主肌肉，故大热目痛鼻干，皆阳明经症，汗出则邪自散而安。〕止泻痢，〔以其能鼓舞胃气上行也
。〕散郁火，〔火郁则发之也。〕解酒毒，〔蒸热用葛花更佳。〕发斑疹。〔开腠解肌之功，已
见者则勿用。〕
上盛下虚之人，虽有脾胃病亦不宜用。
白芷 〔辛温，入肺、胃、大肠三经。微焙。〕治头风目泪，止齿痛眉疼。〔头风，偏正头风
也。眉疼，眉棱骨疼也。〕肌肤瘙痒能除，〔祛风则上症自除。〕肠风下血可止。〔入阳明气分，兼入
血分，气香而性升故也。〕治白带，〔亦借其升之力。又风能胜湿也。〕解蛇伤，〔敷服皆效。〕消痈
散肿，止痛排脓。〔辛香散结，而又活血消肿止痛，又能蚀脓故也。〕疗风之品，其气芳烈，能通九
窍，阳明经额颅痛者，须用之。
燥能耗血，散能损气，阴虚血热之人大忌，痈疽已溃，宜渐减去。
柴胡 〔苦微寒，入肝、胆二经。见火无效。〕治少阳伤寒，〔寒热往来为少阳半表之邪，不
可施汗吐下三法。法当和解，须用柴胡，〕疗时疾发热。〔风温、温热时气之邪，属
肝、胆、三焦、心包络受病，柴胡正为四家引经之药。性升散而气微寒，故解表除热。〕或诸疟，
或杂症，往来寒热悉能除；或早晨，或日晡，身体潮热咸商用。〔东垣云∶诸疟皆以柴胡为君，随所
发时，见何经症，佐以引经之药。又云∶能引清气而行阳道，伤寒外诸有热者则加之，无热则不加，
然亦须审察病源，合宜而用则可。〕头痛头眩，目赤目昏皆效；耳鸣耳聋。〔皆风热上壅之故。〕胁
满胁痛咸安。〔邪解则上症自除。〕治热入血室。〔经水适来适断，热邪乘虚陷入血室，其血必结。和
解热邪，宣畅气血，症自愈矣。东垣云∶其能散诸经血结气聚，功同连翘，十二经疮家皆可用之。〕
升阳气下陷。〔东垣云∶其能引胃气上行，升腾而行春令。时珍又言∶柴胡能引少阳清气上行，升麻能
引阳明清气上行。〕
凡病患虚而气升，及阴虚火炽炎上者均忌。银州柴胡，俗治劳热骨蒸，按仲淳言其功用，不过优于
升散，恐非除虚热之药，须酌用之。
升麻 〔辛甘苦温，入肺、脾、大肠、胃四经、青色者佳。忌火。〕祛风邪，〔言其祛皮肤风邪者
，入肺发散也。〕解肌热，〔言其解肌肉间风热者，入胃发散也。〕散邪气于至高之上，〔故头痛喉
疼，口疮齿痛，皆赖其散邪之功。〕升阳气于至阴之下。〔故补中益气汤佐参， 以升下陷阳气。〕
泻痢崩带俱征用，脱肛遗浊共寻求。〔皆赖提升之力也。〕属阳性升。凡吐衄痰嗽，气逆吐呕，切勿误投。
细辛 〔辛温。入心、肺、肝、肾四经。反藜芦。〕治少阴头痛，〔故仲景治少阴症，有麻黄
附子细辛汤，亦止诸阳头痛，诸风通用。〕疗风寒鼻塞。〔辛香开窍也。〕
大辛纯阳，凡血虚内热头痛，阴虚火升鼻塞戒之。即入风药，不过五分而止，以其性最燥烈。
川芎 〔一名川穷，辛温，入肝经。〕主头痛面风，止泪出涕多。〔辛散上升，故多有功于头
面，以其能治一切风也。〕去瘀生新，〔又能治一切血疾，血活则去旧生新。〕长肉排脓。〔以其为血中
气药也。〕小者名抚芎，诸郁能开，〔辛散之功。〕泻痢可止，〔左传言∶同小麦曲御湿，治河鱼腹
疾。时珍用治湿泻，每加二味如神。血痢已通，而痛不止者，乃阴亏气郁，加芎为佐。气行血调而愈。
〕血虚头痛之圣药。诸头痛必用川芎，如不愈，各加引经药。
凡虚火上炎，呕吐咳逆者忌之。单用久服，令人暴亡。
为其辛散走泄真气故也。辛散之祸如此，司命者当知之。
天麻 〔辛平，入肝经。酒浸煨熟焙干。〕治风痰，定眩晕。〔诸风掉眩，皆属于肝。东垣言∶
目黑头旋，风痰内作，非此不能除。为治风神药，头风头痛亦用之也。〕疗四肢湿痹麻木，〔风药能胜
湿也。〕医小儿风痫惊风。〔小儿发痫，或因风邪，或因惊骇入肝，定风消痰则安矣。〕
虽不甚燥，毕竟风剂助火，若火炎头晕，血虚头痛等症咸忌。
甘菊花 〔甘苦微寒，入肺、肝、肾三经。〕治头目风热，眩痛泪出。〔能益金水二脏，益金所
以平木，木平则风自熄；补水能祛风，除热即所以制火，火降则热自除。故治头眩头痛，目痛泪出诸病。
〕祛身上游风，皮肤死肌。〔治风先治血，血行风自灭。皮肤不营，则为不仁。祛风而能补阴血，则游
风愈，而死肌得和矣。〕除胸中烦热，〔血虚则烦，阴虚则热收于内。补阴益血，则烦热并除。〕救垂死
疔疮。〔疔乃风火之毒，捣汁饮之即活。根叶俱良。〕独禀金精，专制风木，为祛风除热益血之要药。
与枸杞相对久服，终身无目疾中风疔疮之患。作枕大能明目。
钩藤 〔甘微寒，入肝、心、包络三经，嫩钩更效。临起入药一、二沸，久煎便无力。〕平肝风
，除心热，治头目眩晕，
疗小儿惊痫，〔因惊骇叫号恍惚是也。惊痫眩晕，皆肝风相火之病。平肝木，通心包，风静火息，上症
自愈。〕祛肝风而不燥。幼科珍之，用治寒热惊啼螈 诸疾。
威灵仙 〔苦温，入膀胱经。忌茶茗面。〕诸风皆治，痛风更宜。〔其性好走，亦可横行，痛风
上下皆宜。〕去腹内冷滞，〔能宣通五脏，以其性温走而不守也，〕去膈间痰水，
〔风能胜湿而消饮也，〕性快，风药之善走者也。
多服泄人五脏真气，气弱者勿服。
香薷 〔辛微温，入心、脾、胃三经。忌见火。〕解寒郁之暑气，理霍乱之吐泻。〔夏月
乘凉饮冷，阳气为阴邪所遏，以致头痛发热恶寒，无汗，霍乱吐泻，用之以发越阳气，散水
和脾则愈。〕辛散温通，为夏月解表而带和中之药。又能散水肿者，除湿利水之功也。
若劳役受热
，反用香薷，重虚其表，而又济之以温，大误。故无表邪者不可用。今人谓能避暑，概用代茶，真痴人说梦也。
黄连 〔苦大寒，入心、脾、胃、肝、胆、大肠六经。治心经之火生用，肝胆之火猪胆汁炒
，上焦之火酒炒。中焦之火姜汁炒，下焦之火，盐水炒，食积之火，黄土炒，气分湿
热之火吴茱萸汤炒，血分块中伏火干漆水炒。忌猪肉。解巴豆附子毒。川产者佳。〕泻少阴君火，〔
苦先入心，为泻君火之主药。〕祛中焦湿热。〔苦燥湿，寒胜热。〕止烦躁而定惊悸，〔君火得宁也。
〕止痢疾而解酒毒。〔除湿热之功，故赤白痢疾及因酒毒下血腹痛者，必用之。〕天行热病宜投，心下
