肝（白术，一云川芎） 心（黄连，一云赤茯） 脾（白术）
肺（桑白皮） 肾（泽泻） 胃（白术） 小肠（车前子）
三焦（陈皮） 膀胱（茵陈） 大肠（秦艽） 胞络（茗）
以上诸药，治上、中、下三焦内湿，兼调气补气之剂。
即《汤液》燥降收也。古庵云∶燥因血虚而然。盖血虚生热，热生燥是也。宜用解热生津药及滋血润燥药。
夫燥热皆属阳，宜与治热门通看。
天门冬
天门冬苦寒润肺，泻火消痰定喘气，肺痿肺 多渴衄，通肾补虚及偏痹。
天，颠也，一名颠棘。《尔雅》名门冬，冬月作实也。无毒。升也，阴也。入手太阴、足少阴经。东垣
云∶保肺气，不被热扰，定喘促，徙得安宁。又云∶润肺肝。《日华》云∶润五脏。其实保与定皆润也。肺润
而五脏自润，乃润肺之美药也。泻肺热肺火，消痰止嗽定喘，肺痿肺痈吐脓血，血热吐衄，消渴烦热。又治肺
经津燥结为 瘕积聚。通肾气，补五劳七伤及诸暴风湿偏痹，热毒游风。性虽冷能补精枯血冷，益气填髓，养
肌肤，利小便，杀三虫，去伏尸；久服颜色洁白，耐寒暑，身轻不饥，延年，令人多子。但专泄而不收，中寒肠
滑者禁用。汤浸去皮心，焙热即当风凉之，如此二三次自干，不损药力。地黄、贝母为使。畏曾青、鲤鱼。外
用浣衣洗面最洁。
麦门冬
麦门冬甘气微寒，清肺火令心安神，养阴通脉医痿蹶，清谷调中治呕干。
形如 麦。无毒。降也，阳中之阴。入手太阴经。泻肺火，生肺金。治咳嗽烦渴、血热妄行及肺痿吐脓，
安心神，清心热及心下支满。夫伏火去则金清自能生水，而阴精日长日固。心神安则血有所统，而客热自散。
又脉失及痿蹶必用者，心肺润而血脉自通也。大抵后人治心肺多，古人治脾胃多。经云∶消谷调中，止呕
吐。主心腹结气，伤中伤饱，胃络脉绝，羸瘦短气，身重目黄口干。久服安五脏，美颜色，令有肥健有子。去心
用，不令人烦。行经酒浸。地黄、车前为使。恶款冬花，畏苦参。
知母
知母苦寒润心肺，补肾泻火更清胃，劳蒸渴嗽止疟斑，兼利小肠消肿溃。
补阴药用之，以其能知血之母也。无毒。沉而降，阴中阴也。入足阳明、手太阴，足少阴本药。润心肺，
滋化源，止惊悸，下气消痰。泻肾火、胃火之圣药。内伤虚劳，阳盛有汗，骨蒸热劳，往来传尸疰病，消渴口
干，咳嗽，伤寒，久疟，烦热发斑皆治。兼通小肠，除邪气，肢体浮肿及胁膈中恶，风汗内疸，妊娠腹痛，产
后蓐劳，辟射工溪毒。经云∶多服令人泄。凡肺中寒嗽，肾气虚脱，无火症而尺脉微弱者禁用。去皮，补药盐
水或蜜水蒸，或炒，上行酒炒。忌铁器。
贝母
贝母苦辛平散郁，降火消痰清肺疾，烦热咳渴咽项风，淋疸疝瘕心腹实。
形如聚贝子。无毒。丹溪云∶贝母治诸疾者，辛能散结，苦能降火，气血调畅，而疾自愈，收敛疮口亦此
意也。消痰止嗽，润肺清心，和中气，安五脏，乃怯症之要药也。又主伤寒淅淅恶风寒，目眩项直，烦热咳嗽，
作渴无汗，喉痹，淋沥，时气黄胆，疝瘕，腹中结实，心胁满逆，兼治妇人难产，胞衣不下，乳难，乳痈，去
目中肤翳，项下瘿瘤痰核，金疮风痉，人面恶疮。姜汁泡去心，雷公用灰火炮黄去心，和糯米炒黄熟，去米用。
其中有根颗不作两片无皱者，名丹龙精，损人筋脉。浓朴、白薇为使。恶桃花，畏秦艽、矾石、莽草，反乌头。
三母散∶知母、贝母、牡蛎，为末，猪悬蹄汤调服，善下乳汁。又单贝母为末，砂糖丸含化，止嗽。
栝蒌根
栝蒌根苦寒益津，能消痼热烦满身，退疸续伤通月水，解毒排脓逐瘀陈。
栝，括 也；楼，蒌敛也，言包其子于内如括囊也。根名天花粉，内有花纹，天然而成也。雷公云∶栝圆
黄皮浓蒂，小苦，蒌长赤皮蒂粗，阴人服。天花粉，无毒。沉也，阴也。生津液，止消渴，除肠胃痼热，时疾满
身烦躁，大热发狂，退八疸身面黄，唇干口燥，续绝伤，通月水，下乳汁，利小肠，诸痈肿发背，痔漏疮疖、
乳痈，排脓消肿解毒，生肌长肉，兼逐扑损瘀血。《本草》云∶补虚安中者，热去津复而中自和，与天门冬冷
补之意同。二八月采入地深者，去皮，日干，生卤地者有毒。
栝蒌实
栝蒌实苦甘润肺，消痰治嗽宽胸痹，止血止痢补虚劳，伸手面皱通经闭，叶茎清暑解热中，瓤入茶煎降痰气。
俗名栝蒌仁。无毒。丹溪云∶属土而有水。《本草》言治胸痹者，以其味苦甘性润，治痰嗽，利胸膈，甘能
补肺，润能降气。胸有痰者，以肺受火逼，失降下之令，今得甘缓润下之助，则痰自降，宜为止嗽之要剂。又
洗涤胸膈中垢腻郁热，治消渴之神药。《日华》云∶治吐血肠风下血，赤白痢疾，补虚劳，疗手面皱，生津液，
通月经，下乳汁。茎叶，疗中热伤暑最效。瓤干者煎茶化痰降气，又湿者和葛粉拌炒熟为末，沸汤下。治肺燥热
渴，大便秘。十月采黄老实取子，炒，去壳去油用。枸杞为使。恶干姜，畏牛膝、干漆，反乌头。
地骨皮
地骨皮苦寒无毒，入肾泻火退晡潮，有汗骨蒸惟比妙，表风肌痹亦堪调。
即枸杞根。大寒。升也，阴也。入足少阴、手少阳经。海藏曰∶地为阴，骨为里，皮为表。惟属阴也，
故泻血中之火，阴分日晡潮热；惟主里也，故治传尸有汗骨蒸，独此与知母最妙，凡肌热在外皆能治之；惟走表
也，故治在表无定风邪、风湿痹痛。能坚筋骨、益精、止渴、利肠、凉血止血。凡痈疽出血脓不止，刮粗皮煎汤，
洗令血净，以中心白瓤贴之立愈。有
痼疾人勿用。全州者佳。去骨水洗，刮去粗皮，焙干，忌铁。
牡丹皮
牡丹皮寒泻火伏，养真血气破结蓄，专主无汗之骨蒸，又补神志之不足。
牡丹乃天地之精，群花之首。叶为阳发生，花为阴成实，丹为赤即火，故能泻阴中之火。味辛苦，无毒。
阴中微阳。入足少阴、手厥阴经。主吐血衄血瘀血，热留肠胃不散。消打扑瘀血，续筋骨，女子经脉不通，血
沥腰疼，破坚 ，下胎下胞，产后一切冷热血气。疗疮痈排脓止痛及下部生疮成洞，皆养真血而破瘀血蓄血之功
也。又治冷气，散诸痛结及中风螈 ，痉、惊痫、邪气，除时气头痛客热，五劳劳气，头腰痛，风禁癫疾，皆
固真气而行结气郁气之力也。易老云∶治神志不足。神属心，志属肾，故八味丸用之以补心肾也。又曰∶牡丹
皮入足少阴及手厥阴，治无汗之骨蒸；地骨皮入足少阴及手少阳，治有汗之骨蒸。有二种，白者补，赤者利。
出合州、和州、宣州山中，单叶红花者佳。二八月采根如笔管大者，以铜刀劈去骨，阴干，酒拌蒸三时，日干
用。畏菟丝子，忌蒜。今人家移枝接者，名千叶牡丹，不用。
五味子
五味子温滋肾阴，除烦止渴补虚任，敛肺通脉定喘咳，和中消积水肿淫，肺火盛者用南味，辛甘且散风邪
侵。
北五味色黑，皮肉酸甘，核苦辛咸。无毒。可升可降，阴也。入手太阴、足少阴经，滋肾水，暖肾脏，除
烦热，生津止渴，补虚劳羸瘦，强阴益精，壮筋骨，收肺气，耗散火热，嗽必用之。主肺寒咳逆、上气喘嗽，
通血生脉，补气，兼和中气，霍乱转筋，翻胃，解酒毒，消食积， 癖，奔豚冷气，水湿气淫，腹肿胀大。
是知在下补肾，在上滋肺，在中和脾。孙真人云∶夏月常服五味，以补五脏气。是不特金水二脏药也。但多
食收补太骤，反致虚热，又酸甚吊痰引嗽。如肺火盛者，莫如用南五味，色黄，味辛甘，稍重而能散痰火，
去风邪。苁蓉为使，恶葳蕤，胜乌头。
乌梅
乌梅酸平能敛肺，止渴除烦下痰气，调胃和中断疟痢，虚劳蒸热及偏痹，白梅虽暖仍化痰，捣敷痈疮点
黑痣。
五月采黄色梅实，用早稻杆烧灰，和米饮拌之，火熏干为乌梅。无毒。可升可降，阴也。收肺气者，生津
