莲子 〔甘平。入心、脾、肾三经。去心〕。交心、肾而君相之火邪俱靖，〔故治赤、白浊，梦遗
滑精有功。〕浓肠胃而
泻痢之滑脱均收。除崩中，止带下、〔脾得补而自能统摄也。〕频用能固精，常服令强健。〔土为
元气之母，母气既和，则百病不生，而筋强骨健矣。〕
生莲藕，〔甘寒，入心、脾二经。捣汁生用〕。涤热除烦，〔甘寒故也。〕消瘀止血，〔宋时御
厨作血羹，削皮误落血中，遂散不凝，故后人用以破血多效，产家忌生冷，惟此不忌。又能止诸窍血
者，以其性寒带涩故也。藕节功用相同。〕蟹毒可解，酒毒能消。熟莲藕，〔甘温。〕主补益脾胃。
石莲子〔苦寒。经霜后坚黑如石，堕水入泥中者良，状如榧子者大苦，产广中树上者，不宜入药
。〕治噤口痢疾。
莲须 〔甘涩，入心、肾二经。〕清心、而诸窍出血可止，固肾、而丹田之精气无遗，可止泄泻，
〔皆性涩之功。〕能黑须发。〔乃益血之效。〕
荷叶 〔芳平，连蒂用。〕裨助脾胃，升发阳气，〔故张洁古积术丸方中，用荷叶烧饭为丸。〕治雷
头风而颇效，〔头面疙瘩肿痛，或闻雷声，取其有震仰孟之象，类从之义也。〕疗诸血症亦多功。〔
以其能祛恶血，留好血也。〕
龙眼 〔甘平，入心、脾二经。〕补心虚而长智，〔为其能益血，补心长智，故别名益智。〕悦
胃气以培脾，〔甘先入脾、胃也。〕除健忘与怔忡，能安神而熟寐。〔皆益血补心之效。〕
大枣 〔甘平，入脾、胃二经。〕补脾胃而益气强力，〔脾得补而气益力强。〕润肺金而生津
上咳。〔故虚损家宜之。〕
治泄泻，〔补脾之力。〕调荣卫。〔邪在荣卫者，辛甘以解之，故同生姜和荣卫，生发脾胃升腾之气。〕
中满者忌之，小儿疳病及齿痛痰热之人，俱不宜食，生者尤为不利，红枣功力稍逊。
胡桃 〔甘涩热，入肺、肾二经。〕益肾固精，〔益命门之药，空腹食之，最能固精。〕养血润
燥，〔故有乌须发润肌肤之能。〕最治伤损，〔通润血脉之力，捣和酒服。〕善治铜毒。〔与铜钱共食即
成粉，故误吞铜物，多食自化，或同荸荠食更佳。〕
肺有痰热，阴虚吐衄等症，勿用。
芡实 〔即鸡头实，甘平，入脾、肾二经。〕补肾固精而遗浊有赖，〔故治小便不禁，遗精白浊
，带下咸需之。〕益脾助气而泄泻无虞。
小儿不宜多食者，以其难消也。宜作粥饮甚良。
松子 〔甘微温。〕甘能益血润大便，温能和气，主风虚，〔甘温助阳气而通经，故有治骨节中风
，及因风头眩，祛死肌，散水气之功。〕久服有裨。
梨 〔甘寒，入心、脾、肝三经。生用清热，熟用滋阴，不酸者良。〕润肺凉心，降火消痰，定咳
嗽而止气喘，〔润肺降火消痰之功。〕除心烦而疗热狂。〔凉心降火之功。〕祛胸热痞塞，〔祛胸中之热
结而痞塞除。〕治胃火呕吐，〔降胃家之火，而呕吐逆安。〕止消渴而利大肠，〔其性流利下
行，故能利大便。〕解酒毒而贴火伤。〔亦能解疮毒，金石热气。切片贴汤火之伤，止痛不烂。〕
治大人暗风失音不语，〔内热生风，所谓内虚暗风是也。痰火壅塞上窍，故失音，〕疗小儿风热昏蒙躁闷
。〔由风热生痰，热痰壅塞，故昏迷躁闷。若因惊热生痰，亦用之。〕预食而防痈疽之将
跋，〔凡人有痛处，口渴脉洪为痈疽将成之候，惟昼夜食梨，可转重为轻。膏粱之家，浓味酽酒，
纵欲无节，必多痰火、卒中、痈疽之病，常食梨可免。〕频服而救噎膈之垂成。〔血液衰少，渐成噎膈
者，同人乳、蔗桨、芦根汁、竹沥、童便饮之。〕时珍云∶古人论痰，多主风寒，用药皆是桂、附，故
不着其功。今人痰病，火居六、七，梨之能润肺、凉心、降火、消痰、解毒、治风热，诚为今时之要品，
不可缺者也。
脾虚泄泻者勿用。
甘蔗 〔甘寒，入肺、脾、胃三经。入药捣烂绞汁用。〕止干呕而治吐治噎，〔以其有和中助脾，
下逆气，泻火热之能〕消热痰而止咳止渴，〔亦下气除热，生津润燥之功。〕除烦热而宽胸膈，〔胸膈烦
热既除，则自宽舒，甘寒泻火之力也。〕解酒毒而利大肠。〔故润大便，下燥结有神。〕
胃寒呕吐，中满滑泄者忌之。
白砂糖 〔甘寒，入脾经。〕和中助脾，〔脾主中州，甘先入脾也。〕润肺缓肝，〔蔗浆煎晒，凝
结如石，故名石蜜。能润心、肺燥热。肝苦急，急食甘以缓之，故能缓肝火。〕生
津止渴，除咳消痰。〔甘寒除热之功。〕多食亦能害脾，以其味太甘耳。红者功用相仿，和血偏长，
煎炼之久，而至紫黑；则未免有湿热之气。
多食损齿生虫。
荸荠 〔甘寒捣汁用。〕善化误吞铜物，〔同胡桃食一、二斤，即消如神。〕能除腹满胀大，
〔除热消食故也。〕消宿食，〔以其有消坚削积之能。〕理黄胆止便血〔亦治血痢血崩。〕辟蛊毒。
〔皆除热之功也。〕
孕妇忌食。
西瓜 〔甘寒〕解暑清热，消烦止渴，〔故有天生白虎汤之号。〕疗喉痹，漱口疮。〔降火之力
。〕
多食伤脾助湿作利。
