柏子仁 〔甘平，入心、肝、肾三经。蒸晒或炒研。〕安神定悸，〔心藏神，肾藏志，入心养神，
入肾定志，则神安而惊悸自除。〕壮水强阳。〔肾藏精，肾恶燥，润肾补肾。则精足而阳强。〕益血而
容颜美少，补虚而耳目聪明。〔悦颜聪明，皆心血与肾水互相灌溉耳。又心主五色，耳为肾窍，目为肝
窍，三脏得补之功也。〕养心气，润肝肾，芳香能益脾胃，滋养之上品药也。
多油而滑，作泻者勿服，多痰者亦忌。有油透者勿入药。
侧柏叶 〔苦微寒，入肝经。〕治痹症历节疼痛，〔其性挟燥，故祛风湿。〕止肠风，吐衄崩
淋。〔微寒带涩，故止诸血。〕
挟燥血家，不宜多服。
松节 〔苦温〕。祛风湿，而止骨节之痛，能舒筋骨，而除挛急之 ，性燥，血虚者，中病即止。
女贞子 〔甘寒，入肾经，叶长子黑者良，酒浸蒸。〕补肾治
虚损，〔除热益精，肾家要品。〕明目、黑须发。〔补肾之功。〕
阴寒之品，久服腹痛作泻。
茯苓 〔甘淡平，入心、肾、脾、胃、小肠五经。生于古松之下，感土木之气而成。产云南，
白而坚实者佳。去皮用。〕安心神而定惊悸，止健忘，〔补心之功。〕益脾胃而治痰饮，消水肿。
〔益脾除湿利水之功。〕除呕吐而止泄泻，〔以其能和中益气也。〕疗咳逆而理痰壅。〔以其能导气降
火也。〕能利小便，〔味甘淡渗，其性上行，滋水之源而下降，利小便。〕堪伐肾邪。〔能降肾经水
泛之痰，又治奔豚之症。地黄丸中用之，取其去胞中积垢，搬运之功耳。〕抱根者为茯神，主用相同，
而安神独胜；红者为赤茯苓，功力稍逊，而利水偏长，茯苓皮，开腠理，通水道，治水肿多功。
若小便不禁，虚寒精滑者，皆不得服。
琥珀 〔甘平，入心、肝、小肠三经。用水调侧柏子末，置瓷锅中，置琥珀于内煮之，捣粉用。
〕镇心安神，〔重可以镇心，明可以安神。〕治癫痫，退翳明目，消瘀血，通五淋。从辛温药，则行血
破瘀；从淡渗药，则利窍行水；从金石镇坠药，则镇心安神，用敷金疮，则止血生肌。
消磨渗利之性，不宜虚人，凡阴虚内热，火炎水涸者勿服。
酸枣仁 〔甘酸平，入心、脾、肝、胆四经。炒研。〕止惊悸而最治虚汗，〔胆怯者，心君易动
，补胆气则惊悸止。凡服固表药而汗不止者，用枣仁为君，则汗必止，以汗为心液故也〕。除心烦而
善疗不眠。〔肝虚血少，则虚烦不眠，补
肝养阴，则不烦而安眠矣。〕
肝、胆、脾三经有实邪热者勿用，以其收敛故也。
枸杞子 〔甘平，入肾、肝二经。〕补肾而填精，强阴止渴；〔精不足者，补之以味，枸杞
子是也。补肾益精则阴强，润肺生津则渴除〕。益肝以养营，坚筋明目。〔明目者，以肝开窍于
目，黑水神光属肾故也。〕益精明目，滋补之圣药。
性润而能利大小肠，泄泻者勿用，或与山药、莲肉、茯苓同用则可泻矣。
地骨皮 〔甘寒，入肾经。〕解虚劳之客热，除有汗之骨蒸。〔热淫于内，泻以甘寒也。〕主肝
、肾虚热，为三焦气分之药。又能降肺中伏火。
中寒者勿用。
桑根白皮 〔甘寒，入肺经。刮去粗皮，蜜水炙。有涎出，勿去之。〕泻肺火而止喘定嗽，〔专泻肺
中之伏火，若肺中有水气者，用之亦当。〕利小肠而消肿除胀。〔长于利小水，故能治水气肿胀。〕下
气消痰，〔气降而痰亦降。〕除热止渴。〔甘寒除内热，而渴自止。〕桑叶〔甘寒〕除寒热而止汗出
，〔甘能益血，寒能凉血，是以能止阴虚寒热，及因内热汗出也。〕治咳嗽而止消渴，〔治咳嗽者，
下气之功，止渴者，益阴之功〕。益血祛风，〔血行风自灭也。〕明目长发，〔煎汤洗沐甚效。〕
桑枝〔苦平〕治遍体风痒，〔性能祛风，久服终身不患偏风。〕疗四肢拘挛，〔以其能通利关节
也。故许学士患臂痛，诸药不应，服此数剂即愈。〕咳嗽能除，〔一少年咳嗽，百药不效，用南向桑
枝。寸折煎汤，频饮而愈。〕香港脚可用。〔炒香水煎，空心服之。〕桑椹〔甘寒〕补血安神，生精止渴。
桑皮泻火，肺虚无火，因风寒而咳嗽者勿服。
竹叶 〔辛甘寒，入心、胃二经。〕清心胃而涤烦热，〔同麦冬、枣仁之属，治虚烦不眠，清
心之功，入白虎汤中，治烦热大渴，清胃之效。〕治痰热而止咳逆。〔胸中痰热壅滞，则咳逆上气，
辛寒能解热结者，痰消气下而咳止矣。〕
竹茹 〔甘微寒，入胃经。刮去青皮，用第二层。〕疏气逆，而呕呃与噎隔皆平；〔胃热呕呃者宜
之。〕清血热，而吐衄与崩中咸疗。〔甘寒能凉血清热，故又治女劳复。〕
竹沥 〔甘寒〕痰在皮里膜外者，直达以宣通；痰在经络四肢者，屈曲而搜剔。失音不语偏宜，
股体挛蜷决用。〔性滑流
利，走窍逐痰，兼之甘寒益阴除热，痰热既祛，则气道通利，经脉流转，而诸症自除。〕竹种最多，
惟大而味甘者为胜。
竹茹〔甘寒〕感寒挟食而呕吐者勿用。竹沥滑肠，脾虚泄泻者勿用，寒痰、湿痰、食积痰诸均忌。
天竺黄 〔甘寒，入心经。轻者真。〕治中风不语，〔热痰壅塞上窍之故。〕理幼稚惊痫。〔
总取其凉心除热，豁痰利窍之功。〕
竹之津气结成，产于天竺国，与竹沥功用相仿，而无滑肠之患。
山茱萸 〔酸微温，入肝、肾二经。核能滑精，酒润去之，烘干。〕补肾气而兴阳道，坚阴茎；
固元精而治淋沥，止遗尿。〔老人小便淋沥，及不禁遗尿，皆属肾虚。山萸气温而主补，味酸而主敛故
也。〕月事多而可以止，〔酸敛之效。〕耳鸣响而还其聪。〔补肾之功。〕
强阳不痿，小便不利者，不宜用之。
金樱子 〔酸涩平，入脾、肾二经。杵去刺及子。〕治脾虚久泄，疗肾虚精滑。〔涩以固脱也。〕
性涩不利于气。丹溪曰∶经络隧道，以通畅为和平，昧者喜其涩精而服之以纵欲，致生别疾，咎
将谁归。
杜仲 〔辛甘温，入肝、肾二经。去皮酥炙，或盐水炒。〕补肝益肾，强筋壮骨，〔肝充则筋健，
肾充则骨强。〕腰膝之酸痛皆痊，〔腰脊不利，及脚膝酸疼，无力以行，加而用之。〕遍体之机关尽
