidity from the spleen because its salty flavor purges hidden water, thus brightening the eyes. Frequent urination leads to kidney qi deficiency, causing dim vision. [Wang Kentang] notes Kou Zongshi's view was endorsed by Wang Haogu. However, I privately believe that in Shengsan Wan, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Dihuang) is the sovereign drug, assisted by others, not just for blood tonification but also qi. Where yang flourishes, yin-blood is generated. Rehmannia, Cornus Fructus (Shanzhuyu), Poria, and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) are all kidney meridian drugs; Aconite Root (Fuzi) and Cinnamon Bark (Guizhi) are right-kidney Mingmen drugs, reaching their destination without needing Alisma's guidance. Thus, Alisma in Shengsan Wan is likely used to purge kidney pathogens, nourish the five zang organs, boost qi, raise yin, tonify deficiencies, and treat five emaciations. Although it purges the kidney, amidst a group of tonifying herbs, its purging effect is negligible. [Li Shizhen] states Alisma has neutral qi and sweet-bland flavor. Blandness allows seepage and drainage; thin qi and flavor allow it to promote urination and drain downward. Spleen-stomach damp-heat causes heavy head, dim vision, tinnitus. Alisma drains dampness, heat follows, earth qi becomes dominant, clear qi ascends, heaven becomes bright, hence Alisma nourishes five zang organs, boosts qi, treats vertigo, and improves hearing and vision. Long-term use causes excessive draining, clear qi fails to ascend, true yin is consumed, leading to dim vision. Zhang Zhongjing used Poria and Alisma in Dihuang Wan to drain bladder pathogens, not for guidance. Ancients used purging herbs with tonics so that once pathogens were removed, tonics would be effective—opening and closing, this is the subtlety. Later generations ignored this, focusing solely on tonification, leading to imbalance from long-term use. Crush and pass through silk gauze.
Polyporus (Zhuling): The qi is neutral, flavor sweet and slightly bitter, non-toxic. [Li Gao] qi and flavor are thin, ascending and slightly descending, similar to Poria. [Zhang Yuansu] bland, sweet, neutral, descending, yang within yin. [Wang Haogu] sweet flavor outweighs bitter, belongs to yang. Enters Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin meridians. Assists dryness and removes dampness; compared to other bland-draining herbs, it is more drying and damages body fluids; do not use if there is no dampness. [Su Song] Zhang Zhongjing treated xiaoke (wasting-thirst) with floating pulse, oliguria, slight fever using Polyporus to induce sweating. Patient desires water but vomits immediately, named Shuinì (Water Revulsion). Winter cold cough resembling malaria also uses Polyporus. This is Wuling San. Polyporus, Poria, Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) each 3 liang, Alisma 5 fen, Cinnamon Twig 2 fen, finely ground and sifted. Take one cunbi with water, three times daily, drink warm water abundantly until sweating occurs, then cured. For promoting water pathways, no decoction is more effective; nowadays everyone uses it. [Zhang Yuansu] If it can drain stagnation, sweet assists yang, bland opens orifices, thus removing dampness and promoting urination. Remove black skin, white interior is best. Crush and sieve.
Tetrapanax Pith (Tongcao): The qi is neutral, flavor pungent, sweet, and bland, non-toxic. Qi is neutral, flavor thin, descending, yang within yin. Treats genital orifice obstruction, promotes urination, reduces edema, treats five stranguries. Use raw. [Li Gao] Drains lung, promotes urination. Sweet and neutral to slow yin-blood. [Zhang Yuansu] In *Bencao* Ten Categories, "Tong removes stagnation," Tetrapanax Pith and Stephania Tetrandra Rhizome (Fangji) are examples. Fangji is greatly bitter and cold, draining damp-heat stagnation in blood and unblocking bowels; Tetrapanax Pith is sweet and bland, assisting Western Autumn qi to descend, promoting urination, specifically draining qi stagnation. Lung heated by pathogenic factors cuts off the source of fluid transformation, stopping water flow; Bladder affected by damp-heat causes retention and constriction, oliguria, should use this. Symptoms include chest vexation and heat, dry mouth and tongue, dry throat, intense thirst, dribbling or obstructed urination, sore calves, hot feet—all suitable for Tetrapanax Pith. Herbs with similar properties like Poria, Alisma, Juncus Effusus Pith (Dengcao), Polyporus, Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zaocys), Lygodium Spore (Qumai), Plantaginis Semen can all drain dampness, promote urination, and release qi stagnation. Also, Akebia Caulis (Mutong) drains lower, clears small intestine fire, promotes urination, functioning like Amber (Hupo), unmatched by other herbs. Remove coarse bark, chop fine, sieve.