止渴，除烦热烦满，下气止嗽，消痰及痰厥头痛，调胃者，治瘴疟久痢，便血久泻，涩肠，解烦毒，清酒毒，
定霍乱吐蛔，心腹胀痛，短气欲死。东垣云∶凡酸味收补元气。诸虚劳骨蒸羸瘦，久嗽少睡必用之。又疗肢体
偏痛，皮肤麻痹等症。古方和细茶、干姜为丸，治休息痢。烧灰敷一切恶疮 肉立验。入药，温酒或水洗，
蒸去核用。白梅，以盐水曝干，藏密器中，临用去核，性暖无毒。亦入除痰药中。又捣烂敷刀箭伤，止血及刺
入肉中，乳痈肿毒，亦和药点青黑痣，蚀恶肉。生梅暖，止渴多唾，伤骨，蚀脾胃，令人膈上热，发虚热，服
黄精人尤不相宜。《衍义》云∶食梅则津液泄，水生水也，津液泄故伤齿，肾属水，外为齿故也。根疗风痹，
出土者杀人。叶煮浓汁服，治休息痢并霍乱；洗葛衣令洁净，经夏不脆。梅核仁亦可单用除烦热，如手指忽肿
痛，以乌梅仁和苦酒捣膏，以指渍之立愈。
枇杷叶
枇杷叶苦平无毒，清肺止渴止咳促，扫肺风生胸面疮，卒呕下气效尤速。
叶如枇杷，故名。治肺热咳嗽气逆，消渴及久嗽身热肌瘦将成痨者。又治肺风疮，胸面上疮及卒呕哕不止，
下气。四月采，每叶重一两者，以粗布拭去毛净，甘草汤洗一遍拭干，酥炙。其毛射人肺，令咳不可疗。实，
甘寒无毒，治肺气，润五脏，下气止呕逆并渴疾。多食动痰热，和炙肉、热面食之，令人患热毒黄病。
兰草
兰草芳平辛更甘，止渴生津去癖痰，利水散郁消诸痹，久服可与神明参。
叶似马栏，故名兰草。即今人栽植座右，花开时满室清香者，无毒。善止消渴，除胸中痰癖。丹溪云∶散
久积陈郁之气甚有力，利水道。经云∶消诸痹，治之以兰是也。兼杀蛊毒，辟不祥。和油煎膏，泽头长发。久
服，益气润肌，轻身不老，可通神明。盖禀金水清气而似有火，方药俗人并不识用，惟东垣常用之。五六月采，
阴干。入药煎煮。
马兜铃
马兜铃子寒而苦，肺热咳嗽痰无数，咳逆连连坐卧难，熏痔更医五种蛊，根即名为青木香，利膈止痛无不
愈。
实如马项之铃，作四五瓣。无毒。阴中微阳。主肺热咳嗽，痰结喘促，气上逆连连，不可坐卧。又治血痔
疮，以药于瓶中烧烟熏病处。五种蛊毒，水煎顿服吐之，立化蛊出，惟蛇蛊，加麝少许。入药劈开，取向里子
去革膜，微炒。根名土青木香，治气下膈，止刺痛。八月采用。
款冬花
款冬花温味辛甘，止劳嗽喘唾稠粘，肺痿烦渴心惊悸，洗肝明目咽如搀。
款，至也，至冻时开花，故又名颗冻。纯阳无毒。主咳逆上气，善喘息，呼吸连连不绝，涕唾稠粘，消痰止嗽。
治肺痿肺痈吐脓血，消渴烦热，寒热。润心肺，益五脏，补劳劣。古今治嗽之最要者也。有人病久嗽，用款冬
花于无风处烧，以笔管吸其满口则咽，数日效。兼治心虚惊悸，发痫，洗肝明目，治咽喉肿痛如搀。花半开者
良。去枝土，甘草水浸一宿，阴干。杏仁为使，恶皂荚、消石、玄参，畏贝母、辛夷、麻黄、黄 、黄芩、
黄连、青葙子，得紫菀良。
紫菀
紫菀苦温能调肺，消痰嗽血定喘悸，寒热胸结气能消，补虚治蹶并劳疰。
菀，软也。色紫而体软润者佳。又有白菀，性亦颇同。无毒。益肺，安五脏。消痰止渴，止久嗽及肺痈
咳唾脓血，喘悸，咳逆上气，胸胁寒热结气。补虚劳不足，润肌添髓。兼治喉痹，痿蹶，尸疰劳气百邪，妇人卒
不得小便，小儿惊痫。去芦，蜜水浸一宿，焙干。款冬花为使。恶天雄、瞿麦、雷丸、远志，畏茵陈。治久嗽
不瘥，紫菀、款冬花各一两，百部五钱，为末，生姜、乌梅煎汤下三钱，甚效。
阿胶
阿胶甘温保肺气，劳喘损嗽及久痢，补虚治痿立亦难，养肝安胎腰腹坠。
取乌驴皮，以东阿井水煎者佳。盖济水性清趋下，故治浊痰逆上。无毒。降也，阳也。人手太阴、足少阴、
厥阴经。益肺气，定喘，虚损咳唾脓血非此不除。止赤白久痢，得黄连、黄蜡为佐最妙。补虚羸，阴气不足，
心腹内崩劳极洒洒如疟状，腰腹痛，小腹痛甚，四肢酸疼，脚酸不能久立，一切瘫痪不遂。养肝血，凡血虚
而胎动不安，腰腹重坠下血，血痢或卒尿血。丹溪云∶久嗽久痢，虚劳失血者宜用。若邪胜初发者用之，强闭其
邪而生他症。阿胶，真者难得，宁用黄明牛胶。但牛皮胶制不如法，自制者为妙。凡煎时必用鹿角一片，不尔
则不成也。凡使先于猪脂内浸一宿，取出锉碎，以蚌粉炒成珠。山药为使，畏大黄，得火良。
诃梨勒
诃梨勒温通肺津，泻逆消痰敛咳频，开胃涩肠消食胀，肾积胎漏崩带神。
梵语云诃梨勒，俗名诃子。味苦，微酸。无毒。沉而降，阴也。苦多酸少，能泻肺敛肺而不能补。故但通
利津液，泻气上逆，胸膈结满，消痰除烦。治久咳、火伤肺郁、胀满、喘嗽，开胃调中，涩肠脏，止水道、久
痢、气痢、久泻肛痛、霍乱，消食下气，除冷气心腹胀满。又治奔豚肾气，胎漏胎动，气喘胀闷，产后阴痛，
肝（白术，一说川芎） 心（黄连，一说赤茯苓） 脾（白术）
肺（桑白皮） 肾（泽泻） 胃（白术） 小肠（车前子）
三焦（陈皮） 膀胱（茵陈） 大肠（秦艽） 胞络（茗茶）
以上这些药物，用于治疗上、中、下三焦内部的湿邪，兼有调理气机、补益元气的功效。
这就是《汤液经法》中“燥降收”的理论。古庵说：燥证是由于血虚引起的。大概是因为血虚生热，热盛导致燥，就是这个道理。适宜使用清热生津的药物以及滋阴养血润燥的药物。
燥和热都归属于阳，应当与治热的方剂一起参考阅读。
天门冬
天门冬味苦性寒，能润肺，泻火消痰，平定气喘，适用于肺痿、肺痈多渴、鼻衄，通补肾气，补益虚损及治疗偏侧痹痛。
天，指头顶；又名颠棘。《尔雅》称为门冬，因为冬天结出果实。无毒。药性升浮，属阴。归入手太阴肺经、足少阴肾经。李东垣说：保护肺气，不被热邪扰乱，平定气喘急促，使身体得以安宁。又说：润肺肝。《日华子本草》说：滋润五脏。其实“保”与“定”都是滋润的意思。肺得到滋润，五脏自然滋润，这是润肺的美药。能泻肺热肺火，消痰止咳定喘，治疗肺痿肺痈吐脓血，血热导致的吐血鼻衄，消渴烦热。又治疗肺经津液干燥凝结形成的瘕积聚。通利肾气，补益五劳七伤及各种暴发性风湿偏痹，热毒游风。药性虽冷但能补益精枯血冷，益气填髓，滋养肌肤，通利小便，杀灭三虫，去除伏尸；长期服用能使面色洁白，耐寒暑，身体轻健不饥饿，延年益寿，使人多子。但本品专于泄散而不收敛，中寒且肠滑者禁用。用汤浸泡去皮去心，焙干后对着风吹凉，如此两三次自然干燥，不损伤药力。地黄、贝母为引经药。畏曾青、鲤鱼。外用洗涤衣物洗脸最洁净。
麦门冬
麦门冬味甘气微寒，清肺火令心安神，养阴通脉治疗痿蹶，清谷调中治疗呕吐口干。
形状像麦子。无毒。药性沉降，为阳中之阴。归入手太阴肺经。泻肺火，生肺金。治疗咳嗽烦渴、血热妄行及肺痿吐脓，安心神，清心热及心下支满。伏火去除则肺金清肃，自然能生水，阴精日益增长巩固。心神安宁则血液有所统摄，客热自然消散。又是治疗脉失及痿蹶必用的药物，心肺滋润而血脉自然通畅。大抵后人多用于治心肺，古人多用于治脾胃。经文说：消谷调中，止呕吐。主治心腹结气，内伤饱食，胃络脉绝，消瘦短气，身重目黄口干。长期服用能安五脏，美化颜色，使人肥健有子。去心使用，不令人烦躁。行经时酒浸。地黄、车前子为使药。恶款冬花，畏苦参。
知母
知母味苦性寒，滋润心肺，补肾泻火更清胃，治疗骨蒸劳热、口渴咳嗽、疟疾斑疹，兼利小肠消肿溃烂。
