苗名小草
辛苦温，无毒。甘草汤泡，去骨，制过不可陈久，久则油气戟入喉
。
《本经》主咳逆伤中，补不足，除邪气，利九窍，益智慧，耳目聪明不忘，强志倍力，
久服轻身不老。
发明 远志入足少阴肾经气分，非心经药也。专于强志益精，主梦泄。盖精与志皆肾所
藏，肾气充，九窍利，智慧生，耳目聪明，邪气不能为害。肾气不足则志气衰，不能上通于
心，故迷惑善忘。不能闭蜇封藏，故精气不固也。小便赤浊，用远志、甘草、茯神、益智为
丸，枣汤服效，取其为阴火之向导也。昔人治喉痹失音作痛，远志末吹之，涎出为度，取其
通肾气而开窍也。又治妇人血噤失音，及一切痈疽搐鼻，治脑风，杀乌附毒，惟水亏相火旺
者禁服，以其善鼓龙雷之性也。《本经》言治咳逆伤中，详远志性温助火，非咳逆所宜，当
是呕逆之误，以其性禀纯阳，善通诸窍，窍利则耳目聪明，强志不忘，皆益肾气之验。《别
录》云，去心下膈气非呕吐之类乎，一切阴虚火旺，便浊遗精，喉痹肿痛慎用。苗名小草，
亦能利窍兼散少阴风气之结也。
一名仙灵脾
辛温无毒，羊脂或酒炒用。
《本经》主阴痿绝伤，茎中痛，利小便，益气力，强志。
发明 淫羊霍手足阳明三焦命门药也。辛以润肾，温以助阳，故《本经》治阴痿绝伤等
证，真阳不足者宜之。坚筋骨消瘰 ，一切冷风劳气，筋骨挛急，四肢不仁，补腰膝，强气
力。一味仙灵脾酒，为偏风不遂之要药，惟阴虚走精、强阳不痿禁服。
【远志】
别名小草。
味辛、苦，性温，无毒。用甘草汤浸泡，去除木质心骨，炮制后不宜存放过久，存放久了其油气会刺激咽喉。
《神农本草经》记载：主治咳嗽气逆及内伤，补益不足，祛除邪气，通利九窍，增强智慧，使耳目聪明且记忆力不减退，强化意志并倍增体力，长期服用可使身体轻盈、延缓衰老。
【发明】
远志入足少阴肾经的气分，并非心经的药物。它专门用于强化意志、增益精气，主治梦遗滑精。因为精与志都由肾脏所藏，肾气充盛，则九窍通利，智慧产生，耳目聪明，邪气无法侵害。若肾气不足，则意志衰退，精气不能上通于心，所以容易迷惑、健忘。肾气亏虚导致封藏功能失职，所以精气不固。小便赤色浑浊，可用远志、甘草、茯神、益智仁制成丸药，用大枣汤送服，效果显著，这是取其作为引火下行（向导）的作用。古人治疗喉痹失音疼痛，将远志研末吹入喉中，以吐出涎液为度，这是取其通达肾气、开通孔窍的作用。又用于治疗妇人血噤失音，以及一切痈疽肿毒时搐鼻取嚏，治疗脑风，解除乌头、附子的毒性，但只有肾水亏虚、相火旺盛者禁止服用，因为它善于鼓动龙雷之火（相火）。《神农本草经》说治疗咳逆伤中，详细分析远志性温助火，不适合咳逆之证，应当是“呕逆”的误写，因为其性禀纯阳，善于通利诸窍，窍道通利则耳目聪明，强化意志不忘事，这些都是益肾气的验证。《名医别录》说去除心下膈气，这难道不是呕吐一类的病证吗？一切阴虚火旺、小便浑浊、遗精、喉痹肿痛者应慎用。它的苗名为小草，也能通利孔窍兼散足少阴风气之结滞。
【淫羊藿】
别名仙灵脾。
味辛，性温，无毒，用羊脂或酒炒后使用。
《神农本草经》记载：主治阳痿绝伤，阴茎疼痛，通利小便，益气力，强化意志。
【发明】
淫羊藿是手足阳明经、三焦经和命门的药物。辛味能润肾，温性能助阳，所以《神农本草经》治疗阳痿绝伤等证，真阳不足者适宜服用。它能坚固筋骨、消除瘰疬，治疗一切冷风劳气、筋骨拘挛急迫、四肢麻木不仁，补益腰膝，强化气力。单用仙灵脾泡酒，是治疗偏瘫不遂的要药，但阴虚走精、阳强不倒者禁止服用。
[Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi)]
Also known as Xiao Cao.