痞满须简。〔苦寒能清解热邪也。〕除心腹之痛，口疗舌之疮，〔皆涤热清火之功。〕目疼赤肿泪流必
需，〔热盛则为痛、为赤、为肿，肝热则泪出，故为治目要药。〕蛔动疮家痘症均求。〔蛔虫得苦则安
，诸疮皆属心火，痘症必宜解毒。〕理妇人阴中肿痛，〔清肝火而自安。〕医小儿疳热诸虫。〔疳以
湿热为咎，故多生虫，祛湿热而又苦能杀虫也。〕
大苦大寒，但能祛邪涤热，焉能济弱扶虚，凡血少气
虚，脾、胃薄弱者，均在禁例。
胡黄连 〔苦大寒，入肝、胆二经。忌猪肉，解巴豆毒，折之尘出如烟者真。〕退骨蒸劳热
，〔入肌附骨之热，此能清之。然在初起时，脾胃健旺者，可暂用而不可久也。〕治温疟三消。
〔温疟病热在骨间，三消症皆从火断。〕祛阴汗，〔湿热下流客之，故阴汗出，除湿热则止矣。〕
浓肠胃。〔祛湿热而肠胃自浓，与黄连之浓肠胃同，非补益而浓之也。〕痢疾疸家并用，〔以同为
湿热也。〕目赤痔痛均求，〔皆属火症也。〕疳积甚灵，惊痫莫缺。大苦大寒，故能清肠胃以及
骨间一切湿热、邪热、阴分伏热、所生诸病。其功用相似黄连。产于胡地，故以胡名。
胃虚脾弱者，虽见以上诸症，亦勿轻投，必不得已，须与保脾胃药同施。
黄芩 〔苦寒，入心、肺、胃、胆、大、小肠六经。酒炒则上行，猪胆汁炒泻肝胆之火，枯
而飘者，泻上焦之火，实而坚者，退下部之热。〕泻肺中火邪，祛脾胃混热。止嗽降痰，
而除喉中腥臭；〔泻肺火，则咳嗽止，腥臭除。治痰者，取其火降而痰亦降。〕治痢医疸，而止少腹
绞痛。〔善治湿热。故主痢疾黄胆。火在少腹则绞痛，泻火则痛止，亦火热腹痛。〕利小肠治五淋
，〔除湿热之功，〕疗天行热疾，理目赤肿疼。安胎须用，疔痈亦简。〔皆取其泻火除热也。〕
苦寒清肃之药，其功能治诸热，而非补益之品，当与黄连并列。非系实火之症，勿用。胎因血虚
不安者，亦忌之。
连翘 〔辛苦寒，入心、胆大肠三经。捣碎。〕除心经客热，〔为心经、包络气分之主药，最泻
心火。〕祛脾胃湿热。治耳聋而通月经，〔三焦经病则耳聋，热气上壅之故，直入三焦，清热则愈。
通经者，清热散血结之功也。〕祛白虫而解蛊毒。〔湿热除则虫自去，蛊毒非辛热不成，热解则蛊自
消。〕利五淋小便不通，〔心与小肠为表里，泻心火而小肠之热亦除。〕散诸经血结气聚。〔十二经
疮家必用，乃结者散之之义。又诸经客热，非此不除。〕消瘰 瘿瘤，〔皆胆经气郁有热而成。轻扬
芬芳，以散郁结，清凉以除郁热，则自消矣。〕医痈肿恶疮。〔无非营气壅遏，卫气郁滞而成。〕
清而无补之药，中病即止。痈疽已溃勿服。
龙胆草 〔苦涩大寒，入肝，胆二经。〕主肝、胆热邪，清下
焦湿火。〔能治脐下至足肿疼，湿热香港脚诸疾。下行之功，同于防己。〕治目赤肿痛，瘀肉高起；
〔酒炒则能上行外行。佐柴胡为目疾必用之药。〕祛肠中小虫，婴儿惊痫。理疮疥，杀蛊毒。禀纯阴
之气，但以荡涤肝胆之热为职。
脾胃虚人，不可轻投。
芦荟 〔苦大寒，入心、肝、脾三经。黑如漆者佳。〕祛膈热，〔胸膈间热也。〕除烦闷，〔
清热之功。〕目疾宜求，〔目不因火则不病。〕疳病必简。〔五疳同为内热停滞之症，此能治诸疳热，
又善杀三虫。〕至苦大寒，故为除热杀虫之要药、苦药皆燥，惟此性独润，一经滴水，即便粘手，
昔人以朱砂为佐，用治大便不通者，得非取其寒润之功欲？
脾胃弱者大忌。
青黛 〔咸寒，入肝经。真者从波斯国来，不可得。用染瓮上沫之紫碧色者，或青布浸汁代之
俱可。贷者以干靛充之，内有锻石，每斤淘取一两，亦可用。〕治伤寒赤斑，〔其性善解毒除热，〕散
五脏郁火，〔青色通肝，泄肝尤为要药。〕除疳热而杀虫，〔小儿诸热，惊痫夜啼并主之，〕疗疮肿而
涂敷。〔热疮湿疮恶肿，并用敷之。〕
中寒者勿服。古方用治血症，使非血分实热者，大非所宜。
地榆 〔苦寒，入肝、肾、胃、大肠四经。〕止血痢肠风，〔善祛湿热为功。〕除带下
崩漏。〔湿热去则带下止，血不热则崩漏除。〕疗诸疮而定痛，〔诸疮肿毒，莫不由血热所生，凉血
泄热，则热散血活，而肿消痛止矣。〕除恶肉而止脓。〔血热极则郁，故肿而成恶肉。脓血不
止，亦血热所致。〕沉寒入下焦，故多主下部湿热诸病。
脾胃虚寒而泄泻，气虚下陷而崩带者，禁用。
茵陈 〔苦寒，入脾、胃、肝、胆、膀胱五经。〕善祛湿热，总治诸疸。〔黄胆虽各有所因，然
同为湿热所成。〕
蓄血发黄者，非此所宜。
山豆根 〔苦寒，入心、肺二经。〕止咽疼而善治喉间诸疾，〔含之咽汁，解咽喉肿毒。同白药
子等分煎服，治喉风急症，牙关紧闭，水谷不下者神效。〕解诸毒而能消肿痛诸疮。〔能解一切药毒蛊
毒，痈肿诸毒，凡毒必热，清热则毒解。〕
大苦大寒，宜中病即止。
青蒿 〔苦寒，入肝、肾二经。童便浸一宿晒干。〕祛骨蒸劳热，杀鬼蛀传尸。〔芳能避邪，苦
能杀虫也。〕
脾胃虚弱者，仍当避之。
防己 〔辛苦寒，入膀胱经。〕祛下焦湿热，〔专泻下焦血中
湿热，上焦禁用。〕治香港脚肿痛。〔香港脚之疾，因湿热壅遏，喜通而恶塞，故用汉防己以通滞塞
，且其性又能利大小便。〕防己分木汉二种。木者专风，汉者专水。
大苦大寒，其性猛悍。善用之。亦可敌凶突险，此瞑眩之药也。服之令人身心烦闷，饮食减少，
惟下焦湿热壅遏，及香港脚病，非此不效；须与米仁、石斛、茯苓、木瓜、萆 之属同用则可。
萆 〔甘苦平，入胃、肝、肾三经。川者佳，勿用有刺者。〕治腰脚瘫痪不遂，〔长于祛
风除湿，风湿去而自愈。〕止白浊茎中作痛。〔能治阳明之湿而固下焦，故能祛浊厘清，而治是病
。〕痹症香港脚并用〔二症皆由于湿。〕淋家疝病均宜，〔经曰∶脾受积食之气，小便黄赤，甚则淋。病
症，亦属湿热为病，但分寒热二途，湿去则皆安。〕
主用皆祛风除湿，无湿者勿用。土茯苓与萆 形虽不同，功用相仿。亦善祛风除湿，祛浊厘清，
均治恶疮化毒。东山经言∶食之已风，此头风方中，所以用之神效欤？俗称寒冷服之无子。不知本草谓
