味甘苦,性微寒无毒,入大肠脾胃肺四经。引葱白散手阳明之风邪,引石膏止阳明之齿
痛,引诸药游行四经,升阳气于至阴之下,故名升麻。又主解百毒,杀精物,辟瘟疫,除蛊
毒,止泻痢。白芷为使,形轻而坚实青绿色者佳。
按∶升麻提气解肌,故入此四经。然奉令之使,不能益人,若下元不足者用此升之,则
下虚而元气益亏矣。药性乃曰∶元气不足者,用此于阴中升阳,恐非惟阳气有余而下陷者宜
之。若初病太阳证,便服升麻以发阳汗,是引贼入门,亦非所宜也。
雷公云∶采得后,用刀刮去粗皮一重,用黄精自然汁浸一宿,漉出,曝干细锉,蒸了曝
干后用之佳。
味苦辛,性微温无毒,入小肠膀胱二经。主寒气客于巨阳之经,若头痛流于颠顶之上
,又主妇人疝瘕,阴中寒肿痛,腹中急疼,恶 茹,畏青葙子。
按∶ 本上行治风,故理太阳头痛,下行治湿,故妇人诸证,风湿俱治,功用虽匹,尤
长于风耳。
味辛,温无毒,入心肝胆脾四经。止少阴合病之茴痛,散三阳数变之风邪,主肢节拘挛,
风寒湿痹,温中气,散死肌,破结气,消痰嗽,止目泪,疗牙疼,治口臭,利水道,除喉痹,
通血闭。独活、曾青、枣根为使,恶野狼毒、山茱萸、黄 ,畏硝石、滑石,反藜芦,忌生菜、
狸肉,华阴者良。
按∶细辛辛温,宜入心肝等经,以疗在里之风邪,其气升阳,故上部多功。然诸证犯寒
者可用,若因火热属阳证者忌之,单服末不可过半钱,多则气塞不通者死。
雷公云∶凡使一叶,拣双叶,服之害人,须去头上,田瓜水浸一宿,至明漉出,晒干用。
【升麻】
味甘、苦,性微寒,无毒,归大肠经、脾经、胃经、肺经四经。能引导葱白疏散手阳明大肠经的风邪,引导石膏治疗阳明经的齿痛,引导诸药在四经中运行,将阳气从至阴之下提升上来,因此得名“升麻”。又主治解除各种毒物中毒,杀灭精怪之物,辟除瘟疫,去除蛊毒,止住腹泻和痢疾。以白芷为引药,外形轻而质地坚实、呈青绿色的品质较好。
按语:升麻具有提举气机、解肌发表的作用,所以进入这四条经络。然而,作为奉命引导的药物,它本身不能补益人体,如果下元(肾与命门)不足的人使用此药来提升阳气,会导致下虚而元气更加亏损。药性理论认为:元气不足的人,用此药在阴分中升发阳气,恐怕不仅适用于阳气有余且下陷的情况。如果在初患太阳病(太阳经受邪所致的病证)时,就服用升麻来发汗解表,这如同引贼入室,也是不适宜的。
雷公记载:采收后,用刀刮去一层粗皮,用黄精的自然汁液浸泡一夜,捞出,晒干并细切,蒸后再晒干使用为佳。
【藁本】
味苦、辛,性微温,无毒,归小肠经、膀胱经二经。主治寒气客居于巨阳经(足太阳膀胱经),如头痛连及颠顶;又主治妇女疝瘕(腹内结块,推之不移,痛有定处者为癥,聚散无常,痛无定处者为疝),阴部寒冷肿痛,腹部拘急剧痛,厌恶茹草(此处指饮食不适或特定食物禁忌,原文可能有脱字或通假,依文意译为厌恶茹草/或指恶食),畏惧青葙子。
按语:藁本上行治疗风邪,所以能调理太阳经头痛;下行治疗湿邪,所以能治疗妇女的各种病症,风湿两经皆治,功效虽然相当,但尤其擅长治疗风邪。
【细辛】
味辛,性温,无毒,归心经、肝经、胆经、脾经四经。止住少阴经合病的剧烈疼痛(原文“茴痛”疑为“痠痛”或“剧痛”之误,依语境译为剧烈疼痛),疏散三阳经多变的风邪,主治肢体关节拘挛,风寒湿痹阻,温煦中焦气机,消散死肌(坏死的肌肉组织或僵硬的肌肤),破除郁结之气,消除痰嗽,止住眼泪,治疗牙疼,治疗口臭,通利水道,去除喉痹(咽喉肿痛闭塞不通),通开血闭。以独活、曾青、枣根为引药,厌恶野狼毒、山茱萸、黄芩(原文“黄 ”缺字,结合中药配伍禁忌常指黄芩或大黄,此处依常见配伍推测为黄芩,但严格依原文仅提取可见部分,若无法确定则留空或根据上下文“恶”字推断,此处暂按常见补全为黄芩,若严格按原文则只写“黄”),畏惧硝石、滑石,反藜芦,忌食生菜、狸肉,产于华阴地区的品质优良。
按语:细辛辛温,适宜进入心、肝等经络,以治疗体内的风邪,其气升发,所以上部功效较多。然而,凡是寒邪引起的病症可以使用,如果是因火热导致的阳证则应禁忌,单服细辛粉末不可超过半钱,多了会导致气机堵塞不通而死亡。
[Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)]
The flavor is sweet and bitter, the nature is slightly cold, non-toxic. It enters the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, and Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin. It guides Congbai (Scallion White) to disperse Wind pathogenic factors in the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; it guides Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) to treat Toothache caused by Yangming Meridian involvement; it guides other herbs to circulate within these four meridians, raising Yang Qi from below the extreme Yin, hence named "Shengma" (Ascending Hemp). It also treats detoxification against various poisons, kills spirit creatures, wards off epidemics, removes Gu poison, and stops diarrhea and dysentery. Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) serves as a guiding herb; those that are light in shape, firm in texture, and greenish-blue in color are superior.
Commentary: Shengma lifts Qi and releases the muscle layer, thus entering these four meridians. However, as a guiding agent, it cannot tonify the human body. If used to raise Qi in patients with deficiency of the Lower Yuan (Kidney and Mingmen), it will lead to lower deficiency and further depletion of Yuan Qi. The theory of drug properties states: For those with insufficient Yuan Qi, using this herb to raise Yang within Yin may not be suitable only for cases where Yang Qi is excessive and sinking. If Shengma is taken early in Taiyang Disease (disease syndrome resulting from pathogenic invasion of the Taiyang channel) to induce sweating and release Yang, it is like inviting a thief into the house, which is also inappropriate.