补阴药使用它，因为它能知晓血的源头。无毒。药性沉降，为阴中之阴。入足阳明胃经、手太阴肺经，是足少阴肾经的本药。滋润心肺，滋生化之源，止惊悸，降气消痰。是泻肾火、胃火的圣药。治疗内伤虚劳，阳盛有汗，骨蒸热劳，往来传尸疰病，消渴口干，咳嗽，伤寒，久疟，烦热发斑皆治。兼通小肠，除邪气，肢体浮肿及胁膈中恶，风汗内疸，妊娠腹痛，产后蓐劳，辟射工溪毒。经文说：多服令人泄泻。凡肺中寒嗽，肾气虚脱，无火症而尺脉微弱者禁用。去皮，补药用盐水或蜜水蒸，或炒，上行用酒炒。忌铁器。
贝母
贝母味苦辛性平，疏散郁结，降火消痰清肺疾，治疗烦热咳渴咽项风，淋证黄疸疝瘕心腹实。
形状像聚集的贝子。无毒。朱丹溪说：贝母治疗各种疾病，辛能散结，苦能降火，气血调畅，疾病自愈，收敛疮口也是这个意思。消痰止咳，润肺清心，调和胃气，安五脏，是怯症的要药。又主治伤寒淅淅恶风寒，目眩项直，烦热咳嗽，作渴无汗，喉痹，淋沥，时气黄疸，疝瘕，腹中结实，心胁满逆，兼治妇人难产，胞衣不下，乳难，乳痈，去除目中肤翳，项下瘿瘤痰核，金疮风痉，人面恶疮。姜汁泡去心，雷公用灰火炮黄去心，和糯米炒黄熟，去米用。其中有根颗不作两片无皱者，名丹龙精，损伤人筋脉。浓朴、白薇为使药。恶桃花，畏秦艽、矾石、莽草，反乌头。
三母散：知母、贝母、牡蛎，研为末，猪悬蹄汤调服，善于下乳汁。又单用贝母为末，砂糖丸含化，止咳。
栝蒌根
栝蒌根味苦性寒，增益津液，能消除顽固热邪烦满身，退黄疸续接损伤通月水，解毒排脓驱逐瘀血陈旧。
栝，括也；楼，蒌敛也，意思是包其子于内如括囊。根名天花粉，内有花纹，天然形成。雷公说：栝圆黄皮厚蒂小，味苦；蒌长赤皮蒂粗，适合女性服用。天花粉，无毒。药性沉降，属阴。生津液，止消渴，除肠胃顽固热邪，时疾满身烦躁，大热发狂，退八疸身面黄，唇干口燥，续绝伤，通月水，下乳汁，利小肠，诸痈肿发背，痔漏疮疖、乳痈，排脓消肿解毒，生肌长肉，兼逐跌打损伤瘀血。《本草》说：补虚安中的道理，是热去津复而中自和，与天门冬冷补的意思相同。二八月采挖入地深的，去皮，晒干，生在盐碱地的有毒。
栝蒌实
栝蒌实味苦甘，润肺，消痰治嗽宽胸痹，止血止痢补虚劳，伸手面皱通经闭，叶茎清暑解热中，瓤入茶煎降痰气。
俗名栝蒌仁。无毒。朱丹溪说：属土而有水。《本草》说治疗胸痹，是因为其味苦甘性润，治疗痰嗽，利胸膈，甘能补肺，润能降气。胸中有痰者，因肺受火逼，失去降下之令，现在得到甘缓润下的帮助，则痰自降，适宜作为止咳的要剂。又洗涤胸膈中垢腻郁热，治疗消渴的神药。《日华子本草》说：治疗吐血肠风下血，赤白痢疾，补虚劳，疗手面皱，生津液，通月经，下乳汁。茎叶，治疗中暑伤暑最有效。瓤干者煎茶化痰降气，又湿者和葛粉拌炒熟为末，沸汤送下。治疗肺燥热渴，大便秘。十月采黄色老实取子，炒，去壳去油用。枸杞为使药。恶干姜，畏牛膝、干漆，反乌头。
地骨皮
地骨皮味苦性寒无毒，入肾泻火退午后潮热，有汗骨蒸惟此妙，表风肌痹亦可调。
即枸杞根。大寒。药性升浮，属阴。入足少阴肾经、手少阳三焦经。张元素说：地为阴，骨为里，皮为表。只属于阴，所以泻血中之火，阴分日晡潮热；只主里，所以治疗传尸有汗骨蒸，独此与知母最妙，凡是肌热在外皆能治之；只走表，所以治疗在表无定风邪、风湿痹痛。能坚筋骨、益精、止渴、利肠、凉血止血。凡是痈疽出血脓不止，刮去粗皮煎汤，洗令血净，以中心白瓤贴之立愈。有慢性病的人勿用。全州产的佳。去骨水洗，刮去粗皮，焙干，忌铁。
牡丹皮
牡丹皮寒性泻火伏，养真血气破结蓄，专主无汗之骨蒸，又补神志之不足。
牡丹乃天地之精，群花之首。叶为阳发生，花为阴成实，丹为赤即火，所以能泻阴中之火。味辛苦，无毒。阴中微阳。入足少阴肾经、手厥阴心包经。主吐血衄血瘀血，热留肠胃不散。消打扑瘀血，续筋骨，女子经脉不通，血沥腰疼，破坚积，下胎下胞，产后一切冷热血气。疗疮痈排脓止痛及下部生疮成洞，都是养真血而破瘀血蓄血的功效。又治冷气，散诸痛结及中风抽搐，痉病、惊痫、邪气，除时气头痛客热，五劳劳气，头腰痛，风禁癫疾，都是固真气而行结气郁气的力量。易老说：治疗神志不足。神属心，志属肾，所以八味丸用它来补心肾。又说：牡丹皮入足少阴及手厥阴，治疗无汗之骨蒸；地骨皮入足少阴及手少阳，治疗有汗之骨蒸。有二种，白的补，红的利。出合州、和州、宣州山中，单叶红花者佳。二八月采根如笔管大者，以铜刀劈去骨，阴干，酒拌蒸三个时辰，晒干用。畏菟丝子，忌蒜。今人家移枝接者，名千叶牡丹，不用。
五味子
五味子温滋肾阴，除烦止渴补虚任，敛肺通脉定喘咳，和中消积水肿淫，肺火盛者用南味，辛甘且散风邪侵。
北五味色黑，皮肉酸甘，核苦辛咸。无毒。可升可降，属阴。入手太阴肺经、足少阴肾经，滋肾水，暖肾脏，除烦热，生津止渴，补虚劳羸瘦，强阴益精，壮筋骨，收肺气，耗散火热，咳嗽必用。主肺寒咳逆、上气喘嗽，通血生脉，补气，兼和中气，霍乱转筋，翻胃，解酒毒，消食积，癖块，奔豚冷气，水湿气淫，腹肿胀大。
由此可知，在下补肾，在上滋肺，在中和脾。孙真人说：夏月常服五味，以补五脏气。这不仅是金水二脏的药。但多食收补太骤，反致虚热，又酸甚吊痰引嗽。如肺火盛者，莫如用南五味，色黄，味辛甘，稍重而能散痰火，去风邪。苁蓉为使药，恶葳蕤，胜乌头。
乌梅
乌梅酸平能敛肺，止渴除烦下痰气，调胃和中断疟痢，虚劳蒸热及偏痹，白梅虽暖仍化痰，捣敷痈疮点黑痣。
五月采黄色梅实，用早稻杆烧灰，和米饮拌之，火熏干为乌梅。无毒。可升可降，属阴。收肺气者，生津止渴，除烦热烦满，下气止嗽，消痰及痰厥头痛，调胃者，治瘴疟久痢，便血久泻，涩肠，解烦毒，清酒毒，定霍乱吐蛔，心腹胀痛，短气欲死。李东垣说：凡酸味收补元气。诸虚劳骨蒸羸瘦，久嗽少睡必用之。又疗肢体偏痛，皮肤麻痹等症。古方和细茶、干姜为丸，治疗休息痢。烧灰敷一切恶疮息肉立验。入药，温酒或水洗，蒸去核用。白梅，以盐水曝干，藏密器中，临用去核，性暖无毒。亦入除痰药中。又捣烂敷刀箭伤，止血及刺入肉中，乳痈肿毒，也和药点青黑痣，蚀恶肉。生梅暖，止渴多唾，伤骨，蚀脾胃，令人膈上热，发虚热，服黄精人尤不相宜。《衍义》说：食梅则津液泄，水生水也，津液泄故伤齿，肾属水，外为齿故也。根疗风痹，出土者杀人。叶煮浓汁服，治疗休息痢并霍乱；洗葛衣令洁净，经夏不脆。梅核仁亦可单用除烦热，如手指忽肿痛，以乌梅仁和苦酒捣膏，以指渍之立愈。
枇杷叶
枇杷叶味苦性平无毒，清肺止渴止咳促，扫肺风生胸面疮，卒呕下气效尤速。
叶如枇杷，故名。治疗肺热咳嗽气逆，消渴及久嗽身热肌瘦将成痨者。又治疗肺风疮，胸面上疮及卒呕哕不止，下气。四月采，每叶重一两者，以粗布拭去毛净，甘草汤洗一遍拭干，酥炙。其毛射人肺，令咳不可疗。实，甘寒无毒，治疗肺气，润五脏，下气止呕逆并渴疾。多食动痰热，和炙肉、热面食之，令人患热毒黄病。
兰草
兰草芳平辛更甘，止渴生津去癖痰，利水散郁消诸痹，久服可与神明参。
叶似马栏，故名兰草。即今人栽植座右，花开时满室清香者，无毒。善止消渴，除胸中痰癖。朱丹溪说：散久积陈郁之气甚有力，利水道。经文说：消诸痹，治之以兰是也。兼杀蛊毒，辟不祥。和油煎膏，泽头长发。久服，益气润肌，轻身不老，可通神明。盖禀金水清气而似有火，方药俗人并不识用，惟李东垣常用之。五六月采，阴干。入药煎煮。
马兜铃
马兜铃子寒而苦，肺热咳嗽痰无数，咳逆连连坐卧难，熏痔更医五种蛊，根即名为青木香，利膈止痛无不愈。
