（《本经》上品）
【释名】水泻（《本经》）、鹄泻（《本经》）、及泻（《别录》）、 （音俞）、芒芋（《本
经》）、禹孙。时珍曰∶去水曰泻，如泽水之泻也。禹能治水，故曰禹孙。余未详。
【集解】《别录》曰∶泽泻生汝南池泽。五月采叶，八月采根，九月采实，阴干。弘景∶
曰汝南郡属豫州。今近道亦有，不堪用。惟用汉中、南郑、青州、代州者。形大而长，尾间
必有两歧为好。此物易朽蠹，常须密藏之。丛生浅水中，叶狭而长。恭曰∶今汝南不复采，
惟以泾州、华州者为善。颂曰∶今山东、河、陕、江、淮亦有之，汉中者为佳。春生苗，多
在浅水中。叶似牛舌，独茎而长。秋时开白花，作丛似谷精草。秋末采根曝干。
根
【修治】 曰∶不计多少，细锉，酒浸一宿，取出曝干，任用。
【气味】甘，寒，无毒。《别录》曰∶咸。权曰∶苦。元素曰∶甘，平。沉而降，阴也。
杲曰∶甘、咸，寒，降，阴也。
好古曰∶阴中微阳。入足太阳、少阴经。
扁鹊曰∶多服，病患眼。
之才曰∶畏海蛤、文蛤。
【主治】风寒湿痹，乳难，养五脏，益气力，肥健，消水。久服，耳目聪明，不饥延年，
轻身面生光，能行水上。（《本经》）补虚损五劳，除五脏痞满，起阴气，止泄精消渴淋沥，
逐膀胱三焦停水（《别录》）。主肾虚精自出，治五淋，利膀胱热，宣通水道（甄权）。主头旋
耳虚鸣，筋骨挛缩，通小肠，止尿血，主难产，补女人血海，令人有子（大明）。入肾经，
去
旧水，养新水，利小便，消肿胀，渗泄止渴（元素）。去脬中留垢，心下水痞（李杲）。渗湿
热，
行痰饮，止呕吐泻痢，疝痛香港脚（时珍）。
【发明】颂曰∶《素问》治酒风身热汗出，用泽泻、术；《深师方》治支饮，亦用泽泻、
术，但煮法小别尔。张仲景治杂病，心下有支饮苦冒，有泽泻汤，治伤寒有大小泽泻汤、五
苓散辈，皆用泽泻，行利停水，为最要药。元素曰∶泽泻乃除湿之圣药，入肾经，治小便淋
沥，去阴间汗。无此疾服之，令人目
宗 曰∶泽泻之功，长于行水。张仲景治水蓄渴烦，小便不利，或吐或泻，五苓散主之，
方用泽泻，故知其长于行水。本草引扁鹊云∶多服病患眼。诚为行去其水也。凡服泽泻散
人，未有不小便多者。小便既多，肾气焉得复实？今人止泄精，多不敢用之。仲景八味丸用
之者，亦不过引接桂、附等，归就肾经，别无他意。
好古曰∶《本经》云久服明目，扁鹊云多服昏目，何也？易老云∶去脬中留垢，以其味
咸能泻伏水故也。泻伏水，去留垢，故明目；小便利，肾气虚，故昏目。
王履曰∶寇宗 之说，王好古韪之。窃谓八味丸以地黄为君，余药佐之，非止补血，兼
补气也，所谓阳旺则能生阴血也。地黄、山茱萸、茯苓、牡丹皮皆肾经之药，附子、官桂乃
右肾命门之药，皆不待泽泻之接引而后至也。则八味丸之用此，盖取其泻肾邪，养五脏，益
气力，起阴气，补虚损五劳之功而已。虽能泻肾，从于诸补药群众之中，则亦不能泻矣。
时珍曰∶泽泻气平，味甘而淡。淡能渗泄，气味俱薄，所以利水而泄下。脾胃有湿热，
则头重而目昏耳鸣。泽泻渗去其湿，则热亦随去，而土气得令，清气上行，天气明爽，故泽
泻有养五脏、益气力、治头旋、聪明耳目之功。若久服，则降令太过，清气不升，真阴潜耗
，安得不目昏耶？仲景地黄丸用茯苓、泽泻者，乃取其泻膀胱之邪气，非引接也。古人用补
药必兼泻邪，邪去则补药得力，一辟一阖，此乃玄妙。后世不知此理，专一于补，所以久服
必致偏胜之害也！
【正误】弘景曰∶《仙经》服食断谷皆用之。亦云身轻，能步行水上。
颂曰∶仙方亦单服泽泻一物，捣筛取末，水调，日分服六两，百日体轻而健行。
时珍曰∶神农书列泽泻于上品，复云久服轻身，面生光，能行水上。《典术》云∶泽泻
久服，令人身轻，日行五百里，走水上。一名泽芝。陶、苏皆以为信然。愚窃疑之。泽泻行
水泻肾，久服且不可，又安有此神功耶？其谬可知。
【附方】旧三，新四。
酒风汗出∶方见麋衔下。
水湿肿胀∶白术、泽泻各一两，为末，或为丸。每服三钱，茯苓汤下。（《保命集》）
冒暑霍乱，小便不利，头运引饮。三白散∶用泽泻、白术、白茯苓各三钱，水一盏，姜五片，
灯心十茎，煎八分，温服。（《局方》）
支饮苦冒∶仲景泽泻汤∶用泽泻五两，白术二两，水二升，煮一升，分二服。《深师方》∶
先以水二升煮二物，取一升，又以水一升，煮泽泻取五合，合此二汁分再服。病甚欲眩者，
服之必瘥。