利。〔东垣谓其能使筋骨相着。〕
肾虚火炽者勿用。
木瓜 〔酸温，入脾、胃、肝三经。忌铁器。〕最疗转筋，〔以其入肝而养筋故也。〕善治香港脚，
疝病亦医，〔有祛湿之能。〕呕逆可止。〔和胃制肝之力。〕
伤食而呕吐者不宜用。
枳实 〔苦微寒，入肺、胃、大肠三经。麸拌炒。〕破气散结，〔因气结刺痛者，看在何经，以
引经药导之，中病即止。〕消积导滞，〔痰食皆积滞也。〕痰也食也，停水败血也，气行而尽消；咳者
喘者，呕逆腹痛者，气利而咸止。解伤寒结胸，〔入陷胸汤中甚效。仲景治胸痹痛，每用之。〕
除心下痞满。〔胃之上口曰贲门，与心相连，胃中停滞，气壅则心下痞满，故洁古枳术丸中用以消积除
痞。元素曰∶心下痞及宿食不消，并宜枳实、黄连。〕
枳壳 〔功用同枳实。〕枳壳枳实，古未分别，自东垣始分枳壳治高，枳实治下。然观仲景治胸
痹痞满，以枳实为要药，诸方治大便秘塞，肠风香港脚，里急后重，又以枳壳为通
用。究其功用，皆为利气之品，分之无伤，不分亦可。但枳壳性缓，而行稍迟；枳实性烈，而善下达，
为确当耳。
性皆消导，破气损真，凡气弱脾虚之人，慎勿轻用。瘦胎饮用枳壳为湖阳公主而设，以彼奉养太
过，形气肥实，故相宜也，若一概用之，反致气弱而难产。
浓朴 〔辛甘大温，入脾、胃二经。色紫味辛者良。刮去粗皮，姜汁炒。〕暖脾胃而止腹痛，
〔温能暖中，辛能散结，苦能泄满，是其性之所长，故因寒痛实痛者宜之。若脾阴不足，血虚腹痛者忌
之。〕消食积而祛痰饮，〔其性消导，下气消痰，能泻胃中之实，故承气汤用之。又佐苍术，以泻胃
中之湿，故平胃散用之，以平胃土之过。〕疗气实胸满腹胀，〔结者散之，此胃神药，若非气实壅
滞，胸满因气不归元，腹胀因脾虚者，忌之。〕治胃寒呕吐泄泻，〔若胃虚火炎致吐，火热暴注，皆非
所宜。〕
元气虚弱者，切禁服之，孕妇亦忌。
槟榔 〔辛苦温，入胃、大肠二经。见火无功。〕宣脏腑壅滞，疗心腹疼痛。〔辛温能散结破滞
故也，若无壅滞，及非因虫痛者勿用。〕降至高之气，似水投石；〔譬降气下行之速也，故结胸痞满
亦用之。〕疏后重之急，如骥追风。疟疾与痰癖偕收，〔疟无痰食不成，最能下气消食祛痰，故二症皆
用。〕香港脚与杀虫并选。〔能坠诸药，至于下极，专破滞气下行，故治香港脚冲心，亦主奔豚膀胱诸气之
病。以其味苦，又能杀虫。〕
气虚下陷者忌用。
大腹皮 〔辛苦微温，入脾、胃二经。即大腹子皮也。子与槟榔同功。鸩鸟多集此树，宜温水洗
净，再用大豆汁洗晒干。〕降逆气，消水肿。〔善消肌肤中水气。〕
虚人勿用。
沉香 〔辛温，入脾、胃、肝、肾四经。入丸散锉末，入煎磨汁，忌见火。黑润不枯硬，重沉于水
下者佳，香甜者性平，辛辣者热。〕下逆气而调中气，〔其性下沉，故最降逆气，其气芬芳，故能调中
气。〕开郁气而散结气。〔辛香能开郁散结。〕止心腹疼痛，〔调中开郁散结之功，中恶者
尤宜，香能辟邪也。〕消水气肿胀。〔其宜气郁肿胀与消水肿者，辛香醒脾燥湿之功。〕益脾胃而止吐
泻，〔脾胃喜香，喜温喜通也。〕暖腰膝而治精寒。〔温而下沉，能益命门之火，〕大肠气闭宜投，
〔古方同肉苁蓉麻仁治之，〕小便气淋须用。〔气化则自然顺利。〕
非命门火衰，不宜入下焦药用。
降真香 〔辛温，色红甜而不辣者佳。〕降气最效，行瘀如神，肝伤吐血宜求，〔怒气伤肝，或
内伤吐血，用代郁金神效。〕刀伤出血必用。〔敷之血即止，定痛、生肌，功胜花蕊〕烧之，辟天行时
气，宅舍怪异，小儿带之，辟邪恶气。
乌药 〔辛温，入脾、胃、膀胱三经。〕主膀胱冷气攻冲，〔辛温能散寒邪，性又下气故也。〕
疗妇人血气作痛，〔性温香窜走泄，故能散血凝气滞。〕芳香能辟邪，故中恶心腹痛用之。
气虚及血虚内热者勿用。
丁香〔辛热，入脾胃二经。去丁盖。忌火。〕温中散滞，除呕止呃。〔属寒者方可用。〕
一切因火热症者大忌。
乳香 〔辛温，入心、脾、肝三经。箬上烘去油，用灯心研之则细。〕活血止诸痛，〔故心
腹腰胁四肢经络诸痛，皆用以活血止痛。〕托毒消诸肿，〔内托护心，外宣毒瓦斯，能消痈疽肿毒诸疮。
乳没煎膏，消毒止痛长肉。〕产后折伤共宜，舒筋治痢均求。〔皆取其活血之功。〕
痈疽已溃，不宜服，脓多者勿敷。
没药 〔辛苦平，入肝经。制法同乳香。〕散血止诸痛，〔凡胸腹胁肋骨节筋痛，不由血瘀，
而因于血虚者忌之。〕通滞消诸肿。〔热瘀血滞则气壅，故经络满急，发肿作痛。善通壅滞，则血行而
气畅，肿自消，痛自止，故为外科折伤家之要品。〕祛恶露，止血晕，〔善入血分而行瘀。〕可攻目
翳，〔散肝经之血热，则赤痛除而翳退矣。〕堪除血痢。乳香活血，没药散血，皆能止痛消肿，故每相
兼用之。
产后恶露去多，痈疽已溃，法宜禁之。孕妇勿服，以其堕胎也。
苏木 〔辛甘咸平，入心、肝、脾三经。〕少用和血，多服行瘀。
孕妇忌之。
蔓荆子 〔辛苦平，入肾、肝、膀胱三经。〕善疗头风目痛，〔气清，体轻，上行而散，故治偏头
风痛目将损者。〕堪舒湿痹拘挛。〔风能胜湿。〕
头痛目痛，不由风邪，而因于血虚有火者忌之。
辛夷 〔辛温，入肺、胃二经。去心及毛。毛射肺中，令人发咳。〕治头疼齿痛，除鼻塞涕流。
〔芳香上窜诸窍，逐气分风邪之功，鼻渊涕下腥臭亦用之。〕
辛香走窜，虚人禁之，虽偶风寒而鼻塞亦禁之。头痛属血虚火炎，齿痛因胃火者均忌。
茶叶 〔甘苦微寒，入心、肺二经。味甘不涩，气芬如兰，色白如玉者良。〕消食祛痰热，〔下
气降火，而兼有涤除肠胃之功。〕止渴醒睡眠；〔甘寒除热，则肺气清肃而渴止，心肺明爽而睡醒。〕
解炙爆之毒，〔又能消暑，解酒食之毒，故治便血热毒，下痢〔赤白〕亦用之。〕消痔 之疮，〔因
