〔害〕珠体最坚，研不细能损人脏府，病不由火热者勿用。
〔利〕甘咸寒，水精所蕴，入心肝二经，镇心安魂，坠痰明目，治聋、惊、热、痘、疔，
下
死胎胞衣，拔毒收口生肌。
〔修治〕河蚌感月而胎。取新洁未钻织者，人乳浸三日，研粉极细如飞面用。心肝藏神
魂，
大抵宝气多能镇心安魂，泻火定惊。如金箔、琥珀、真珠、龙齿之类，亦借其神气也。
〔害〕最渗津液，久服令人枯燥，肌瘦身重。凡水肿胀满，总属脾虚，当杂补脾胃药中
用之
，病已即去，勿过剂也。
〔利〕甘酸平，入心小肠，性下行而通，行水散血，去虫止渴，行津液，清气分，涤烦
蒸，
通乳汁，胎产最要，除痢疾，止呕吐，脾胃最宜。
治有形之病，消胀散肿，凡疮疽溃烂几绝者，为末敷，无不立效。鸡子青调涂，性粘，干则
难揭，入苎根末，则不粘。未溃者箍之，则四敛中起，已溃者敷之就瘥。相想子苦平，研服
，能治心腹邪气，风痰瘴疟及蛊毒。
〔修治〕深秋八月采，以紧小而赤黯色者入药，其稍大而鲜红淡红色者，并不治病。今
肆中
半粒黑者，是相思子，一名红豆，有毒。
〔害〕今医用此开郁，罕效。如真阴虚火亢吐血，不关火炎，搏血妄行溢出上焦，不关
肺肝
，气逆以伤肝吐血者，不宜用也。近日郁症，多属血虚，用破血之药开郁，不能开而阴已先
败，致不救者多矣。今市中所用者，多是姜黄，并有以蓬术伪之者，俱峻削性烈，病挟虚者
大忌。
〔利〕苦辛微甘，气寒，人心及包络、肺、肝四经。开血积气壅，生肌定痛，本入血分
之气
药。其治吐血衄血，妇人经脉逆行者。血属火炎，此能降气，气降即火降。而性入血，故能
导血归经，解肝郁，泻火凉血破瘀。
〔修治〕有川产、广产，其根体锐圆如蝉腹，外黄内赤，去皮火干，色鲜微香，折之光
明
艳彻，苦中带甘者乃真，敲碎入煎，或磨汁冲。
【赤小豆的害处】赤小豆最易渗利津液，久服会导致人体津液枯竭，出现肌肤消瘦但身体沉重。凡是水肿胀满之症，总归属于脾虚，应当在补益脾胃的药物中配合使用，病愈即止，不可过量服用。
【赤小豆的好处】味甘、酸，性平，入心经和小肠经。其性下行且通畅，能行水利尿、散瘀活血，驱除寄生虫、止渴，运行津液，清泄气分邪热，消除烦热蒸腾之感，通利乳汁，对于胎产疾病尤为重要，可治疗痢疾，制止呕吐，最适合脾胃虚弱者使用。治疗有形的病证，如消除胀满、消散肿块，凡疮疽溃烂近乎坏死者，将其研末外敷，无不立即见效。用鸡蛋清调涂，因其性质粘腻，干燥后难以揭下，若加入苎麻根粉末，则不粘。未溃破的疮疡，外敷可使其四周收敛、中间隆起；已溃破的疮疡，外敷即可痊愈。相思子味苦、性平，研碎内服，能治疗心腹部的邪气，以及风痰、瘴疟和蛊毒。
【赤小豆的修治】在深秋八月采收，以颗粒紧小、颜色赤暗者为入药佳品，那些稍大且颜色鲜红或淡红的，并无疗效。如今药店中半粒黑色的，是相思子，又名红豆，有毒。
【郁金的害处】如今医生常用郁金来开郁解结，但很少见效。如果是真阴亏虚导致虚火亢盛引起的吐血，这并非实火炎上，而是血液妄行溢出上焦，与肺肝无关；若是因气逆损伤肝脏导致的吐血，也不宜使用郁金。近期的郁证，多属于血虚，使用破血药物来开郁，不仅不能开郁，反而会使阴液先败，导致无法救治的情况很多。如今市场上所用的郁金，多是姜黄，并有用蓬术伪充的，这些药材性质峻烈猛烈，对于夹杂虚证的病人是大忌。
【郁金的好处】味苦、辛，微甘，气寒，入心经、心包络、肺经、肝经四经。能开通血积和气壅，生肌定痛，本是入血分的理气药。它治疗吐血、鼻衄（鼻出血）以及妇人经脉逆行。血属火炎，郁金能降气，气降则火降。因其性入血分，故能引导血液回归经脉，解除肝郁，泻火凉血，破除瘀血。
【郁金的修治】有川产和广产两种，其根部形状锐圆如蝉腹，外皮黄色内部红色，去皮后火干，颜色鲜艳且有微香，折断时光泽明亮透彻，味道苦中带甘的才是真品，敲碎后入煎剂，或磨汁冲服。
[Harm] *Vigna umbellata* (Chixiaodou, 赤小豆) is most potent in draining fluids and dampness; prolonged use causes dryness and depletion of body fluids, resulting in emaciated skin yet a sensation of heaviness in the body. All cases of edema and distension are fundamentally due to Spleen deficiency; therefore, it should be used in conjunction with herbs that tonify the Spleen and Stomach. Discontinue use once the disease resolves; do not overdose.