实如马项之铃，作四五瓣。无毒。阴中微阳。主肺热咳嗽，痰结喘促，气上逆连连，不可坐卧。又治血痔疮，以药于瓶中烧烟熏病处。五种蛊毒，水煎顿服吐之，立化蛊出，惟蛇蛊，加麝少许。入药劈开，取向里子去革膜，微炒。根名土青木香，治疗气下膈，止刺痛。八月采用。
款冬花
款冬花温味辛甘，止劳嗽喘唾稠粘，肺痿烦渴心惊悸，洗肝明目咽如搀。
款，至也，至冻时开花，故又名颗冻。纯阳无毒。主咳逆上气，善喘息，呼吸连连不绝，涕唾稠粘，消痰止咳。治疗肺痿肺痈吐脓血，消渴烦热，寒热。润心肺，益五脏，补劳劣。古今治疗咳嗽的最要药。有人病久嗽，用款冬花在无风处烧，以笔管吸其满口则咽，数日效。兼治心虚惊悸，发痫，洗肝明目，治疗咽喉肿痛如搀。花半开者良。去枝土，甘草水浸一宿，阴干。杏仁为使药，恶皂荚、消石、玄参，畏贝母、辛夷、麻黄、黄耆、黄芩、黄连、青葙子，得紫菀良。
紫菀
紫菀味苦性温能调肺，消痰嗽血定喘悸，寒热胸结气能消，补虚治蹶并劳疰。
菀，软也。色紫而体软润者佳。又有白菀，性亦颇同。无毒。益肺，安五脏。消痰止渴，止久嗽及肺痈咳唾脓血，喘悸，咳逆上气，胸胁寒热结气。补虚劳不足，润肌添髓。兼治疗喉痹，痿蹶，尸疰劳气百邪，妇人卒不得小便，小儿惊痫。去芦，蜜水浸一宿，焙干。款冬花为使药。恶天雄、瞿麦、雷丸、远志，畏茵陈。治疗久嗽不瘥，紫菀、款冬花各一两，百部五钱，为末，生姜、乌梅煎汤下三钱，甚效。
阿胶
阿胶味甘性温保肺气，劳喘损嗽及久痢，补虚治痿立亦难，养肝安胎腰腹坠。
取乌驴皮，以东阿井水煎者佳。盖济水性清趋下，所以治疗浊痰逆上。无毒。药性沉降，属阳。入手太阴肺经、足少阴肾经、厥阴肝经。益肺气，定喘，虚损咳唾脓血非此不除。止赤白久痢，得黄连、黄蜡为佐最妙。补虚羸，阴气不足，心腹内崩劳极洒洒如疟状，腰腹痛，小腹痛甚，四肢酸疼，脚酸不能久立，一切瘫痪不遂。养肝血，凡血虚而胎动不安，腰腹重坠下血，血痢或卒尿血。朱丹溪说：久嗽久痢，虚劳失血者宜用。若邪胜初发者用之，强闭其邪而生他症。阿胶，真者难得，宁用黄明牛胶。但牛皮胶制不如法，自制者为妙。凡煎时必用鹿角一片，不尔则不成也。凡使先于猪脂内浸一宿，取出锉碎，以蚌粉炒成珠。山药为使药，畏大黄，得火良。
诃梨勒
诃梨勒温通肺津，泻逆消痰敛咳频，开胃涩肠消食胀，肾积胎漏崩带神。
梵语云诃梨勒，俗名诃子。味苦，微酸。无毒。药性沉降，属阴。苦多酸少，能泻肺敛肺而不能补。故但通利津液，泻气上逆，胸膈结满，消痰除烦。治疗久咳、火伤肺郁、胀满、喘嗽，开胃调中，涩肠脏，止水道、久痢、气痢、久泻肛痛、霍乱，消食下气，除冷气心腹胀满。又治疗奔豚肾气，胎漏胎动，气喘胀闷，产后阴痛，
Liver (Bai Zhu, alternatively Chuan Xiong) Heart (Huang Lian, alternatively Chi Fu Ling) Spleen (Bai Zhu)
Lung (Sang Bai Pi) Kidney (Ze Xie) Stomach (Bai Zhu) Small Intestine (Che Qian Zi)
San Jiao (Chen Pi) Bladder (Yin Chen) Large Intestine (Qin Jiao) Bao Luo (Ming Cha)
The above-mentioned herbs are agents for treating internal dampness in the Upper, Middle, and Lower San Jiao, with the additional function of regulating Qi and tonifying healthy Qi.
This corresponds to the principle of "drying, descending, and astringing" from the *Tang Ye Jing Fa* (Classic of Decoctions). Gu An stated: Dryness arises from Blood deficiency. Specifically, Blood deficiency generates Heat, and Heat leads to Dryness. It is appropriate to use herbs that clear Heat and generate fluids, as well as those that nourish Blood and moisten Dryness.
Dryness and Heat both belong to Yang; they should be understood in conjunction with the treatment of Heat syndromes.
Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix)
Tian Men Dong is bitter and cold; it moistens the Lung, clears Fire, resolves phlegm, and calms asthma. It is indicated for Lung萎 (Lung atrophy), Lung痈 (Lung abscess), excessive thirst, epistaxis, and hemiplegic bi-syndrome due to deficiency. It also benefits the Kidney and tonifies deficiency.
"Tian" refers to the vertex; another name is Dian Ji. The *Erya* calls it Men Dong because it bears fruit in winter. It is non-toxic. Its nature is ascending and Yin. