得火土金之气，故味辛气温无毒。入足太阴、足少阴经。辛所以散结，温所以通行，
芳香所以入脾，亦能入肾者，辛以润之，故也。其禀火土与金，故燥而收敛，以为敛摄滑精，
浮涎逆气遗尿，及温中开胃进食之需，于开通结滞之中，复有收敛之义。然阴虚燥热者戒之。
益智，主君相二火，入脾肺肾经。和中气，散脾胃寒邪，禁遗精，缩小便遗尿，止
呕哕而摄涎唾，调诸气以安三焦。夜多小便，入盐煎服立效。古人进食多用益智，以
能温中开胃也。又能敛摄脾肾之气逆者，藏
纳归源，更为脾肾虚而且寒之要药也。
按∶益智行阳退阴，通心脾子母之药。三焦命门气弱者，及心虚脾弱者禁之。心者
脾之母，故进食不止于和脾，益使心药入脾药中，土中益火，火能生土也。若血燥多
火，及因热而遗浊，三焦火动者禁之。
禀春深生气而生，味苦涩，微温，无毒。春为木化，入通于血，外合于风，升
也，阳也，入足厥阴，兼入足少阴经，故为益血祛风之上药。雌雄二种，遇夜则交，有
阴阳交合之象，故能令人有子。肝主血，肾主精，益二经则经血盛。发者血之余也，故
乌髭鬓，其主瘰 者，肝胆气郁结则内热，营气壅逆发为是病，十一脏皆取决于胆，与
肝为表里，为少阳之经，不可出入，气血俱少，乃风木所主，行胆气，益肝血，则瘰
自消矣。调营气则壅肿消，治风先治血，血活则风散，故疗头面风疮。肠癣为痔，痔者
湿热下流，伤血分而无所施泄，则逼进肛门肉分，并出咸形矣。风能胜湿，湿热解则痔
自平。心血虚则内热，热则心摇，摇而作痛，益血则热解而痛除，益血气，黑髭鬓，
悦颜色，久服长筋骨益精气，延年不老者，皆补肝肾益精血之极功也。亦治妇人产后及
带下诸疾者，妇人以血为主，月事通调，厥阴主之，带下本于血虚而兼湿热，行湿益
血，靡不除矣。但为养荣益血之药，忌与天雄、乌头、附子、仙茅、姜、桂等诸燥热药
同用。修事以苦竹刀切片，米泔浸经宿，暴干，九蒸九晒，用勿令犯铁，兼与萝菔相
恶，令人髭鬓早白。
何首乌，主瘰 痈疽，头面风疹，长筋骨，悦颜色，益血气止心痛，补真阴，理益
痘；久服添精，令人有子；消五痔，黑髭鬓，强精益髓；妇人带下。总功能调和气
血，久疟久痢，气血先和诸病用此，以建神功。肝肾二经之药，甘温祛风益血，收涩又
能敛阴。年深大者，收采精制，久服延年，令人不老。至于外敷，熨皮里作痛，可验活
血养血之极功矣。（不同何处，用首乌为末，姜汁调成膏，涂之，以绵裹住，炙鞋底熨之。）
何首乌传∶何首乌，味甘，气温，性则无毒，茯苓为之使。治五痔腰膝之病，冷气
心痛，积年劳瘦痰癖，风虚败劣，长筋力，益精髓，壮气驻颜，黑发延年，妇人恶血痿
黄，产后诸疾，赤白带下，毒瓦斯入腹，久痢不止，其功不可俱述。一名野苗；二名交
藤∶三名夜合；四名地精；五名首乌。本出虔州，江南诸道皆有之。苗叶有光泽者，又
如桃李叶，雄者苗色黄白，雌者黄赤，根远不过三尺，春秋可采，日干去皮为末，酒下
最良。有疾即用茯苓煎汤为使，常杵末新瓮器盛用，偶日服之，忌猪肉血，无鳞鱼，触
药无力，其根形大如拳，连珠有形，如鸟兽山狱之状者珍也。掘得去皮生吃，得味甘
甜，可以休粮。赞曰∶神妙胜道，着在仙书。雌雄相交，夜合昼疏，服之去谷，日居
月诸，返老还少，变安病躯，有缘者遇，最尔自知。明州刺吏李远传录∶何首乌所出顺
州南河县及韶州、潮州，思州、贺州、广州四会县、潘州者得为上，邕州、桂州、HT
州、春州、高州、勒州、循州、晋兴县出者次之，真仙草也。五十年者如拳大，号山
奴。服之一年，髭鬓青黑；一百年者如碗大，号山哥，服之一年，颜色红悦∶一百五
十年者如盆大，号山伯，服之一年，齿落更生∶二百年者如斗栲栳大，号山翁，服之一
年，颜如童子，行及奔马；三百年者如三斗拷栳大，号山精，纯阳之体，久服之成地仙也。
主治（痘疹合参） 治痘营血不足。过期不敛，及久痢久痈甚宜。
按∶首乌补阴而不滞不寒，强阳而不燥不热，禀中和之性，得天地之纯气者也。昔
有老人何姓，见藤夜交，掘而服之，须发尽黑，故名首乌。后阳事大举，屡生男子，改
名能嗣，则其养阴益肾可见矣。但熟地首乌虽具补阴，然地黄禀仲冬之气，以生蒸晒至
黑，则专入肾而滋天一之真水矣，其兼补肝者，因滋水而旁及也。首乌禀春之气以生，
