苦甘微寒,小毒,蜜水拌蒸用。
《本经》除寒热出汗。
发明 桑叶清肺胃去风明目,取经霜者。煎汤洗风眼下泪,同黑芝麻蜜丸,久服须发不
白,不老延年。《本经》言除寒热出汗,即《大明》蒸熟捣罨风痛出汗之谓。煎饮利五脏,
通关节下气。煎酒服治一切风。桑根烧灰淋汁与锻石点面上风,灭痣去恶肉。
苦平无毒。
发明 桑枝清热去风,故遍体风痒干燥,水气、香港脚、风气,四肢拘挛,无不宜之。时
珍云,煎药用桑者,取其能利关节,除风寒湿痹诸痛也。观《灵枢》治寒痹用桂酒法,以桑
炭炙布巾熨痹处。治口僻用马膏法,以桑钩钩其口,坐桑灰上。又痈疽发背,流注顽疮,久
不愈者,用桑木炙法,未溃则拔毒止痛,已溃则补接阳气。其法以桑柴劈作小片,束作小把
,燃火吹息,炙患处,每吹炙片时瘀肉渐腐,用此以助内服之药。又治久嗽不止,用桑枝煎
汤,渴即饮之。桑柴灰熬膏点大风恶疾。或淋取汁,洗头面,不过十度即瘥,此《圣惠》法
也。
甘温无毒。
发明 时珍曰,柘能通肾气,故《圣惠方》治耳鸣耳聋。藏器煮汁酿酒服,止风虚耳聋
,劳损虚羸腰肾冷。《千金》治耳鸣汗出,皆由肾虚或一二十年不瘥者,方用柘根三十斤、
菖蒲五斗、故铁二十斤烧赤浸三宿,用米二石、曲二斗,用上三味汁,酿如常法制服必效,
方具《千金》二十卷中。
【桑叶】
味苦、甘,性微寒,有小毒。使用时用蜂蜜水拌匀后蒸制。
《神农本草经》记载其能消除寒热,促使出汗。
【发明】桑叶具有清泻肺胃、祛风明目的功效,宜选用经霜后的桑叶。将桑叶煎汤外洗,可治疗风邪引起的眼目流泪;与黑芝麻配合制成蜜丸,长期服用可使须发不白,达到抗衰老、延年益寿的效果。《神农本草经》所说的“除寒热出汗”,即《名医别录》(陶弘景)所述“蒸熟后捣烂敷贴以治疗风痛并促使出汗”的意思。煎煮饮用可通利五脏,疏通关节,降逆下气。煎酒服用可治疗各种风疾。桑根烧成灰后淋取汁液,用锻石(碳酸钾类矿物药)点涂面部风疾处,可消除黑痣、去除恶肉。
【桑枝】
味苦,性平,无毒。
【发明】桑枝具有清热祛风的功效,因此对于全身皮肤风痒干燥、水肿、脚气病、风气侵袭以及四肢拘挛等症状,没有不适合使用的情况。李时珍说,煎药使用桑枝,是取其能够通利关节、祛除风寒湿痹所致各种疼痛的作用。观察《灵枢》中治疗寒痹使用桂酒法,是用桑炭烤热的布巾熨烫痹痛部位。治疗口眼歪斜使用马膏法,是用桑木钩挂住嘴角,让人坐在桑灰上。还有痈疽发背、流注疮疡及顽固性疮疡久治不愈者,采用桑木炙法:未溃破时能拔毒止痛,已溃破时能补接阳气。具体方法是把桑柴劈成小片,捆成小把,点燃后吹熄明火,用余温炙烤患处,每次吹火炙烤片刻,瘀腐的肉芽逐渐脱落,此法用来辅助内服药物。另外治疗久咳不止,用桑枝煎汤,口渴时饮用。桑柴灰熬成膏状点涂治疗麻风等严重疾病。或者淋取桑柴灰汁,洗头面,不超过十次即可痊愈,这是《太平圣惠方》的方法。
【柘根白皮】
味甘,性温,无毒。
【发明】李时珍说,柘根能够通补肾气,所以《太平圣惠方》用它治疗耳鸣耳聋。陈藏器记载煮汁酿酒服用,可止风虚引起的耳聋,治疗劳损导致的身体虚弱消瘦、腰肾寒冷。《千金方》治疗耳鸣伴汗出,多由肾虚或病程长达一二十年不愈引起,方剂用柘根三十斤、石菖蒲五斗、旧铁二十斤烧红后浸泡三宿,再用米二石、酒曲二斗,用上述三种药材的汁液,按照常规方法酿酒服用,必定有效。该方详见于《千金方》第二十卷。
[Sangye (Mulberry Leaf)]
Bitter, sweet, slightly cold in nature; slightly toxic. For use, mix with honey water and steam.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its ability to eliminate chills and fever and induce sweating.