大肠积热所致，肺脏清而腑病自安。〕善利小便，〔清心而小肠之热结亦解。〕颇疗头痛。〔取其降火也
。头目不清，热熏上也，以苦泄其热，则上消矣。〕
昔人言其苦寒，不利脾胃，及多食发黄消瘦之说，此皆语其粗恶苦涩者耳！岂有味甘气芬者，服之
反致疾耶？
猪苓 〔甘淡平，入肾、膀胱二经。去皮。〕利水除湿，〔长于利水，故善除湿。〕消肿治
疟。〔水肿借为要药，疟必有暑，暑必兼湿，用其引暑湿之邪，从小便出，所以分消之也。〕
多服损肾昏目。淡渗，燥亡津液，无湿症者勿服。
柏子仁：味甘性平，归心、肝、肾三经。需蒸晒或炒后研碎使用。能安神定悸，因为心藏神，肾藏志，药物入心可养神，入肾可定志，从而使神安而惊悸自除。能壮水强阳，因为肾藏精，肾恶燥，滋润肾脏并补肾，则精足而阳气强健。能益血使容颜美丽年轻，补虚使耳目聪明。面色悦泽、耳目聪明，都是心血与肾水互相滋养的结果。又因心主五色，耳为肾之窍，目为肝之窍，这三脏得到补益的功效。能养心气，润肝肾，因其芳香能益脾胃，是滋养的上品药物。
因其多油而滑，腹泻者勿服，痰多者亦忌。有油渗出者不要入药。
侧柏叶：味苦微寒，入肝经。治疗痹症及历节疼痛，因其性挟燥，故能祛风湿。止肠风出血，吐血、衄血及崩漏淋证。因其微寒带涩，故能止各种出血。
体质挟燥的失血患者，不宜多服。
松节：味苦温。祛风湿，止骨节疼痛，能舒筋活络，解除筋脉挛急。其性燥，血虚者，病愈即止。
女贞子：味甘寒，入肾经，以叶长子黑者为佳，用酒浸后蒸制。补肾治疗虚损，能除热益精，是补肾的要药。明目、黑发须发。这是补肾的功效。
属阴寒之品，久服会导致腹痛腹泻。
茯苓：味甘淡性平，入心、肾、脾、胃、小肠五经。生于古松之下，感土木之气而成。产于云南，白色且坚实者为佳。去皮使用。能安心神而定惊悸，止健忘，这是补心的功效。益脾胃而治痰饮，消水肿，这是益脾除湿利水的功效。除呕吐而止泄泻，因为它能和中益气。疗咳逆而理痰壅，因为它能导气降火。能利小便，因其味甘淡渗，其性上行，滋水之源而下降，从而利小便。能伐肾邪，能降肾经水泛之痰，又治奔豚症。在六味地黄丸中使用它，是取其去除胞中积垢、搬运之功。抱根而生者称为茯神，主治相同，但安神作用更胜；红色者称为赤茯苓，功力稍逊，但利水特长。茯苓皮，开腠理，通水道，治水肿功效多。若小便不禁，虚寒精滑者，都不得服用。
琥珀：味甘平，入心、肝、小肠三经。用水调侧柏子末，置于瓷锅中，放入琥珀煮之，捣粉使用。镇心安神，重可以镇心，明可以安神。治癫痫，退翳明目，消瘀血，通五淋。配合辛温药，则行血破瘀；配合淡渗药，则利窍行水；配合金石镇坠药，则镇心安神。用于敷金疮，则止血生肌。
具有消磨渗利之性，不宜体虚之人，凡阴虚内热，火炎水涸者勿服。
酸枣仁：味甘酸平，入心、脾、肝、胆四经。炒后研碎。止惊悸而最治虚汗，胆怯者，心君易动，补胆气则惊悸止。凡服固表药而汗不止者，用枣仁为君药，则汗必止，因为汗为心液。除心烦而善疗不眠。肝虚血少，则虚烦不眠，补肝养阴，则不烦而安眠矣。
肝、胆、脾三经有实邪热者勿用，因为其具有收敛作用。
枸杞子：味甘平，入肾、肝二经。补肾而填精，强阴止渴。精不足者，补之以味，枸杞子是也。补肾益精则阴强，润肺生津则渴除。益肝以养营，坚筋明目。明目者，因为肝开窍于目，黑水神光属肾故也。益精明目，滋补之圣药。
性润而能利大小肠，泄泻者勿用，或与山药、莲肉、茯苓同用则可治泻。
地骨皮：味甘寒，入肾经。解虚劳之客热，除有汗之骨蒸。热淫于内，泻以甘寒也。主肝、肾虚热，为三焦气分之药。又能降肺中伏火。
中寒者勿用。
桑根白皮：味甘寒，入肺经。刮去粗皮，蜜水炙。有涎出，勿去之。泻肺火而止喘定嗽，专泻肺中之伏火，若肺中有水气者，用之亦当。利小肠而消肿除胀，长于利小水，故能治水气肿胀。下气消痰，气降而痰亦降。除热止渴，甘寒除内热，而渴自止。
桑叶：味甘寒。除寒热而止汗出，甘能益血，寒能凉血，是以能止阴虚寒热，及因内热汗出也。治咳嗽而止消渴，治咳嗽者，下气之功，止渴者，益阴之功。益血祛风，血行风自灭也。明目长发，煎汤洗沐甚效。
桑枝：味苦平。治遍体风痒，性能祛风，久服终身不患偏风。疗四肢拘挛，以其能通利关节也。故许学士患臂痛，诸药不应，服此数剂即愈。咳嗽能除，一少年咳嗽，百药不效，用南向桑枝，寸折煎汤，频饮而愈。香港脚可用，炒香水煎，空心服之。
桑椹：味甘寒。补血安神，生精止渴。
桑皮泻火，肺虚无火，因风寒而咳嗽者勿服。
竹叶：味辛甘寒，入心、胃二经。清心胃而涤烦热，同麦冬、枣仁之属，治虚烦不眠，清心之功，入白虎汤中，治烦热大渴，清胃之效。治痰热而止咳逆，胸中痰热壅滞，则咳逆上气，辛寒能解热结者，痰消气下而咳止矣。
竹茹：味甘微寒，入胃经。刮去青皮，用第二层。疏气逆，而呕呃与噎隔皆平，胃热呕呃者宜之。清血热，而吐衄与崩中咸疗，甘寒能凉血清热，故又治女劳复。
竹沥：味甘寒。痰在皮里膜外者，直达以宣通；痰在经络四肢者，屈曲而搜剔。失音不语偏宜，股体挛蜷决用。性滑流利，走窍逐痰，兼之甘寒益阴除热，痰热既祛，则气道通利，经脉流转，而诸症自除。竹种最多，惟大而味甘者为胜。
竹茹（注：此处原文重复提及竹茹性味，实指竹茹禁忌）：感寒挟食而呕吐者勿用。竹沥滑肠，脾虚泄泻者勿用，寒痰、湿痰、食积痰诸均忌。
天竺黄：味甘寒，入心经。轻者真。治中风不语，热痰壅塞上窍之故。理幼稚惊痫，总取其凉心除热，豁痰利窍之功。
竹之津气结成，产于天竺国，与竹沥功用相仿，而无滑肠之患。