而为风木之化，入通于肝，为阴中之阳药，故专入肝经，以为益血祛风之用，其兼补肾
者，亦因补肝而旁及也。一为禀精先天真阴之药，故其功可立散，孤阳亢烈之危∶一系
调补后天营血之需，以为常服，长养精神。却病调元之饵。先天后天之阴不同，奏功之
缓急轻重亦有大异也。况名夜合，复名能嗣，则补血之中复有补阳之力，岂若地黄专
功滋水！气薄味浓，而为浊中浊者，坚强骨髓之用乎，此张心得之见，乃古哲未为缕
析，今人混用补阴，不亦误甚！
【背景信息】
书名：冯氏锦囊秘录 作者：冯楚瞻 朝代：清代 章节：益智 / 何首乌 类别：综合
【原文翻译】
**益智（Yi Zhi, Alpinia Oxyphylla）**
益智禀受火、土、金三气，所以味道辛、气温，无毒。它入足太阴脾经和足少阴肾经。辛味能散结，温性能通行气血，芳香之气能入脾，也能入肾，这是因为“辛以润之”的缘故。因为它禀受了火、土与金的性质，所以性燥且具有收敛作用，因此被用于收敛滑精、浮沫痰涎、逆气和遗尿，以及作为温中开胃进食的需要。在开通结滞的同时，又具有收敛的含义。但是，阴虚燥热者应当忌用。
益智主要调理君火（心火）和相火（命门之火），入脾、肺、肾经。它能调和脾胃之气，驱散脾胃寒邪，禁止遗精，缩小便止遗尿，止呕哕并控制涎唾，调顺诸气以安定三焦。夜间小便多者，加入盐煎服立即见效。古人进食多用益智，是因为它能温中开胃。它又能收敛摄纳脾肾之气逆乱者，使气机藏纳归源，更是治疗脾肾虚且寒的要药。
按语：益智是行阳气、退阴气的药物，是沟通心脾母子关系的药。三焦和命门气弱者，以及心虚脾弱者禁用。心是脾之母，所以进食不止于调和脾，更是让心药进入脾药中，即“土中益火”，因为火能生土。如果血燥多火，以及因热导致遗浊，三焦火动者禁用。
**何首乌（He Shou Wu, Polygonum Multiflorum）**
何首乌禀受春深时的生气而生，味道苦涩，微温，无毒。春季属木化，入通于血分，外合于风，其性升发，属阳，入足厥阴肝经，兼入足少阴肾经，所以是补血祛风的良药。有雌雄两种，遇夜则交合，有阴阳交合的景象，所以能使人有子嗣。肝主血，肾主精，补益这两条经脉则经血旺盛。头发是血的余绪，所以能使胡须鬓发变黑。它主治瘰疬（颈部淋巴结结核），肝胆气郁结则产生内热，营气壅逆发为此病。十一脏皆取决于胆，胆与肝互为表里，属于少阳经，不可随意出入，此时气血俱少，乃风木所主。运行胆气，补益肝血，则瘰疬自然消除。调和营气则壅肿消退，治风先治血，血活则风散，所以治疗头面风疮。肠癣发展为痔疮，痔是由于湿热下流，损伤血分而无处排泄，逼迫进入肛门肉分，并出现咸形（指痔核形状）。风能胜湿，湿热解除则痔疮自然平复。心血虚则内热，热则心神摇动，摇动而作痛，补益血液则热解痛除。补益血气，使胡须鬓发变黑，面色愉悦，久服能强壮筋骨，补益精气，延年不老，这些都是补肝肾、益精血的极致功效。也治疗妇人产后及带下各种疾病，妇人以血为主，月经通畅由厥阴肝经主司，带下本于血虚兼夹湿热，行湿益血，没有不除去的。但何首乌是养荣益血的药物，忌讳与天雄、乌头、附子、仙茅、姜、桂等诸燥热药同用。炮制时用苦竹刀切片，米泔水浸泡过夜，晒干，九蒸九晒，使用时不要接触铁器，同时与萝卜相恶，会导致胡须鬓发早白。
何首乌，主治瘰疬痈疽，头面风疹，强壮筋骨，悦泽颜色，补益血气，止心痛，补真阴，调理痘疹；久服添精，使人有子嗣；消除五种痔疮，使胡须鬓发变黑，强精益髓；治疗妇人带下。总功能是调和气血，对于久疟久痢，气血先和的各种病症使用此药，可建立神奇功效。这是肝肾二经的药物，甘温祛风益血，收涩又能敛阴。年份久远个头大的，采收精制，久服延年，使人不老。至于外敷，熨烫皮里作痛，可以验证其活血养血的极致功效。（不同之处用法：将首乌研为末，用姜汁调成膏，涂之，用绵包裹住，用烧热的鞋底熨烫。）
