（《拾遗》）
藏器曰∶生蜀川山谷，叶细长，在诸草中羊不吃者，是也。味苦、辛，温，无毒。主一
切风血补益，攻诸病。煮之，亦浸酒服。
时珍曰∶此草似羊踯躅而云无毒，盖别有此也。
（《本经》下品）
【校正】自木部移入此。
【释名】杜芫（《别录》）、赤芫（《吴普》）、去水（《本经》）、毒鱼（《别录》）、头痛
花（《纲
时珍曰∶芫或作 ，其义未详。去水言其功，毒鱼言其性，大戟言其似也。俗人因其气
恶，呼为头痛花。《山海经》云∶首山其草多芫，是也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶芫花生淮源川谷。三月三日采花，阴干。
普曰∶芫根生邯郸。二月生叶，青色，加浓则黑。华有紫、赤、白者。三月实落尽，叶
乃生。三月采花，五月采叶，八月、九月采根，阴干。
保升曰∶近道处处有之。苗高二、三尺，叶似白前及柳叶，根皮黄似桑根。正月、二月
花发，
紫碧色，叶未生时收采日干。叶生花落，即不堪用也。
颂曰∶在处有之。宿根旧枝茎紫，长一二尺。根入土深三、五寸，白色，似榆根。春生
苗叶，
小而尖，似杨柳枝叶。二月开紫花，颇似紫荆而作穗，又似藤花而细。今绛州出者花黄，谓
之黄芫花。
时珍曰∶顾野王《玉篇》云∶ 木出豫章，煎汁藏果及卵不坏。洪迈《容斋随笔》云∶
今饶州处处有之。茎干不纯是木。小人争斗者，取叶 擦皮肤，辄作赤肿如被伤，以诬人。
至和盐擦卵，则又染其外若赭色也。
【修治】弘景曰∶用当微熬。不可近眼。
时珍曰∶芫花留数年陈久者良。用时以好醋煮十数沸，去醋，以水浸一宿，晒干用，则
毒
【气味】根同。辛，温，有小毒。《别录》曰∶苦，微温。
普曰∶神农、黄帝、雷公∶苦，有毒；扁鹊、岐伯∶苦；李当之∶有大毒，多服令人泄。
之才曰∶决明为之使。反甘草。
【主治】咳逆上气，喉鸣喘，咽肿短气，蛊毒鬼疟，疝瘕痈肿。杀虫鱼（《本经》）。消
胸中痰水，喜唾，水肿，五水在五脏皮肤及腰痛，下寒毒肉毒。根∶疗疥疮。可用毒鱼（《别
录》）。治心腹胀满，去水气寒痰，涕唾如胶，通利血脉，治恶疮风痹湿，一切毒风，四肢
挛急，不能行步（甄权）。疗咳嗽瘴疟（大明）。治水饮痰 ，胁下痛（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶张仲景治伤寒太阳证，表不解，心下有水气，干呕发热而咳，或喘或
利者，小青龙汤主之。若表已解，有时头痛出汗、不恶寒，心下有水气，干呕，痛引两胁，
或喘或咳者，十枣汤主之。盖小青龙治未发散表邪，使水气自毛窍而出，乃《内经》所谓开
鬼门法也。十枣汤驱逐里邪，使水气自大小便而泄，乃《内经》所谓洁净府、去陈
。夫饮有五，皆由内啜水浆，外受湿气，郁蓄而为留饮。流于肺则为支饮，令人喘咳寒热，
吐沫背寒；流于胁
吐，寒热眩晕；流于肠胃，则为痰饮，令人腹鸣吐水，胸胁支满，或作泄泻，忽肥忽瘦；流
于经络，则为溢饮，令人沉重注痛，或作水气 肿。芫花、大戟、甘
直达水饮窠囊隐僻之处。但可徐徐用之，取效甚捷。不可过剂，泄人真元也。陈言《三因方》，
以十枣汤药为末，用枣肉和丸，以治水气喘急浮肿之证，盖善变通者也。