Leigong records: After harvesting, scrape off one layer of coarse skin with a knife, soak overnight in the natural juice of Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma), drain, dry in the sun, finely cut, steam, and then dry again before use.
[Gaoben (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong)]
The flavor is bitter and pungent, the nature is slightly warm, non-toxic. It enters the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang and Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang. It primarily treats Cold pathogenic factors lodging in the Ju Yang Meridian (Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian), such as headache extending to the vertex; it also treats women's Shan Jia (abdominal masses), cold swelling and pain in the genital region, acute abdominal pain, aversion to Ru Cao (herbaceous plants/dietary restrictions), and fear of Qingxiangzi (Seeds of Celosia).
Commentary: Gaoben ascends to treat Wind, thus regulating Taiyang headache; it descends to treat Dampness, thus treating various gynecological conditions. It treats both Wind and Dampness. Although its functions are comparable, it excels particularly in treating Wind.
[Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma)]
The flavor is pungent, the nature is warm, non-toxic. It enters the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin, Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, and Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. It stops severe pain in Shaoyin combined syndromes, disperses Wind pathogenic factors that frequently change in the Three Yang meridians, treats limb and joint spasms and contractures, Bi syndrome caused by Wind-Cold-Dampness, warms Middle Jiao Qi, dissipates dead flesh, breaks Qi stagnation, eliminates phlegm and cough, stops tearing, treats toothache, treats halitosis, promotes urination, removes Hou Bi (sore throat with obstruction), and opens Blood stasis. Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Zengqing (Azurite), and Zaogen (Root of Ziziphus Jujuba) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Yelangdu (Stemona Root), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), and Huang [missing character, likely Huangqin or Dahuang]; it fears Xiaoshi (Niter) and Huashi (Talcum); it is inversely compatible with Lilu (Veratrum Nigrum Rhizoma); dietary taboos include raw vegetables and狸肉 (fox meat). Those produced in Huayin are of good quality.
Commentary: Xixin is pungent and warm, suitable for entering the Heart and Liver meridians to treat internal Wind pathogenic factors. Its Qi is ascending, so it has more efficacy in the upper body. However, it can be used for conditions caused by Cold; it is contraindicated for Yang syndromes caused by Fire-Heat. When taken alone as powder, the dose must not exceed half qian; excessive amounts can cause Qi blockage leading to death.
Leigong records: When using Xixin, select double-leaf specimens; single-leaf ones are harmful if taken. Remove the head, soak overnight in water from field melons, drain the next morning, and dry in the sun before use.