何首乌传：何首乌，味甘，气温，性无毒，茯苓为之使（引经药）。治疗五种痔疮腰膝之病，冷气心痛，积年劳瘦痰癖，风虚败劣，强壮筋力，补益精髓，壮气驻颜，黑发延年，妇人恶血痿黄，产后各种疾病，赤白带下，毒瓦斯入腹，久痢不止，其功效不能全部叙述。又名野苗；二名交藤；三名夜合；四名地精；五名首乌。原本出产于虔州，江南各道都有。苗叶有光泽的，又像桃李叶，雄性的苗色黄白，雌性的黄赤，根远不过三尺，春秋可采，日晒去皮为末，酒送服最好。有病时用茯苓煎汤作为引经药，常捣末盛放在新瓮器中备用，偶日服用，忌食猪肉、血、无鳞鱼，否则触药无力。其根形大如拳，连珠有形，像鸟兽山狱之状的珍贵。掘得后去皮生吃，味道甘甜，可以休粮（辟谷）。赞曰：神妙胜过道法，记载在仙书中。雌雄相交，夜合昼疏，服用后可去谷，日复一日，返老还少，改变病躯，有缘者遇，最尔自知。明州刺史李远传录：何首乌出产于顺州南河县及韶州、潮州，思州、贺州、广州四会县、潘州的为上品，邕州、桂州、HT州、春州、高州、勒州、循州、晋兴县出产的为次品，真是仙草。五十年的如拳大，号称山奴。服用一年，胡须鬓发青黑；一百年的如碗大，号称山哥，服用一年，颜色红悦；一百五十年的如盆大，号称山伯，服用一年，牙齿脱落再生；二百年的如斗栲栳大，号称山翁，服用一年，容颜如童子，行走如奔马；三百年的如三斗拷栳大，号称山精，纯阳之体，久服之成为地仙。
主治（痘疹合参）：治疗痘疹营血不足。过期不收敛，以及久痢久痈非常适宜。
按语：首乌补阴而不滞不寒，强阳而不燥不热，禀受中和之性，得天地之纯气。昔有老人姓何，见藤夜交，挖掘服用，须发尽黑，故名首乌。后来阳事大举，屡生男子，改名能嗣，则其养阴益肾可见了。但是熟地和首乌虽然都具有补阴作用，然而地黄禀受仲冬之气，经过蒸晒至黑，则专入肾而滋天一之真水，其兼补肝，是因为滋水而旁及。首乌禀受春之气而生，而为风木之化，入通于肝，为阴中之阳药，所以专入肝经，作为益血祛风之用，其兼补肾，也是因为补肝而旁及。一个是禀受精先天真阴的药，所以其功可立散孤阳亢烈之危；一个是调补后天营血的需要，作为常服，长养精神，却病调元的药饵。先天后天之阴不同，奏功的缓急轻重也有很大差异。况且名叫夜合，又名叫能嗣，则在补血之中又有补阳之力，岂像地黄专功滋水！气薄味浓，而为浊中浊者，是坚强骨髓的作用。这是张景岳的心得之见，乃古哲未为缕析，今人混用补阴，不亦误甚！
[Background Information]
Book: Feng Shi Jin Nang Mi Lu (Secret Records of Feng's Brocade Pouch)
Author: Feng Chuzhan
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Chapter: Yi Zhi / He Shou Wu
Category: Comprehensive
**Yi Zhi (Alpinia oxyphylla)**
Yi Zhi derives its nature from the Qi of Fire, Earth, and Metal; therefore, it tastes pungent, is warm in temperature, and is non-toxic. It enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The pungent flavor disperses nodules, the warmth promotes circulation, and the aromatic quality enters the Spleen; it can also enter the Kidney because "pungency moistens." Since it inherits the properties of Fire, Earth, and Metal, it is dry and astringent. Thus, it is used to astringe seminal emission, floating phlegm-saliva, rebellious Qi, and urinary