家种者曰洛阳
苦寒,无毒。
《本经》主关格、诸癃结,小便不通,出刺,决痈肿,明目去翳,破胎堕子,下闭血。
发明 瞿麦利小便为君主之用。故《本经》专主关格、诸癃结、小便不通。《金匮》方
治小便不利,有水气,其人苦渴者,用栝蒌瞿麦丸。古方通心经利小肠为最要药。若心经虽
有热而小肠虚者,服之则心热未退,而小肠别作病矣,以其降泄太过也。《本经》又言出刺
,取鲜者捣涂竹木刺也。破胎堕子下闭血,皆利窍所致。故妊娠产后小水不利,及脾虚水肿
禁用,以性专泄气也。
即剪金花,俗名金盏银台
苦甘平,无毒。
发明 王不留行专行血分,乃阳明、厥阴、冲任之药。能通乳利窍,其性走而不守,故
妊妇禁服;一妇患淋卧久,用此煎服,再剂而愈。其利小便,出竹木刺与瞿麦同功。
辛苦寒,小毒。酒洗净焙用。疗实水满急,生用。
《本经》主症瘕,积聚结气,饮食寒热,破坚逐邪,通利水道。
发明 葶苈苦寒不减硝黄,专泄肺中之气,亦入手阳明、足太阳,故仲景泻肺汤用之。
肺气壅塞则膀胱之气化不通,譬之水注,上窍闭则下窍不通,水湿泛溢,为喘满,为肿胀,
为积聚,种种诸病生矣。辛能散,苦能泄,大寒沉降,能下行逐水,故能疗《本经》诸病。
亦能泄大便,为其体轻,性沉降,引领肺气下走大肠。又主肺痈喘逆,痰气结聚,通身水气
,脾胃虚者宜远之。大戟去水,葶苈愈胀,用之不节,反乃成病。葶苈有甘、苦二种,缓、
急不同,大抵甜者下泄性缓,虽泄肺而不伤胃。苦者下泄之性急,既泄肺而复伤胃,故以大
枣辅之。然肺之水气 满急者,非此不能除。但水去则止,不可过剂。《金匮》方云∶葶苈
敷头疮,药气入脑杀人。
家种的瞿麦,味苦、性寒,无毒。
《神农本草经》记载其主治关格(小便不通与呕吐并见的病证)、各种癃结(小便淋漓不畅或闭塞不通的病证),以及小便不通,拔出刺伤,消散痈肿,明目去除翳障,破除胎气导致堕胎,排出闭阻之瘀血。
发明:瞿麦以通利小便为主要功效。因此《神农本草经》专门主治关格、各种癃结、小便不通。《金匮要略》中的方剂治疗小便不利,伴有水气,患者感到严重口渴的,使用栝蒌瞿麦丸。古方认为瞿麦是通心经、利小肠的最重要药物。如果心经虽然有热但小肠虚弱的,服用它则心热未退,而小肠会另生疾病,这是因为其降泄作用太过强烈。《神农本草经》又提到“出刺”,是指取鲜品捣碎后涂抹于竹木刺入皮肤处。破除胎气、堕胎、排出闭阻之瘀血,都是因其通利窍道的作用所致。因此,妊娠期间及产后出现小便不利的,以及脾虚水肿者禁用,因为其药性专于泄气。
即剪金花,俗称金盏银台。
王不留行,味苦、甘,性平,无毒。
发明:王不留行专门通行血分,是归属于阳明经、厥阴经、冲脉和任脉的药物。能够通乳、通利窍道,其药性走窜而不守静,因此孕妇禁止服用;有一位妇女患淋证卧床日久,用此药煎服,两剂后痊愈。其通利小便、拔出竹木刺的功效与瞿麦相同。
葶苈,味辛、苦,性寒,有小毒。用酒洗净后焙干使用。治疗实水引起的腹部胀满急迫,生用。
《神农本草经》记载其主要症状为症瘕(腹内结块,固定不移,痛有定处)、积聚(腹内结块,或痛或不痛)、结气(气机郁结)、饮食寒热不适,能破除坚积、驱逐邪气、通利水道。
发明:葶苈的苦寒之性不亚于芒硝和大黄,专门泄泻肺中之气,也入手阳明大肠经、足太阳膀胱经,因此张仲景在泻肺汤中使用它。肺气壅塞则膀胱的气化功能不通,好比水流灌注,上窍闭塞则下窍不通,水湿泛溢,导致气喘胸闷、肿胀、积聚等各种疾病产生。辛能发散,苦能泄降,大寒且性质沉降,能下行逐水,因此能治疗《神农本草经》中记载的各种病症。也能通利大便,因为其质地轻,性沉降,能引领肺气下行至大肠。另外主治肺痈引起的气喘逆乱,痰气结聚,全身水气泛滥,脾胃虚弱者应当远离此药。大戟去水,葶苈消胀,如果不加节制地使用,反而会成为疾病。葶苈有甘、苦两种,缓急不同,大致甜味的下泄作用缓慢,虽然泄肺但不伤胃。苦味的下泄作用急促,既泄肺又伤胃,所以用大枣来辅助它。然而对于肺中水气壅盛急迫的情况,非此药不能消除。但水气去除后就应停药,不可过量使用。《金匮要略》方中说:葶苈敷贴头疮,药气入脑会致人死亡。
The home-cultivated Dianthus superbus (Qumai), bitter, cold, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it primarily treats Guan Ge (a syndrome characterized by urinary retention and vomiting), various Long Jie (syndromes of dribbling or complete obstruction of urination), and urinary obstruction; extracts splinters; resolves carbuncles and swellings; brightens the eyes and removes nebulae; breaks up fetal tissue to induce abortion; and expels obstructed blood.