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung meridian and Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian. Li Dongyuan stated: It protects Lung Qi from heat disturbance, calms rapid breathing, and brings peace. He further stated it moistens the Lung and Liver. The *Ri Hua Ben Cao* states it moistens the five Zang organs. Essentially, "protecting" and "calming" imply moistening. When the Lung is moistened, the five Zang organs naturally become moist; thus, it is an excellent herb for moistening the Lung. It clears Lung Heat and Fire, resolves phlegm, stops cough, calms asthma, treats Lung atrophy and abscess with pus and blood expectoration, blood-heat-induced vomiting and epistaxis, and Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) with vexation and heat. It also treats accumulations caused by dryness and fluid depletion in the Lung meridian. It unblocks Kidney Qi, tonifies the Five Labors and Seven Injuries, and treats acute wind-damp hemiplegia and toxic wandering wind. Although cold in nature, it can tonify depleted essence and cold blood, benefit Qi, fill marrow, nourish skin and muscles, promote urination, kill three parasites, and remove latent corpses. Long-term use results in fair complexion, resistance to cold and heat, lightness of body, freedom from hunger, longevity, and increased fertility. However, it is purely dispersing and not astringent; it is contraindicated in cases of middle-jiao cold with loose stools. Soak in decoction, peel, remove heart, bake, and cool in the wind two or three times until dry to preserve efficacy. Di Huang and Bei Mu serve as assistants. It opposes Ceng Qing and carp. Externally, it is very clean for washing clothes and face.
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)
Mai Men Dong is sweet and slightly cold; it clears Lung Fire, calms the Heart and Spirit, nourishes Yin, unblocks vessels, treats Wei Jue (flaccidity and paralysis), clears the grain, regulates the middle, and treats vomiting and dry mouth.
It resembles wheat. It is non-toxic. Its nature is descending, Yin within Yang. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung meridian. It clears Lung Fire and generates Lung Metal. It treats cough, vexation, thirst, reckless bleeding due to blood-heat, and Lung atrophy with purulent sputum. It calms the Spirit, clears Heart Heat, and treats fullness under the heart. Removing hidden Fire allows Lung Metal to clear and naturally generate Water, causing Yin essence to grow and strengthen daily. Calming the Spirit ensures blood is governed, dispersing pathogenic heat. It is essential for pulse disorders and flaccidity because moistening the Lung and Heart unblocks blood vessels. Generally, later physicians used it more for the Lung and Heart, while ancient physicians used it more for the Spleen and Stomach. The classics state: It aids digestion, regulates the middle, and stops vomiting. It governs knotting Qi in the Heart and abdomen, injury to the middle from overeating, severed stomach collaterals, emaciation, shortness of breath, heavy body, yellow eyes, and dry mouth. Long-term use calms the five Zang, beautifies the complexion, promotes robustness, and aids conception. Remove the heart to prevent vexation. Soak in wine during menstruation. Di Huang and Che Qian Zi serve as assistants. It opposes Kuan Dong Hua and fears Ku Shen.