incontinence, and serves as a necessity for warming the Middle Jiao, opening the stomach, and promoting appetite. Within its function of unblocking stagnation, there is also the meaning of astringency. However, it is contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and dry-heat.
Yi Zhi primarily regulates the Ministerial Fire (Mingmen Fire) and Sovereign Fire (Heart Fire), entering the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. It harmonizes Qi in the Middle Jiao, disperses Cold-Evil in the Spleen and Stomach, prevents seminal emission, reduces urination and stops incontinence, stops vomiting and hiccups, controls saliva, regulates various Qi to calm the Triple Burner. For frequent nocturia, adding salt and decocting yields immediate results. Ancients often used Yi Zhi to promote eating because it warms the Middle Jiao and opens the stomach. It can also astringe and capture rebellious Qi of the Spleen and Kidney, causing Qi to store and return to its source, making it a crucial herb for Spleen-Kidney deficiency accompanied by cold.
Commentary: Yi Zhi promotes Yang and retreats Yin; it is an herb that connects the Mother (Heart) and Child (Spleen). It is contraindicated for those with weak Qi in the Triple Burner and Mingmen, as well as for Heart deficiency and Spleen weakness. The Heart is the Mother of the Spleen; thus, promoting digestion is not merely about harmonizing the Spleen, but also allowing Heart herbs to enter Spleen herbs, i.e., "benefiting Fire within Earth," because Fire generates Earth. It is contraindicated for those with blood dryness and excessive fire, as well as for those with turbid discharge due to heat and active fire in the Triple Burner.