Talcum (Huashi): Cold qi, sweet flavor, non-toxic. [Li Gao] Heavy nature, drains upper qi to make it descend, hence "slippery opens orifices." Treats anterior orifice obstruction and difficulty. Opening orifices differs from other bland-draining herbs. [Wang Haogu] Enters Foot Taiyang meridian. Slippery nature opens orifices, passing water pathways effectively. It is a highly drying agent. Zhuling Tang uses Talcum and Ophiopogon Tuber (Ejiao) as slippery agents to drain water pathways. Decoct with Scallion Stem (Congbai) and Perilla Leaf (Chiyehushang), strain and clarify to resolve exterior and promote urination. Bland-draining belongs to yang, thus resolving exterior and promoting urination. Not suitable if urination is already free. [Li Shizhen] Talcum opens orifices, not limited to urination. Upper orifices include hair follicles; lower orifices include semen and urine. Sweet-bland flavors enter stomach first, permeate collaterals, circulate fluids and qi, ascend to Lung, descend to Bladder. Lung governs skin/hair, source of water; Bladder manages fluids, transforms qi to excrete. Thus Talcum resolves exterior upper/middle heat via sweating, drains middle/lower heat/dampness via urination. Heat-dampness dispersal harmonizes Sanjiao and interior/exterior. Liu Hejian's Yiyuan San treats various interior/exterior diseases based on this principle, though unstated. White color is best. Crush and levigate with water.
Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao): Slightly cold qi, sour and bitter flavor, thin qi, strong flavor, yin, descending, slight yang within yin, slightly toxic. Enters Hand-Foot Taiyin meridians. [Zhang Yuansu] Tonifies middle jiao; combined with roasted Licorice Root (Gancao) treats abdominal pain. Summer abdominal pain: add slight Atractylodes Chinensis Rhizome (Huangqi - *Note: Context implies Huangqin/Coptis usually, but text says Huangqi, sticking to text translation or noting potential error. Text says Huangqin usually for summer heat, but here says Huangqi. I will translate as written but note standard practice might differ. Actually text says "Huangqin" in some versions, here "Huangqi". I will translate literally.* Wait, looking at context "Summer month abdominal pain", usually Huangqin. Text says "Huangqi". I will translate as Huangqi but keep in mind potential typo in source or specific usage. Let's stick to literal: Huangqi). If aversion to cold and abdominal pain, add 1 qian Cinnamon Twig (Rougui), 3 qian White Paeonia Root (Baishaoyao), 1.5 qian roasted Licorice. This is Zhang Zhongjing's divine formula. Winter severe cold abdominal pain: add 2.5 qian Cinnamon. Decoct 2 cups water to half, remove peel. Spleen meridian herb, collects yin qi, relieves abdominal pain. Sour astringes, supports yin, drains pathogenic factors, supports yang. Combined with Ginger, warms meridians, scatters dampness, unblocks obstructions, relieves abdominal pain. Stomach qi obstruction, Lung dryness/heat: sour astringency and sweet slackness are essential for diarrhea. White tonifies, Red disperses, purges Liver, tonifies Spleen/Stomach. Wine-soaked moves channels, stops mid-abdominal pain. Dongyuan says astringent ones are superior. Question: Ancient texts often equate astringency with gathering, why does *Bencao* mention promoting urination? Answer: Shaoyao retains dampness and benefits fluids, allowing urination to proceed naturally; it is not a draining herb. Question: What is "soothing the middle"? Answer: "Soothe the center where the Liver is damaged." Question: What herb treats it next? Answer: Siwu Tang, because it contains Shaoyao. Red promotes urination and descends qi; White stops pain and disperses qi/blood, entering Hand-Foot Taiyin. Generally, sour-astringent ones are superior, acting as gathering/damp-retaining agents, governing Hand-Foot Taiyin's descending nature, reaching Blood Sea, entering Nine Earth depths, finally reaching Jueyin. Later generations used Red to purge and White to tonify because Red corresponds to South (Fire/Purge) and White to West (Metal/Tonify)? *Correction*: Text says "Color in West tonifies, Color in South purges". *Nan Jing* says "Soothe center where Liver is damaged" means regulating blood. *Bencao* says promotes urination not by directly draining, but by benefiting yin/fluids, allowing Kidney (which governs urination/stool) to function. Abdominal deficiency pain belongs to Spleen, cannot be cured without Shaoyao, as it replenishes fluids and retains dampness. [Processing] Slice. Raw for internal heat; wine-fried for internal cold.
Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi): Warm qi, sour flavor, non-toxic. Strong flavor, light qi, slight yang within yin. Enters Hand Taiyin blood aspect, Foot Shaoyin qi aspect. [Zhang Yuansu] Collects Lung qi, tonifies insufficiency, ascending. Sour gathers counterflow qi. Cold-Lung with counterflow qi suits this, combined with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang). Schisandra gathers Lung qi, essential for fire-heat, so it is sovereign for cough. Do not use abruptly if external pathogens exist, lest they be trapped; disperse first, then use. With phlegm, add Pinellia Tuber (Banxia); with wheezing, add Ophiopogon Tuber (Ejiao), adjusting dosages. [Wang Haogu] Schisandra fruit skin is sweet, flesh sour, core pungent/bitter/salty, hence "Five Flavors." Zhang Zhongjing used it in Shengsan Wan (Kidney Qi Pill), illustrating form and image. Sun Simiao said take Schisandra in May to tonify five zang qi; during humid heat, fatigue, lack of energy, combine with Ginseng Root (Renshen), Astragalus Membranaceus Root (Huangqi), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), slight Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), decoct to restore spirit and leg strength. June: tonify Lung Metal qi, nourishes source above, tonifies Kidney below, entering Hand Taiyin/Foot Shaoyin. Crush raw.
Ophiopogonis Tuber (Maidong): Cold qi, sweet and slightly bitter flavor, slight yin within yang, descending, non-toxic. Enters Hand Taiyin qi aspect. [Zhang Yuansu] Treats latent fire in Lung, impending pulse collapse. Combine with Schisandra and Ginseng to form Shengmai San, tonifying deficient Lung qi. Cooling yet tonifying, non-cloying, nothing surpasses Maidong. For post-febrile recurrence, warm-heat diseases, or miscellaneous diseases where yin fails to control yang causing vexation, heat, dryness, thirst: use to generate fluids, moisten dryness, reduce heat, with remarkable efficacy. Combined with Rehmannia, Ophiopogon, Sesame Seed (Huren) to moisten channels, benefit blood, restore pulse, open heart. Combined with Schisandra and Lycium Fruit (Gouqi) to form Shengmai San. Remove heart, do not use. Soak in water.
Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong): Cold qi, slightly bitter flavor, thin qi, strong flavor, yin, slight yin within yang, non-toxic. Enters Hand Taiyin and Foot Shaoyin qi aspects. [Zhang Yuansu] Protects Lung qi, treats blood-heat invading Lung causing asthma and rapid breathing. Add Ginseng and Astragalus as sovereign for miraculous effect. Bitter drains stagnant blood, sweet assists primal qi, treats reckless bleeding—these are Tianmendong's functions. Ying-Wei depletion requires moistening agents. Tianmendong, Maidong, Ginseng, Schisandra, Lycium form Shengmai San, reflecting the Upper Jiao's focus on Cun Kou pulse. Remove heart, chop fine.
Immature Grapefruit Fruit (Zhishi): Slightly cold qi, pungent and bitter flavor, non-toxic. [Li Gao] Strong qi, thin flavor, floating and ascending with slight descending, yang within yin. [Zhang Yuansu] Sinking, yin. Removes chills/fever, breaks accumulations, eliminates phlegm-pi, treats epigastric fullness, counterflow qi, hypochondriac pain. [Wang Haogu] Zhiqiao treats high locations, Zhishi treats low. High relates to qi, low to blood. Zhiqiao treats chest/diaphragm/skin/hair diseases; Zhishi treats heart/abdomen/spleen/stomach diseases. Similarities and differences. Zhu Gong's *Huoren Shu* suggests using Jiegeng-Zhiqiao Tang first for pi (fullness), not this herb for epigastric pi. If mistaken purgation causes qi sinking into pi, use this first to prevent pi formation. If pi is already formed, using it is too late, damaging chest qi. The word "first" is significant. [Li Shizhen] Zhishi and Zhiqiao have same properties/functions, distinguished later. Wei-Jin period separated them; Ji Gu and Dongyuan differentiated high/low treatments. Generally, both move qi: qi descends, phlegm-wheezing stops; qi moves, fullness resolves; qi flows, stabbing pain stops; qi benefits, tenesmus removes. Thus Zhishi benefits chest/diaphragm, Zhiqiao benefits intestines/stomach. However, Zhang Zhongjing used Zhishi for chest bi/pi-fullness, while other formulas used Zhiqiao for bloody stool/hemorrhoids/constipation/tenesmus. Thus Zhishi is not exclusively for low, nor Zhiqiao exclusively for high. From Feimen to Po men, all governed by Lung, Sanjiao connected by one qi. Separating them is acceptable, not separating is also harmless. Bran-fry, remove pith, crush and sieve.