甜瓜仁 〔即香瓜仁，甘寒，压去油用。〕破腹内之壅，治肠胃之痈。〔破溃脓血，最为肠胃内
痈要药。而瓜仁与冬瓜仁同功。〕甜瓜蒂〔极苦〕性寒能涌吐。
柿霜 〔甘平，真者佳。〕润肺而化痰止嗽，清心而退热生津。
蒂〔苦温〕能降逆气，故治冷呃。
枇杷叶 〔苦平，入肺、胃二经。治肺病蜜水炙，治胃病姜汁炙。湿叶重一两者，气足堪用。粗
布拭去毛，不净射肺，作咳难疗。〕走阳明则止呕治呃，入太阳则定咳消痰。〔长于降气，气降则火清
痰顺，而呕呃咳喘诸症自宁〕。
胃寒呕吐及风寒咳喘者勿服。
橘皮 〔辛苦温，入肺、脾、胃三经。和中补脾胃，留白用；
消痰理肺气，去白用。广中者最佳，福建者次之，陈久愈良。去蒂及浮膜。〕理气通滞，宽胸快膈
，〔能去胸中滞气冷气，皆理气之功。〕开胃进食，助脾消谷，〔香以醒之，
温以行之。〕宁嗽消痰，〔气利而嗽自止，痰自下，治湿痰寒痰痰饮，尤为最宜。〕止呕定泄。〔和
胃调脾，理气通滞之效。〕治大肠气闭，〔人之一身，三焦相通，不过一气，故气闭脉浮佐杏仁用，血
闭脉浮佐桃仁用。〕疗妇人乳痈。同补气药则益气，同泄气药则破气，同消痰药则祛痰，同消食药则化
食，各从其类以为用。
中气虚者，勿同耗气药用；胃热呕者，勿同辛温药用；
阴虚痰嗽，勿同星、夏等药用。橘肉生痰聚气。一物也，而相背如此。
橘叶〔苦平〕治乳痈。〔能散阳明厥阴经滞气。〕
橘核〔苦平〕疗诸疝〔下气故也。〕
青皮 〔即橘之小者，辛苦温，入肝、胆二经。麸炒。〕破滞气而削坚积，〔性沉而降，治石下
之病如神。〕治胁痛而理疝疼，〔能疏通肝、胆二经滞气故也。〕止呃逆，〔性沉而降气，实者可用。〕
消乳肿，引诸药至厥阴之分，〔以其为肝家引经之药。〕下饮食入太阴之仑。
性最酷烈，损人真气，不宜多用，虚者勿投。
香橼 〔辛苦温，入脾经。陈久者良，去白炒。〕治心下之气痛，助脾家之健运。
性虽中和，单用多用，亦损正气。
杏仁 〔甘苦温，入肺、大肠二经。泡去皮尖，焙研。治风寒肺病药中，亦有连皮尖用者，取其发
散也。双仁者有毒杀
人。〕散上焦之风，〔性温能散，故肺经风寒风热皆治，解肌之功也。〕除心下之热，〔邪气既散，
心下烦热自除。〕利胸中气逆而喘嗽，〔味苦能降，故气逆喘嗽皆安，下气之力也。〕润大肠气闭
而难通，〔以其性能润利而下行。〕解锡毒有效，消狗肉如神。〔索粉近之则烂，故亦最消粉积。〕
阴虚喘嗽者忌之。
桃仁 〔甘苦温，入肝、大肠二经。泡去皮尖，研。勿用双仁者。〕破诸经之瘀血，〔性善破
血，故治一切蓄血为病。〕润大肠之血燥。〔若由津液不足，而闭结者忌之。〕肌有血凝，而燥痒堪
除；〔能行皮肤凝聚之血，能除皮肤血热燥痒之患。〕热入血室，而谵言可止。兼能辟邪，〔桃为五
木之精也。〕亦可杀虫。
用之不当，大伤阴血，无瘀滞勿服，孕妇亦忌。
山楂 〔酸平，入肝、脾二经。〕消肉食之积，〔煮鸡硬肉，入之易烂，其消食克伐可知。〕行
瘀滞之血，〔产后儿枕作痛，加砂糖服之有效。〕能疗疝气，〔行结气滞血之功。〕亦发痘疹，脾胃虚而
兼有积滞者，当同补药用。
核治 疝，亦消食积。
荔枝核 〔甘温，入肝、肾二经。研碎焙。〕治 疝卵肿作痛，疗妇人血气刺痛。〔皆行散滞
气之功也。〕
乌梅 〔酸平，入肺、脾二经。解马汁毒、硫黄毒。〕主赤痢，而止便血崩中，〔酸能敛血，酸
能固肠。〕止久嗽而能下气除烦。〔酸能收肺气而止久嗽，酸能吸气归元而下气通，酸能敛浮热而除烦
满。〕安蛔厥，〔蛔得酸则伏。〕治口干，〔酸能化津液。〕疗火炎头痛，〔酸能敛虚火下降，故口糜
唇疮亦用之。〕蚀诸疮 肉。〔疮疽愈后，有肉突起，烧研敷之。〕
白梅 〔即霜梅。〕止霍乱，〔治伤暑霍乱，和仁捣碎。以仁能除烦热，入丝瓜叶、扁豆叶，再
捣烂，新汲水调服立愈。〕解酒毒，擦牙龈口噤便开，涂刀伤血出立止。〔刺在肉中者嚼涂即出。〕
病当发散者大忌。
榧子 〔甘涩平，入肺、大肠二经。反绿豆。〕善杀诸虫，〔不问何虫，小儿空腹食七枚。大人
二十一枚，七日虫皆死而出矣。〕能疗五痔。〔频食自愈。〕
莲子（味甘、性平，入心、脾、肾三经。需去除莲心）。能交通心肾，使君火与相火的邪气得以平息，〔因此治疗赤浊、白浊及梦遗滑精有显著功效〕。能厚肠胃，收涩泻痢导致的滑脱不禁。能消除崩漏，止住带下，〔因为脾得到补益后自然能统摄血液〕。频繁使用能固精，常服能使身体强健。〔土为元气的母亲，母气调和，则百病不生，筋骨就会强健〕。
生莲藕（味甘、性寒，入心、脾二经。捣汁生用）。能涤除热邪、解除烦闷，〔因其味甘性寒〕。能消散瘀血、止血，〔宋代御厨制作血羹时，削皮不慎落入血中，导致血液散开不凝固，所以后人用它来破血效果显著，产妇虽忌生冷，唯独此物不忌〕。又能止各种孔窍出血，〔因为其性寒且带有涩味〕。藕节的功效相同。能解蟹毒，能消酒毒。