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)
Zhi Mu is bitter and cold; it moistens the Lung and Heart, tonifies the Kidney, clears Fire, and clears the Stomach. It treats bone-steaming consumption, thirst, cough, malaria, and macules. It also benefits the Small Intestine, reduces swelling, and treats ulcers.
Tonifying Yin herbs use it because it knows the source of Blood. It is non-toxic. It sinks and descends, Yin within Yin. It enters the Foot Yangming Stomach meridian, Hand Taiyin Lung meridian, and is a primary herb for the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian. It moistens the Lung and Heart, nourishes the source of transformation, stops palpitations, directs Qi downward, and resolves phlegm. It is a holy medicine for clearing Kidney and Stomach Fire. It treats internal injury consumption, excess Yang with sweating, bone-steaming heat labor, migrating corpse-carrying zhu diseases, wasting-thirst with dry mouth, cough, shanghan, chronic malaria, vexation, heat, and macule eruption. It also unblocks the Small Intestine, removes pathogenic factors, limb edema, evil in the hypochondrium and diaphragm, wind-sweat internal jaundice, pregnancy abdominal pain, postpartum confinement labor, and repels She Gong and stream toxins. The classics state: Long-term use causes diarrhea. It is contraindicated in cold cough in the Lung, Kidney Qi collapse, and cases without fire symptoms but with weak Chi pulse. Peel it. For tonics, steam with salt water or honey water, or stir-fry. For upward action, stir-fry with wine. Avoid ironware.
Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus)
Bei Mu is bitter, pungent, and neutral; it disperses stagnation, descends Fire, resolves phlegm, and clears Lung diseases. It treats vexation, heat, cough, thirst, wind in the throat and neck, strangury, jaundice, hernia, masses, and fullness in the Heart and abdomen.
It resembles clustered shellfish. It is non-toxic. Zhu Danxi stated: Bei Mu treats various diseases; pungency disperses knots, bitterness descends Fire, Qi and Blood flow smoothly, and diseases heal spontaneously; this logic also applies to contracting wound openings. It resolves phlegm, stops cough, moistens the Lung, clears the Heart, harmonizes Qi, and calms the five Zang; it is a key herb for deficiency syndromes. It also treats shanghan with chilliness and aversion to wind, dizziness, stiff neck, vexation, heat, cough, thirst without sweat, throat obstruction, dribbling strangury, epidemic jaundice, hernia, solid masses in the abdomen, fullness and reversal in the Heart and hypochondrium. It additionally treats difficult childbirth, retained placenta, nursing difficulties, breast abscess, removes corneal opacity, goiter and phlegm nodules on the neck, traumatic wind spasms, and malignant facial sores. Soak in ginger juice, remove heart. Lei Gong uses ash-fire roasting to remove the heart. Stir-fry with glutinous rice until yellow and cooked, then discard rice. Roots that do not split into two pieces and lack wrinkles are called Dan Long Jing and damage tendons and vessels. Hou Po and Bai Wei serve as assistants. It opposes Tao Hua, fears Qin Jiao, Fan Shi, and Mang Cao, and is incompatible with Wu Tou.
San Mu San: Zhi Mu, Bei Mu, and Mu Li, powdered, taken with pig trotter soup, effectively promotes lactation. Alternatively, Bei Mu powder with sugar pills held in the mouth stops cough.
Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix)
Gua Lou Gen is bitter and cold; it benefits Jin Ye (body fluids), eliminates stubborn heat and vexation throughout the body, resolves jaundice, heals injuries, regulates menstruation, detoxifies, expels pus, and drives out old stasis.
"Gua" means to encompass; "Lou" means to gather, implying enclosing seeds inside like a tied bag. The root is named Tian Hua Fen (Heavenly Flower Powder) due to its natural marbled pattern. Lei Gong said: Round Gua has thick yellow skin and small stalk, bitter; long Lou has red skin and coarse stalk, suitable for women. Tian Hua Fen is non-toxic. It sinks and is Yin. It generates fluids, stops wasting-thirst, removes stubborn heat in the intestines and stomach, epidemic fullness and vexation, high fever with madness, eight types of jaundice with yellow face and body, dry lips and mouth, heals severe injuries, regulates menstruation, promotes lactation, benefits the Small Intestine, treats carbuncles, back sores, fistulas, boils, breast abscesses, expels pus, reduces swelling, detoxifies, generates flesh, and drives out traumatic stasis. The *Ben Cao* states: Tonifying deficiency and calming the middle works because removing heat restores fluids, harmonizing the middle, similar to the cold-tonifying intent of Tian Men Dong. Harvest deep roots in the second and eighth months, peel, and sun-dry. Those from saline land are toxic.
Gua Lou Shi (Trichosanthis Fructus)
Gua Lou Shi is bitter and sweet; it moistens the Lung, resolves phlegm, treats cough, relieves chest bi, stops bleeding and dysentery, tonifies deficiency labor, smooths wrinkles on hands and face, unblocks amenorrhea. Leaves and stems clear summerheat and resolve heat; pulp brewed as tea descends phlegm Qi.
Commonly known as Gua Lou Ren. It is non-toxic. Zhu Danxi stated: It belongs to Earth but contains Water. The *Ben Cao* says it treats chest bi because its bitter and sweet flavor and moist nature treat phlegm-cough and benefit the thoracic diaphragm; sweetness tonifies the Lung, and moisture descends Qi. When phlegm is in the chest, the Lung is forced by fire and loses its descending command; with the help of sweet,緩 (gentle), and moistening descent, phlegm descends naturally, making it a key agent for stopping cough. It also washes away greasy stagnant heat in the thoracic diaphragm and is a divine medicine for wasting-thirst. The *Ri Hua Ben Cao* states: It treats hematemesis, intestinal wind bleeding, bloody and white dysentery, tonifies deficiency labor, treats hand and face wrinkles, generates fluids, regulates menstruation, and promotes lactation. Leaves and stems are most effective for mid-heat and summerheat injury. Dried pulp brewed as tea descends phlegm Qi; mixed with wet Ge Fen and stir-fried until cooked, taken with boiling water treats Lung dryness-heat thirst and constipation. Harvest ripe yellow fruit in the tenth month, take seeds, roast, remove shell and oil. Gou Qi serves as an assistant. It opposes Gan Jiang, fears Niu Xi and Gan Qi, and is incompatible with Wu Tou.
Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex)
Di Gu Pi is bitter, cold, and non-toxic; it enters the Kidney, clears Fire, and resolves afternoon tidal fever. It is excellent for bone-steaming with sweat and can also adjust wind-bi in the muscles.