肾脏风疮∶泽泻，皂荚（水煮烂），焙研，炼蜜丸如梧子大。空心温酒下十五丸至二十
丸。
（《经验方》）疟后怪症，口鼻中气出，盘旋不散，凝如黑盖色，过十日渐至肩胸，与肉相连，
坚胜金石
叶
【气味】咸，平，无毒。
【主治】大风，乳汁不出，产难，强阴气。久服轻身（《别录》）。壮水脏，通血脉（大
明）。
实
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】风痹消渴，益肾气，强阴，补不足，除邪湿。久服面生光，令人无子（《别录
【发明】时珍曰∶《别录》言泽泻叶及实，强阴气，久服令人无子；而《日华子》言泽
泻催生，补女人血海，令人有子，似有不同。既云强阴，何以令人无子？既能催生，何以令
人有子？盖泽泻同补药，能逐下焦湿热邪垢，邪气既去，阴强海净，谓之有子可也；若久服
则肾气大泄，血海反寒，谓之无子可也。所以读书不可执一。
【附录】酸恶 《别录》有名未用曰∶主恶疮，去白虫。生水旁，状如泽泻。
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【释名】水泻（出自《本经》）、鹄泻（出自《本经》）、及泻（出自《别录》）、[缺字]（音同“俞”）、芒芋（出自《本经》）、禹孙。李时珍说：去除水湿称为“泻”，就像泽中的水排泻出去一样。大禹善于治理水患，所以称之为“禹孙”。其余不详。
【集解】《名医别录》说：泽泻生长在汝南的池塘沼泽中。五月采集叶子，八月采集根部，九月采集果实，阴干。陶弘景说：汝南郡属于豫州。现在邻近地区也有出产，但质量不好，不堪药用。只有汉中、南郑、青州、代州出产的才好。形状大而长，尾部必须有两歧分叉的才算好药。这种药物容易腐朽生虫，必须经常密封储藏。它丛生在浅水中，叶子狭长。苏恭说：现在汝南不再采挖，只有泾州、华州的最好。苏颂说：现在山东、黄河、陕西、江淮一带也有出产，以汉中的为佳。春天生苗，多生长在浅水中。叶子像牛舌，单茎且长。秋天开白花，成丛生长类似谷精草。秋末采集根部晒干。
【修治】[缺人名]说：不论多少，切成细丝，用酒浸泡一夜，取出晒干，随意使用。
【气味】甘味，寒性，无毒。《名医别录》说：咸味。雷斅说：苦味。张元素说：甘味，平性。质地下沉而气机下降，属阴。王杲说：甘、咸味，寒性，沉降，属阴。
李好古说：阴中微含阳气。归入足太阳膀胱经、足少阴肾经。
扁鹊说：长期服用，会导致患者眼睛昏花。
徐之才说：畏海蛤、文蛤。
【主治】风寒湿痹（由风、寒、湿邪引起的肢体关节疼痛麻木），乳汁不通，滋养五脏，益气力，使身体健壮，消除水肿。长期服用，耳目聪明，不感饥饿并能延年益寿，身体轻健面色光泽，甚至能在水上行走。（出自《本经》）补虚损五劳（五种虚劳病症），消除五脏痞满（腹部结块或胀满感），激发阴气，止泄精、消渴、淋沥（小便涩痛），驱逐膀胱和三焦停滞的水液（出自《别录》）。主治肾虚导致的精液自出，治疗五淋，清利膀胱热，宣通水道（甄权）。主治头晕耳鸣，筋骨挛缩，通利小肠，止尿血，主治难产，补益女子血海，使人能够生育（大明）。入肾经，去除旧水，滋养新水，利尿，消除肿胀，渗湿止渴（张元素）。去除膀胱中的残留污垢，消除心下痞满（李杲）。渗除湿热，行化痰饮，止呕吐、腹泻、痢疾，治疗疝痛和脚气（李时珍）。
【发明】苏颂说：《素问》治疗饮酒后身热汗出的“酒风”证，使用泽泻和白术；《深师方》治疗支饮（水饮停聚胸胁），也使用泽泻和白术，只是煎煮方法略有不同。张仲景治疗杂病，心下有支饮导致痛苦眩晕，有泽泻汤；治疗伤寒有大、小泽泻汤、五苓散等方剂，都使用泽泻，作为行利停水的最重要药物。张元素说：泽泻是除湿的圣药，入肾经，治疗小便淋漓不尽，去除阴部出汗。如果没有这些疾病而服用，会让人眼睛昏花。
王宗说：泽泻的功效，擅长于行水。张仲景治疗水蓄积导致的口渴烦躁，小便不利，或者呕吐或者腹泻，用五苓散主治，方中使用泽泻，所以知道它擅长行水。本草引用扁鹊的话说：长期服用会导致患者眼睛昏花。这确实是行去水湿的结果。凡是服用泽泻散的人，没有不小便增多的。小便既然增多，肾气怎么能恢复充实？现在人们为了止泄精，大多不敢使用它。张仲景在八味丸（金匮肾气丸）中使用它，也不过是引导桂枝、附子等药归于肾经，没有其他意图。