杨士瀛《直指方》云∶破癖须用芫花，行水后便养胃可也。
好古曰∶水者，肺、肾、脾三经所主，有五脏六腑十二经之部分。上而头，中而四肢，下而
腰脚，外而皮毛，中而肌肉，内而筋骨。脉有尺寸之殊，浮沉之别。不可轻泻药。当知病在何
经何脏，方可用之。若误投之，则害深矣。芫花与甘草相反，而胡洽居士方，治痰癖饮癖，
以甘遂、大戟、芫花、大黄、甘草同用。盖欲其大吐以泄湿，因相反而相激也。
【正误】慎微曰∶《三国志》云∶魏初平中，有青牛先生，常服芫花，年百余岁，常如
五、六十人。
时珍曰∶芫花乃下品毒物，岂堪久服？此方外迂怪之言，不足信也。
【附方】旧五，新二十一。
卒得咳嗽∶芫花一升。水三升，煮汁一升，以枣十四枚，煮汁干。日食五枚，必愈。（《肘
后》）
卒嗽有痰∶芫花一两（炒）。水一升，煮四沸，去滓，白糖入半斤。每服枣许。勿食酸
咸物。（张文仲《备急方》）
喘嗽失音，暴伤寒冷，喘嗽失音∶取芫花连根一虎口，切曝干。令病患以荐自裹。舂令
灰飞扬，入其七孔中。当眼泪出，口鼻皆辣，待芫根尽乃止。病即愈。（《古今录验》）
干呕胁痛，伤寒有时头痛，心下痞满，痛引两胁，干呕短气，汗出不恶寒者，表解里未
和也，十枣汤主之∶芫花（熬）、甘遂、大戟各等分，为散。以大枣十枚，水一升半，煮取
八合，去滓纳药。强人服一钱，羸人半钱，平旦服之，当下利病除。如不除，明旦更服。（仲
景《伤寒论》）水肿支饮，及 饮∶用十枣汤加大黄、甘草，五物各一两，大枣十枚同煮，
如法服。一方∶加芒硝一两。（胡洽《百病方
天行烦乱∶凝雪汤∶治天行毒病七八日，热积胸中，烦乱欲死。用芫花一斤。水三升，
煮取一升半，渍故布薄胸上。不过再三薄，热则除。当温四肢，护厥逆也。（《千金方》）
久疟结癖，在腹胁坚痛者∶芫花（炒）二两，朱砂五钱，为末，蜜丸梧子大。每服十丸，
枣汤下。（《直指》）
水蛊胀满∶芫花、枳壳等分，以醋煮芫花至烂，乃下枳壳煮烂，捣丸梧子大。每服三十
丸，
白汤下。（《普济方》）
酒疸尿黄发黄，心懊痛，足胫满∶芫花、椒目等分，烧末。水服半钱，日二服。（《肘后》）
背腿间痛，一点痛，不可忍者∶芫花根末，米醋调敷之。如不住，以帛束之。妇人产后
有此，尤宜。（《袖珍》）
诸般气痛∶芫花（醋煮）半两，玄胡索（炒）一两半，为末。每服一钱。男子元脏痛，
葱酒下。
疟疾，乌梅汤下。妇人血气痛，当归酒下。诸气痛，香附汤下；小肠气痛，茴香汤下。（《仁
存》）
鬼胎症瘕，经候不通∶芫花根三两（锉）。炒黄为末。每服一钱，桃仁煎汤调下，当利
恶物而
催生去胎∶芫花根剥皮，以绵裹，点麝香，套入阴穴三寸，即下。（《摄生妙用方》）
产后恶物不下∶芫花、当归等分，炒为末。调一钱服。（《保命集》）
心痛有虫∶芫花一两（醋炒），雄黄一钱，为末。每服一字，温醋汤下。（《乾坤生意》）
牙痛难忍，诸药不效∶芫花末擦之，令热痛定，以温水漱之。（《永类方》）
白秃头疮∶芫花末，猪脂和敷之。（《集效方》）
痈肿初起∶芫花末，和胶涂之。（《千金》）
痈疖已溃∶芫花根皮搓作捻，插入，则不生合，令脓易竭也。（《集简方》）