石莲子（味苦、性寒。经霜后坚硬漆黑如石头，堕水入泥中的品质好，形状像榧子的大苦，产自广东树上的不宜入药）。治疗噤口痢疾。
莲须（味甘、涩，入心、肾二经）。清心火，诸窍出血可止；固肾气，丹田精气不致遗泄，能止泄泻，〔这都是其性涩的功效〕。能使须发变黑。〔这是补血的效果〕。
荷叶（气味芳香、性平，连蒂一起使用）。辅助脾胃，升发阳气，〔所以张洁古在积术丸方中，用荷叶烧饭做丸〕。治疗雷头风颇有效，〔头面出现疙瘩肿痛，或听到雷声就发作，取它像震仰孟的意象，属于同类相从的道理〕。治疗各种血症也有多功效。〔因为它能祛除恶血，保留好血〕。
龙眼（味甘、性平，入心、脾二经）。补心虚而增长智慧，〔因为它能益血，补心长智，所以别名益智〕。悦胃气以培补脾土，〔甘味先入脾、胃〕。消除健忘与怔忡，能安神并让人熟睡。〔这些都是益血补心的效果〕。
大枣（味甘、性平，入脾、胃二经）。补脾胃而益气强力，〔脾得到补益后气力更强〕。润肺金而生津液，缓解上咳。〔所以虚损的人适宜吃〕。
治疗泄泻，〔靠的是补脾的力量〕。调和营卫。〔邪气在荣卫之间，用辛甘之品来解散，所以同生姜配合调和荣卫，生发脾胃升腾之气〕。中满者忌食，小儿疳病及齿痛痰热之人，都不宜吃，生枣尤其不利，红枣功力稍逊。
胡桃（味甘、涩、性热，入肺、肾二经）。益肾固精，〔是补命门的药物，空腹食用，最能固精〕。养血润燥，〔所以有乌须发、润肌肤的能力〕。最擅长治疗伤损，〔通润血脉的力量，捣碎和酒服用〕。善于治疗铜毒。〔与铜钱一起吃就会变成粉末，所以误吞铜物，多吃自化，或与荸荠一起吃更好〕。
芡实（即鸡头实，味甘、性平，入脾、肾二经）。补肾固精，遗精白浊有赖于此，〔所以治疗小便不禁、遗精白浊、带下都需要它〕。益脾助气，泄泻无忧。
小儿不宜多吃，因为它难消化。做成粥饮很好。
松子（味甘、微温）。甘味能益血润大便，温性能和气，主治风虚，〔甘温助阳气而通经络，所以有治骨节中风，以及因风头眩、祛死肌、散水气的功效〕。久服有益。
梨（味甘、性寒，入心、脾、肝三经。生用清热，熟用滋阴，不酸的为好）。润肺凉心，降火消痰，定咳嗽而止气喘，〔这是润肺降火消痰的功效〕。除心烦而疗热狂。〔这是凉心降火的功效〕。祛除胸热痞塞，〔祛除胸中的热结而痞塞消除〕。治疗胃火呕吐，〔降低胃家之火，呕吐逆乱自安〕。止消渴而利大肠，〔其性流利下行，所以能利大便〕。解酒毒而贴敷火伤。〔也能解疮毒、金石热气。切片贴汤火之伤，止痛且不溃烂〕。
治疗大人暗风失音不语，〔内热生风，所谓内虚暗风是也。痰火壅塞上窍，所以失音〕，治疗小儿风热昏蒙躁闷。〔由风热生痰，热痰壅塞，所以昏迷躁闷。如果是因惊热生痰，也用此物〕。预先食用以防痈疽将要爆发，〔凡人有痛处，口渴脉洪大是痈疽将成的征兆，只要昼夜吃梨，可转重为轻。富贵人家，浓味酽酒，纵欲无节，必多痰火、卒中、痈疽之病，常食梨可免〕。频服而救噎膈之垂成。〔血液衰少，渐成噎膈者，同人乳、蔗桨、芦根汁、竹沥、童便饮用〕。李时珍说：古人论痰，多主风寒，用药皆是桂、附，所以不着重它的功效。今人痰病，火占六、七，梨能润肺、凉心、降火、消痰、解毒、治风热，诚为当今时局的重要物品，不可缺少的。
甘蔗（味甘、性寒，入肺、脾、胃三经。入药捣烂绞汁用）。止干呕而治吐治噎，〔因为它有中气助脾，下逆气，泻火热的能力〕。消热痰而止咳止渴，〔也是下气除热，生津润燥的功效〕。除烦热而宽胸膈，〔胸膈烦热既除，则自然宽舒，这是甘寒泻火的力量〕。解酒毒而利大肠。〔所以润大便，下燥结有神效〕。
白砂糖（味甘、性寒，入脾经）。和中助脾，〔脾主中州，甘味先入脾〕。润肺缓肝，〔蔗浆煎晒，凝结如石，故名石蜜。能润心肺燥热。肝苦急，急食甘以缓之，所以能缓肝火〕。生津止渴，除咳消痰。〔甘寒除热的功效〕。多吃也能害脾，因为味道太甘了。红色的功用相似，偏于和血，煎炼久了，而至紫黑色；则未免有湿热之气。
多吃损齿生虫。
荸荠（味甘、性寒，捣汁用）。善于化解误吞铜物，〔同胡桃吃一、二斤，即刻消解如神〕。能除腹满胀大，〔除热消食的缘故〕。消宿食，〔因为它有消坚削积的能力〕。理黄疸止便血〔也治血痢血崩〕。辟蛊毒。〔都是除热的功效〕。
孕妇忌食。
西瓜（味甘、性寒）。解暑清热，消烦止渴，〔所以有“天生白虎汤”的称号〕。疗喉痹，漱口疮。〔降火的力量〕。
多吃伤脾助湿作利。
甜瓜仁（即香瓜仁，味甘、性寒，压去油后用）。破除腹内的壅滞，治疗肠胃的痈肿。〔破溃脓血，最为肠胃内痈的要药。而瓜仁与冬瓜仁功效相同〕。甜瓜蒂（极苦）性寒能涌吐。
