泻伏火、去瘀。
辛苦微寒。入手足少阴（心、肾。）厥阴。（心包、肝。）泻血中伏火。（色赤、故入血分、
能
泻诸经伏火、古方所以用治相火也、世人专以黄柏治相火、不知丹皮之功更胜。）和血凉血
而生血。（血热则枯、凉则生。）破积血。（积瘀不去、则新血不生。）通经脉。止吐衄。（血
属阴本静、因相火所逼、故越出上窍、治惊痫螈 。筋脉伸缩抽掣、为螈 、或手足抽掣、
口眼 斜、卒然眩仆、吐涎身软、时发时止、为痫、皆阴虚血热、风火相搏、痰随火涌所致
。）除烦热。疗痈疮。（凉血。）下胞胎。退无汗之骨蒸。（张元素曰∶丹皮治无汗之骨蒸、地
骨皮治有汗之骨蒸、神不足者手少阴、志不足者足少阴、仲景肾气丸、用丹皮、治神志不足
也、按内经云∶水之精为志、故肾藏志、火之精为神、故心藏神。）胃气虚寒。经行过期不
净者勿服。胎前亦宜酌用。单瓣花红者入药。（时珍曰∶花白者补、赤者利、须分别之。）肉
浓者佳。酒拌蒸用。畏贝母、菟丝、大黄。忌蒜、胡荽、伏砒。（丹皮根捣末服、解中蛊毒
。）
通、行血、消水。
苦泄热，甘和血，辛散郁，香舒脾。微温行血。入足太阴、厥阴。（脾、肝。）通九窍。
利关
节。破宿血。通月经。消症瘕。散水肿。（甘温能和血行血、独入血海、攻击稽留、其消水
肿者、乃血化为水之水、非脾虚停湿之水也。）治产后血沥腰痛。（瘀行未尽。）身面浮肿。
吐血鼻洪。目痛头风。痈毒扑损。性虽和缓。终是破血之品。无瘀者勿轻用。（古方泽兰丸
甚多、近今禀赋渐薄、不可常用。）时珍曰。兰草泽兰。一类二种。俱生下隰。紫茎素枝。
赤节绿叶。叶对节生。有细齿。但以茎圆节长。叶光有歧为兰草。茎微方。节短。叶有毛为
泽兰。嫩时并可 （音那。）而佩之。楚词所谓、纫秋兰以为佩也。（朱子离骚辨证云∶必花
叶俱香、燥湿不变、方可刈佩、今之兰蕙、花虽香而叶无气、质弱易萎、不可刈佩。）泽兰
走血分。消水肿。涂痈毒。破瘀除症。为妇人要药。兰草走气分。利水道。除痰癖。杀蛊辟
恶。为消渴良药。（经曰∶数食肥甘、传为消渴、治之以兰、除陈气也。）亦名大泽兰。（与
泽兰俱生下隰之地故也。）俗呼省头草、夏月采置发中、则发不腻、兰泽草、香草。（浸油涂
发、去垢香泽、故名兰泽、又名香草。）以为山兰误矣。（寇宗 、朱丹溪、并以兰草为山兰
之叶、李时珍考众说以讥之曰∶陈遁斋闲览云∶楚骚之兰、或以为都梁香、或以为泽兰、
或以为猗兰、当以泽兰为正、今之所种如麦门冬者、名幽兰、非真兰也、故陈止斋着盗兰说
古之兰草、即今之千金草、俗名孩儿菊、今所谓兰、其叶如茅者、
故得兰名、杨升庵云∶世以
如蒲萱者为兰、九畹之受诬也久矣、又
吴与澄草庐集、有兰说云∶兰为医经上品、有枝有茎、草之植者也、今所谓兰、无枝无茎、
因黄山谷称之、世遂谬指为离骚之兰、寇氏本草、溺于流俗、反疑旧说为非、夫医经为实用
、岂可诬哉、今之兰、果可以利水杀蛊而除痰癖乎、其种盛于闽、朱子闽人、岂不识其土产
、而辨析若此、世俗至今、犹以非兰为兰、何其惑之甚也、洛按、时珍之辨兰草、指实详明
、征据凿凿、则兰草为泽兰之一类二种也、夫复何疑、若山兰叶、全无气味、于以上之称名
不符、何能有以上之功效乎、汪氏力辨兰草为山兰叶、但并无实据、不过为臆度之见尔。
士材所着本草、滥收兰叶、致无识之医、遂有加建兰叶为引者。）
泻除潜伏之火，去除瘀血。
味辛苦，性微寒。归入手少阴心经和足少阴肾经，以及手厥阴心包经和足厥阴肝经。能泻除血脉中潜伏的火邪（因药色赤，故入血分，能清泻各经潜伏之火，古方因此用于治疗相火妄动。世人专用黄柏治疗相火，却不知牡丹皮的疗效更胜一筹）。调和血液、凉血并能生血（血热则干枯，凉血则新生）。破除积滞之瘀血（瘀血不去，则新血无法生成）。疏通经脉。止住吐血和鼻衄（血属阴，本性安静，因受相火逼迫，所以向上溢出孔窍；治疗惊痫抽搐：筋脉伸缩抽掣称为“瘛疭”，或手足抽掣、口眼歪斜、突然昏倒、吐涎沫、身体软弱、时发时止称为“痫”，这些皆因阴虚血热，风火相搏，痰随火势上涌所致）。消除烦热。治疗痈疮（通过凉血作用）。排出死胎。退去无汗型的骨蒸潮热（张元素说：牡丹皮治疗无汗的骨蒸，地骨皮治疗有汗的骨蒸。神气不足属于手少阴心经，志气不足属于足少阴肾经。张仲景在肾气丸中使用牡丹皮，正是为了治疗神志不足的问题。按《内经》所说：水的精华是志，所以肾藏志；火的精华是神，所以心藏神）。胃气虚寒者禁用。月经过期不净者勿服。孕妇也应酌情使用。单瓣红花者入药（李时珍说：白花者补益，红花者通利，必须加以区分）。肉质厚者为佳。用酒拌后蒸制使用。畏贝母、菟丝子、大黄。忌食蒜、胡荽（香菜）、伏砒（三氧化二砷）。（将牡丹皮根捣成末服用，可解中蛊毒。）
通利，行血，消水。