山茱萸：味酸微温，入肝、肾二经。核能滑精，酒润去之，烘干。补肾气而兴阳道，坚阴茎；固元精而治淋沥，止遗尿。老人小便淋沥，及不禁遗尿，皆属肾虚。山萸气温而主补，味酸而主敛故也。月事多而可以止，酸敛之效。耳鸣响而还其聪，补肾之功。
强阳不痿，小便不利者，不宜用之。
金樱子：味酸涩平，入脾、肾二经。杵去刺及子。治脾虚久泄，疗肾虚精滑，涩以固脱也。性涩不利于气。丹溪曰：经络隧道，以通畅为和平，昧者喜其涩精而服之以纵欲，致生别疾，咎将谁归。
杜仲：味辛甘温，入肝、肾二经。去皮酥炙，或盐水炒。补肝益肾，强筋壮骨，肝充则筋健，肾充则骨强。腰膝之酸痛皆痊，腰脊不利，及脚膝酸疼，无力以行，加而用之。遍体之机关尽利，东垣谓其能使筋骨相着。
肾虚火炽者勿用。
木瓜：味酸温，入脾、胃、肝三经。忌铁器。最疗转筋，以其入肝而养筋故也。善治香港脚，疝病亦医，有祛湿之能。呕逆可止，和胃制肝之力。
伤食而呕吐者不宜用。
枳实：味苦微寒，入肺、胃、大肠三经。麸拌炒。破气散结，因气结刺痛者，看在何经，以引经药导之，中病即止。消积导滞，痰食皆积滞也。痰也食也，停水败血也，气行而尽消；咳者喘者，呕逆腹痛者，气利而咸止。解伤寒结胸，入陷胸汤中甚效。仲景治胸痹痛，每用之。除心下痞满，胃之上口曰贲门，与心相连，胃中停滞，气壅则心下痞满，故洁古枳术丸中用以消积除痞。元素曰：心下痞及宿食不消，并宜枳实、黄连。
枳壳：功用同枳实。枳壳枳实，古未分别，自东垣始分枳壳治高，枳实治下。然观仲景治胸痹痞满，以枳实为要药，诸方治大便秘塞，肠风香港脚，里急后重，又以枳壳为通用。究其功用，皆为利气之品，分之无伤，不分亦可。但枳壳性缓，而行稍迟；枳实性烈，而善下达，为确当耳。
性皆消导，破气损真，凡气弱脾虚之人，慎勿轻用。瘦胎饮用枳壳为湖阳公主而设，以彼奉养太过，形气肥实，故相宜也，若一概用之，反致气弱而难产。
浓朴：味辛甘大温，入脾、胃二经。色紫味辛者良。刮去粗皮，姜汁炒。暖脾胃而止腹痛，温能暖中，辛能散结，苦能泄满，是其性之所长，故因寒痛实痛者宜之。若脾阴不足，血虚腹痛者忌之。消食积而祛痰饮，其性消导，下气消痰，能泻胃中之实，故承气汤用之。又佐苍术，以泻胃中之湿，故平胃散用之，以平胃土之过。疗气实胸满腹胀，结者散之，此胃神药，若非气实壅滞，胸满因气不归元，腹胀因脾虚者，忌之。治胃寒呕吐泄泻，若胃虚火炎致吐，火热暴注，皆非所宜。
元气虚弱者，切禁服之，孕妇亦忌。
槟榔：味辛苦温，入胃、大肠二经。见火无功。宣脏腑壅滞，疗心腹疼痛，辛温能散结破滞故也，若无壅滞，及非因虫痛者勿用。降至高之气，似水投石，譬降气下行之速也，故结胸痞满亦用之。疏后重之急，如骥追风。疟疾与痰癖偕收，疟无痰食不成，最能下气消食祛痰，故二症皆用。香港脚与杀虫并选，能坠诸药，至于下极，专破滞气下行，故治香港脚冲心，亦主奔豚膀胱诸气之病。以其味苦，又能杀虫。
气虚下陷者忌用。
大腹皮：味辛苦微温，入脾、胃二经。即大腹子皮也。子与槟榔同功。鸩鸟多集此树，宜温水洗净，再用大豆汁洗晒干。降逆气，消水肿，善消肌肤中水气。
虚人勿用。
沉香：味辛温，入脾、胃、肝、肾四经。入丸散锉末，入煎磨汁，忌见火。黑润不枯硬，重沉于水下者佳，香甜者性平，辛辣者热。下逆气而调中气，其性下沉，故最降逆气，其气芬芳，故能调中气。开郁气而散结气，辛香能开郁散结。止心腹疼痛，调中开郁散结之功，中恶者尤宜，香能辟邪也。消水气肿胀，其宜气郁肿胀与消水肿者，辛香醒脾燥湿之功。益脾胃而止吐泻，脾胃喜香，喜温喜通也。暖腰膝而治精寒，温而下沉，能益命门之火。大肠气闭宜投，古方同肉苁蓉麻仁治之。小便气淋须用，气化则自然顺利。
非命门火衰，不宜入下焦药用。
降真香：味辛温，色红甜而不辣者佳。降气最效，行瘀如神，肝伤吐血宜求，怒气伤肝，或内伤吐血，用代郁金神效。刀伤出血必用，敷之血即止，定痛、生肌，功胜花蕊。烧之，辟天行时气，宅舍怪异，小儿带之，辟邪恶气。
乌药：味辛温，入脾、胃、膀胱三经。主膀胱冷气攻冲，辛温能散寒邪，性又下气故也。疗妇人血气作痛，性温香窜走泄，故能散血凝气滞。芳香能辟邪，故中恶心腹痛用之。
气虚及血虚内热者勿用。
丁香：味辛热，入脾胃二经。去丁盖。忌火。温中散滞，除呕止呃，属寒者方可用。
一切因火热症者大忌。
乳香：味辛温，入心、脾、肝三经。箬上烘去油，用灯心研之则细。活血止诸痛，故心腹腰胁四肢经络诸痛，皆用以活血止痛。托毒消诸肿，内托护心，外宣毒瓦斯，能消痈疽肿毒诸疮。乳没煎膏，消毒止痛长肉。产后折伤共宜，舒筋治痢均求，皆取其活血之功。
痈疽已溃，不宜服，脓多者勿敷。
没药：味辛苦平，入肝经。制法同乳香。散血止诸痛，凡胸腹胁肋骨节筋痛，不由血瘀，而因于血虚者忌之。通滞消诸肿，热瘀血滞则气壅，故经络满急，发肿作痛。善通壅滞，则血行而气畅，肿自消，痛自止，故为外科折伤家之要品。祛恶露，止血晕，善入血分而行瘀。可攻目翳，散肝经之血热，则赤痛除而翳退矣。堪除血痢。乳香活血，没药散血，皆能止痛消肿，故每相兼用之。
产后恶露去多，痈疽已溃，法宜禁之。孕妇勿服，以其堕胎也。
苏木：味辛甘咸平，入心、肝、脾三经。少用和血，多服行瘀。
孕妇忌之。
蔓荆子：味辛苦平，入肾、肝、膀胱三经。善疗头风目痛，气清，体轻，上行而散，故治偏头风痛目将损者。堪舒湿痹拘挛，风能胜湿。
头痛目痛，不由风邪，而因于血虚有火者忌之。
辛夷：味辛温，入肺、胃二经。去心及毛。毛射肺中，令人发咳。治头疼齿痛，除鼻塞涕流，芳香上窜诸窍，逐气分风邪之功，鼻渊涕下腥臭亦用之。
辛香走窜，虚人禁之，虽偶风寒而鼻塞亦禁之。头痛属血虚火炎，齿痛因胃火者均忌。