柿霜（味甘、性平，真品为佳）。润肺而化痰止嗽，清心而退热生津。
蒂（味苦、性温）能降逆气，所以治疗冷呃。
枇杷叶（味苦、性平，入肺、胃二经。治肺病用蜜水炙，治胃病用姜汁炙。湿叶重一两的，气足可用。粗布拭去毛，不干净射入肺中，引起咳嗽难治）。走阳明经则止呕治呃，入太阳经则定咳消痰。〔长于降气，气降则火清痰顺，而呕呃咳喘诸症自然安宁〕。
橘皮（味辛、苦、性温，入肺、脾、胃三经。和中补脾胃，留白用；消痰理肺气，去白用。广中产的最佳，福建产的次之，陈久的更好。去蒂及浮膜）。理气通滞，宽胸快膈，〔能去胸中滞气冷气，都是理气的功效〕。开胃进食，助脾消谷，〔香以醒之，温以行之〕。宁嗽消痰，〔气利而嗽自止，痰自下，治疗湿痰寒痰痰饮，尤为最宜〕。止呕定泄。〔和胃调脾，理气通滞的效果〕。治疗大肠气闭，〔人之一身，三焦相通，不过一气，所以气闭脉浮佐杏仁用，血闭脉浮佐桃仁用〕。疗妇人乳痈。同补气药则益气，同泄气药则破气，同消痰药则祛痰，同消食药则化食，各从其类以为用。
阴虚痰嗽，不要同星、夏等药用。橘肉生痰聚气。同一物，却相反如此。
青皮（即橘的小者，味辛、苦、性温，入肝、胆二经。麸炒）。破滞气而削坚积，〔性沉而降，治疗石下的病如神〕。治胁痛而理疝疼，〔能疏通肝、胆二经滞气〕。止呃逆，〔性沉而降气，实证可用〕。消乳肿，引诸药至厥阴之分，〔因为它是肝家的引经药〕。下饮食入太阴之仑。
性质最酷烈，损伤人的真气，不宜多用，虚证者勿投。
香橼（味辛、苦、性温，入脾经。陈久的良，去白炒）。治疗心下之气痛，助脾家之健运。
性质虽然中和，单用多用，也损伤正气。
杏仁（味甘、苦、性温，入肺、大肠二经。泡去皮尖，焙研。治疗风寒肺病药中，也有连皮尖用的，取其发散之意。双仁者有毒杀人）。散上焦之风，〔性温能散，所以肺经风寒风热皆治，解肌的功效〕。除心下之热，〔邪气既散，心下烦热自除〕。利胸中气逆而喘嗽，〔味苦能降，所以气逆喘嗽皆安，下气的力量〕。润大肠气闭而难通，〔因为它的性能润利而下行〕。解锡毒有效，消狗肉如神。〔索粉近之则烂，所以也最消粉积〕。
阴虚喘嗽者忌用。
桃仁（味甘、苦、性温，入肝、大肠二经。泡去皮尖，研。不要用双仁者）。破诸经之瘀血，〔性善破血，所以治疗一切蓄血为病〕。润大肠之血燥。〔若由津液不足，而闭结者忌用〕。肌有血凝，而燥痒堪除；〔能行皮肤凝聚之血，能除皮肤血热燥痒之患〕。热入血室，而谵言可止。兼能辟邪，〔桃为五木之精〕。亦可杀虫。
使用不当，大伤阴血，无瘀滞勿服，孕妇也忌。
山楂（味酸、性平，入肝、脾二经）。消肉食之积，〔煮鸡硬肉，加入其中易烂，其消食克伐可知〕。行瘀滞之血，〔产后儿枕作痛，加砂糖服之有效〕。能疗疝气，〔行结气滞血的功效〕。亦发痘疹，脾胃虚而兼有积滞者，应当同补药用。
核治疗疝，也消食积。
荔枝核（味甘、性温，入肝、肾二经。研碎焙）。治疗疝卵肿作痛，疗妇人血气刺痛。〔都是行散滞气的功效〕。
乌梅（味酸、性平，入肺、脾二经。解马汁毒、硫黄毒）。主赤痢，而止便血崩中，〔酸能敛血，酸能固肠〕。止久嗽而能下气除烦。〔酸能收肺气而止久嗽，酸能吸气归元而下气通，酸能敛浮热而除烦满〕。安蛔厥，〔蛔得酸则伏〕。治口干，〔酸能化津液〕。疗火炎头痛，〔酸能敛虚火下降，所以口糜唇疮也用〕。蚀诸疮肉。〔疮疽愈后，有肉突起，烧研敷之〕。
白梅（即霜梅）。止霍乱，〔治伤暑霍乱，和仁捣碎。以仁能除烦热，入丝瓜叶、扁豆叶，再捣烂，新汲水调服立愈〕。解酒毒，擦牙龈口噤便开，涂刀伤血出立止。〔刺在肉中者嚼涂即出〕。
病当发散者大忌。
榧子（味甘、涩、性平，入肺、大肠二经。反绿豆）。善于杀诸虫，〔不问什么虫，小儿空腹吃七枚。大人二十一枚，七日虫皆死而出矣〕。能疗五痔。〔频食自愈〕。
Lotus Seed (Lianzi) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. Remove the plumule]. It connects the Heart and Kidney, pacifying both the Ministerial Fire and Sovereign Fire pathogenic factors, [thus it is effective in treating red and white turbidity, nocturnal emission, and spermatorrhea]. It thickens the intestines and