味苦能泄热，味甘能和血，味辛能散郁，香气能舒脾。性微温而行血。归入足太阴脾经和足厥阴肝经。通利九窍。利关节。破除陈旧之瘀血。通调月经。消除症瘕积聚。消散水肿（甘温之性能调和血液、运行血液，独入血海，攻击滞留之邪，其消除水肿的作用，是因为血化为水的水肿，而非脾虚停聚湿气的水肿）。治疗产后恶露不尽引起的腰痛（瘀血未尽）。身面浮肿。吐血鼻衄。目痛头风。痈毒跌打损伤。药性虽平和缓慢，终究是破血之品。无瘀血者切勿轻用。（古方中泽兰丸很多，但近代人禀赋渐弱，不可常用。）李时珍说：兰草和泽兰，是一类两种。都生长在低湿之地。紫茎素枝。赤节绿叶。叶对生于节上。有细齿。只是以茎圆节长、叶光滑有歧者为兰草；茎微方、节短、叶有毛者为泽兰。嫩的时候都可以采摘佩戴。楚辞中所说的“纫秋兰以为佩”（朱熹《离骚辨证》说：必须花叶俱香，干湿不变，才可以采摘佩戴。现在的兰蕙，花虽香但叶无气味，质地柔弱易枯萎，不可采摘佩戴）。泽兰走血分，消水肿，涂敷痈毒，破瘀除症，是妇科要药。兰草走气分，利水道，除痰癖，杀蛊辟恶，是治疗消渴症的良药（《内经》说：经常食用肥甘厚味，传变为消渴症，治疗时用兰草，是为了除去陈旧的浊气）。又名大泽兰（因为与泽兰都生长在低湿之地）。俗呼省头草，夏月采来放在头发中，则头发不油腻，又称兰泽草，香草（浸泡油涂抹头发，去垢留香泽，所以叫兰泽，又名香草）。把它当作山兰是错误的（寇宗奭、朱丹溪都把兰草当作山兰的叶子，李时珍考证众说讥讽他们说：陈遁斋《闲览》说：楚辞中的兰，有人以为是都梁香，有人以为是泽兰，有人以为是猗兰，应当以泽兰为正统。现在所种植的像麦门冬那样的，名叫幽兰，不是真正的兰。所以陈止斋写《盗兰说》，认为古代的兰草就是现在的千金草，俗名孩儿菊。现在所谓的兰，叶子像茅草一样的，所以得兰的名字。杨升庵说：世人把像蒲草、萱草的当作兰，九畹之兰被诬蔑已经很久了。又吴与澄《草庐集》中有《兰说》云：兰是医经上品，有枝有茎，是草本植物。现在所谓的兰，无枝无茎，因为黄山谷称赞过它，世人就错误地指为《离骚》中的兰。寇氏《本草》溺于流俗，反而怀疑旧说是错的。医经用于实用，怎么可以诬蔑呢？现在的兰，真的可以利水杀蛊而除痰癖吗？它的种植盛产于福建，朱子是福建人，难道不认识当地特产，却辨析成这样？世俗至今还把非兰当作兰，多么迷惑啊！我吴仪洛按：李时珍辨析兰草，指实详明，证据确凿，那么兰草就是泽兰的一类两种，还有什么可疑的呢？至于山兰叶，完全没有气味，与上述的名称不符，怎么可能具有上述的功效呢？汪氏极力辩解兰草是山兰叶，但并没有实际证据，不过是臆测之见罢了。士材所著《本草》，滥收兰叶，导致无识见的医生，甚至加建兰叶作为引经药。）
[Mudan Pi (Cortex Moutan)]
Drains latent fire, removes blood stasis.
Pungent and bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian (Heart, Kidney), as well as the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian (Pericardium, Liver). It can drain latent fire in the blood (due to its red color, it enters the blood level and can drain latent fire in various meridians; hence ancient formulas use it to treat ministerial fire [Xianghuo]. People exclusively use Huangbai [Phellodendri Cortex] to treat ministerial fire, not knowing that Mudan Pi is more effective). Harmonizes blood, cools blood, and thereby generates blood (blood heat causes dryness; cooling promotes regeneration). Breaks down accumulated blood stasis (if stasis remains, new blood cannot be generated). Unblocks meridians and collaterals. Stops hematemesis