[Benefit] Sweet, sour, and neutral in nature; enters the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. Its action descends and promotes unblocking; it promotes urination to drain water, disperses blood stasis, expels parasites, relieves thirst, circulates body fluids, clears heat from the Qi level, eliminates vexation and steaming sensations, and unblocks lactation. It is particularly important for conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, treats dysentery, stops vomiting, and is most suitable for the Spleen and Stomach. For treating tangible pathologies, such as reducing distension and dissipating swelling: for sores and carbuncles that have ulcerated and are near necrosis, apply the powder externally for immediate effect. When mixed with egg white, it becomes sticky and difficult to remove when dry; adding *Boehmeriae Nippononae Radix et Rhizoma* (Zhugen, 苎根) powder prevents stickiness. For un-ulcerated lesions, it helps gather the edges and raise the center; for ulcerated lesions, application promotes healing. *Abrus precatorius* (Xiangsizi, 相思子) is bitter and neutral; taken as a powder, it treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, wind-phlegm, miasmic malaria, and gu poison.
[Processing] Harvested in late autumn or August. Those that are tight, small, and dark red are suitable for medicinal use; those that are slightly larger and bright red or pale red have no therapeutic effect. The half-black seeds found in modern pharmacies are *Abrus precatorius*, also known as Hongdou (Red Bean), which is toxic.
[Harm] Modern physicians rarely achieve efficacy using *Curcuma aromatica* (Yujin, 郁金) to resolve depression/stagnation. In cases of hematemesis caused by hyperactivity of deficient fire due to Yin deficiency, this is not due to flaming fire but rather reckless bleeding overflowing into the Upper Jiao, unrelated to the Lung and Liver. It is contraindicated for hematemesis caused by rebellious Qi injuring the Liver. Recently, many cases of depression syndromes belong to Blood deficiency; using blood-breaking herbs to resolve stagnation fails to open the stagnation and instead damages Yin first, leading to untreatable conditions frequently. The Yujin currently on the market is mostly *Curcuma longa* (Jianghuang, 姜黄), and some is adulterated with *Curcuma phaeocaulis* (Pengzhu, 蓬术). These possess harsh and fierce properties and are strictly contraindicated for patients with accompanying deficiency.
[Benefit] Bitter, pungent, and slightly sweet; cold in nature; enters the Heart, Pericardium, Lung, and Liver meridians. It opens blood accumulation and Qi obstruction, generates flesh, and alleviates pain. It is essentially a Qi-moving herb entering the Blood level. It treats hematemesis, epistaxis, and retrograde menstruation in women. Since blood is associated with fire, this herb can descend Qi; when Qi descends, fire descends. Because its nature enters the Blood, it guides blood back to the vessels, resolves Liver stagnation, drains fire, cools blood, and breaks up blood stasis.
[Processing] There are varieties produced in Sichuan and Guangdong. The root is sharp and round like a cicada's abdomen, yellow outside and red inside. After peeling and drying over fire, it is bright in color with a slight fragrance. When broken, it shines brightly and clearly; if the taste is bitter with a hint of sweetness, it is authentic. Crush it before decocting, or grind it to make juice for administration.