stomach, astringing diarrhea and dysentery with sliding incontinence. It eliminates metrorrhagia, stops leukorrhea, [as the Spleen, when tonified, naturally gains the ability to control blood]. Frequent use can consolidate essence; regular consumption promotes robustness. [Earth is the mother of Yuan Qi; once the mother's qi is harmonious, hundred diseases will not arise, and tendons and bones will become strong.]
Raw Lotus Root (Sheng Ou) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. Crush for juice, used raw]. It clears heat and removes vexation, [due to its sweet and cold nature]. It dissipates stasis and stops bleeding, [In the Song Dynasty, imperial kitchen staff preparing blood soup accidentally dropped peeled skin into the blood, causing it to scatter and not coagulate; thus later generations found it highly effective for breaking blood stasis. Although parturient women generally avoid raw and cold foods, this is an exception]. It also stops bleeding from various orifices, [because its nature is cold and astringent]. The lotus node (Ou Jie) has similar functions. It resolves crab toxicity and dissipates alcohol toxicity.
Cooked Lotus Root (Shu Ou) [Sweet, warm]. Primarily tonifies and benefits the Spleen and Stomach.
Stone Lotus Seed (Shi Lian Zi) [Bitter, cold. After frost, it becomes hard and black like stone; those that fall into water and mud are superior. Those shaped like Torreya seeds are extremely bitter and those produced on trees in Guangdong are unsuitable for medicinal use]. Treats anorectic dysentery (Jinkou Li).
Lotus Stamens (Lian Xu) [Sweet, astringent. Enters the Heart and Kidney meridians]. Clears Heart fire, stopping bleeding from various orifices; consolidates Kidney qi, preventing leakage of essence from the Dantian, and stops diarrhea, [all due to its astringent nature]. It darkens beard and hair, [which is the effect of nourishing blood].