It is the root of Gou Qi. It is greatly cold. It ascends and is Yin. It enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian and Hand Shaoyang San Jiao meridian. Zhang Yuansu (Hai Zang) said: Earth is Yin, Bone is interior, Skin is exterior. Being purely Yin, it clears Fire in the blood and Yin-part afternoon tidal fever. Being primarily interior, it treats transmissive corpse-carrying bone-steaming with sweat; only this and Zhi Mu are excellent for this. Since it travels to the exterior, it treats不定 (indeterminate) wind pathogens and wind-damp bi-pain on the surface. It strengthens sinews and bones, benefits essence, stops thirst, benefits intestines, cools blood, and stops bleeding. For carbuncles with continuous bleeding and pus, scrape off rough bark, decoct, wash until blood is clean, and apply the white pith from the center for immediate healing. Contraindicated in patients with chronic diseases. Best from Quanzhou. Wash off bone residue, scrape rough bark, bake dry, avoid iron.
Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex)
Mu Dan Pi is cold, clears hidden Fire, nourishes true Blood and Qi, breaks accumulation and stasis. It specifically governs bone-steaming without sweat and supplements insufficiency of Spirit and Will.
Peony is the essence of Heaven and Earth, head of all flowers. Leaves represent Yang generation, flowers represent Yin fruition, and red represents Fire, thus it can clear Fire within Yin. Bitter and pungent, non-toxic. Yin with slight Yang. Enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian and Hand Jueyin Pericardium meridian. Governs hematemesis, epistaxis, and blood stasis where heat lingers in the intestines and stomach and does not disperse. It resolves traumatic stasis, knits sinews and bones, treats female menstrual obstruction, blood dripping lumbar pain, breaks hard accumulations, expels fetus and placenta, and treats all cold and hot blood-Qi conditions postpartum. It treats sores and carbuncles, expels pus, alleviates pain, and treats lower body sores becoming cavities, all through the merit of nourishing true Blood and breaking stasis. It also treats cold Qi, dissipates pain knots, wind-stroke convulsions, spasm, epilepsy, pathogenic factors, epidemic headache and guest heat, five labors and qi-labor, head and waist pain, wind-prohibited epilepsy, all through the power of consolidating true Qi and moving stagnant Qi. Yi Lao stated: It treats insufficiency of Spirit and Will. Spirit belongs to the Heart, Will belongs to the Kidney, hence it is used in Ba Wei Wan to tonify Heart and Kidney. He further stated: Mu Dan Pi enters Foot Shaoyin and Hand Jueyin to treat bone-steaming without sweat; Di Gu Pi enters Foot Shaoyin and Hand Shaoyang to treat bone-steaming with sweat. There are two types: white tonifies, red promotes circulation. Grown in mountains of Hezhou, Hezhou, and Xuanzhou; single-leaf red-flowered varieties are best. Harvest roots like brush handles in the second and eighth months, split with copper knife to remove bone, dry in shade, mix with wine, steam for three shichen, then sun-dry. It fears Tusizi and avoids garlic. Grafted varieties known as Thousand-Petal Peony are not used.
Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus)
Wu Wei Zi is warm, nourishes Kidney Yin, relieves vexation, stops thirst, tonifies deficiency and endurance. It astringes the Lung, unblocks vessels, calms asthma and cough, harmonizes the middle, resolves accumulation, edema, and dampness. For excess Lung Fire, use Southern Wu Wei Zi; pungent and sweet, it disperses wind pathogens.
Northern Wu Wei Zi is black, skin and flesh sour and sweet, core bitter, pungent, and salty. Non-toxic. Can ascend and descend, Yin. Enters Hand Taiyin Lung and Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridians. Nourishes Kidney Water, warms Kidney organ, relieves vexation and heat, generates fluids, stops thirst, tonifies deficiency labor and emaciation, strengthens Yin and benefits essence, strengthens sinews and bones, gathers Lung Qi, dissipates fire-heat, and is essential for cough. It governs cold-Lung cough with reversal, upper asthma and wheezing, generates pulses from blood, benefits Qi, harmonizes middle Qi, cholera with cramps, reverse vomiting, alcohol toxicity, food accumulation, pi masses, Ben Tun cold Qi, water-dampness excess, and abdominal swelling.
Thus, it tonifies Kidney below, nourishes Lung above, and harmonizes Spleen in the middle. Sun Simiao said: Taking Wu Wei Zi in summer tonifies the five Zang Qi. It is not just a drug for Metal and Water organs. However, excessive intake causes overly rapid astringent tonification, leading to deficient heat, and excessive sourness draws out phlegm inducing cough. If Lung Fire is excessive, Southern Wu Wei Zi is better; yellow, pungent and sweet, slightly heavier, it disperses phlegm-fire and removes wind pathogens. Cong Rong serves as an assistant. It opposes Weirui and overcomes Wu Tou.
Wu Mei (Mume Fructus)
Wu Mei is sour and neutral; it astringes the Lung, stops thirst, relieves vexation, descends phlegm Qi. It regulates the Stomach, harmonizes, stops malaria and dysentery, treats deficiency labor, steaming heat, and hemiplegia. White Plum, though warm, still resolves phlegm; mashed applied to sores or to mark black moles.
Harvest yellow plums in May, mix with ash from early rice stalks and rice drink, smoke-dry to make Wu Mei. Non-toxic. Can ascend and descend, Yin. Astringing Lung Qi generates fluids, stops thirst, relieves vexation and fullness, descends Qi, stops cough, resolves phlegm and phlegm-jue headache. Regulating Stomach treats malarial fevers, chronic dysentery, bloody stool, chronic diarrhea, astringes intestines, relieves vexation toxin, clears alcohol toxin, stabilizes cholera with worm vomiting, abdominal distension and pain, shortness of breath nearly fatal. Li Dongyuan said: All sour flavors consolidate and tonify Yuan Qi. Essential for all deficiency labors, bone-steaming, emaciation, chronic cough, and insomnia. Also treats limb asymmetrical pain and skin numbness. Ancient formulas combine fine tea and dried ginger into pills to treat rest dysentery. Burned ash applied to all malignant sores and polyps is immediately effective. For medicinal use, wash with warm wine or water, steam, remove pit. White Plum is sun-dried with salt water, stored in sealed containers, pit removed before use, warm and non-toxic. Also used in phlegm-resolving formulas. Mashed applied to knife/arrow wounds stops bleeding and extracts splinters; mixed with medicine to mark black moles and erode malignant flesh. Raw plum is warm, stops thirst, increases saliva, damages bones, corrodes Spleen and Stomach, causes upper diaphragm heat, induces deficient heat; especially unsuitable for those taking Huang Jing. *Yan Yi* states: Eating plum causes fluid secretion; Water generates Water, fluid loss damages teeth, Kidney belongs to Water and manifests in teeth. Root treats wind-bi; unearthed root is lethal. Boiled leaf decoction treats rest dysentery and cholera; washing Ge Yi keeps it clean and prevents brittleness in summer. Plum kernel alone relieves vexation-heat; for sudden finger swelling/pain, mash Wu Mei kernel with vinegar into paste and soak finger for immediate cure.
Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf)
Pi Pa Ye is bitter, neutral, and non-toxic; it clears the Lung, stops thirst, promotes cough relief, sweeps Lung wind causing chest and facial sores, and rapidly stops sudden vomiting and directs Qi downward.
Leaves resemble loquat, hence the name. Treats Lung-heat cough with Qi reversal, wasting-thirst, and chronic cough with body heat and muscle thinning approaching consumption. Also treats Lung-wind sores, chest/facial sores, and persistent hiccups/vomiting, directing Qi downward. Harvest in April; for leaves weighing one tael, wipe hairs clean with coarse cloth, wash once in Licorice decoction, wipe dry, roast with butter. Hairs shooting into the Lung cause incurable cough. Fruit is sweet, cold, and non-toxic; treats Lung Qi, moistens five Zang, directs Qi downward, stops vomiting/reversal and thirst diseases. Overconsumption agitates phlegm-heat; eating with roasted meat or hot wheat noodles causes heat-toxin jaundice.
