味甘微温。入手足太阴经。功专益气。得当归、活血。得白术、补气。得防风其功
益大
。得滑石、白糖煎服。治洞泄完谷不化神效。合人参、甘草、生姜为保元汤。治痘虚不起。
或加芎 、官桂糯米助之。生凉炙温。生用或酒炒达表。蜜炙补中。盐水炒补肾。茯苓为使
。恶龟甲、白藓皮。畏防风。气旺者禁用。阴虚者宜少用。
味甘平。入足阳明。通行十二经。功专解毒。生泻熟缓。甘和温补。得桔梗清咽喉
。得大豆为甘豆汤。解百药毒奇验。炙用补中。生用泻火。用梢达茎中。止茎痛及淋症。白
术、苦参、干漆为使。恶远志。反大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻。然亦有并用者。中满者忌用。
惟得茯苓。则不资满而反泄满。若脾胃气有余。与痢疾初起。均忌用。
味甘苦。入手太阴。通行十二经。功专补五脏之阳。得羊肉补形。古方寒热攻补剂
中皆用之。以立正气。诚为上品。茯苓为使。畏五灵脂。恶皂荚、黑豆、紫石英、人溲、咸
卤、反藜芦。忌铁。参芦能涌吐痰涎。体虚人用之。以代瓜蒂。
味甘。入手足太阴经。功专补五脏之阴。止嗽除疝。得麦冬。清肺热。得糯米。
补脾阴。寒客肺中作嗽者勿服。产沙地者良。畏防己。反黎芦。一名羊乳。
味甘，性微温。归入手经和足经的太阴经。功效专于益气。配伍当归，能活血；配伍白术，能补气；配伍防风，其功效更加显著。配伍滑石、白糖煎服，治疗洞泄（严重腹泻）且完谷不化（大便中含有未消化的食物），效果神奇。与人参、甘草、生姜合用组成保元汤，治疗痘疮因虚证而不能透发。或者加入川芎、官桂、糯米以辅助之。生用性凉，炙用性温。生用或酒炒可通达体表；蜜炙可补益中焦；盐水炒可补肾。茯苓作为引经药。畏恶龟甲、白鲜皮。畏惧防风。气盛者禁用。阴虚者宜少用。
味甘，性平。入足阳明经。通行十二经脉。功效专于解毒。生用泻火，熟用缓和。甘缓平和，具有温补作用。配伍桔梗，可清利咽喉。配伍大豆组成甘豆汤，解除各种药物中毒，验证奇特。炙用补益中焦。生用泻火。使用梢部可达茎中，治疗茎痛及淋症。白术、苦参、干漆作为引经药。畏恶远志。与大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻相反。然而也有并用的情况。中满（脘腹胀满）者忌用。只有配伍茯苓，则不会助长胀满，反而能消除胀满。若脾胃之气有余，以及痢疾初起时，均忌用。
味甘甜苦。入手太阴经。通行十二经脉。功效专于补五脏之阳气。配伍羊肉可补形体。古方寒热攻补剂中皆用之，以确立正气，确实是上品。茯苓作为引经药。畏惧五灵脂。畏恶皂荚、黑豆、紫石英、人尿、咸卤，与藜芦相反。忌铁器。人参芦头能涌吐痰涎。体虚之人使用它，以代替瓜蒂。
味甘。入手经和足经的太阴经。功效专于补五脏之阴液。止咳，治疗疝气。配伍麦冬，清肺热；配伍糯米，补脾阴。寒邪客于肺中导致咳嗽者勿服。产于沙地者品质优良。畏惧防己。与黎芦相反。又名羊乳。
味苦。入手少阴经。功效专于调理妇女月经。达到四物汤的功效。配伍山楂炭、益母草，可清除产后瘀血发热。畏惧咸水。忌醋，与藜芦相反。
Sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature. Enters the Taiyin meridians of the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to tonify Qi. When combined with Danggui (Angelica sinensis), it invigorates blood; when combined with Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), it tonifies Qi; when combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), its efficacy is greatly enhanced. When decocted with Huashi (Talcum) and Baitang (White sugar), it is miraculously effective for treating Dongxie (severe diarrhea with undigested food). Combined with Renshen (Ginseng), Gancao (Licorice), and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) to form Baoyuan Tang (Protective Origin Decoction), it treats acneiform eruptions that fail to erupt due to deficiency. Alternatively, Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Guongui (Cinnamon twig), and Nuomi (Glutinous rice) may be added to assist. Raw use is cooling, roasted use is warming. Raw use or wine-fried use reaches the exterior; honey-roasted use tonifies the Middle Jiao; salt-water fried use tonifies the Kidney. Fuling (Poria) serves as a guiding herb. It is incompatible with Guijia (Tartar Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and Baixianpi (Dictamni Cortex). It fears Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata). Contraindicated in cases of excess Qi. Should be used sparingly in Yin deficiency.
Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. Enters the Yangming meridian of the foot. It circulates through all twelve meridians. Its function is specifically to resolve toxicity. Raw use clears heat and purges fire, while cooked use is mild. Sweet and harmonious, it has warming and tonifying properties. When combined with Jiegeng (Platycodon root), it clears the throat. When combined with Dadou (Soybean) to form Gandou Tang (Sweet Bean Decoction), it resolves various drug poisonings with remarkable efficacy. Roasted use tonifies the Middle Jiao. Raw use clears heat. Using the tips reaches the urethra, stopping pain in the penis and treating Lin syndrome (dysuria). Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Kushen (Sophora flavescens), and Ganxi (Drynaria rhizome) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix). It is contrary to Daji (Euphorbia pekinensis), Yuanhua (Kadsurae Flos), Gansui (Kansui Radix), and Haizao (Sargassum). However, there are instances where they are used together. Contraindicated in cases of Zhongman (abdominal fullness). Only when combined with Fuling (Poria) does it not contribute to fullness but instead drains it. If there is excess Qi in the Spleen and Stomach, or at the onset of dysentery, it is contraindicated.
Sweet and bitter in taste. Enters the Taiyin meridian of the hand. It circulates through all twelve meridians. Its function is specifically to tonify the Yang of the five Zang organs. When combined with Lamb meat, it tonifies the body structure. It is used in ancient formulas for cold-heat, attacking-tonifying treatments to establish righteous Qi, truly being a superior grade. Fuling (Poria) serves as a guiding herb. It fears Wulingzhi (Trogopteri Dung). It is incompatible with Zaojiao (Gleditsiae Spina), Heidou (Black Soybean), Zhiwushiqing (Fluorite), Renxiao (Human Urine), Xianlu (Salt brine), and is contrary to Lilü (Veratrum nigrum). Iron is contraindicated. Shenlu (Ginseng stem base) can induce vomiting of phlegm-saliva. It is used by those with weak constitutions to replace Goudi (Melon seed).
Sweet in taste. Enters the Taiyin meridians of the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to tonify the Yin of the five Zang organs. It stops cough and treats hernia. When combined with Maidong (Ophiopogon tuber), it clears Lung heat; when combined with Nuomi (Glutinous rice), it tonifies Spleen Yin. Do not take if cough is caused by cold invading the Lungs. Those produced in sandy soil are of good quality. It fears Fangji (Stephania tetrandra). It is contrary to Lilü (Veratrum nigrum). Also known as Yangru (Sheep Milk).
Bitter in taste. Enters the Shaoyin meridian of the hand. Its function is specifically to regulate women's menstruation. It achieves the efficacy of Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction). When combined with Shanzha Tan (Charred Hawthorn fruit) and Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus), it clears postpartum blood stasis and fever. It fears salty water. Vinegar is contraindicated, and it is contrary to Lilü (Veratrum nigrum).