Pungent, bitter, and warm in nature; non-toxic. Soak in Licorice Decoction (Gancao Tang), remove the woody core/bone. Prepared roots should not be stored for a long time; otherwise, their aromatic oil will irritate the throat.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats cough with counterflow qi and internal injury, tonifies deficiencies, eliminates pathogenic factors, unblocks the nine orifices, enhances wisdom, makes ears and eyes clear, prevents forgetfulness, strengthens willpower, increases strength, and with long-term use, lightens the body and delays aging.
[Commentary]
Polygalae Radix enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, not the Heart Meridian. It specializes in strengthening willpower and benefiting essence, primarily treating nocturnal emission. Since both essence and will are stored by the Kidney, when Kidney Qi is abundant, the nine orifices are unblocked, wisdom arises, ears and eyes are clear, and pathogens cannot cause harm. If Kidney Qi is insufficient, willpower declines, and essence cannot ascend to connect with the Heart, leading to confusion and forgetfulness. Inability to close and store properly results in insecure essence. For red and turbid urine, Polygalae Radix, Licorice Root (Gancao), Poria (Fushen), and Chinese Yam Seed (Yizhiren) are made into pills and taken with Jujube Decoction (Zao Tang) for efficacy, utilizing its role as a guide for ministerial fire. In the past, for treating throat obstruction (Hou Bi) with aphonia and pain, Polygalae Radix powder was insufflated into the throat until phlegm was discharged, taking advantage of its ability to unblock Kidney Qi and open orifices. It also treats women with blood stagnation causing aphonia, and all types of carbuncles and sores by insufflating into the nose to induce sneezing, treats brain wind, detoxifies Aconite (Wutou) and Prepared Root of Monkshood (Fuzi). However, it is contraindicated for those with Kidney Yin deficiency and hyperactive ministerial fire, as it tends to stir up dragon-fire (ministerial fire). The *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions treating "cough with counterflow qi and internal injury"; upon detailed analysis, since Polygalae Radix is warm and aids fire, it is not suitable for cough. It is likely a miswriting of "vomiting with counterflow qi," because its nature is purely yang, good at unblocking various orifices. When orifices are unblocked, ears and eyes become clear, and willpower is strengthened without forgetfulness, all of which are manifestations of benefiting Kidney Qi. The *Bielu* states it removes diaphragmatic qi below the heart; is this not related to vomiting? All cases of Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, turbid urine, seminal emission, throat obstruction, and swelling/pain should use it with caution. Its sprout, named Xiao Cao, can also unblock orifices and dissipate the accumulation of Shaoyin wind-pathogens.
[Epimedium Herba (Yinyanghuo)]
Also known as Xianlingshi.
Pungent, warm, and non-toxic; used after stir-frying with mutton fat or wine.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats impotence and severe injuries, pain in the penis, promotes urination, benefits Qi and strength, and strengthens willpower.
[Commentary]
Epimedium Herba acts on the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Its pungency moistens the Kidney, and its warmth assists Yang. Therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates it is suitable for conditions like impotence and severe injuries due to deficiency of True Yang. It solidifies bones and tendons, eliminates scrofula, treats all cold wind and consumptive diseases, tendon spasms and stiffness, numbness of the four limbs, tonifies the waist and knees, and strengthens Qi and power. Wine-infused Epimedium Herba alone is a key herb for treating hemiplegia and inability to move. However, it is contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency causing seminal leakage or persistent erection without flaccidity.