茶叶：味甘苦微寒，入心、肺二经。味甘不涩，气芬如兰，色白如玉者良。消食祛痰热，下气降火，而兼有涤除肠胃之功。止渴醒睡眠，甘寒除热，则肺气清肃而渴止，心肺明爽而睡醒。解炙爆之毒，又能消暑，解酒食之毒，故治便血热毒，下痢〔赤白〕亦用之。消痔之疮，因大肠积热所致，肺脏清而腑病自安。善利小便，清心而小肠之热结亦解。颇疗头痛，取其降火也。头目不清，热熏上也，以苦泄其热，则上消矣。
昔人言其苦寒，不利脾胃，及多食发黄消瘦之说，此皆语其粗恶苦涩者耳！岂有味甘气芬者，服之反致疾耶？
猪苓：味甘淡平，入肾、膀胱二经。去皮。利水除湿，长于利水，故善除湿。消肿治疟，水肿借为要药，疟必有暑，暑必兼湿，用其引暑湿之邪，从小便出，所以分消之也。
多服损肾昏目。淡渗，燥亡津液，无湿症者勿服。
Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed): Sweet and neutral, enters the Heart, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Steamed, dried, or stir-fried and ground. Calms the spirit and stabilizes palpitations. Since the Heart stores the Spirit (Shen) and the Kidney stores Will (Zhi), entering the Heart nourishes the Spirit, and entering the Kidney stabilizes the Will, thus calming the spirit and eliminating palpitations. Strengthens Water and fortifies Yang. Since the Kidney stores Essence (Jing) and dislikes dryness, moistening and tonifying the Kidney ensures sufficient Essence and strong Yang. Benefits blood, beautifies complexion, and delays aging; tonifies deficiency, improving hearing and vision. A lustrous complexion and acute senses result from the mutual nourishment of Heart Blood and Kidney Water. The Heart governs the five colors, the ears are the orifices of the Kidney, and the eyes are the orifices of the Liver; these three organs benefit from its tonifying action. Nourishes Heart Qi, moistens the Liver and Kidney; its aromatic nature benefits the Spleen and Stomach, making it a premier tonic herb.
Due to its high oil content and slippery nature, it is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea and excessive phlegm. Discard if oil has seeped out.
Ce Bai Ye (Biota Twig Tip): Bitter and slightly cold, enters the Liver meridian. Treats Bi syndrome and joint pain due to wind-dampness, as its nature carries dryness to dispel wind-damp. Stops intestinal wind bleeding, hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, and strangury. Its slight coldness and astringency stop various types of bleeding.
Contraindicated for patients with blood deficiency and dryness; do not take in large amounts.
Song Jie (Pinus Node): Bitter and warm. Dispels wind-damp and stops bone-joint pain; relaxes sinews and tendons, relieving spasms. Its nature is drying; discontinue upon cure in patients with blood deficiency.
Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum Fruit): Sweet and cold, enters the Kidney meridian. Best when leaves are long and seeds are black; soaked in wine and steamed. Tonifies the Kidney and treats deficiency; clears heat and benefits Essence, a key herb for the Kidney. Brightens eyes and darkens hair and beard through Kidney tonification.
As a Yin-cold substance, prolonged use may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Fu Ling (Poria): Sweet, bland, and neutral, enters the Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, and Small Intestine meridians. Grows under ancient pines, formed by absorbing Earth and Wood Qi. Produced in Yunnan; white and solid pieces are best. Use peeled interior. Calms the spirit and stabilizes palpitations, stops forgetfulness (benefits the Heart). Benefits the Spleen and Stomach, treating phlegm-fluid retention and edema (benefits the Spleen, drains dampness, promotes urination). Stops vomiting and diarrhea by harmonizing the Middle and boosting Qi. Treats cough and reverse flow of Qi, resolving phlegm congestion by guiding Qi downward and descending Fire. Promotes urination; its sweet and bland taste allows it to ascend and moisten the source of Water, which then descends to promote urination. Can subdue Kidney pathogenic factors; it descends phlegm from water flooding in the Kidney meridian and treats Ben Tun (fleeing豚) syndrome. Used in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan to remove accumulated debris in the uterus and facilitate transport. Fu Shen (Poria with Pine Root) has the same indications but excels in calming the spirit. Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria) is slightly less potent but excels in promoting urination. Fu Ling Pi (Poria Skin) opens the interstices, unblocks water passages, and is effective for edema.
Contraindicated in cases of urinary incontinence, deficiency-cold, and seminal emission.
Hu Po (Amber): Sweet and neutral, enters the Heart, Liver, and Small Intestine meridians. Mix with Ce Bai Zi powder using water, place in a porcelain pot, add Amber, boil, then grind into powder. Settles the Heart and calms the spirit; heaviness settles the Heart, clarity calms the spirit. Treats epilepsy, removes nebulae to brighten eyes, resolves blood stasis, and unblocks the five types of strangury. Combined with acrid-warm herbs, it moves blood and breaks stasis; combined with bland-draining herbs, it unblocks orifices and promotes urination; combined with heavy/mineral sedatives, it settles the Heart and calms the spirit. Applied externally to traumatic injuries, it stops bleeding and generates flesh.
Its grinding and draining nature makes it unsuitable for deficient patients. Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with internal heat and fire flaring up depleting fluids.
Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed): Sweet, sour, and neutral, enters the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians. Stir-fried and ground. Stops palpitations and treats spontaneous sweating; fearfulness causes the Heart Sovereign to move easily, so tonifying Gallbladder Qi stops palpitations. For sweating that persists despite exterior-stabilizing herbs, use Suan Zao Ren as the chief ingredient to stop sweating, as sweat is the fluid of the Heart. Clears irritability and treats insomnia. Liver deficiency and blood insufficiency cause vexation and insomnia; tonifying the Liver and nourishing Yin eliminates vexation and promotes sleep.
Contraindicated in excess-heat in the Liver, Gallbladder, and Spleen meridians due to its astringent nature.
Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit): Sweet and neutral, enters the Kidney and Liver meridians. Tonifies the Kidney and fills Essence, strengthens Yin, and stops thirst. "When Essence is insufficient, tonify with flavor"; Lycium fruit exemplifies this. Tonifying the Kidney and benefiting Essence strengthens Yin; moistening the Lungs and generating fluids stops thirst. Benefits the Liver to nourish Ying (Nutritive) level, strengthens sinews, and brightens eyes. Eyesight improves because the Liver opens into the eyes, and the "Black Water Divine Light" belongs to the Kidney. Benefits Essence and brightens eyes; a sacred herb for tonification.
Its moist nature benefits the Large and Small Intestines; contraindicated in diarrhea, or combine with Dioscorea, Lotus Seed, and Poria to treat diarrhea.
Di Gu Pi (Lycium Root Bark): Sweet and cold, enters the Kidney meridian. Resolves defervescence from consumptive disorders and clears bone-steaming fever with sweating. "Heat rampant internally is purged with sweet-cold." Governs Liver and Kidney deficiency heat; acts on the Qi level of the San Jiao. Also descends latent Fire in the Lungs.
Contraindicated in Cold-in-the-Middle.
Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark): Sweet and cold, enters the Lung meridian. Scrape off rough bark, honey-fry. Do not discard exuded saliva. Purges Lung Fire, stops wheezing and coughing; specifically purges latent Fire in the Lungs, also suitable if Lung contains fluid accumulation. Benefits the Small Intestine, reduces swelling, and relieves distension; excels at promoting urination, thus treating water-induced edema. Directs Qi downward and transforms phlegm; as Qi descends, phlegm descends. Clears heat and stops thirst; sweet-cold clears internal heat, stopping thirst.
Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf): Sweet and cold. Resolves chills and fever, stops sweating. Sweet benefits blood, cold cools blood, thus stopping Yin-deficiency chills/fever and sweating due to internal heat. Treats cough and stops thirst-driven consumption; cough treatment relies on directing Qi downward, thirst relief on nourishing Yin. Benefits blood and expels wind; "when blood moves, wind extinguishes itself." Brightens eyes and promotes hair growth; decoction for washing is very effective.
Sang Zhi (Mulberry Twig): Bitter and neutral. Treats generalized pruritus; its nature expels wind, preventing hemiplegia with long-term use. Treats limb contracture by unblocking joints. Xu Xueshi’s arm pain resolved after several doses. Treats cough; a youth’s persistent cough cured by frequent drinking of decocted south-facing twigs. Treats podagra (gout); decoct with fragrant water, take on an empty stomach.
Sang Shen (Mulberry Fruit): Sweet and cold. Benefits blood, calms spirit, generates essence, and stops thirst.
Sang Bai Pi purges Fire; contraindicated in Lung deficiency without Fire, or cough due to Wind-Cold.
Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf): Acrid, sweet, and cold, enters the Heart and Stomach meridians. Clears Heart and Stomach, washes away vexation-heat. Combined with Ophiopogon and Ziziphus, treats deficiency-vexation insomnia (clears Heart); added to Bai Hu Tang to treat severe thirst and heat (clears Stomach). Treats phlegm-heat and stops cough/reverse flow of Qi; phlegm-heat congestion in the chest causes cough and upward Qi rush; acrid-cold resolves heat knots, clearing phlegm and descending Qi to stop cough.
Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings): Sweet and slightly cold, enters the Stomach meridian. Scrape off green skin, use the second layer. Relaxes rebellious Qi,平息 (calming) vomiting, hiccup, and dysphagia; suitable for Stomach-heat vomiting. Clears blood-heat, treating hematemesis, epistaxis, and uterine bleeding; sweet-cold cools blood and clears heat, also treating post-coital fever relapse.
