禀天地清和之气，味苦、甘，微寒，无毒。放散结除热则有之，补中益气则不及
也。
沙参，味淡体轻，专补脾气而益脾与肾，久咳肺痿，金受火克者宜之。寒客肺中
作嗽者勿服。主寒热咳嗽胸痹头痛，定心内惊烦，退皮间邪热，易老服代人参，盖取味
之苦甘，泻中兼补略相类耳。
按∶沙参气轻力薄，非肩弘任大之品也。人参甘温体重，专益肺气补血而生阴；
沙参甘寒，体轻专清肺热，补阴而制阳，一行春气，一行秋气，不相侔也。故脏腑无实
热，及寒客肺经，而嗽者勿服。
禀天地纯阳之气以生，故味辛，气大温，无毒。气味俱浓，阳中之阳也。入手足
阳明经，以辛温之驱邪，除秽剂之沉寒勿冷，过则损肺伤阴。
胡椒，下气祛风痰，温中止霍乱，肠胃冷痢可却，心腹冷痛堪除，食勿过剂，损肺
伤脾。荜澄茄系胡椒青嫩之时摘取。一云向阳生者为胡椒，向阴生者为澄茄，化谷食，
理逆气，消痰癖，止呕哕，伤寒咳噫，亦每用之。
感天之阳气，兼得地之辛味，故味辛、苦、气温、无毒。入足太阳经。温能通，苦
能泄，大辛则善散，气浓则上升，阳也。
本，气力壮雄，风湿通用，正头痛巅顶上，散寒邪，巨阳经，又能下行祛湿，故
治妇人阴肿瘕疝。子名鬼卿，主风入四体。 本感天之阳气，得地之辛味，故气温而
苦，苦从火化，故其气雄，能治巅顶头痛也。然内热头痛及春夏温暑之病，不宜进也。
沙参禀受天地清和之气，味道苦、甘，性质微寒，无毒。它有发散结滞、清除热邪的作用，但在补益中气方面则有所不及。
沙参，味道淡而质地轻，专门补益脾气并滋养脾与肾，适用于久咳导致的肺痿，以及因火克金（肺）所致的病症。若是寒气客居肺中引起的咳嗽，则不宜服用。它主治寒热交替、咳嗽、胸痹、头痛，能安定心神、消除内心惊悸烦乱，退去皮肤间的邪热，李东垣曾服用它来代替人参，大概是取其味苦甘，在泻火的同时兼有补益，与人参的功效略有相似之处。
按语：沙参气轻力薄，不是能够担当重任的药物。人参味甘性温且质地沉重，专门补益肺气、补血并滋生阴液；沙参味甘性寒，质地轻，专门清泄肺热，补阴以制约阳亢，一个顺应春生之气，一个顺应秋收之气，两者不可等同。因此，脏腑没有实热，以及寒气客居肺经引起咳嗽的患者，不要服用。
胡椒禀受天地纯阳之气而生，所以味道辛，性质大温，无毒。气味都很浓厚，属于阳中之阳。它入手阳明大肠经和足阳明胃经，利用其辛温之性驱散邪气，能去除秽浊之气及药酒中的沉寒冷积，但过量服用会损伤肺脏和阴液。
胡椒，能降气、祛除风痰，温暖中焦以止住霍乱，可消除肠胃冷痢，能除去心腹冷痛，食用切勿过量，否则会损伤肺和脾。荜澄茄是在胡椒青嫩时采摘的。有一种说法认为向阳生长的叫胡椒，向阴生长的叫澄茄，它能帮助消化谷物食物，调理逆气，消除痰癖，止住呕吐呃逆，治疗伤寒引起的咳嗽和嗳气，也常常使用它。
藁本感天之阳气，兼得地之辛味，所以味道辛、苦，性质温，无毒。它入足太阳膀胱经。温性能通利，苦性能泄降，大辛则善于发散，气浓则向上运行，属于阳。
藁本，气力雄壮，风湿两证通用，专治头顶正中的疼痛，能散除寒邪，作用于巨阳经（足太阳膀胱经），又能下行祛湿，所以能治疗妇女外阴肿胀、瘕疝等疾病。它的种子名叫鬼卿，主治风邪侵入四肢。藁本感天之阳气，得地之辛味，所以气温而味苦，苦味从火化，所以其气雄烈，能治疗头顶疼痛。然而，对于内热引起的头痛以及春夏季节温热暑邪所致疾病，不宜进服。
Shashen (Glehniae Radix) inherits the clear and harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth. Its taste is bitter and sweet, its nature is slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It has the effect of dissipating stagnation and clearing heat, but it falls short in tonifying the Middle Jiao and benefiting Qi.
