\r玉竹\pq5a1.bmp\r
补脾润肺可填阴。有金玉威仪之象。散热搜风不碍补。具甘平润泽之功。（玉竹其根
多节多须。如缨络下垂之状。而有威仪。故又一名葳蕤。色白微黄。味甘微苦。气平质润之
品。培养脾肺之阴。是其所长。而搜风散热诸治。似非质润味甘之物可取效也。如风热风温
之属虚者。亦可用之。考玉竹之性味功用。与黄精相似。自能推想。以风温风热之证。最易
伤阴。而养阴之药。又易碍邪。惟玉竹甘平滋润。虽补而不碍邪。故古人立方有取乎此也。
）
\r知母\pq5a.bmp\r
退肾脏有余之阳。能壮水清金。甘苦微辛质浓滑。清阳明独胜之热。治风消燥咳。沉
阴且降气纯寒。（知母味苦。微带辛甘。气寒质润。气味俱浓。沉也阴也。故能入足少阴肾
经。清有余之相火。以其色白味甘。故又能清肺火。除胃热。然阴寒润滑之品。过用则有妨
脾胃耳。按知母须肺胃肾三经火盛阴亏之证。或热中消渴者。乃可用之。不可但知滋阴之功
。而忘其损阳之害也。）
\r贝母\pq5.bmp\r
甘寒润肺可消痰。当求川种。解郁宽胸且散结。言采其虻。象贝之功。治咳还能解表
。浙中所种。疏痰并可消痈。为肺燥之神丹。清心涤热。乃脾湿之禁剂。微苦兼辛。（贝母
川产野生者良。性味甘寒微苦。色白而润。专入心肺。善解胸中郁结之气。盖郁则生热。热
则生痰。故贝母治火痰燥痰有功。亦郁解则热退。热退则痰除。而肺咳自宁耳。今浙中所种
者。形亦相象而较大。味兼
苦劣。用亦稍异耳。又贝母以其有解郁散结化痰除热之功。故一切外证疮疡用之而效者。亦
此意也。所谓毒者。即火结
气郁所致。火解气舒。又何毒之有哉。
）
玉竹
补益脾脏、滋润肺脏，能够填补阴液。具有金玉般威严仪表的形态。（玉竹的根部多节且多须，像下垂的缨络一样，因而显得有威仪，所以又名葳蕤。颜色白而微黄，味道甘而微苦，气平质地润泽。它是培养脾肺之阴的佳品，这是它的长处；而搜风散热等治疗作用，似乎不是这种质地润泽、味道甘甜的药物所能奏效的。但对于属于虚证的风热、风温等病证，也可以使用它。考察玉竹的性味功效，与黄精相似，由此可以推想。因为风温、风热这类病证最容易损伤阴液，而养阴的药物又容易阻碍邪气的排出，只有玉竹味甘性平、滋润柔和，虽然能补益但不会阻碍邪气，所以古人在组方时会采用它。）
知母
退除肾脏中亢盛的阳气，能够壮水制火、清金（润肺）。味道甘苦微辛，质地浓厚滑利。清解阳明经独盛的热邪，治疗风邪引起的燥咳。性质沉潜属阴，且具有降气作用，纯为寒性。（知母味道苦，微带辛甘，气寒质地润泽，气味都很浓厚。性质沉降且属阴，所以能进入足少阴肾经，清泻有余的相火。因为它色白味甘，所以又能清肺火，除胃热。然而，这种阴寒润滑的药物，如果过量使用，就会妨害脾胃。按：知母适用于肺、胃、肾三经火盛且阴液亏损的病证，或者是热中消渴的患者，才可以服用。不能只知道它有滋阴的功效，而忘记了它损害阳气的危害。）
贝母
味道甘寒，滋润肺脏，能够消除痰浊，应当选用川贝母。解除郁结，宽畅胸膈，并且消散结节，指的是象贝母（浙贝母）的功效。治疗咳嗽还能解表，指的是浙贝母。疏理痰浊还可以消除痈肿。它是治疗肺燥的神妙丹药，能清心涤热，却是脾湿证的禁忌药物，味道微苦兼辛。（贝母以四川产地的野生者为佳，性味甘寒微苦，颜色白而润泽，专门入心和肺经，善于解除胸中的郁结之气。大概是因为郁结会产生热，热会产生痰，所以贝母对于火痰、燥痰的治疗有功。也是由于郁结解开则热退，热退则痰除，肺部的咳嗽自然安宁。现在浙江所种植的贝母，形状也相似但个头较大，味道兼苦且质量稍劣，用途也稍有不同。另外，贝母因为有解郁散结、化痰除热的功效，所以一切外证疮疡使用它有效的，也是这个原理。所谓的“毒”，就是由火结和气郁导致的，火解气舒，又有什么毒呢？）
Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma)
Tonifies the Spleen and moistens the Lungs, capable of filling Yin. It possesses the dignified appearance of gold and jade. [Commentary: Yuzhu's rhizome has many nodes and roots, resembling hanging tassels, thus appearing dignified; hence it is also named Weirui (Herba Polygonati Odorati). Its color is white with a slight yellow tint, its taste is sweet with a hint of bitterness, its nature is neutral, and its texture is moist. It is excellent for cultivating the Yin of the Spleen and Lungs. While its efficacy in dispelling wind and clearing heat might seem inconsistent with its moist and sweet nature, it can be used for deficiency-type Wind-Heat or Wind-Warmth conditions. Its properties and functions are similar to Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati), from which one can infer that since Wind-Warmth and Wind-Heat easily injure Yin, and Yin-nourishing herbs may hinder pathogenic factors, only Yuzhu, being sweet, neutral, and moistening, nourishes without obstructing pathogens, which is why ancient physicians included it in prescriptions.]
Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)
Subdues the excess Yang in the Kidney and strengthens Water to clear Metal (Lung). Sweet, bitter, and slightly acrid, with a dense and slippery texture. Clears the excessive Heat in the Yangming channel and treats dry cough caused by Wind. It is heavy, Yin, descending, and purely Cold. [Commentary: Zhimu tastes bitter, with slight sweet and acrid notes, and is cold in nature with a moist texture. Its aroma and flavor are strong. Being heavy and Yin, it enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian to clear exuberant Minister Fire. Due to its white color and sweet taste, it also clears Lung Fire and removes Stomach Heat. However, such Yin-cold and lubricating substances may impair the Spleen and Stomach if overused. Zhimu is indicated for conditions where Fire is exuberant and Yin is deficient in the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney meridians, or for internal heat with thirst (Xiao Ke). One must not focus solely on its Yin-nourishing effects while ignoring its potential to damage Yang.]
Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus)
Sweet and cold, moistens the Lungs and eliminates phlegm; Sichuan varieties should be sought. Resolves stagnation, expands the chest, and dissipates nodules; this refers to the efficacy of Xiangbei (Zhejiang Fritillaria). Treats cough and can also release the exterior; this refers to Zhebei (Zhejiang Fritillaria). Disperses phlegm and can eliminate carbuncles. It is a miraculous pill for Lung dryness, clears the Heart and washes away Heat, but is contraindicated for Spleen dampness. Slightly bitter and acrid. [Commentary: Wild Beimu from Sichuan is superior. It is sweet, cold, and slightly bitter, white and moist, specifically entering the Heart and Lung meridians to resolve Qi stagnation in the chest. Stagnation generates Heat, and Heat generates Phlegm; thus, Beimu is effective for Fire-Phlegm and Dry-Phlegm. Once stagnation resolves, Heat subsides, Phlegm disappears, and Lung cough calms. Cultivated Beimu in Zhejiang resembles the wild type but is larger, slightly more bitter and inferior in quality, with slightly different uses. Furthermore, due to its ability to resolve stagnation, dissipate nodules, transform phlegm, and clear Heat, it is effective for external sores and ulcers. "Toxicity" here refers to Fire accumulation and Qi stagnation; once Fire resolves and Qi flows freely, what toxicity remains?]