其甘淡性平，又健脾胃，止泄泻，补下焦，治阴痿之功也。
（葛根）主管肌肉，所以大热、目痛、鼻干，都是阳明经的症状，出汗后邪气自然消散而病愈。〔用于〕止泻痢，〔因为葛根能鼓舞胃气上行〕。散郁火，〔火郁结则用发散的方法治疗〕。解酒毒，〔蒸热时服用葛花效果更好〕。发斑疹。〔具有开腠理、解肌表的功效，如果斑疹已经发出，则不要使用〕。
对于上盛下虚的人，即使有脾胃病也不宜使用。
白芷 〔辛温，入肺、胃、大肠三经。微焙后使用。〕治疗头风、流泪，止齿痛、眉疼。〔头风，指偏头痛和正头痛；眉疼，指眉棱骨疼痛。〕肌肤瘙痒能去除，〔祛风则上述症状自然消除。〕肠风下血可止住。〔入阳明气分，兼入血分，因其气香且性升的缘故。〕治疗白带，〔也是借助其升提之力。另外风能胜湿。〕解蛇伤，〔外敷内服都有效。〕消痈散肿，止痛排脓。〔辛香能散结，又能活血消肿止痛，还能腐蚀脓液。〕作为治疗风邪的药物，其气味芳烈，能通九窍，阳明经引起的额颅痛者，必须使用它。
燥性能耗伤血液，散性能损伤正气，阴虚血热之人严禁使用，痈疽已经溃破的，应逐渐减量或停用。
柴胡 〔苦微寒，入肝、胆二经。见火无效。〕治疗少阳伤寒，〔寒热往来是少阳半表之邪，不可施用汗、吐、下三种治法。治法应当和解，必须使用柴胡。〕治疗时行疾病发热。〔风温、温热时行之邪，属于肝、胆、三焦、心包络受病，柴胡正是这四经的引经药。性升散而气微寒，所以能解表除热。〕或者各种疟疾，或者杂症，往来寒热都能消除；或者早晨，或者傍晚，身体潮热都可以使用。〔李东垣说：各种疟疾都以柴胡为君药，根据发作时间，看是哪条经的症状，佐以引经药。又说：柴胡能引导清气运行于阳道，伤寒及其他有热的病症就加上它，无热就不加，但也必须审察病源，合宜使用才行。〕头痛、头晕、目赤、目昏都有效；耳鸣耳聋。〔都是因为风热上壅的缘故。〕胁肋胀满、胁肋疼痛都能缓解。〔邪气解除则上述症状自然消除。〕治疗热入血室。〔月经适来或适断，热邪乘虚陷入血室，血液必凝结。和解热邪，宣畅气血，症状就会自愈。李东垣说：它能消散各经的血结气聚，功效同连翘，十二经疮家都可以使用它。〕升举下陷的阳气。〔李东垣说：它能引导胃气上行，升腾而行春令。李时珍又说：柴胡能引导少阳清气上行，升麻能引导阳明清气上行。〕
凡是病人虚而气升，以及阴虚火炽炎上的，均忌用。银州柴胡，俗传治疗劳热骨蒸，按缪仲淳的说法，它的功用不过优于升散，恐怕不是清除虚热的药，须斟酌使用。
升麻 〔辛甘苦温，入肺、脾、大肠、胃四经，青色者佳。忌火。〕祛风邪，〔指祛除皮肤风邪，因入肺经发散。〕解肌热，〔指解除肌肉间的风热，因入胃经发散。〕在至高之处散邪气，〔所以头痛喉疼、口疮齿痛，都依赖它散邪的功效。〕在至阴之下升阳气。〔所以补中益气汤中佐助人参，以升举下陷的阳气。〕泻痢、崩漏、带下都征用它，脱肛、遗浊共同寻求它。〔都依赖提升的力量。〕属阳性升散。凡呕吐、衄血、痰嗽、气逆呕吐，切勿误投。
细辛 〔辛温。入心、肺、肝、肾四经。反藜芦。〕治疗少阴头痛，〔所以张仲景治疗少阴症，有麻黄附子细辛汤，也止各种阳经头痛，各种风证通用。〕治疗风寒鼻塞。〔辛香开窍。〕
大辛纯阳，凡血虚内热头痛，阴虚火升鼻塞的要戒慎。即入风药方中，也不过五分为止，因为它性质最燥烈。
川芎 〔一名川穷，辛温，入肝经。〕主治头痛面风，止泪出涕多。〔辛散上升，所以对头面多有功劳，因为它能治一切风证。〕去瘀生新，〔又能治一切血疾，血活则去旧生新。〕长肉排脓。〔因为它是血中的气药。〕小的名叫抚芎，各种郁结能开通，〔辛散的功效。〕泻痢可止，〔《左传》说：同小麦曲御湿，治疗河鱼腹疾。李时珍用来治疗湿泻，每加两味如神。血痢已通，而痛不止的，是阴亏气郁，加川芎为佐使。气行血调而痊愈。〕血虚头痛的圣药。各种头痛必用川芎，如果不愈，各加引经药。
凡虚火上炎，呕吐咳逆的忌用。单用久服，令人暴亡。
因为它辛散走泄真气的缘故。辛散的祸害如此，医者应当知道。
天麻 〔辛平，入肝经。酒浸煨熟焙干。〕治疗风痰，定眩晕。〔各种风证掉眩，都归属于肝。李东垣说：目黑头旋，风痰内作，不用这个不能消除。是治疗风证的神药，头风头痛也使用它。〕治疗四肢湿痹麻木，〔风药能胜湿。〕医治小儿风痫惊风。〔小儿发痫，或因风邪，或因惊骇入肝，定风消痰则安定了。〕
虽然不太燥，毕竟是风剂助火，若火炎头晕、血虚头痛等症状都忌用。
甘菊花 〔甘苦微寒，入肺、肝、肾三经。〕治疗头目风热，眩痛泪出。〔能益金水二脏，益金所以平木，木平则风自熄；补水能祛风，除热即所以制火，火降则热自除。所以治疗头眩头痛、目痛泪出诸病。〕祛除身上游风，皮肤死肌。〔治风先治血，血行风自灭。皮肤不营，则为不仁。祛风而能补阴血，则游风愈，而死肌得和矣。〕除去胸中烦热，〔血虚则烦，阴虚则热收于内。补阴益血，则烦热并除。〕救垂死疔疮。〔疔乃风火之毒，捣汁饮之即活。根叶俱良。〕独禀金精，专制风木，为祛风除热益血之要药。与枸杞相对久服，终身无目疾中风疔疮之患。作枕大能明目。
钩藤 〔甘微寒，入肝、心、包络三经，嫩钩更效。临起入药一、二沸，久煎便无力。〕平肝风，除心热，治疗头目眩晕，
治疗小儿惊痫，〔因惊骇叫号恍惚是也。惊痫眩晕，皆肝风相火之病。平肝木，通心包，风静火息，上症自愈。〕祛肝风而不燥。幼科珍之，用治寒热惊啼螈 诸疾。
威灵仙 〔苦温，入膀胱经。忌茶茗面。〕诸风皆治，痛风更宜。〔其性好走，亦可横行，痛风上下皆宜。〕去腹内冷滞，〔能宣通五脏，以其性温走而不守也，〕去膈间痰水，
〔风能胜湿而消饮也，〕性快，风药之善走者也。
多服泄人五脏真气，气弱者勿服。
香薷 〔辛微温，入心、脾、胃三经。忌见火。〕解寒郁之暑气，理霍乱之吐泻。〔夏月乘凉饮冷，阳气为阴邪所遏，以致头痛发热恶寒，无汗，霍乱吐泻，用之以发越阳气，散水和脾则愈。〕辛散温通，为夏月解表而带和中之药。又能散水肿者，除湿利水之功也。
