感春升之气，故味甘微苦，无毒。入足厥阴、少阳二经血分，故首主目疾及退翳
膜，益肝胆而明目也。又疹肠风止痢，痔疾出血，妇人月水不断，崩中赤白者，皆以入
肝而走血分消之中而复有止涩之义也。发汗疏邪者，轻阳春升之性也。
木贼草，入肝胆，退目翳暴生，消积块，兼发汗疏邪。但目疾暴赤肿痛，由于怒
气、暑热者非其所宜，久服损肝。
主治（痘疹合参） 专益肝胆，去翳明目，治痘后目疾，宜去节，以酒润湿，火上
烘用。
按∶谷精去星障，木贼去翳障，其功在菊花之上，盖菊花和血药止能调养眼目，而
其除星去翳则不及也。然目病久患，精血亏损者，虽有翳障，而木贼谷精之类，必兼熟
地芍药，滋补肝肾之药而始效，岂不思目得血而能视乎？即当归虽能养血，然味辛散，尚非所宜也。
得水土阴精之气，兼禀乎清阳者，故其味咸苦，甘平微寒无毒。咸得水气，甘得土
气，苦可泄热，平和胃气，寒能益阴泄热，足厥阴肝家正药。入胆肾，又可作枕，治头风明目。
决明子，除肝热，尤和肝气，收目泪，止目疼痛，明目仙丹，头风兼驱，得沙苑蒺
藜、甘菊、枸杞、生地、女贞实、槐实、谷精草，补肝明目益精之要药，功力更优。
主治（痘疹合参） 主青盲目淫，肤赤白膜，肿痛泪出，除肝家热。
（木贼草）感受春天升发之气，所以味道甘而微苦，没有毒性。它进入足厥阴肝经和足少阳胆经的血分，因此首先主治眼部疾病及消除角膜翳膜，通过补益肝胆来明亮视力。此外，对于疹毒、肠风便血、痢疾、痔疮出血以及妇女月经淋漓不尽、崩漏带下赤白等症状，都因为药物能入肝经并作用于血分，在消散病邪的同时又具有收敛止涩的作用。其发汗疏解邪气的作用，是顺应了春天阳气升发的特性。
木贼草，入肝胆经，能消退突然生成的目翳，消除体内积块，兼有发汗疏解邪气的作用。但是，如果是由于怒气或暑热导致的眼睛突然红肿疼痛，则不适合使用此药，长期服用会损伤肝脏。
主治（结合痘疹病症参考）：专门补益肝胆，去除翳膜以明亮视力，治疗痘疮后遗症导致的眼部疾病。使用时应去掉节段，用酒润湿后，在火上烘烤使用。
按语：谷精草能去除星障，木贼草能去除翳障，它们的功效在菊花之上。大概是因为菊花配合养血药只能调养眼目，而在去除星障和翳障方面则不如它们。然而，如果是久患眼病，导致精血亏损的患者，即使有翳障，也必须配合熟地黄、芍药等滋补肝肾的药物才能见效，这难道不是考虑到“眼睛得到血液滋养才能视物”的道理吗？即使用当归虽然能养血，但其味辛主散，也不适宜单独使用。
（决明子）获得水土阴精之气，同时禀受清阳之气，所以味道咸苦，性味甘平微寒，没有毒性。咸味得自水气，甘味得自土气，苦味可以泄热，平和胃气，寒性能益阴泄热，是足厥阴肝经的正宗药物。它入胆经和肾经，还可以用作枕头，治疗头风并明亮视力。
决明子，清除肝热，尤其善于调和肝气，收敛眼泪，停止眼部疼痛，是明亮的仙丹，也能兼治头风。如果与沙苑蒺藜、甘菊、枸杞、生地、女贞子、槐实、谷精草配伍，则是补肝明目、益精的要药，功效更加优越。
(Mu Zei Cao / Equiseti Herba) It absorbs the ascending Qi of spring, hence its taste is sweet and slightly bitter, with no toxicity. It enters the blood aspect of the Foot Jueyin (Liver) and Foot Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians; therefore, it primarily treats eye diseases and eliminates corneal opacities (pterygium/leukoma), benefiting the Liver and Gallbladder to brighten vision. Furthermore, for conditions such as rashes, intestinal wind with bloody stool, dysentery, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and women's continuous menstruation or metrorrhagia with red and white discharge, these are all due to the herb entering the Liver meridian and acting on the blood aspect, possessing both dispelling and astringent properties within its action. Its ability to induce sweating and disperse pathogens follows the nature of the ascending Yang energy of spring.
Mu Zei Cao (Equiseti Herba) enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, eliminating sudden-onset corneal opacities, resolving accumulations, and assisting in inducing sweating to disperse pathogens. However, it is not suitable for cases of sudden redness, swelling, and pain of the eyes caused by anger or summer-heat; long-term use damages the Liver.
Main Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Specifically benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, removes opacities to brighten vision, and treats eye diseases following smallpox/rashes. It should be used after removing the nodes, moistened with wine, and roasted over fire.
Commentary: Gu Jing Cao (Valerianae Flos / Valerian Flower) removes astigmatic obstructions, while Mu Zei Cao removes corneal opacities; their efficacy surpasses that of Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos). This is because Ju Hua, when combined with blood-nourishing herbs, can only nourish and regulate the eyes, but is inferior in removing astigmatic obstructions and opacities. However, for chronic eye diseases resulting in deficiency of Essence and Blood, even if opacities exist, one must combine Mu Zei Cao and Gu Jing Cao with herbs that tonify the Liver and Kidney, such as Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) and Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), for efficacy. Is this not considering the principle that "the eyes see when they receive Blood"? Even though Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) can nourish Blood, its pungent and dispersing nature makes it unsuitable for this specific purpose alone.
(Jue Ming Zi / Cassiae Semen) It obtains the Yin Essence Qi of water and earth, and simultaneously inherits Clear Yang Qi; hence its taste is salty and bitter, with a sweet, neutral, slightly cold nature, and no toxicity. The salty flavor derives from Water Qi, the sweet flavor from Earth Qi, the bitter flavor drains heat, it harmonizes Stomach Qi, and the cold nature benefits Yin and drains heat. It is a principal herb for the Foot Jueyin Liver organ. It enters the Gallbladder and Kidney meridians and can also be used as a pillow material to treat Head Wind (cephalgia/dizziness) and brighten vision.
Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen) clears Liver Heat, particularly harmonizes Liver Qi, arrests lacrimation, relieves ocular pain, and is a divine elixir for brightening vision, also driving out Head Wind. When combined with Sha Yuan Ji Li (Astragali Complanati Semen), Gan Ju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Huai Shi (Sophorae Tonkinensis Fructus), and Gu Jing Cao (Valerianae Flos), it becomes an essential prescription for tonifying the Liver, brightening vision, and benefiting Essence, with superior efficacy.
Main Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Treats Qing Mang (amblyopia/blindness), excessive ocular discharge, skin redness and white membranes, swelling, pain, and tearing, clearing Heat from the Liver organ.