Inula Flower (Xuanfuhua): Warm qi, salty-sweet flavor, slightly toxic. Treats knotted qi, hypochondriac fullness, removes water, eliminates cold-heat between viscera, resolves upper chest phlegm knots, sticky saliva, softens hard masses, treats belching, unblocks vessels. [Su Song] Zhang Zhongjing treated post-sweat/purgation epigastric hardness and persistent belching with Qiwu Xuanfu Daizhe Tang. Miscellaneous women's diseases use Sanwu Xuanfu Tang. Hu Qia Jushi treated phlegm-fluid in hypochondrium with Xuanfuhua Wan, frequently used. [Cheng Wuji] Hardness implies firm qi; Xuanfuhua's saltiness softens hard masses.
Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu): Neutral qi, pungent-bitter flavor, non-toxic. Treats shanghan vexation/heat, dribbling pathogens, wind-spasm, abdominal solidity, epigastric fullness, chills/cold sensitivity, dizziness, stiff neck, cough with upward qi, stops thirst/vexation, calms five zang, benefits marrow. [Wang Haogu] Beimu is Lung qi aspect herb. Zhang Zhongjing treated cold-solid chest knot (no external heat) with Sanwu Xiaoxianxiong Tang or Baisan containing Beimu. Cheng Wuji said pungent disperses, bitter drains. Jiegeng and Beimu's pungent-bitter nature descends qi. Remove the rice-grain-sized heart inside, crush fine.
Mume Fructus (Wumei): Warm-neutral qi, sour-astringent flavor, non-toxic. [Wang Haogu] Wumei is Spleen/Lung blood aspect herb, gathers Lung qi, treats dry cough. Lung desires gathering, urgently eat sour to gather. [Li Shizhen] Wumei and Baimei treat diseases based on sour astringency. Only Zhang Zhongjing's Wumei Wan for蛔厥 (ascaris convulsion) and parasite treatments use the meaning "parasites stop when encountering sour." Plum blooms in winter, fruits in spring/summer, receiving complete Wood qi, hence most sour ("curved and straight makes sour"). Liver is Yi Wood, Gallbladder is Jia Wood. Four orifices under tongue connect to Gallbladder juice; eating plum generates saliva due to resonance. *Suwen* says "Excessive sour causes Liver qi to overflow"; "Sour enters sinews, avoid excessive sour for sinew diseases." Many sour fruits exist, why only plum generate saliva? [Processing] Remove pit, slight roast, avoid pork.
Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou): Neutral qi, sweet-sour-pungent flavor, slight yang within yin, non-toxic. [Tao Hongjing] Adzuki bean drives fluids, promotes urination; long-term use causes dry skin. [Wang Haogu] Water-drainers know only to drain water without tonifying Stomach, leading to stagnation. Adzuki bean drains water, moves qi, strengthens Spleen/Stomach. [Li Shizhen] Small and red, grain of Heart. Nature descends, connects to Small Intestine, enters Yin aspect, treats tangible diseases. Thus moves fluids, promotes urination, reduces distension, removes swelling, stops vomiting, treats dysentery/intestinal abscess, resolves alcohol intoxication, removes cold-heat, carbuncles/swelling, discharges pus, disperses blood, promotes lactation, delivers placenta, treats difficult labor—all tangible diseases. Long-term use causes excessive draining, fluid/blood leakage, leading to emaciation.
Ku Jiu (Vinegar): Warm qi, sour flavor, non-toxic. Zhang Zhongjing treated Huanghan (yellow sweat) with Huangqi Shaoyao Guizhi Kujiu Tang; treated Huangdan (jaundice) with Mahuang Chunjiu Tang using Ku Jiu/Qingjiu. Formulas in *Jingui Yaolue*. Likely taken for sour astringency and blood-stasis-resolving/antidotal properties.