**He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)**
He Shou Wu grows inheriting the vital Qi of deep Spring; it tastes bitter and astringent, is slightly warm, and non-toxic. Spring corresponds to Wood transformation, entering into the Blood level, combining externally with Wind, rising, and belonging to Yang. It enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian and concurrently the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, making it a superior herb for nourishing blood and dispelling wind. There are male and female varieties; they intertwine at night, symbolizing the union of Yin and Yang, thus enabling conception. The Liver governs Blood, and the Kidney governs Essence; nourishing these two meridians makes menstrual blood abundant. Hair is the surplus of Blood; thus, it darkens beard and temples. It treats scrofula (lymph node tuberculosis); when Qi stagnates in the Liver and Gallbladder, internal heat arises, and Ying-Qi congestion leads to this disease. All eleven organs depend on the Gallbladder; the Gallbladder and Liver are interior-exterior partners, belonging to the Shaoyang meridian, which cannot freely exit or enter. When Qi and Blood are both deficient, governed by Wind-Wood, moving Gallbladder Qi and nourishing Liver Blood causes scrofula to dissipate naturally. Harmonizing Ying-Qi resolves swelling; treating wind requires treating Blood first; when Blood moves, Wind disperses. Thus, it treats wind sores on the head and face. Intestinal pruritus develops into hemorrhoids; hemorrhoids result from Damp-Heat flowing downward, damaging the Blood level without outlet, forcing entry into the anal flesh, appearing as salty shapes (hemorrhoidal tissue). Wind overcomes Dampness; when Damp-Heat resolves, hemorrhoids flatten. Heart Blood deficiency causes internal heat; heat agitates the Heart, agitation causes pain. Nourishing Blood resolves heat and removes pain. Nourishing Blood and Qi darkens beard and temples, brightens complexion, strengthens sinews and bones, benefits Essence and Qi, prolongs life, and prevents aging; these are the ultimate merits of nourishing Liver-Kidney and benefiting Essence-Blood. It also treats postpartum conditions and leukorrhea in women. Women rely on Blood; menstruation is regulated by the Jueyin Liver. Leukorrhea stems from Blood deficiency combined with Damp-Heat; moving Dampness and nourishing Blood eliminates it. However, as a herb for nourishing Ying and benefiting Blood, it is contraindicated for concurrent use with Tian Xiong, Wu Tou, Fu Zi, Xian Mao, Ginger, Gui Pi, and other drying-hot herbs. Processing involves slicing with a bitter bamboo knife, soaking in rice wash water overnight, sun-drying, steaming nine times and sun-drying nine times. Avoid iron contact during use. It is antagonistic with Radish, causing premature graying of beard and temples.
He Shou Wu treats scrofula, carbuncles, sores, wind-rashes on the head and face, strengthens sinews and bones, brightens complexion, benefits Blood and Qi, stops heart pain, tonifies True Yin, regulates chickenpox/smallpox; long-term use increases Essence, enables procreation, eliminates five types of hemorrhoids, darkens beard and temples, strengthens Essence and marrow, and treats leukorrhea. Its overall function is harmonizing Qi and Blood; for chronic malaria, chronic dysentery, and diseases where Qi and Blood need prior harmonization, using this herb achieves miraculous results. It is an herb for the Liver and Kidney meridians; sweet and warm to dispel wind and benefit Blood, astringent to gather Yin. Large specimens harvested after many years, refined and processed, prolong life and prevent aging when taken long-term. For external application, to soothe pain beneath the skin, verify its extreme merit in activating Blood and nourishing Blood. (Different usage: Grind He Shou Wu into powder, mix with ginger juice to form a paste, apply, wrap with cotton, and iron with a heated shoe sole.)