若劳役受热，反用香薷，重虚其表，而又济之以温，大误。故无表邪者不可用。今人谓能避暑，概用代茶，真痴人说梦也。
黄连 〔苦大寒，入心、脾、胃、肝、胆、大肠六经。治心经之火生用，肝胆之火猪胆汁炒，上焦之火酒炒。中焦之火姜汁炒，下焦之火，盐水炒，食积之火，黄土炒，气分湿热之火吴茱萸汤炒，血分块中伏火干漆水炒。忌猪肉。解巴豆附子毒。川产者佳。〕泻少阴君火，〔苦先入心，为泻君火之主药。〕祛中焦湿热。〔苦燥湿，寒胜热。〕止烦躁而定惊悸，〔君火得宁也。〕止痢疾而解酒毒。〔除湿热之功，故赤白痢疾及因酒毒下血腹痛者，必用之。〕天行热病宜投，心下痞满须简。〔苦寒能清解热邪也。〕除心腹之痛，口疗舌之疮，〔皆涤热清火之功。〕目疼赤肿泪流必需，〔热盛则为痛、为赤、为肿，肝热则泪出，故为治目要药。〕蛔动疮家痘症均求。〔蛔虫得苦则安，诸疮皆属心火，痘症必宜解毒。〕理妇人阴中肿痛，〔清肝火而自安。〕医小儿疳热诸虫。〔疳以湿热为咎，故多生虫，祛湿热而又苦能杀虫也。〕
大苦大寒，但能祛邪涤热，焉能济弱扶虚，凡血少气虚，脾、胃薄弱者，均在禁例。
胡黄连 〔苦大寒，入肝、胆二经。忌猪肉，解巴豆毒，折之尘出如烟者真。〕退骨蒸劳热，〔入肌附骨之热，此能清之。然在初起时，脾胃健旺者，可暂用而不可久也。〕治温疟三消。
〔温疟病热在骨间，三消症皆从火断。〕祛阴汗，〔湿热下流客之，故阴汗出，除湿热则止矣。〕浓肠胃。〔祛湿热而肠胃自浓，与黄连之浓肠胃同，非补益而浓之也。〕痢疾疸家并用，〔以同为湿热也。〕目赤痔痛均求，〔皆属火症也。〕疳积甚灵，惊痫莫缺。大苦大寒，故能清肠胃以及骨间一切湿热、邪热、阴分伏热、所生诸病。其功用相似黄连。产于胡地，故以胡名。
胃虚脾弱者，虽见以上诸症，亦勿轻投，必不得已，须与保脾胃药同施。
黄芩 〔苦寒，入心、肺、胃、胆、大、小肠六经。酒炒则上行，猪胆汁炒泻肝胆之火，枯而飘者，泻上焦之火，实而坚者，退下部之热。〕泻肺中火邪，祛脾胃混热。止嗽降痰，而除喉中腥臭；〔泻肺火，则咳嗽止，腥臭除。治痰者，取其火降而痰亦降。〕治痢医疸，而止少腹绞痛。〔善治湿热。故主痢疾黄胆。火在少腹则绞痛，泻火则痛止，亦火热腹痛。〕利小肠治五淋，〔除湿热之功，〕疗天行热疾，理目赤肿疼。安胎须用，疔痈亦简。〔皆取其泻火除热也。〕
苦寒清肃之药，其功能治诸热，而非补益之品，当与黄连并列。非系实火之症，勿用。胎因血虚不安者，亦忌之。
连翘 〔辛苦寒，入心、胆大肠三经。捣碎。〕除心经客热，〔为心经、包络气分之主药，最泻心火。〕祛脾胃湿热。治耳聋而通月经，〔三焦经病则耳聋，热气上壅之故，直入三焦，清热则愈。通经者，清热散血结之功也。〕祛白虫而解蛊毒。〔湿热除则虫自去，蛊毒非辛热不成，热解则蛊自消。〕利五淋小便不通，〔心与小肠为表里，泻心火而小肠之热亦除。〕散诸经血结气聚。〔十二经疮家必用，乃结者散之之义。又诸经客热，非此不除。〕消瘰 瘿瘤，〔皆胆经气郁有热而成。轻扬芬芳，以散郁结，清凉以除郁热，则自消矣。〕医痈肿恶疮。〔无非营气壅遏，卫气郁滞而成。〕
清而无补之药，中病即止。痈疽已溃勿服。
龙胆草 〔苦涩大寒，入肝，胆二经。〕主肝、胆热邪，清下焦湿火。〔能治脐下至足肿疼，湿热香港脚诸疾。下行之功，同于防己。〕治目赤肿痛，瘀肉高起；〔酒炒则能上行外行。佐柴胡为目疾必用之药。〕祛肠中小虫，婴儿惊痫。理疮疥，杀蛊毒。禀纯阴之气，但以荡涤肝胆之热为职。
脾胃虚人，不可轻投。
芦荟 〔苦大寒，入心、肝、脾三经。黑如漆者佳。〕祛膈热，〔胸膈间热也。〕除烦闷，〔清热之功。〕目疾宜求，〔目不因火则不病。〕疳病必简。〔五疳同为内热停滞之症，此能治诸疳热，又善杀三虫。〕至苦大寒，故为除热杀虫之要药、苦药皆燥，惟此性独润，一经滴水，即便粘手，昔人以朱砂为佐，用治大便不通者，得非取其寒润之功欲？
脾胃弱者大忌。
青黛 〔咸寒，入肝经。真者从波斯国来，不可得。用染瓮上沫之紫碧色者，或青布浸汁代之俱可。贷者以干靛充之，内有锻石，每斤淘取一两，亦可用。〕治伤寒赤斑，〔其性善解毒除热，〕散五脏郁火，〔青色通肝，泄肝尤为要药。〕除疳热而杀虫，〔小儿诸热，惊痫夜啼并主之，〕疗疮肿而涂敷。〔热疮湿疮恶肿，并用敷之。〕
中寒者勿服。古方用治血症，使非血分实热者，大非所宜。
地榆 〔苦寒，入肝、肾、胃、大肠四经。〕止血痢肠风，〔善祛湿热为功。〕除带下崩漏。〔湿热去则带下止，血不热则崩漏除。〕疗诸疮而定痛，〔诸疮肿毒，莫不由血热所生，凉血泄热，则热散血活，而肿消痛止矣。〕除恶肉而止脓。〔血热极则郁，故肿而成恶肉。脓血不止，亦血热所致。〕沉寒入下焦，故多主下部湿热诸病。
脾胃虚寒而泄泻，气虚下陷而崩带者，禁用。
茵陈 〔苦寒，入脾、胃、肝、胆、膀胱五经。〕善祛湿热，总治诸疸。〔黄胆虽各有所因，然同为湿热所成。〕
蓄血发黄者，非此所宜。
山豆根 〔苦寒，入心、肺二经。〕止咽疼而善治喉间诸疾，〔含之咽汁，解咽喉肿毒。同白药子等分煎服，治喉风急症，牙关紧闭，水谷不下者神效。〕解诸毒而能消肿痛诸疮。〔能解一切药毒蛊毒，痈肿诸毒，凡毒必热，清热则毒解。〕
大苦大寒，宜中病即止。
青蒿 〔苦寒，入肝、肾二经。童便浸一宿晒干。〕祛骨蒸劳热，杀鬼蛀传尸。〔芳能避邪，苦能杀虫也。〕
脾胃虚弱者，仍当避之。
防己 〔辛苦寒，入膀胱经。〕祛下焦湿热，〔专泻下焦血中湿热，上焦禁用。〕治香港脚肿痛。〔香港脚之疾，因湿热壅遏，喜通而恶塞，故用汉防己以通滞塞，且其性又能利大小便。〕防己分木汉二种。木者专风，汉者专水。
大苦大寒，其性猛悍。善用之。亦可敌凶突险，此瞑眩之药也。服之令人身心烦闷，饮食减少，惟下焦湿热壅遏，及香港脚病，非此不效；须与米仁、石斛、茯苓、木瓜、萆 之属同用则可。