Zhu Li (Bamboo Juice): Sweet and cold. Reaches phlegm in the interstices to unblock and diffuse; searches out phlegm in meridians and limbs. Ideal for aphonia and limb convulsions. Its slippery nature flows through orifices, expelling phlegm; combined with sweet-cold to nourish Yin and clear heat, once phlegm-heat is removed, airways unblock, meridians circulate freely, and symptoms resolve. Among many bamboo species, large ones with sweet juice are superior.
Contraindications: Zhu Ru is avoided in vomiting due to Cold-food combination; Zhu Li is slippery to the intestines, avoided in Spleen-deficiency diarrhea, and contraindicated in Cold-phlegm, Damp-phlegm, and Food-stagnation phlegm.
Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo Bezoar): Sweet and cold, enters the Heart meridian. Light weight indicates authenticity. Treats stroke-induced aphonia due to heat-phlegm blocking upper orifices. Manages pediatric convulsions and epilepsy by cooling the Heart, clearing heat, and unblocking orifices.
Formed from Bamboo sap/qi, produced in India (Tian Zhu), similar to Bamboo Juice but without the risk of intestinal slipping.
Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit): Sour and slightly warm, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Remove pit (which causes seminal emission) by wine-moistening and drying. Tonifies Kidney Qi, promotes sexual function, and hardens the penis; secures Primordial Essence, treats strangury, and stops enuresis. Elderly strangury and involuntary urination belong to Kidney deficiency. Cornus is warm-tonifying and sour-astringent. Stops excessive menstruation via astringency. Restores hearing in tinnitus through Kidney tonification.
Contraindicated in cases of erectile dysfunction with urinary difficulty.
Jin Ying Zi (Cherokee Rose Hip): Sour, astringent, and neutral, enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians. Pound to remove thorns and seeds. Treats chronic Spleen-deficiency diarrhea and Kidney-deficiency seminal leakage via astringency to secure collapse. Its astringency hinders Qi movement. Danxi stated: Meridians thrive on free flow; ignorant people use its astringency to indulge lust, causing other diseases. Who bears the blame?
Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark): Acrid, sweet, and warm, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Peel, bake with su (lard), or stir-fry with salt water. Tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones; full Liver ensures strong sinews, full Kidney ensures strong bones. Cures lower back and knee soreness/pain; useful for stiff waist/spine and weak legs. Unblocks all body joints; Dongyuan said it binds sinews and bones together.
Contraindicated in Kidney deficiency with blazing Fire.
Mu Gua (Chaenomeles Fruit): Sour and warm, enters Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians. Avoid iron vessels. Best for treating muscle cramps by entering the Liver and nourishing sinews. Excellent for podagra (gout) and hernia due to dampness-dispelling ability. Stops nausea/vomiting by harmonizing Stomach and controlling Liver.
Contraindicated in vomiting due to food stagnation.
Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange): Bitter and slightly cold, enters Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Stir-fry with bran. Breaks Qi stagnation and dissipates nodules; guide with channel-specific herbs for stabbing pain due to Qi knotting, stop when cured. Eliminates accumulation and guides stagnation; phlegm and food are accumulations. Phlegm, food, retained water, and ruined blood are all resolved by moving Qi; cough, asthma, vomiting, and abdominal pain are stopped by regulating Qi. Resolves Shaoyang/Jueyin chest binding (effective in Xian Xiong Tang); Zhang Zhongjing used it for chest bi pain. Removes epigastric fullness/stuffiness; the cardia connects to the Heart, Stomach stagnation causes Qi congestion and epigastric fullness. Used in Ji Gu Zhi Zhu Wan to eliminate accumulation and fullness. Yuan Su stated: Epigastric fullness and undigested food suit Zhi Shi and Coptis.
Zhi Qiao (Ripe Bitter Orange): Same efficacy as Zhi Shi. Historically undifferentiated; Dongyuan distinguished Zhi Qiao for upper/middle jiao and Zhi Shi for lower jiao. However, Zhang Zhongjing used Zhi Shi for chest bi/fullness, while formulas for constipation, intestinal wind, podagra, and tenesmus used Zhi Qiao universally. Both regulate Qi; differentiation is harmless but unnecessary. Zhi Qiao is mild/slow; Zhi Shi is fierce/fast-descending. This distinction is accurate.
Both are draining and breaking, damaging true Qi. Caution in Qi-deficient/Spleen-deficient patients. Zhi Qiao was used for "Slim Fetus Decoction" for Princess Huyang due to her obesity/excess nourishment; indiscriminate use causes Qi weakness and difficult labor.
Hou Po (Magnolia Bark): Acrid, sweet, and greatly warm, enters Spleen and Stomach meridians. Purple color and acrid taste are best. Scrape bark, stir-fry with ginger juice. Warms Spleen/Stomach, stops abdominal pain; warmth warms middle, acrid disperses knots, bitter drains fullness. Suitable for Cold-pain and Excess-pain. Contraindicated in Spleen-Yin deficiency/blood-deficiency pain. Eliminates food accumulation and dispels phlegm-fluids; drains Stomach excess (used in Cheng Qi Tang) and pairs with Atractylodes to drain Stomach dampness (used in Ping Wei San) to balance Spleen Earth. Treats Qi-excess chest fullness/abdominal distension; scatter knots. Not for Qi failing to return to origin (chest fullness) or Spleen deficiency (abdominal distension). Treats Stomach-Cold vomiting/diarrhea. Not for Stomach deficiency with Fire-flaring vomiting or sudden hot diarrhea.
Strictly contraindicated in Yuan Qi weakness and pregnancy.
Bing Lang (Areca Seed): Acrid, bitter, and warm, enters Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Ineffective when exposed to fire.宣 (disperse) Zang-Fu stagnation, treat heart/abdominal pain; acrid-warm disperses knots and breaks stagnation. Avoid if no stagnation or non-parasitic pain. Descends high Qi rapidly like water dropping stone; used for chest binding/fullness. Relieves tenesmus urgency like a horse chasing wind. Treats malaria and phlegm-gathering; malaria requires phlegm/food, Areca moves Qi, digests food, and transforms phlegm. Treats podagra and kills parasites; sinks drugs to the lowest point, breaks stagnation downward, treating podagra attacking the Heart and Ben Tun/Bladder Qi diseases. Bitter taste also kills parasites.
Contraindicated in Qi deficiency with sinking.
Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel): Acrid, bitter, and slightly warm, enters Spleen and Stomach meridians. Peel of Da Fu Zi (Areca nut), same function. Birds gather here; wash with warm water, then soybean juice, and dry. Directs rebellious Qi downward, reduces edema; excels at draining water qi in skin/flesh.