Lotus Leaf (He Ye) [Aromatic, neutral. Used with the petiole]. Assists the Spleen and Stomach, raising and dispersing Yang qi, [thus Zhang Jiegu used lotus leaf steamed with rice to make pills in his Jizhu Wan formula]. It treats Lei Tou Feng (Thunderhead Wind) with considerable efficacy, [characterized by nodular swelling and pain on the head and face, or triggered by hearing thunder; it is used because its shape resembles the inverted pot of a thunder god, following the principle of sympathetic resonance]. It is also effective for various hemorrhagic disorders, [as it can dispel evil blood while retaining good blood].
Longan Fruit (Long Yan) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart and Spleen meridians]. Tonifies Heart deficiency and enhances wisdom, [because it nourishes blood and benefits the Heart, hence the alias Yizhi]. Pleases Stomach qi to cultivate the Spleen, [sweet flavors enter the Spleen and Stomach first]. Eliminates forgetfulness and palpitations, calms the Spirit, and induces deep sleep, [all effects of nourishing blood and tonifying the Heart].
Jujube (Da Zao) [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians]. Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, benefiting Qi and strengthening strength, [as the Spleen, when tonified, gains stronger Qi]. Moistens Lung Metal, generates fluids, and relieves upper cough, [thus suitable for those with consumptive diseases].
Treats diarrhea, [relying on the power of Spleen tonification]. Harmonizes Ying and Wei. [When pathogens are in Ying and Wei, acrid-sweet herbs resolve them; thus, combined with Sheng Jiang, it harmonizes Ying and Wei, generating the ascending Qi of the Spleen and Stomach]. Contraindicated in cases of fullness in the middle Jiao; not suitable for children with Gan disease or those with toothache and phlegm-heat. Raw dates are particularly unfavorable; red dates have slightly weaker efficacy.
Walnut (Hu Tao) [Sweet, astringent, hot. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians]. Benefits the Kidney and consolidates essence, [a herb for tonifying the Gate of Vitality; eating it on an empty stomach best consolidates essence]. Nourishes blood and moistens dryness, [thus capable of darkening hair and moistening skin]. Most effective for trauma injuries, [its power to unblock and moisten blood vessels; crush and take with wine]. Excellent for treating copper toxicity, [when eaten with copper coins, it turns to powder; thus, for accidental ingestion of copper objects, eating more of it helps dissolve them, preferably with water chestnuts].
Contraindicated for Lung phlegm-heat, Yin deficiency with hemoptysis or epistaxis.
Euryale Seed (Qian Shi), also known as Chicken Head Seed [Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians]. Tonifies the Kidney and consolidates essence, aiding in cases of enuresis and turbid urine, [thus needed for treating urinary incontinence, seminal emission with turbid urine, and leukorrhea]. Benefits the Spleen and assists Qi, alleviating anxiety about diarrhea.
Children should not eat it in large quantities as it is difficult to digest. Making it into porridge is excellent.
Pine Nut (Song Zi) [Sweet, slightly warm]. Sweetness nourishes blood and moistens the large intestine; warmth harmonizes Qi. It treats wind-deficiency, [sweet-warm herbs assist Yang Qi and unblock collaterals, thus having the function of treating joint wind-stroke, dizziness caused by head wind, removing dead flesh, and dissipating fluid retention]. Long-term use is beneficial.
Pear (Li) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Heart, Spleen, and Liver meridians. Used raw to clear heat, cooked to nourish Yin; non-acidic ones are preferred]. Moistens the Lung and cools the Heart, descends fire and transforms phlegm, stabilizes cough and stops asthma, [functions of moistening the Lung, descending fire, and transforming phlegm]. Removes vexation and treats heat-induced mania, [functions of cooling the Heart and descending fire]. Dispels chest heat and stuffiness, [dispelling heat accumulation in the chest removes stuffiness]. Treats Stomach fire vomiting, [descending Stomach fire stabilizes vomiting and rebellion]. Stops thirst and benefits the large intestine, [its nature is slippery and descending, thus benefiting bowel movements]. Resolves alcohol toxicity and applies to burns, [also resolves carbuncle toxins and mineral/stone heat. Slices applied to scalds/burns stop pain without ulceration].
Treats adults with silent wind and aphasia, [internal heat generating wind, known as internal deficiency silent wind. Phlegm-fire obstructing the upper orifices causes aphasia], and children with wind-heat causing confusion, irritability, and restlessness. [Caused by wind-heat generating phlegm, where hot phlegm obstructs, leading to coma and restlessness. Also used if phlegm is generated by fright-heat]. Eating it beforehand prevents the outbreak of carbuncles and sores, [if a person has painful areas, thirst, and a flooding pulse, these are signs of impending carbuncles. Eating pears day and night can turn severe cases mild. Families rich in food and wine, indulging without restraint, often suffer from phlegm-fire, apoplexy, and carbuncles; regular pear consumption can prevent this]. Frequent consumption saves against advanced dysphagia, [for those with declining blood volume gradually developing dysphagia, drink with human milk, sugarcane juice, reed rhizome juice, bamboo sap, and child's urine]. Li Shizhen said: Ancients attributed phlegm mostly to wind-cold, using Gui Zhi and Fu Zi, thus understating its efficacy. Modern phlegm diseases are largely fire-based; Pear's ability to moisten the Lung, cool the Heart, descend fire, transform phlegm, detoxify, and treat wind-heat makes it an essential item for modern times, indispensable.