萆 〔甘苦平，入胃、肝、肾三经。川者佳，勿用有刺者。〕治腰脚瘫痪不遂，〔长于祛风除湿，风湿去而自愈。〕止白浊茎中作痛。〔能治阳明之湿而固下焦，故能祛浊厘清，而治是病。〕痹症香港脚并用〔二症皆由于湿。〕淋家疝病均宜，〔经曰∶脾受积食之气，小便黄赤，甚则淋。病症，亦属湿热为病，但分寒热二途，湿去则皆安。〕
主用皆祛风除湿，无湿者勿用。土茯苓与萆 形虽不同，功用相仿。亦善祛风除湿，祛浊厘清，均治恶疮化毒。东山经言∶食之已风，此头风方中，所以用之神效欤？俗称寒冷服之无子。不知本草谓其甘淡性平，又健脾胃，止泄泻，补下焦，治阴痿之功也。
(Gegen Radix) governs the muscles; therefore, high fever, eye pain, and nasal dryness are all symptoms of the Yangming Channel. Sweating causes the pathogenic factor to dissipate naturally, leading to recovery. [It is used to] stop diarrhea and dysentery, [because it can stimulate the Stomach Qi to ascend]. Disperse stagnant fire, [when fire is stagnant, use dispersing methods]. Resolve alcohol toxicity, [using Gegen Hua (Kudzu Flower) steamed and heated is more effective]. Erupt macules and rashes. [Its function of opening the pores and releasing the muscle layer has already been described; if the macules/rashes have already erupted, do not use it.]
For individuals with excess above and deficiency below, even if there are Spleen-Stomach diseases, it should not be used.
Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) [Acrid, warm, enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels. Lightly roasted before use.] Treats head wind and tearing eyes, stops toothache and eyebrow pain. [Head wind refers to lateral and frontal headaches; eyebrow pain refers to pain in the supraorbital ridge.] Removes skin itching, [dispelling wind eliminates these symptoms]. Stops intestinal wind bleeding. [Enters the Qi level of the Yangming channel and also the Blood level; due to its fragrant aroma and ascending nature.] Treats leukorrhea, [also relying on its ascending power. Additionally, wind overcomes dampness]. Resolves snake bites, [effective both externally applied and internally taken]. Reduces abscesses and dissipates swelling, relieves pain, and discharges pus. [Acrid and aromatic properties resolve nodules, while also invigorating blood, reducing swelling, relieving pain, and cauterizing pus.] As a herb treating wind pathogens, its aroma is strong and penetrating, capable of unblocking the nine orifices; for forehead and cranial pain caused by Yangming channel issues, it must be used.
Drying properties consume blood, and dispersing properties damage Qi; it is strictly contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and blood heat. For carbuncles and sores that have already ulcerated, dosage should be gradually reduced.