Invention: Dianthus superbus is used as a sovereign herb for promoting diuresis. Therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* specifically addresses Guan Ge, various Long Jie, and urinary obstruction. In formulas from the *Jin Gui Yao Lue*, for cases of impaired urination with fluid retention where the patient suffers from severe thirst, Gualou Qumai Wan (Trichosanthes and Dianthus Superbus Pill) is used. Ancient formulas consider Dianthus superbus the most crucial herb for unblocking the Heart Meridian and benefiting the Small Intestine. If there is heat in the Heart Meridian but deficiency in the Small Intestine, taking this herb will leave the Heart heat unresolved while causing new ailments in the Small Intestine, due to its excessive draining and descending action. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* also mentions "extracting splinters," referring to applying fresh, mashed Dianthus superbus topically to remove bamboo or wood splinters. Breaking up fetal tissue, inducing abortion, and expelling obstructed blood are all results of its ability to open orifices. Therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy and postpartum periods when urination is difficult, as well as in cases of Spleen deficiency edema, because its nature is exclusively draining and qi-depleting.
Also known as Jian Jin Hua, commonly called Jin Zhen Yin Tai (Golden Bowl Silver Stand).
Galega officinalis (Wangbuliuxing), bitter, sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Invention: Galega officinalis specifically circulates within the Blood aspect; it is an herb belonging to the Yangming, Jueyin, Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). It can promote lactation and open orifices; its nature is mobile and does not stay static, thus it is forbidden for pregnant women. One woman suffered from Lin Syndrome (strangury) and was bedridden for a long time; after decocting and taking this herb, she recovered after two doses. Its ability to promote urination and extract splinters shares the same function as Dianthus superbus.
Descurainia sophia (Tingli), pungent, bitter, cold, slightly toxic. Wash with wine and bake before use. Treats fullness and urgency caused by excess water; use raw.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats Zheng Jia (masses with fixed location and pain), Ji Ju (accumulations with movable or painless masses), Qi Jie (qi stagnation), dietary cold-heat discomfort; it breaks hardness, drives out pathogenic factors, and promotes free flow of water passages.
Invention: The bitter-cold nature of Descurainia sophia is no less than that of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma); it specifically drains Qi in the Lung. It also enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian; therefore, Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Xie Fei Tang (Lung-Draining Decoction). When Lung Qi is congested, the Qi transformation of the Bladder is blocked. This is like water pouring in: if the upper orifice is closed, the lower orifice cannot flow. Water-dampness overflows, leading to panting and chest fullness, swelling, accumulations, and various other diseases. Pungency disperses, bitterness drains; being greatly cold and sinking-descending, it can descend and drive out water, thus treating the various conditions mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. It can also promote bowel movements because its texture is light and its nature is sinking-descending, guiding Lung Qi downward into the Large Intestine. Furthermore, it treats Lung Abscess with panting and counterflow, phlegm-Qi knotting, and generalized water dampness. Those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency should avoid it. Dayflower root (Daji) removes water, while Descurainia sophia reduces distension; using them without restraint can cause disease. There are two types of Descurainia sophia: sweet and bitter, differing in their speed of action. Generally, the sweet type has a slow draining nature; although it drains the Lung, it does not injure the Stomach. The bitter type has an urgent draining nature; it drains the Lung and also injures the Stomach, so it is paired with Dazao (Jujube Fruit) to assist. However, for cases of excess water-Qi in the Lung causing fullness and urgency, nothing else can eliminate it. But once the water is gone, stop administration; do not overdose. The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: Applying Descurainia sophia to head sores allows the medicinal vapor to enter the brain and kill the patient.