Avoid in deficient patients.
Chen Xiang (Agarwood): Acrid and warm, enters Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Powder for pills/powders; grind for decoctions. Avoid fire. Black, moist, non-brittle, sinking in water is best. Sweet/aromatic is neutral; pungent is hot. Directs rebellious Qi downward and regulates Middle Qi; sinking nature directs rebellious Qi, aromatic nature regulates Middle Qi. Opens depression and dissipates knots; acrid-aromatic opens depression. Stops heart/abdominal pain; regulates Middle, opens depression, dissipates knots. Especially suitable for evil invasion (aroma repels evil). Reduces water qi edema; acrid-aromatic awakens Spleen and dries dampness. Benefits Spleen/Stomach, stops vomiting/diarrhea; Spleen/Stomach likes aroma, warmth, and flow. Warms loins/knees, treats cold Essence; warm and sinking boosts Mingmen Fire. Indicated for Large Intestine Qi closure (combined with Cistanche and Hemp Seed). Indicated for Qi-type strangury; Qi transformation ensures smooth flow.
Not suitable for lower Jiao unless Mingmen Fire is deficient.
Jiang Zhen Xiang (Aquilaria Twig): Acrid and warm, red and sweet without pungency is best. Most effective at directing Qi downward, miraculous at moving blood stasis. Indicated for Liver injury hematemesis (anger injuring Liver or internal trauma); substitute for Curcuma with great effect. Essential for knife wounds bleeding; stops bleeding, relieves pain, generates flesh, surpassing Flower蕊 (Ru Xin). Burn to repel epidemic Qi, house anomalies; children wear it to repel evil Qi.
Wu Yao (Litsea Root): Acrid and warm, enters Spleen, Stomach, and Bladder meridians. Mainly treats Bladder Cold Qi rushing upward; acrid-warm disperses Cold, nature directs Qi downward. Treats women’s Blood-Qi pain; warm-aromatic penetrating nature disperses Blood congealment and Qi stagnation. Aroma repels evil, treating malicious Qi heart/abdominal pain.
Contraindicated in Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency with internal heat.
Ding Xiang (Clove): Acrid and hot, enters Spleen and Stomach meridians. Remove cap. Avoid fire. Warms Middle, disperses stagnation, stops vomiting/hiccups. Only for Cold patterns.
Strictly contraindicated in all Heat-Fire conditions.
Ru Xiang (Frankincense): Acrid and warm, enters Heart, Spleen, and Liver meridans. Bake on bamboo leaf to remove oil, grind with Centella for fine powder. Invigorates blood, stops various pains; used for heart, abdomen, waist, ribs, limbs, and meridian pains to invigorate blood and stop pain. Pushes out toxins, reduces various swellings; internal support protects Heart, external vents toxin vapors, reduces carbuncles/sores. Frankincense and Myrrh paste disinfects, stops pain, and generates flesh. Suitable for postpartum and trauma, relaxes sinews, treats dysentery; all due to blood-invigorating action.
Contraindicated in already ulcerated carbuncles; avoid application if pus is abundant.
Mo Yao (Myrrh): Acrid, bitter, and neutral, enters Liver meridian. Processing same as Frankincense. Scatters blood, stops various pains. Contraindicated in chest/abdomen/rib/joint/tendon pain not due to blood stasis but blood deficiency. Unblocks stagnation, reduces swellings. Heat-blood stasis causes Qi congestion, meridian tightness, swelling, and pain. By unblocking stagnation, blood moves, Qi flows, swelling subsides, pain stops; essential for surgical trauma. Expels lochia, stops hemorrhagic vertigo; enters Blood level to move stasis. Attacks eye nebulae; scatters Liver blood-heat, eliminating redness/pain and reducing nebulae. Treats blood dysentery. Frankincense invigorates blood, Myrrh scatters blood; both stop pain and reduce swelling, often used together.
Contraindicated in excessive postpartum lochia discharge and already ulcerated carbuncles. Pregnant women avoid due to abortifacient properties.
Su Mu (Sappan Wood): Acrid, sweet, and salty neutral, enters Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians. Small dose harmonizes blood; large dose moves blood stasis.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Man Jing Zi (Vittex Fruit): Acrid, bitter, and neutral, enters Kidney, Liver, and Bladder meridians. Best for head wind and eye pain; clear Qi, light body, ascends and disperses, treating lateral head wind pain and deteriorating vision. Relieves damp-Bi contracture; wind overcomes damp.
Contraindicated in headache/eye pain not due to Wind-Evil but Blood deficiency with Fire.
Xin Yi (Magnolia Bud): Acrid and warm, enters Lung and Stomach meridians. Remove core and hairs. Hairs shoot into Lungs causing cough. Treats headache/toothache, relieves nasal congestion/runny nose. Aromatic ascending nature clears orifices, expels Wind-Evil from Qi level; used for Bi Yuan (sinusitis) with foul-smelling discharge.
Acrid-aromatic penetrating; contraindicated in deficient patients, even with occasional Wind-Cold nasal congestion. Headache due to Blood deficiency/Fire flare and toothache due to Stomach Fire are contraindicated.
Cha Ye (Tea Leaf): Sweet, bitter, and slightly cold, enters Heart and Lung meridians. Sweet without astringency, orchid-like aroma, jade-white color is best. Digests food, dispels phlegm-heat; directs Qi downward, descends Fire, cleansse GI tract. Stops thirst, awakens sleep; sweet-cold clears heat, clearing Lung Qi (stops thirst) and refreshing Heart/Lung (awakens sleep). Resolves toxicity from frying/grilling; cools summer heat, resolves alcohol/food toxicity; treats hematochezia, heat-toxin, and dysentery (red/white). Reduces hemorrhoidal sores; caused by Large Intestine heat, clearing Lung clears bowels. Promotes urination; clears Heart, resolving Small Intestine heat knots. Treats headache; descends Fire. Unclear head/eyes due to heat steaming upward; bitter drains heat, clearing upper jiao.
Ancient claims of bitterness/cold harming Spleen/Stomach or causing yellowing/emaciation refer only to coarse/bitter teas. How could sweet-aromatic tea cause disease?
Zhu Ling (Polyporus): Sweet, bland, and neutral, enters Kidney and Bladder meridians. Peel. Promotes urination, drains dampness; excels at urination, thus draining dampness. Reduces swelling, treats malaria; essential for edema. Malaria involves Summerheat-Damp; draws pathogen out via urine to separate and eliminate.
Excessive use damages Kidneys and blurs vision. Bland-draining nature dries fluids; avoid in non-dampness cases.