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) [Bitter, slightly cold, enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Ineffective when exposed to fire.] Treats Shaoyang cold damage, [alternating chills and fever indicate pathogenic factors at the half-exterior/half-interior level of Shaoyang; sweating, vomiting, and purging methods cannot be applied. The treatment method should be harmonization, requiring Chai Hu.] Treats febrile diseases during epidemics. [Pathogens of wind-warmth and warm-heat epidemic qi affect the Liver, Gallbladder, Sanjiao, and Pericardium; Chai Hu is precisely the guiding herb for these four organs. Its ascending and dispersing nature combined with slight cold allows it to release the exterior and remove heat.] It treats various malarial fevers or miscellaneous conditions, eliminating alternating chills and fever; whether occurring in the morning or late afternoon, it addresses tidal fevers. [Li Dongyuan stated: For all types of malaria, Chai Hu serves as the sovereign herb. Depending on the time of onset and the affected channel, guide herbs are added. He also said: It guides clear Qi to circulate through the Yang pathways. It is added for cold damage and other febrile conditions, but omitted if there is no fever. However, one must examine the disease origin and use it appropriately.] Effective for headache, dizziness, red eyes, blurred vision, tinnitus, and deafness. [All caused by wind-heat congestion upward.] Relieves hypochondriac fullness and pain. [As the pathogen resolves, these symptoms disappear.] Treats heat entering the Blood Chamber. [When menstruation is just starting or ending, heat pathogens enter the Blood Chamber due to deficiency, causing blood coagulation. Harmonizing heat pathogens and promoting Qi and Blood flow leads to self-healing. Li Dongyuan said: It dissipates blood stasis and Qi stagnation in various channels, with effects similar to Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), making it usable for sores in the twelve channels.] Raises sinking Yang Qi. [Li Dongyuan said: It guides Stomach Qi upward, ascending and performing the functions of Spring. Li Shizhen added: Chai Hu guides Shaoyang clear Qi upward, while Sheng Ma ( Cimicifugae Rhizoma ) guides Yangming clear Qi upward.]
Contraindicated for patients with deficiency and rising Qi, as well as those with Yin deficiency and blazing fire flaming upward. Yinzhou Chai Hu is commonly used for consumption fever and bone-steaming; according to Miao Zhongchun, its function is merely superior in ascending and dispersing, and it may not be a herb for clearing deficiency heat; use with caution.
Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) [Acrid, sweet, bitter, warm, enters the Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine, and Stomach channels. Greenish ones are best. Avoid fire.] Dispels wind pathogens, [referring to dispelling wind from the skin, as it enters the Lung channel to disperse]. Releases muscle heat, [referring to resolving wind-heat in the muscles, as it enters the Stomach channel to disperse]. Disperses pathogenic factors at the highest levels, [thus effective for headache, sore throat, mouth ulcers, and toothache due to its ability to disperse pathogens]. Raises Yang Qi from the lowest depths. [Thus, in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), it assists Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to raise sinking Yang Qi.] Used for dysentery, diarrhea, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea; sought for rectal prolapse and seminal emission. [All rely on its lifting power.] Possesses pure Yang ascending nature. Strictly contraindicated for vomiting, epistaxis, cough with phlegm, and rebellious Qi with vomiting.
Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) [Acrid, warm. Enters the Heart, Lung, Liver, and Kidney channels. Incompatible with Li Lu (Veratri Radix).] Treats Shaoyin headache, [thus Zhang Zhongjing uses Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asari Decoction) for Shaoyin patterns; it also stops various Yang channel headaches and is generally applicable for wind patterns.] Treats wind-cold nasal congestion. [Acrid aroma opens the orifices.]
Greatly acrid and purely Yang; caution is required for headache due to blood deficiency with internal heat, and nasal congestion due to Yin deficiency with rising fire. Even when included in wind-dispelling formulas, the dose should not exceed 5 fen, due to its extreme drying and pungent nature.
Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) [Also known as Chuan Qiong, acrid, warm, enters the Liver channel.] Primarily treats headache and facial wind, stops excessive tearing and rhinorrhea. [Acrid and dispersing, ascending in nature, thus beneficial for the head and face, as it treats all wind patterns.] Removes stasis and generates new blood, [also treats all blood disorders; when blood moves, old blood is removed and new blood generated.] Promotes flesh growth and discharges pus. [Because it is a Qi-moving herb within the Blood category.] Smaller ones are called Fu Xiong; they open various stagnations, [due to acrid dispersing action]. Stops diarrhea and dysentery, [The Zuo Zhuan states: Combined with wheat malt to control dampness, it treats abdominal distress caused by fish/meat. Li Shizhen used it for damp diarrhea, adding two other herbs yielded miraculous results. For bloody dysentery where pain persists after passage, indicating Yin deficiency and Qi stagnation, adding Chuan Xiong as an assistant restores Qi movement and Blood harmony, leading to cure.] It is the supreme herb for headache due to blood deficiency. Chuan Xiong must be used for all headaches; if ineffective, add channel-guiding herbs accordingly.
Contraindicated for false fire flaming upward, vomiting, and coughing with rebellious Qi. Long-term single use can cause sudden death.
This is because its acrid dispersing nature leaks and depletes True Qi. Such dangers of acrid dispersing herbs should be known by physicians.
Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) [Acrid, neutral, enters the Liver channel. Soak in wine, bake until cooked, then dry.] Treats wind-phlegm, stabilizes vertigo. [All wind-related tremors and vertigo belong to the Liver. Li Dongyuan stated: Blackened vision and spinning head due to internal wind-phlegm cannot be resolved without this. It is a divine herb for treating wind, also used for head wind and headache.] Treats numbness and bi-syndrome in the four limbs due to dampness, [wind herbs overcome dampness]. Treats pediatric wind epilepsy and convulsions. [Pediatric epilepsy may arise from wind pathogens or fright entering the Liver; calming wind and resolving phlegm brings peace.]
Although not very drying, it is essentially a wind agent that aids fire; contraindicated for dizziness due to flaming fire and headache due to blood deficiency.
Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos) [Sweet, bitter, slightly cold, enters the Lung, Liver, and Kidney channels.] Treats wind-heat in the head and eyes, vertigo, pain, and tearing. [It benefits Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney); benefiting Metal平和 Wood (Liver), so wind extinguishes itself; benefiting Water dispels wind; removing heat controls fire, so heat dissipates. Thus, it treats vertigo, headache, eye pain, and tearing.] Dispels wandering wind on the body and dead skin tissue. [To treat wind, first treat blood; when blood moves, wind extinguishes itself. Lack of nourishment in the skin leads to insensibility. Dispelling wind while nourishing Yin and Blood cures wandering wind and harmonizes dead skin.] Removes chest烦热 (vexing heat), [blood deficiency causes vexation, Yin deficiency causes heat retention internally. Nourishing Yin and benefiting blood removes vexation and heat.] Saves critical ding-sores (carbuncles). [Ding-sores are toxins of wind-fire; drinking crushed juice revives the patient. Roots and leaves are both good.] Uniquely imbued with Metal essence, it controls Wind-Wood, serving as a key herb for dispelling wind, removing heat, and benefiting blood. Long-term concurrent use with Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) prevents eye diseases, stroke, and ding-sores throughout life. Making pillows from it greatly brightens the eyes.
Gou Teng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis) [Sweet, slightly cold, enters the Liver, Heart, and Pericardium channels. Tender hooks are more effective. Add near the end of decoction for 1-2 boils; long boiling renders it ineffective.] Calms Liver wind, removes Heart heat, treats head and eye vertigo,
treats pediatric epilepsy and convulsions, [characterized by screaming, calling, and trance-like states due to fright. Epilepsy and vertigo are diseases of Liver wind and ministerial fire. Calming Liver Wood and unblocking the Pericardium stops wind and fire, resolving these symptoms.] Dispels Liver wind without being drying. Highly valued in pediatrics for treating alternating chills/fever, fright crying, and convulsions.