Legend of He Shou Wu: He Shou Wu tastes sweet, is warm in temperature, non-toxic, with Poria cocos as its guiding herb. It treats five types of hemorrhoids, waist and knee ailments, cold Qi heart pain, chronic emaciation with phlegm-stasis, wind-deficiency debility, strengthens sinew strength, benefits essence and marrow, boosts Qi, preserves youth, blackens hair, prolongs life, treats evil blood and sallow complexion in women, postpartum diseases, red and white leukorrhea, toxic vapors entering the abdomen, and chronic dysentery; its merits cannot be fully enumerated. Also known as Ye Miao; second name Jiao Teng; third name Ye He; fourth name Di Jing; fifth name Shou Wu. Originally produced in Qianzhou, found throughout Jiangnan. Leaves glossy like peach or plum leaves; male vines are yellow-white, female are yellow-red. Roots extend no more than three feet; harvestable in spring and autumn; sun-dried, peeled, powdered, best taken with wine. Use Poria decoction as a guide when ill. Store powder in new urns; take occasionally. Contraindicated with pork, blood, scaleless fish, as they render the herb ineffective. Roots large as fists, nodular, resembling bird/beast/mountain shapes are precious. Dig up, peel, eat raw; tastes sweet, can serve as grain substitute. Eulogy: Divine efficacy surpasses Daoist methods, recorded in immortal books. Male and female intertwine, joining at night, separating by day. Taking it allows fasting, day after day, reversing aging, transforming sick bodies. Only those with affinity meet it; only you know yourself. Recorded by Li Yuan, Prefect of Mingzhou: He Shou Wu from Nanhe County, Shunzhou, and Shaozhou, Chaozhou, Sizhou, Hezhou, Guangzhou Si Hui County, Panzhou is top grade; Yongzhou, Guizhou, HT Zhou, Chunzhou, Gaozhou, Lezhou, Xunzhou, Jinxing County is secondary grade; truly an immortal herb. Fifty-year-old roots fist-sized, called Shan Nu. One year of use turns beard/temples black. Hundred-year-old roots bowl-sized, called Shan Ge. One year of use brings ruddy complexion. One-hundred-fifty-year-old roots basin-sized, called Shan Bo. One year of use regrows teeth. Two-hundred-year-old roots basket-sized, called Shan Weng. One year of use restores youthful appearance, walking speed of galloping horses. Three-hundred-year-old roots triple-basket sized, called Shan Jing, pure Yang body, long-term use becomes an Earth Immortal.
Main Indications (Integrated with Chickenpox/Smallpox): Treats insufficient Ying-Blood in chickenpox/smallpox. Highly suitable for delayed healing, chronic dysentery, and chronic abscesses.
Commentary: Shou Wu tonifies Yin without stagnation or cold, strengthens Yang without dryness or heat, inheriting neutral nature and pure Qi of Heaven and Earth. Once, an old man surnamed He saw vines intertwining at night, dug them up, took them, and his beard and hair turned completely black, hence named Shou Wu. Later, his sexual potency increased, and he fathered many sons, changing his name to Neng Si, demonstrating its ability to nourish Yin and benefit the Kidney. Although Shu Di Huang and Shou Wu both tonify Yin, Shu Di inherits the Qi of Mid-Winter, steamed and dried until black, entering specifically the Kidney to nourish the True Water of Tian Yi. Its benefit to the Liver is secondary to nourishing Water. Shou Wu inherits Spring Qi, undergoing Wind-Wood transformation, entering the Liver, being a Yang-within-Yin herb, thus specifically entering the Liver Meridian to benefit Blood and dispel Wind. Its benefit to the Kidney is secondary to nourishing the Liver. One is an herb inheriting congenital True Yin, capable of rapidly resolving the crisis of hyperactive solitary Yang; the other is needed for regulating postnatal Ying-Blood, serving as daily tonic to nurture spirit, expel disease, and adjust primal Qi. The Yin of Congenital and Postnatal origins differs greatly in the speed and weight of their effects. Moreover, named Ye He (Night Union) and Neng Si (Capable of Progeny), it possesses Yang-tonifying power within Blood-nourishing, unlike Di Huang which solely nourishes Water. With thin Qi and strong flavor, it is turbid among turbids, strengthening bone marrow. This is Zhang Jingyue's insight, previously unanalyzed by ancient sages; modern practitioners mixing Yin tonics indiscriminately commit great errors!