Contraindicated for Spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
Sugarcane (Gan Zhe) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. For medicinal use, crush and squeeze juice]. Stops dry heaving, treats vomiting and dysphagia, [as it harmonizes the middle, aids the Spleen, directs rebellious Qi downward, and drains fire-heat]. Transforms hot phlegm, stops cough and thirst, [also functions of directing Qi downward, removing heat, generating fluids, and moistening dryness]. Relieves vexation-heat and widens the chest and diaphragm, [once chest-diaphragm vexation-heat is removed, comfort returns, due to sweet-cold fire-draining power]. Resolves alcohol toxicity and benefits the large intestine, [thus moistening stool and resolving dry constipation with divine efficacy].
Contraindicated for Stomach cold with vomiting, middle Jiao fullness, and loose stools.
White Sugar (Bai Sha Tang) [Sweet, cold. Enters the Spleen meridian]. Harmonizes the middle and aids the Spleen, [the Spleen governs the central region, and sweet flavors enter the Spleen first]. Moistens the Lung and moderates the Liver, [sugarcane syrup boiled and dried solidifies like stone, hence named Shi Mi. It moistens Heart and Lung dryness-heat. The Liver dislikes urgency; eating sweet foods moderates it, thus it moderates Liver fire]. Generates fluids, stops thirst, eliminates cough, and transforms phlegm, [sweet-cold heat-clearing efficacy]. Excessive consumption harms the Spleen due to its overly sweet taste. Red sugar has similar functions but excels in nourishing blood; prolonged refining turns it purple-black, introducing damp-heat qualities.
Excessive consumption damages teeth and causes worms.
Water Chestnut (Bi Qi) [Sweet, cold. Use crushed juice]. Excellent at dissolving ingested copper objects, [eating one to two jin with walnuts dissolves them miraculously]. Removes abdominal fullness and distension, [due to clearing heat and digesting food]. Eliminates retained food, [possessing the ability to dissolve hardness and reduce accumulation]. Treats jaundice and stops hematochezia, [also treats bloody dysentery and metrorrhagia]. Expels gu poison. [All due to heat-clearing functions].
Contraindicated for pregnant women.
Watermelon (Xi Gua) [Sweet, cold]. Resolves summerheat and clears heat, reduces vexation and stops thirst, [hence the nickname "Natural Bai Hu Decoction"]. Treats throat obstruction and mouth ulcers, [power of descending fire].
Excessive consumption harms the Spleen, aids dampness, and causes diarrhea.
Melon Seed (Tian Gua Ren), also known as Fragrant Melon Seed [Sweet, cold. Press to remove oil before use]. Breaks abdominal stagnation, treats intestinal abscesses, [breaking down pus and blood, it is a key herb for internal intestinal abscesses. Its function is similar to Winter Melon Seed]. Melon Pedicel (Tian Gua Di) [Extremely bitter] is cold and induces vomiting.
Persimmon Frost (Shi Shuang) [Sweet, neutral. Authentic quality is best]. Moistens the Lung, transforms phlegm, and stops cough; clears the Heart, reduces fever, and generates fluids.
Pedicel (Di) [Bitter, warm] descends rebellious Qi, thus treating cold hiccups.
Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye) [Bitter, neutral. Enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. For Lung diseases, process with honey water; for Stomach diseases, process with ginger juice. Wet leaves weighing one qian have sufficient Qi for use. Wipe off hairs with coarse cloth; if impurities enter the Lung, they cause difficult-to-treat cough]. Moving through the Yangming meridian stops vomiting and treats hiccups; entering the Taiyang meridian stabilizes cough and transforms phlegm, [excels at descending Qi; when Qi descends, fire clears and phlegm flows smoothly, so vomiting, hiccups, cough, and asthma naturally subside].
Contraindicated for Stomach cold with vomiting and wind-cold cough/asthma.
Tangerine Peel (Ju Pi) [Acrid, bitter, warm. Enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. To harmonize the middle and tonify Spleen/Stomach, keep the white pith; to transform phlegm and regulate Lung Qi, remove the white pith. Those from Guangdong are best, Fujian next; aged ones are better. Remove pedicel and floating membrane]. Regulates Qi and unblocks stagnation, widens the chest and pleases the diaphragm, [dispelling stagnant and cold Qi in the chest, all functions of regulating Qi]. Opens appetite, aids digestion, [aroma awakens it, warmth moves it]. Calms cough and transforms phlegm, [when Qi flows freely, cough stops and phlegm descends; especially suitable for damp-phlegm, cold-phlegm, and fluid retention]. Stops vomiting and regulates diarrhea, [harmonizing Stomach and regulating Spleen, regulating Qi and unblocking stagnation]. Treats large intestine Qi closure, [the body's San Jiao is connected, relying on one Qi; thus for Qi closure with floating pulse, add Xing Ren; for Blood closure with floating pulse, add Tao Ren]. Treats breast abscess in women. Combined with Qi-tonifying herbs, it benefits Qi; with Qi-draining herbs, it breaks Qi; with phlegm-transforming herbs, it expels phlegm; with food-digesting herbs, it transforms food, each acting according to its category.
Those with deficient Middle Qi should not use it with Qi-depleting herbs; those with Stomach heat and vomiting should not use it with acrid-warm herbs; those with Yin deficiency and phlegm-cough should not use it with Ban Xia and Tian Nan Xing. Tangerine flesh generates phlegm and gathers Qi. The same substance acts oppositely.