Wei Ling Xian (Syneilesis Rhizoma / Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma) [Bitter, warm, enters the Bladder channel. Avoid tea and noodles.] Treats all wind patterns, especially suitable for gout. [Its nature is mobile and can move horizontally, suitable for gout affecting upper and lower body.] Removes cold stagnation in the abdomen, [can promote circulation in the five Zang organs due to its warm, moving, and non-retaining nature], removes phlegm-fluid in the diaphragm,
[wind overcomes dampness and resolves fluid retention], possesses a brisk nature, being an excellent mover among wind herbs.
Excessive intake drains the True Qi of the five Zang organs; those with weak Qi should not take it.
Xiang Ru (Moslae Herba) [Acrid, slightly warm, enters the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach channels. Avoid fire.] Resolves summerheat constrained by cold, regulates vomiting and diarrhea in cholera-like illness. [In summer, cooling off and drinking cold beverages suppresses Yang Qi with Yin pathogens, causing headache, fever, aversion to cold, anhidrosis, and cholera-like vomiting/diarrhea. Using it releases Yang Qi, scatters water, and harmonizes the Spleen, leading to recovery.] Acrid dispersing and warm unblocking, it is a summer herb that releases the exterior while harmonizing the middle. It can also reduce edema due to its damp-draining and diuretic functions.
If one suffers heat from labor and exertion, using Xiang Ru again severely damages the exterior and adds warmth, which is a major error. Thus, it is unusable without exterior pathogens. Modern people claim it prevents summerheat and use it as tea substitute; this is truly foolish talk.
Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) [Bitter, great cold, enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine channels. Use raw for Heart fire, stir-fry with pig bile for Liver/Gallbladder fire, stir-fry with wine for Upper Jiao fire, stir-fry with ginger juice for Middle Jiao fire, stir-fry with salt water for Lower Jiao fire, stir-fry with yellow earth for food-stagnation fire, stir-fry with Evodia soup for Qi-level damp-heat fire, stir-fry with dry lacquer water for latent fire in blood masses. Avoid pork. Resolves Podophyllum and Aconite toxicity. Sichuan-produced ones are best.] Drains Minister Fire of Shaoyin, [bitter enters the Heart first, serving as the main herb for draining Minister Fire]. Clears damp-heat in the Middle Jiao. [Bitter dries dampness, cold overcomes heat.] Stops irritability and calms palpitations, [Minister Fire becomes tranquil]. Stops dysentery and resolves alcohol toxicity. [Due to damp-heat clearing properties, essential for bloody/purulent dysentery and abdominal pain/bloody stool from alcohol toxicity.] Suitable for epidemic febrile diseases, select carefully for epigastric fullness/stuffiness. [Bitter-cold clears and resolves heat pathogens.] Removes heart and abdominal pain, heals tongue and mouth ulcers, [all due to cleansing heat and clearing fire]. Essential for eye pain, redness, swelling, and tearing, [intense heat causes pain, redness, and swelling; Liver heat causes tearing, making it a key eye herb]. Sought for ascariasis, sores, and smallpox. [Roundworms settle with bitterness; all sores belong to Heart fire; detoxification is necessary for smallpox.] Manages painful swelling in women's genitals, [clears Liver fire for natural relief]. Treats pediatric malnutrition fever and parasites. [Malnutrition is caused by damp-heat, leading to parasites; it removes damp-heat and kills parasites via bitterness.]
Greatly bitter and cold, it only removes pathogens and cleanses heat, unable to support weakness and tonify deficiency. Contraindicated for those with little blood, deficient Qi, and weak Spleen/Stomach.
Hu Huang Lian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma) [Bitter, great cold, enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Avoid pork, resolves Podophyllum toxicity; authentic ones produce smoke-like dust when broken.] Retreats bone-steaming consumption fever, [clears heat deep in muscles and bones. However, in early stages, it can be used temporarily by those with robust Spleen/Stomach, but not long-term.] Treats warm malaria and three consumptions.
[Warm malaria involves heat between bones; three consumptions stem from fire.] Expels yin sweat, [caused by damp-heat flowing downward; removing damp-heat stops it]. Thickens intestines and stomach. [Removing damp-heat naturally thickens the GI tract, similar to Huang Lian, not through tonification but by resolving damp-heat.] Used jointly for dysentery and jaundice, [as both involve damp-heat]. Sought for red eyes and hemorrhoid pain, [both are fire patterns]. Very effective for childhood malnutrition accumulation, indispensable for epilepsy. Greatly bitter and cold, thus it clears damp-heat, evil heat, and latent Yin-level heat in the intestines, stomach, and bones, treating various diseases arising from them. Its functions resemble Huang Lian. Produced in barbarian lands, hence the name "Hu".
Even if symptoms appear, do not lightly prescribe to those with weak Stomach and Spleen; if absolutely necessary, combine with herbs protecting the Spleen and Stomach.
Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) [Bitter, cold, enters the Heart, Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine, and Small Intestine channels. Wine-fried moves upward; pig bile-fried drains Liver/Gallbladder fire; light and floating ones drain Upper Jiao fire; solid and hard ones reduce Lower Jiao heat.] Drains fire pathogens in the Lung, clears mixed heat in Spleen/Stomach. Stops cough and descends phlegm, removing foul odor in the throat; [draining Lung fire stops cough and odor. For phlegm treatment, it relies on descending fire to descend phlegm.] Treats dysentery and jaundice, stops lower abdominal colic. [Excels at treating damp-heat, hence primary for dysentery and jaundice. Fire in lower abdomen causes colic; draining fire stops pain, also addressing heat-fire abdominal pain.] Benefits Small Intestine, treats five stranguries, [due to damp-heat clearing], treats epidemic febrile diseases, manages red swollen painful eyes. Required for calming the fetus, selected for ding-sores and carbuncles. [All due to draining fire and removing heat.]
A bitter-cold, clearing, and肃 (solemn/clearing) herb, its function treats various heats but is not a tonifying product; it should be listed alongside Huang Lian. Do not use for non-excess fire patterns. Contraindicated for fetal restlessness due to blood deficiency.
Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus) [Acrid, bitter, cold, enters the Heart, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine channels. Crushed.] Removes guest heat in the Heart channel, [it is the main herb for Qi level of Heart and Pericardium, most effective at draining Heart fire]. Clears damp-heat in Spleen/Stomach. Treats deafness and unblocks menstruation, [Sanjiao channel disease causes deafness due to heat congestion upward; entering Sanjiao directly, clearing heat cures it. Unblocking menstruation is due to clearing heat and dissipating blood stasis]. Removes white worms and resolves gu-toxin. [Removing damp-heat makes worms leave; gu-toxin requires acrid-heat to form, resolving heat消 (eliminates) gu]. Benefits five stranguries and urinary obstruction, [Heart and Small Intestine are interior-exterior pairs; draining Heart fire also clears Small Intestine heat]. Dissipates blood stasis and Qi aggregation in various channels. [Essential for sores in the twelve channels, following the principle of dissipating knots. Also, guest heat in various channels cannot be removed without it.] Eliminates scrofula and goiter, [formed by Qi stagnation and heat in the Gallbladder channel. Light, fragrant, and aromatic to dissipate knots; cool and clear to remove stagnant heat, leading to resolution]. Treats abscesses and malignant sores. [All result from Ying-Qi congestion and Wei-Qi stagnation.]