and epistaxis (Blood belongs to Yin and is inherently quiet; driven by ministerial fire, it overflows from upper orifices. Treatment for epilepsy and convulsions: spasmodic contraction and relaxation of tendons is called "chi" [convulsion]; or convulsions of hands and feet, deviation of mouth and eyes, sudden collapse, spitting saliva, limp body, intermittent episodes, called "xian" [epilepsy]. These conditions are all caused by Yin deficiency with blood heat, wind-fire combusting, and phlegm surging with fire). Eliminates vexation and heat. Treats carbuncles and sores (by cooling blood). Expels the dead fetus. Retreats bone-steaming tidal fever without sweating (Zhang Yuansu said: Mudan Pi treats bone-steaming fever without sweat, while Digupi [Lycii Cortex] treats bone-steaming fever with sweat. Insufficiency of Shen [Spirit] relates to the Hand-Shaoyin meridian; insufficiency of Zhi [Willpower] relates to the Foot-Shaoyin meridian. Zhang Zhongjing used Mudan Pi in Shenqi Wan to treat insufficiency of spirit and willpower. According to the *Neijing*: The essence of Water is Zhi, therefore the Kidney stores Zhi; the essence of Fire is Shen, therefore the Heart stores Shen). Contraindicated in cases of Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency and cold. Do not take if menstruation is delayed and incomplete. Use with caution during pregnancy. Single-petaled red flowers are used for medicinal purposes (Li Shizhen said: White flowers tonify, red flowers promote circulation; they must be distinguished). Thick flesh is superior. Steamed after mixing with wine. Adverse reactions with Beimu [Fritillariae Bulbus], Tusizi [Cuscutae Semen], and Dahuang [Rhei Radix et Rhizoma]. Avoid garlic, Huyi [Coriandri Fructus], and Fu Pi (Arsenic trioxide). (Powdered root of Mudan Pi taken orally can resolve gu poison [parasitic disease].)
[Zelan (Eupatorii Herba)]
Promotes circulation, moves blood, reduces edema.