李好古说：《本经》说长期服用明目，扁鹊说长期服用昏目，为什么呢？易老（张元素）说：去除膀胱中的残留污垢，是因为其味咸能泻伏留之水。泻伏水，去留垢，所以明目；小便通利，肾气虚弱，所以昏目。
王履说：寇宗奭的说法，被王好古赞同。我私下认为，八味丸以地黄为君药，其他药物为辅佐，不仅仅是补血，兼补气，所谓阳气旺盛就能生成阴血。地黄、山茱萸、茯苓、牡丹皮都是肾经的药物，附子、官桂是右肾命门的药物，都不需要等待泽泻的接引才能到达。那么八味丸使用此药，大概是取其泻除肾邪、滋养五脏、益气力、激发阴气、补益虚损五劳的功效罢了。虽然能泻肾，但在众多补药的包围之中，也就不能泻了。
李时珍说：泽泻气平，味甘而淡。淡味能渗湿泄浊，气味都很淡薄，所以能利水而泄下。脾胃有湿热，就会头重、眼睛昏花、耳鸣。泽泻渗去湿气，热气也随之而去，土气得以当令，清气上行，天气明爽，所以泽泻有滋养五脏、益气力、治疗头晕、使耳目聪明的功效。如果长期服用，则降泄太过，清气不升，真阴暗中消耗，怎么会不眼睛昏花呢？张仲景在地黄丸中使用茯苓、泽泻，是取其泻除膀胱邪气，并非为了接引。古人使用补药必定兼用泻邪药，邪气去除则补药得力，一辟一阖，这是玄妙之处。后世不知道这个道理，专门用于补益，所以长期服用必然导致偏胜的危害！
【正误】陶弘景说：《仙经》服食断谷（辟谷）都用它。也说身体轻健，能在水上步行。
苏颂说：仙方也单独服用泽泻一味，捣碎筛取粉末，用水调服，每天分次服用六两，一百天后身体轻健行走有力。
李时珍说：神农书将泽泻列于上品，又说长期服用身体轻健，面色光泽，能在水上行走。《典术》说：泽泻长期服用，让人身体轻健，一天走五百里，能在水上行走。别名泽芝。陶弘景、苏颂都认为是真的。我私下怀疑它。泽泻行水泻肾，长期服用尚且不可，又怎么会有这种神功呢？其中的谬误可以知道了。
【附方】旧方三个，新方四个。
酒风汗出：方剂见麋衔条下。
水湿肿胀：白术、泽泻各一两，研为粉末，或制成丸剂。每次服用三钱，用茯苓汤送下。（《保命集》）
中暑霍乱，小便不利，头晕想喝水。三白散：用泽泻、白术、白茯苓各三钱，水一盏，生姜五片，灯心草十茎，煎至八分，温服。（《局方》）
支饮痛苦眩晕：张仲景泽泻汤：用泽泻五两，白术二两，水二升，煮取一升，分两次服用。《深师方》：先用水二升煮这两味药，取一升汁，又用水一升，煮泽泻取五合汁，将这两种汁混合分两次服用。病情严重想要眩晕的人，服用后必定痊愈。
肾脏风疮：泽泻，皂荚（水煮烂），焙干研末，炼蜜制成梧桐子大小的丸剂。空腹时用温酒送服十五丸到二十丸。（《经验方》）疟疾后的怪症，口鼻中气出，盘旋不散，凝结如黑盖色，过十天逐渐蔓延至肩胸，与肉相连，坚硬胜过金石
叶
【气味】咸味，平性，无毒。
【主治】大风（麻风病），乳汁不出，难产，增强阴气。长期服用身体轻健（《别录》）。壮水脏，通血脉（大明）。
实
【气味】甘味，平性，无毒。
【主治】风痹消渴，益肾气，强阴，补不足，除邪湿。长期服用面色光泽，让人不生儿子（《别录》
【发明】李时珍说：《别录》说泽泻叶及果实，增强阴气，长期服用让人不生儿子；而《日华子》说泽泻催生，补益女子血海，让人能生育，似乎有所不同。既然说增强阴气，为什么让人不生儿子？既然能催生，为什么让人能生育？大概泽泻配合补药，能驱逐下焦湿热邪垢，邪气既去，阴强海净，可以说能生育；如果长期服用则肾气大泄，血海反而寒冷，可以说不能生育。所以读书不可固执一端。
【附录】酸恶 《别录》有名未用曰：主治恶疮，去除白虫。生长在水边，形状像泽泻。
[Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) lists it as a Superior Grade drug]
【Names】 Shuixie (Water Drainage, from *Benjing*), Huxie (Heron Drainage, from *Benjing*), Jixie (And Drainage, from *Bielu*), [Missing Character] (pronounced "Yu"), Mangyu (Mang Taro, from *Benjing*), Yusun (Grandson of Yu). Li Shizhen says: Removing water is called "xie" (drainage), like water draining from a marsh. Yu was skilled in controlling floods, hence the name "Yusun". The rest are unknown.