[Commentary] Sangye clears the Lung and Stomach, expels wind, and brightens the eyes; select leaves that have been frosted by winter. Decocted as a wash for external application, it treats tearing of the eyes caused by wind pathogens. When combined with Sesamum indicum (Black Sesame) seeds and formed into honey pills, long-term consumption prevents graying of hair and beard, delays aging, and prolongs life. The statement in *Shennong Bencao Jing* regarding "eliminating chills and fever and inducing sweating" refers to the method described in *Mingyi Bielu* (Tao Hongjing): steaming the leaves, pounding them into a paste, and applying them externally to treat wind-pain and induce sweating. Decoction for drinking promotes the free flow of the Five Zang organs, unblocks joints, and directs Qi downward. Taken as wine decoction, it treats all types of wind disorders. Ash from burning Sanggen (Mulberry Root Bark), leached with water and applied with Duan Shi (Calcined Potash) to facial areas affected by wind, eliminates nevi and removes malignant flesh.
[Sangzhi (Mulberry Twig)]
Bitter, neutral in nature; non-toxic.
[Commentary] Sangzhi clears heat and expels wind; therefore, it is suitable for treating generalized pruritus with dry skin, edema, Hong Kong foot (podagra/gouty arthritis), wind-pathogen invasion, and tetany of the four limbs. Li Shizhen stated that using Sangzhi in decoctions is to utilize its ability to benefit joints and relieve various pains caused by wind-cold-dampness bi-syndrome. Observing the *Ling Shu*, the treatment for cold-bi uses the Gui Jiu (Cinnamon Wine) method, where a cloth heated by Sang Tan (Mulberry Charcoal) is used to moxa-iron the bi-affected area. Treatment for facial paralysis (Kou Pi) uses the Ma Gao (Horse Fat) method, hooking the mouth with a Sang Gou (Mulberry Hook) while sitting on Sang Hui (Mulberry Ash). For carbuncles, back sores, flowing abscesses, and stubborn ulcers that do not heal for a long time, the Sang Mu Zhi (Mulberry Wood Moxibustion) method is used: before ulceration, it draws out toxins and relieves pain; after ulceration, it supplements and reconnects Yang Qi. The method involves splitting Sang Chai (Mulberry Firewood) into small pieces, bundling them, igniting them, blowing out the flames, and applying the residual heat to the affected area. Each time the fire is blown and applied, necrotic tissue gradually sloughs off. This method assists internal medication. Additionally, for persistent chronic cough, decoct Sangzhi in water and drink when thirsty. Mulberry ash boiled into a paste can be applied to treat severe diseases like leprosy (Da Feng). Alternatively, leaching the juice from mulberry ash to wash the head and face cures the condition within ten applications; this is the method from *Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang*.
[Zhegen Baipi (Phellodendron/Phanera Root Bark)]
Sweet, warm in nature; non-toxic.
[Commentary] Li Shizhen said that Zhegen can unblock Kidney Qi; thus, *Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang* uses it to treat tinnitus and deafness. Chen Cangqi recorded that boiling the juice and brewing it into wine treats wind-deficiency deafness and weakness due to overwork, specifically thinning and emaciation with coldness in the lower back and kidneys. *Qian Jin Fang* treats tinnitus with sweating, often caused by Kidney deficiency or persisting for twenty years without cure. The prescription uses thirty jin of Zhegen (Root of Phanera/Vatov), five dou of Changpu (Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizome), and twenty jin of old iron heated red-hot and soaked for three nights. Then, add two shi of rice and two dou of Qu (Fermented Starter). Using the juices of these three ingredients, brew according to standard methods. Consumption yields definite efficacy. The full formula is detailed in Volume 20 of *Qian Jin Fang*.