Tangerine Leaf (Ju Ye) [Bitter, neutral] treats breast abscess, [dispelling stagnant Qi in the Yangming and Jueyin meridians].
Tangerine Seed (Ju He) [Bitter, neutral] treats various hernias, [due to descending Qi].
Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi), i.e., immature tangerine peel [Acrid, bitter, warm. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Stir-fry with bran]. Breaks stagnant Qi and reduces hard accumulations, [nature is heavy and descending, treating lower abdominal diseases like magic]. Treats hypochondriac pain and regulates hernia pain, [unblocking stagnant Qi in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians]. Stops hiccups, [nature is heavy and descends Qi, usable for excess patterns]. Reduces breast swelling, guides other herbs to the Jueyin division, [as it is a guiding herb for the Liver]. Directs food and drink into the Taiyin spleen.
Its nature is most fierce, depletes true Qi, should not be used in excess; contraindicated for deficiency patterns.
Citron (Xiang Yuan) [Acrid, bitter, warm. Enters the Spleen meridian. Aged ones are good, remove white pith and stir-fry]. Treats Qi pain in the epigastrium, assists Spleen transportation.
Although its nature is moderate, single-use or excessive use also damages righteous Qi.
Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren) [Sweet, bitter, warm. Enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Soak, remove skin and tips, roast and grind. In formulas for wind-cold Lung diseases, sometimes skin and tips are kept for their dispersing action. Double-kernel varieties are toxic and fatal]. Disperses wind in the Upper Jiao, [warm nature disperses, thus treating both wind-cold and wind-heat in the Lung meridian, a muscle-relaxing function]. Removes heat in the epigastrium, [once pathogens disperse, epigastric vexation-heat is eliminated]. Relieves rebellious Qi in the chest causing asthma and cough, [bitter flavor descends, thus calming rebellious Qi and asthma, a Qi-descending power]. Moistens the Large Intestine, relieving Qi closure and difficulty in passage, [its nature is moistening and descending]. Effective for resolving tin toxicity, miraculously digests dog meat, [noodles rot upon contact, thus also best for digesting starch accumulation].
Contraindicated for Yin deficiency with asthma and cough.
Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) [Sweet, bitter, warm. Enters the Liver and Large Intestine meridians. Soak, remove skin and tips, grind. Do not use double-kernel varieties]. Breaks blood stasis in all meridians, [excellent at breaking blood, thus treating all conditions of stored blood]. Moistens blood dryness in the Large Intestine, [contraindicated if constipation is due to fluid deficiency]. Removes skin blood coagulation and dry itching, [moves condensed blood in the skin, eliminating skin blood-heat and dry itching]. Stops delirium when heat enters the Blood Chamber. Also wards off evil spirits, [Peach is the essence of the Five Woods]. Can also kill parasites.
Improper use severely injures Yin blood; contraindicated without blood stasis; also contraindicated for pregnant women.
Hawthorn (Shan Zha) [Sour, neutral. Enters the Liver and Spleen meridians]. Digests meat accumulation, [boiling tough chicken meat with it makes it tender, showing its digestive and attacking power]. Moves stagnant blood, [effective for postpartum uterine lochia pain when taken with brown sugar]. Treats hernia, [moving constrained Qi and stagnant blood]. Also promotes eruption of smallpox/measles; for those with Spleen deficiency and food stagnation, combine with tonifying herbs.
Seeds treat hernia and also digest food accumulation.
Lychee Seed (Li Zhi He) [Sweet, warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Grind, roast]. Treats hernia with swollen and painful testicles, and stabbing pain from Blood-Qi disorders in women, [all functions of moving and dispersing stagnant Qi].
Mume Fruit (Wu Mei) [Sour, neutral. Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Resolves horse bite venom and sulfur toxicity]. Primary for red dysentery, stops hematochezia and metrorrhagia, [sour astringes blood, sour consolidates the intestine]. Stops chronic cough and descends Qi, removing vexation, [sour collects Lung Qi to stop chronic cough, sour draws Qi back to the source to descend Qi, sour astringes floating heat to remove vexation]. Calms roundworm colic, [roundworms submit to sourness]. Treats dry mouth, [sour transforms fluids]. Treats headache from flaming fire, [sour astringes deficient fire to descend, thus also used for mouth ulcers and lip sores]. Erodes granulation tissue in sores, [after carbuncles heal, if flesh protrudes, burn, grind, and apply].
White Plum (Bai Mei), also known as Frost Plum. Stops cholera, [treats summerheat cholera, crush with seeds. Seeds remove vexation-heat; combine with luffa leaf and lablab leaf, crush again, mix with fresh well water, cures immediately]. Resolves alcohol toxicity, rubs on gums to open locked jaw, applies to knife wounds to stop bleeding instantly, [chew and apply to remove splinters embedded in flesh].
Greatly contraindicated when the disease requires dispersion.
Torreya Seed (Fei Zi) [Sweet, astringent, neutral. Enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Antagonistic to Mung Bean]. Excellent at killing various parasites, [regardless of parasite type, children eat seven on an empty stomach; adults eat twenty-one; parasites die and exit within seven days]. Treats five types of hemorrhoids, [frequent consumption leads to self-healing].