【Collection and Explanation】 *Bielu* states: Ze Xie grows in the ponds and marshes of Runan. Leaves are harvested in May, roots in August, and fruits in September; dried in the shade. Tao Hongjing says: Runan Commandery belongs to Yuzhou. It is also found in nearby regions now, but is not suitable for use. Only those from Hanzhong, Nanzheng, Qingzhou, and Daizhou are good. Those that are large and long, with two branches at the tail, are considered best. This drug rots and gets worm-eaten easily, so it must be stored tightly sealed. It grows in clusters in shallow water, with narrow and long leaves. Su Gong says: Runan is no longer harvested nowadays; only those from Jingzhou and Huazhou are excellent. Su Song says: It is also found in Shandong, along the Yellow River, Shaanxi, and Jianghuai regions, with those from Hanzhong being the best. Sprouts emerge in spring, mostly in shallow water. Leaves resemble ox tongues, single-stemmed and long. White flowers bloom in autumn, growing in clusters similar to *Sparganium stoloniferum* (Gu Jing Cao). Roots are harvested at the end of autumn and sun-dried.
【Processing】 [Name missing] says: Regardless of quantity, cut into fine shreds, soak in wine overnight, take out and sun-dry, then use as needed.
【Flavor and Properties】 Sweet, cold, non-toxic. *Bielu* says: Salty. Lei Xiao says: Bitter. Zhang Yuansu says: Sweet, neutral. Sinks and descends, belonging to Yin. Wang Gao says: Sweet, salty, cold, descending, belonging to Yin.
Li Haogu says: Slightly Yang within Yin. Enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridians.