Bitter drains heat, sweet harmonizes blood, pungent disperses stagnation, aromatic soothes the Spleen. Slightly warm to move blood. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian (Spleen, Liver). Opens the nine orifices. Benefits joints. Breaks old blood stasis. Regulates menstruation. Resolves masses and accumulations (Zhengjia). Reduces edema (Sweet and warm can harmonize and move blood, entering uniquely into the Sea of Blood to attack lingering pathogens. Its ability to reduce edema refers to edema formed from transformed blood stasis, not edema due to Spleen deficiency with dampness retention). Treats lower back pain after childbirth due to lochia不尽 (incomplete expulsion of blood stasis). Generalized facial and bodily edema. Hematemesis and severe epistaxis. Eye pain and head wind (cephalalgia). Carbuncle toxins and traumatic injuries. Although its nature is mild and slow, it is ultimately a blood-breaking agent. Do not use lightly in patients without blood stasis (There were many ancient formulas using Zelan Wan; modern constitutions are weaker, so it should not be used frequently). Li Shizhen said: Lancao [Agastaches Herba] and Zelan are of the same category but two different species. Both grow in low, damp places. Purple stems, white branches, red nodes, green leaves. Leaves grow opposite at nodes, with fine teeth. However, Lancao has round stems, long nodes, smooth leaves with lobes; Zelan has slightly square stems, short nodes, hairy leaves. When tender, both can be picked and worn. As mentioned in the *Chu Ci*: "Stringing autumn orchids to wear." (Zhu Xi's *Lisao Bianzheng* states: Only those with fragrant flowers and leaves that remain unchanged in dry and wet conditions can be worn. Modern orchids have fragrant flowers but scentless leaves, weak texture, and wither easily, so they cannot be worn.) Zelan enters the blood level, reduces edema, applies topically to carbuncle toxins, breaks stasis, and resolves masses; it is an essential herb for women. Lancao enters the qi level, benefits water passages, eliminates phlegm retention, kills parasites, and wards off evil; it is a good medicine for treating Xiao Ke [Wasting-Thirst syndrome]. (*Neijing* says: Frequent consumption of rich and sweet foods transforms into Xiao Ke; treating it with Lancao removes stale qi.) Also known as Da Zelan (because it grows in the same low, damp places as Zelan). Commonly called Shengtou Cao; placed in hair during summer to prevent grease. Also called Lanze Cao, a fragrant herb (Soaked in oil for hair application to remove dirt and add fragrance, hence named Lanze, also called Xiangcao). Mistaking it for Shanlan [Mountain Orchid] is incorrect (Kou Zongshi and Zhu Danxi regarded Lancao as the leaf of Shanlan. Li Shizhen criticized this after examining various theories: Chen Dunzhai's *Xianlan* stated that the orchid in the *Chu Ci* might be Duliangxiang, Zelan, or Yilan, but Zelan should be considered correct. What is currently planted like Ophiopogon japonicus is named Youlan, not true orchid. Thus Chen Zhizhai wrote *Daolan Shuo*, arguing ancient Lancao is today's Qianjincao, commonly known as Hai'erju. The current "orchid" with grass-like leaves gets its name from resembling orchids. Yang Shengan said: The world mistakes plants resembling cattails and daylilies for orchids, wronging the orchids of Qu Yuan for a long time. Wu Yucheng's *Caolu Ji* contains a "Lan Shuo": Orchid is a top-grade medical herb with branches and stems, a plant. The current "orchid" has no branches or stems. Because Huang Tingjian praised it, people mistakenly identified it as the orchid in *Lisao*. Kou's *Bencao* indulged in popular custom, doubting old theories. Medical classics emphasize practicality; how can they be slandered? Can the current orchid really benefit water passages, kill parasites, and remove phlegm? It is widely grown in Fujian. Zhu Xi was from Fujian; did he not know his local produce yet analyze it thus? The world still mistakes non-orchids for orchids, how confused they are! I, Wu Yiluo, note: Li Shizhen's distinction of Lancao is clear and detailed, with solid evidence. Thus, Lancao is one category, two species of Zelan, leaving no room for doubt. As for Shanlan leaves, they have absolutely no aroma, inconsistent with the aforementioned names, so how could they possess the aforementioned effects? Wang Shi strongly argued Lancao is Shanlan leaf, but without real evidence, it is merely conjecture. Shicai's *Bencao* indiscriminately included Lan Ye [Orchid Leaf], leading ignorant doctors to even use Jianlan Ye [Jian Orchid Leaf] as a guiding herb.)