Shashen has a bland taste and light texture; it specifically tonifies Spleen Qi and benefits both the Spleen and Kidney. It is suitable for chronic cough leading to Lung萎 (Lung atrophy/flaccidity) and cases where Metal (Lung) is overcome by Fire. It should not be taken when cough is caused by Cold invading the Lungs. It primarily treats alternating chills and fever, cough, chest bi (obstruction), headache, calms the Heart and alleviates internal palpitations and irritability, and clears pathogenic Heat from the skin surface. Li Dongyuan used it as a substitute for Renshen (Ginseng Root), likely because its bitter and sweet taste offers a combination of purging and tonifying, which is somewhat similar.
Note: Shashen has light Qi and weak potency; it is not a herb capable of bearing heavy responsibilities. Renshen is sweet, warm, and heavy in texture; it specifically tonifies Lung Qi, nourishes Blood, and generates Yin. Shashen is sweet and cold, light in texture; it specifically clears Lung Heat, tonifies Yin, and restrains Yang. One follows the Qi of Spring (growth), while the other follows the Qi of Autumn (harvest); they are not equivalent. Therefore, those without Excess Heat in the Zang-Fu organs, or those with cough due to Cold invading the Lung Meridian, should not take it.
Hu jiao (Black Pepper Fruit) is born inheriting the pure Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth, hence its taste is pungent, its nature is greatly warm, and it is non-toxic. Both its aroma and taste are dense; it belongs to Yang within Yang. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Using its pungent-warm nature to drive out pathogens, it removes filth and eliminates deep-seated cold in medicinal wines and beverages. However, excessive consumption damages the Lungs and injures Yin.
Hu jiao descends Qi, dispels Wind-Phlegm, warms the Middle Jiao to stop Huoluan (cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea), can eliminate Cold Dysentery of the intestines and stomach, and can remove Cold Pain in the Heart and Abdomen. Do not consume in excess, as it damages the Lungs and Spleen. Bichengqie (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) is harvested when Hu jiao is green and tender. Another theory states that those growing facing the sun are called Hu jiao, while those growing in the shade are called Chengqie. It aids digestion of grains and food, regulates rebellious Qi, eliminates Phlegm masses, stops vomiting and hiccups, and is often used to treat cough and belching caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage).
Gaoben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) inherits the Yang Qi of Heaven and combines with the pungent flavor of Earth. Hence, its taste is pungent and bitter, its nature is warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Warmth promotes circulation, bitterness promotes draining, strong pungency facilitates dispersion, and dense Qi ascends; thus, it is Yang.
Gaoben possesses robust and vigorous Qi and is effective for both Wind-Damp conditions. It specifically treats pain at the vertex of the head, disperses Cold pathogens, acts on the Ju Yang Meridian (Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian), and can descend to drain Dampness. Therefore, it treats female genital swelling, abdominal masses, and hernia. Its seed is named Guiqing and primarily treats Wind invading the four limbs. Gaoben inherits the Yang Qi of Heaven and obtains the pungent flavor of Earth, so its nature is warm and its taste is bitter. Since bitterness transforms into Fire, its Qi is vigorous, enabling it to treat vertex headaches. However, it is not suitable for headaches caused by Internal Heat, nor for diseases caused by Warmth and Summerheat in spring and summer.