A clearing but non-tonifying herb; stop once the disease is addressed. Do not take for ulcerated carbuncles and sores.
Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix) [Bitter, astringent, great cold, enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels.] Governs Liver/Gallbladder heat pathogens, clears Lower Jiao damp-fire. [Can treat swelling and pain from umbilicus to feet, and damp-heat hong-kong-jiao (gouty arthritis) diseases. Its descending function is similar to Fang Ji (Stephaniae Radix).] Treats red swollen painful eyes and protruding caruncle; [wine-fried allows upward and external movement. Assisting Chai Hu, it is essential for eye diseases]. Removes small intestinal worms, treats infantile epilepsy. Manages sores and scabies, kills gu-toxin. Endowed with pure Yin Qi, its duty is solely to scour Liver/Gallbladder heat.
Not to be lightly prescribed to those with weak Spleen/Stomach.
Lu Hui (Aloe) [Bitter, great cold, enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen channels. Those black as lacquer are best.] Removes chest-diaphragm heat, [heat between chest and diaphragm]. Relieves vexation and oppression, [function of clearing heat]. Sought for eye diseases, [eyes do not suffer without fire]. Essential for malnutrition diseases. [The five types of malnutrition are all internal heat stagnation patterns; this treats all malnutrition heat and excels at killing three worms.] Extremely bitter and great cold, thus it is a key herb for clearing heat and killing parasites. While bitter herbs are generally drying, this one is uniquely moistening; it becomes sticky upon contact with water. Ancients used Cinnabar as an assistant to treat constipation, perhaps seeking its cold-moistening function?
Strictly contraindicated for those with weak Spleen/Stomach.
Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) [Salty, cold, enters the Liver channel. Authentic ones come from Persia and are unavailable. Use purple-green foam from dye vats, or extract from blue cloth as substitutes. Adulterants use dried indigo containing lime; washing one jin yields one liang, which is also usable.] Treats scarlet spots in cold damage, [its nature excels at detoxifying and removing heat]. Disperses stagnant fire in the five Zang organs, [green color connects to Liver, making it particularly important for draining Liver]. Removes malnutrition heat and kills parasites, [treats various pediatric fevers, epilepsy, and night crying], applies topically for sores and swelling. [Apply to hot sores, damp sores, and malignant swellings.]
Do not take for middle-cold patterns. Ancient formulas used it for blood disorders; unless it is excess heat in the Blood level, it is highly inappropriate.
Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix) [Bitter, cold, enters the Liver, Kidney, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels.] Stops bloody dysentery and intestinal wind, [excels at removing damp-heat]. Removes leukorrhea and metrorrhagia. [Removing damp-heat stops leukorrhea; cooling blood removes metrorrhagia.] Treats various sores and stabilizes pain, [sores and swellings all arise from blood heat; cooling blood and draining heat dissipates heat, invigorates blood, reduces swelling, and stops pain]. Removes bad flesh and stops pus. [Extreme blood heat causes stagnation, leading to swelling and bad flesh. Persistent pus and blood are also caused by blood heat.] Deep cold enters the Lower Jiao, thus primarily treating lower body damp-heat diseases.
Contraindicated for diarrhea due to Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold, and metrorrhagia/leukorrhea due to Qi deficiency with sinking.
Yin Chen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) [Bitter, cold, enters the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, and Bladder channels.] Excels at removing damp-heat, generally treating all jaundice. [Although jaundice has various causes, all are formed by damp-heat.]
Not suitable for jaundice due to blood stasis.
Shan Dou Gen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix) [Bitter, cold, enters the Heart and Lung channels.] Stops sore throat and excellently treats various throat diseases, [holding in mouth and swallowing juice resolves throat swelling and toxicity. Equal parts decocted with Bai Yao Zi (Stemonae Radix) is miraculous for acute throat wind, locked jaw, and inability to swallow food/water]. Resolves various toxins and reduces swelling/pain in sores. [Resolves all drug toxins, gu-toxins, and carbuncle toxins; all toxins involve heat, clearing heat resolves toxins.]
Greatly bitter and cold; stop once the disease is addressed.
Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba) [Bitter, cold, enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Soak in child's urine overnight, then sun-dry.] Resolves bone-steaming consumption fever, kills ghost-boring transmission corpses. [Fragrance repels evil, bitterness kills parasites.]
Those with weak Spleen/Stomach should still avoid it.
Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) [Acrid, bitter, cold, enters the Bladder channel.] Removes Lower Jiao damp-heat, [specifically drains damp-heat in Lower Jiao blood; contraindicated in Upper Jiao]. Treats hong-kong-jiao (gouty arthritis) swelling and pain. [Hong-kong-jiao disease is caused by damp-heat congestion; it prefers unblocking and dislikes obstruction, thus Han Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) is used to unblock stagnation, and its nature also benefits urination.] Fang Ji is divided into Mu (Wood) and Han (Han) types. Mu type specifically treats wind; Han type specifically treats water.
Greatly bitter and cold, its nature is fierce and aggressive. Skillfully used, it can withstand danger and break through obstacles; it is a "ming xuan" (disorienting/toxic) herb. Taking it causes physical and mental vexation and reduced appetite. Only effective for Lower Jiao damp-heat congestion and hong-kong-jiao disease; must be combined with Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), Fu Ling (Poria), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), and Bi Xie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) to be usable.
Bi Xie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) [Sweet, bitter, neutral, enters the Stomach, Liver, and Kidney channels. Sichuan ones are best; avoid thorny ones.] Treats paralysis and immobility of waist and legs, [excels at dispelling wind and removing dampness; self-heals when wind-dampness is removed]. Stops white turbidity and penile pain. [Can treat Yangming dampness and secure Lower Jiao, thus clearing turbidity and resolving this disease.] Jointly used for bi-syndrome and hong-kong-jiao, [both syndromes arise from dampness]. Suitable for strangury and hernia cases, [The Classic states: When Spleen receives accumulated food Qi, urine becomes yellow-red, severe cases lead to strangury. These patterns also belong to damp-heat diseases, divided into cold and heat paths; removing dampness brings peace to all.]
Main uses are dispelling wind and removing dampness; do not use without dampness. Tu Fu Ling (Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma) differs in shape from Bi Xie but has similar functions. It also excels at dispelling wind, removing dampness, clearing turbidity, and treating malignant sores and detoxification. The Eastern Mountain Classic states: Eating it cures wind; this explains why it is miraculously effective in head-wind formulas. Commonly said to cause sterility if taken when cold; this is unknown. The Materia Medica states it is sweet, bland, and neutral, strengthens Spleen/Stomach, stops diarrhea, tonifies Lower Jiao, and treats impotence.