Bian Que says: Long-term consumption causes eye problems in patients.
Xu Zhicai says: Incompatible with Hai Ge (Sea Shell) and Wen Ge (Textured Clam).
【Indications】 Wind-cold-damp Bi syndrome (pain and numbness caused by wind, cold, and damp pathogens), difficulty in lactation, nourishes the five Zang organs, boosts Qi and strength, promotes robustness, eliminates water retention. Long-term consumption makes ears and eyes clear, prevents hunger, extends life, lightens the body, brightens the complexion, and even enables walking on water. (*Benjing*) Tonifies deficiency and the five types of chronic fatigue, removes fullness and masses in the five Zang organs, stimulates Yin Qi, stops seminal emission, treats thirst and dysuria, and drives away stagnant water in the Bladder and Sanjiao. (*Bielu*) Mainly treats spontaneous seminal emission due to Kidney deficiency, treats the five types of dysuria, clears Bladder heat, unblocks water pathways. (Zhen Quan) Treats dizziness and tinnitus, muscle spasms, unblocks the Small Intestine, stops hematuria, treats difficult labor, tonifies the Blood Sea in women, and enables conception. (Da Ming) Enters the Kidney meridian, removes old water, nourishes new water, promotes urination, reduces swelling,渗湿 (percolates dampness) and stops thirst. (Zhang Yuansu) Removes residual dirt in the bladder, resolves epigastric fullness. (Li Gao) Percolates damp-heat, moves phlegm-fluids, stops vomiting, diarrhea, and dysentery, treats hernia and beriberi. (Li Shizhen)
【Elucidation】 Su Song says: *Suwen* treats "Jiu Feng" (alcohol-induced wind) with sweating and fever using Ze Xie and Bai Zhu; *Shenshi Fang* treats Zhi Yin (fluid retention in the chest/hypochondrium) also using Ze Xie and Bai Zhu, differing only slightly in decoction method. Zhang Zhongjing treats miscellaneous diseases where fluid retention in the heart region causes painful vertigo, using Ze Xie Tang; for typhoid, he uses Large and Small Ze Xie Tangs, Wuling San, etc., all employing Ze Xie as a crucial drug for promoting urination to remove stagnant water. Zhang Yuansu says: Ze Xie is a holy medicine for removing dampness, enters the Kidney meridian, treats dribbling urine, and removes sweating in the genital area. Without these ailments, taking it causes blurred vision.
Wang Zong says: The merit of Ze Xie lies in its ability to promote water metabolism. Zhang Zhongjing treats thirst and irritability due to water accumulation, with ineffective urination, or vomiting/diarrhea, using Wuling San as the main formula, which contains Ze Xie, thus proving its strength in moving water. The Materia Medica quotes Bian Que saying: Long-term use causes eye blurriness. This is indeed due to the removal of water. Anyone taking Ze Xie San will inevitably have increased urination. If urination increases, how can Kidney Qi recover? Nowadays, people dare not use it to stop seminal emission. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Bajun Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) merely to guide Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fu Zi (Aconite Root) into the Kidney meridian, with no other intent.
Li Haogu says: *Benjing* says long-term use brightens the eyes, while Bian Que says long-term use blurs them. Why? Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) says: It removes residual dirt in the bladder because its salty flavor drains hidden water. Draining hidden water and removing residue brightens the eyes; frequent urification weakens Kidney Qi, causing blurred vision.
Wang Lü says: Kou Zongshi's view was endorsed by Wang Haogu. I privately believe that in Bajun Wan, Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) is the sovereign drug, assisted by others, not just for blood tonification but also Qi tonification, meaning strong Yang generates Yin blood. Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Fu Ling, and Mu Dan Pi are all Kidney meridian drugs; Fu Zi and Guan Gui (Cassia Bark) are Right Kidney Mingmen drugs; they do not need Ze Xie's guidance to reach their destination. Thus, the use of Ze Xie in this pill is likely to drain Kidney pathogens, nourish the five Zang organs, boost Qi, stimulate Yin, and tonify deficiency. Although it drains the Kidney, amidst many tonifying drugs, it cannot truly drain.