Lan Cao (Elsholtziae Herba)
Lan Cao is fragrant, neutral, pungent, and sweet; stops thirst, generates fluids, removes pi-phlegm, promotes urination, disperses stagnation, resolves various bi-syndromes. Long-term use allows participation in spiritual clarity.
Leaves resemble horse fence, hence Lan Cao. This is what people plant by their desks today, filling the room with fragrance when blooming. Non-toxic. Excellent for stopping wasting-thirst and removing chest phlegm-pi. Zhu Danxi said: It is very powerful in dispersing long-standing accumulated stagnant Qi and promoting water pathways. The classics state: To resolve various bi-syndromes, treat with Lan. It also kills gu poison and wards off misfortune. Fried in oil into ointment, it moisturizes hair and promotes growth. Long-term use benefits Qi, moistens skin, lightens the body, prevents aging, and connects to spiritual clarity. It inherits pure Qi of Metal and Water but appears to have Fire; common people do not understand its use in prescriptions, only Li Dongyuan frequently used it. Harvest in fifth and sixth months, dry in shade. Decoct for medicinal use.
Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochiae Fructus)
Ma Dou Ling seed is cold and bitter; Lung-heat cough with countless phlegm, continuous cough-reversal making sitting/lying difficult. Smoke-moxibustion treats hemorrhoids and cures five types of gu. Root is named Qing Mu Xiang, benefiting diaphragm and stopping pain without fail.
Fruit resembles horse bell, splitting into four or five segments. Non-toxic. Yin with slight Yang. Governs Lung-heat cough, phlegm-knot asthma, continuous Qi reversal making sitting/lying impossible. Also treats blood-hemorrhoids by burning medicine in a bottle and smoking the affected area. For five types of gu poison, decoct in water, take in one dose to induce vomiting, instantly transforming gu out; for snake gu, add a little Musk. For medicinal use, split open, take inner seeds, remove membrane, lightly stir-fry. Root is named Tu Qing Mu Xiang, treats Qi sinking in diaphragm, stops stabbing pain. Harvest in August.
Kuan Dong Hua (Farfarae Flos)
Kuan Dong Hua is warm, pungent, and sweet; stops labor-cough, asthma, and thick sticky sputum. Treats Lung atrophy, vexation-thirst, Heart fright/palpitations. Cleans Liver, brightens eyes, soothes throat like scraping.
"Kuan" means arrival; blooms when freezing arrives, hence also called Ke Dong. Pure Yang, non-toxic. Governs cough-reversal Qi, good at wheezing, continuous uninterrupted breathing, thick sticky nasal discharge and sputum, resolves phlegm, stops cough. Treats Lung atrophy/abscess with pus/blood expectoration, wasting-thirst, vexation-heat, alternating cold/heat. Moistens Lung and Heart, benefits five Zang, tonifies weakness. It is the most important herb for cough in ancient and modern times. Someone with chronic cough burned Kuan Dong Hua in a windless place, inhaled smoke through a pen tube into mouth/throat, effective after several days. Also treats Heart-deficiency fright/palpitations, epilepsy onset, cleans Liver, brightens eyes, treats sore/swollen throat like scraping. Half-open flowers are best. Remove branches/dirt, soak in Licorice water overnight, dry in shade. Xing Ren serves as assistant. Opposes Zao Jiao, Xiao Shi, Xuan Shen; fears Bei Mu, Xin Yi, Ma Huang, Huang Bo, Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Qing Xiang Zi; benefits from Zi Wan.
Zi Wan (Asteris Radix)
Zi Wan is bitter and warm; regulates Lung, resolves phlegm-cough-blood, calms asthma/palpitations. Eliminates cold/heat, chest knotting Qi. Tonifies deficiency, treats flaccidity and labor-zhu.
"Wan" means soft. Purple color and soft/moist texture are best. There is also Bai Wan, with similar properties. Non-toxic. Benefits Lung, calms five Zang. Resolves phlegm, stops thirst, chronic cough, Lung abscess with pus/blood expectoration, asthma/palpitations, cough-reversal Qi, cold/heat/knotting Qi in chest/hypochondrium. Tonifies deficiency labor insufficiency, moistens skin, adds marrow. Also treats throat obstruction, flaccidity, corpse-zhu labor Qi and hundred evils, sudden inability to urinate in women, pediatric epilepsy. Remove rhizome, soak in honey water overnight, bake dry. Kuan Dong Hua serves as assistant. Opposes Tian Xiong, Qu Mai, Lei Wan, Yuan Zhi; fears Yin Chen. For chronic cough not healing, Zi Wan and Kuan Dong Hua 1 liang each, Bai Bu 5 qian, powdered, taken with Ginger/Wu Mei decoction, 3 qian, very effective.
E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini)
E Jiao is sweet and warm; protects Lung Qi. Treats labor-asthma, damaged cough, chronic dysentery. Tonifies deficiency, treats flaccidity with difficulty standing, nourishes Liver, calms fetus, treats lumbar/abdominal heaviness.
Made from donkey hide, best decocted with Dong E Well water. Ji River water is clear and flows downward, thus treating turbid phlegm reversing upward. Non-toxic. Descending, Yang. Enters Hand Taiyin Lung, Foot Shaoyin Kidney, and Jueyin Liver meridians. Benefits Lung Qi, calms asthma; deficiency-damage cough with pus/blood expectoration cannot be removed without this. Stops chronic red/white dysentery; best combined with Huang Lian and Yellow Wax. Tonifies emaciation, Yin Qi insufficiency, internal collapse of Heart/abdomen, extreme labor with chills like malaria, lumbar/abdominal pain, severe lower abdominal pain, limb soreness, leg soreness unable to stand long, all paralysis/limpness. Nourishes Liver Blood; essential for blood-deficiency fetal movement insecurity, lumbar/abdominal heaviness with bleeding, bloody dysentery, or sudden hematuria. Zhu Danxi said: Suitable for chronic cough/dysentery and deficiency labor with blood loss. If pathogen is strong at initial onset, using it forcibly closes the pathogen and generates other syndromes. True E Jiao is rare; better to use Huang Ming Niu Jiao (Yellow Bright Ox Glue). But if ox glue processing is improper, homemade is best. Must add one piece of Deer Antler when decocting, otherwise it will not set. Before use, soak in pig fat overnight, take out, chop, stir-fry with clam powder until turning to pearls. Shan Yao serves as assistant. Fears Da Huang, benefits from fire.
He Li Le (Terminalia Chebula Retz.)
He Li Le is warm; unblocks Lung Jin Ye, directs rebellious Qi downward, resolves phlegm, astringes frequent cough. Opens stomach, astringes intestines, resolves food distension. Divine for Kidney accumulation, fetal leakage, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea.
Sanskrit for He Li Le, commonly known as He Zi. Bitter, slightly sour. Non-toxic. Sinks and descends, Yin. Bitter more than sour, can drain and astringe Lung but cannot tonify. Thus, it only unblocks fluids, drains rebellious Qi, chest/diaphragm fullness, resolves phlegm, relieves vexation. Treats chronic cough, fire-injuring Lung depression, distension, asthma/cough, opens stomach, regulates middle, astringes intestines, stops water pathways, chronic dysentery, qi-dysentery, chronic diarrhea with anal pain, cholera, resolves food, directs Qi downward, removes cold Qi abdominal distension. Also treats Ben Tun Kidney Qi, fetal leakage/movement, asthma/distension, postpartum vaginal pain,