Li Shizhen says: Ze Xie has a neutral Qi, sweet and bland flavor. Blandness percolates and drains; since both Qi and flavor are thin, it promotes urination and downward drainage. Damp-heat in the Spleen and Stomach causes heavy head, blurred vision, and tinnitus. Ze Xie percolates dampness, heat follows, Earth Qi becomes functional, clear Qi ascends, and the sky becomes clear; thus Ze Xie nourishes the five Zang organs, boosts Qi, treats dizziness, and clarifies the senses. However, long-term use leads to excessive downward drainage, failure of clear Qi to ascend, and depletion of True Yin, inevitably causing blurred vision. Zhang Zhongjing uses Fu Ling and Ze Xie in Dihuang Wan to drain Bladder pathogens, not for guidance. Ancients used draining herbs alongside tonics; once pathogens are removed, tonics work better. This interplay of opening and closing is profound. Later generations ignored this, focusing solely on tonification, leading to imbalance from long-term use!
【Correction of Errors】 Tao Hongjing says: *Xianjing* (Immortal Classic) uses it for fasting (Bigu). It also says the body becomes light, enabling walking on water.
Su Song says: Immortal prescriptions also use Ze Xie alone, pounded into powder, mixed with water, taken in divided doses of six liang daily. After 100 days, the body becomes light and movement vigorous.
Li Shizhen says: Shennong's book lists Ze Xie as superior grade and claims long-term use lightens the body, brightens the face, and enables walking on water. *Dianshu* says: Long-term Ze Xie use allows one to walk 500 li a day and walk on water. Alias: Ze Zhi. Tao Hongjing and Su Song believed this. I doubt it. Ze Xie promotes water flow and drains the Kidney; long-term use is inadvisable, let alone such miraculous effects. The error is evident.
【Attached Prescriptions】 Three old, four new.
Alcohol-induced wind with sweating: See formula under Mi Xian.
Edema due to water-dampness: Bai Zhu and Ze Xie, each 1 liang, powdered or made into pills. Take 3 qian each time, washed down with Fu Ling decoction. (*Baoming Ji*)
Summerheat stroke with cholera-like symptoms, ineffective urination, dizziness, and thirst. Sanbai San (Three Whites Powder): Ze Xie, Bai Zhu, Bai Fu Ling, each 3 qian; 1 cup of water, 5 slices of ginger, 10 stems of Deng Xin Cao (Juncus Effusus), decoct to 8/10 volume, take warm. (*Ju Fang*)
Zhi Yin causing painful vertigo: Zhang Zhongjing's Ze Xie Tang: Ze Xie 5 liang, Bai Zhu 2 liang; 2 sheng of water, decoct to 1 sheng, divide into two doses. *Shenshi Fang*: Decoct the two herbs in 2 sheng of water to get 1 sheng; then decoct Ze Xie in 1 sheng of water to get 5 he; mix these two juices and take in two doses. Severe cases with dizziness will surely recover.
Kidney wind sores: Ze Xie, Zao Jia (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit, boiled until soft), dried and powdered, honey-pilled to size of wu zi. Take 15-20 pills with warm wine on an empty stomach. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Strange post-malaria symptom: Gas exits mouth/nose, swirls without dissipating, condenses like a black cover, spreads to shoulders/chest over 10 days, adheres to flesh, harder than metal/stone.
Leaf
【Flavor and Properties】 Salty, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】 Leprosy (Da Feng), lack of lactation, difficult labor, strengthens Yin Qi. Long-term use lightens the body. (*Bielu*) Strengthens Water Zang (Kidney), unblocks blood vessels. (Da Ming)
Fruit
【Flavor and Properties】 Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】 Wind-Bi and thirst, benefits Kidney Qi, strengthens Yin, tonifies insufficiency, dispels pathogenic dampness. Long-term use brightens complexion but causes infertility. (*Bielu*)
【Elucidation】 Li Shizhen says: *Bielu* states Ze Xie leaf and fruit strengthen Yin Qi and cause infertility with long-term use; whereas *Rihuazi* says Ze Xie induces labor and tonifies the Blood Sea, enabling conception. These seem contradictory. If it strengthens Yin, why cause infertility? If it induces labor, why enable conception? Likely, when combined with tonics, Ze Xie expels damp-heat and pathogens from the Lower Jiao; once pathogens are gone, Yin is strong and the Sea is clean, enabling conception. However, long-term use severely drains Kidney Qi, making the Blood Sea cold, thus causing infertility. One must not read rigidly.
【Appendix】 Suan E *Bielu* mentions a named but unused herb: Treats foul sores, removes white worms. Grows near water, resembles Ze Xie.