痔疮乳核∶芫根一握，洗净，入木臼捣烂，入少水绞汁，于石器中慢火煎成膏。将丝线
于膏
内度过，以线系痔，当微痛。候痔干落，以纸捻蘸膏纳窍内，去根，当永除根也。一方∶
只捣汁浸线一夜用。不得使水。（《经验》）
瘰 初起气壮人∶用芫根擂水一盏服，大吐利，即平。黄州陈大用所传。（《濒湖集简方》）
便毒初起∶芫根擂水服，以渣敷之，得下即消。黄州熊珍所传。（《濒湖集简方》）
赘瘤焦法∶甘草煎膏，笔妆瘤之四围，上三次。乃用芫花、大戟、甘遂等分，为末，醋
调。别以笔妆其中，勿近甘草。次日缩小，又以甘草膏妆小晕三次如前，仍上此药，自然焦
缩。（危氏《得效方》）
利为度。（危氏《得效方》）。
（《本草拾遗》）
陈藏器说：生长在蜀地山谷中，叶子细长，在各类草中羊不吃的那种，就是它。味道苦、辛，性温，无毒。主治各种风血病证，具有补益作用，能攻治各种疾病。煮水服用，也可以浸泡酒后服用。
李时珍说：这种草看起来像羊踯躅，但声称无毒，大概是因为这是另一种植物吧。
（《神农本草经》下品）
【校正】从木部移入此部。
【释名】杜芫（出自《名医别录》）、赤芫（出自《吴普本草》）、去水（出自《神农本草经》）、毒鱼（出自《名医别录》）、头痛花（出自《本草纲目》）。
李时珍说：“芫”字有时写作“𦰩”，其含义不详。“去水”是说它的功效，“毒鱼”是说它的药性，“大戟”是说它与大戟相似。俗人因为它气味恶臭，称之为头痛花。《山海经》说：首山生长的草中有很多芫，指的就是这种。
【集解】《名医别录》说：芫花生于淮源川谷。三月三日采集花朵，阴干。
吴普说：芫根生于邯郸。二月生叶，青色，颜色加深则变黑。花有紫、赤、白三种颜色。三月果实落尽后，叶子才生长。三月采花，五月采叶，八月、九月采根，阴干。
苏保升说：附近各地都有。苗高二三尺，叶子像白前和柳叶，根皮黄色像桑根。正月、二月开花，呈紫碧色，在叶子未长出时采收并晒干。叶子长出花谢后，就不堪使用了。
苏颂说：到处都有。宿根的旧枝茎呈紫色，长一二尺。根深入土三、五寸，白色，像榆树根。春天生出苗叶，小而尖，像杨柳的枝叶。二月开紫花，很像紫荆花但成穗状，又像藤花但更细。现在绛州出产的花是黄色的，称为黄芫花。
李时珍说：顾野王《玉篇》记载：𦰩木产于豫章，煎汁可以保存水果和鸡蛋不坏。洪迈《容斋随笔》记载：现在饶州到处都有。茎干不完全是木质。小人争斗时，取叶子擦拭皮肤，就会红肿如被殴打受伤，以此诬陷他人。用盐擦鸡蛋，又会染成赭色。
【修治】陶弘景说：使用时应当微炒。不可靠近眼睛。
李时珍说：芫花留置数年陈久的为好。用时用好醋煮十几沸，去掉醋，用水浸泡一夜，晒干使用，毒性就降低了。
【气味】根部气味相同。辛，温，有小毒。《名医别录》说：苦，微温。
吴普说：神农、黄帝、雷公认为：苦，有毒；扁鹊、岐伯认为：苦；李当之认为：有大毒，多服使人腹泻。
徐之才说：决明是它的使药。与甘草相反。
【主治】咳嗽气逆，喉间鸣响气喘，咽喉肿痛，呼吸短促，蛊毒鬼疟，疝气瘕块痈肿。杀虫、毒鱼（出自《神农本草经》）。消除胸中痰水，多唾，水肿，五脏皮肤间的五种水饮及腰痛，排出寒毒肉毒。根部：治疗疥疮。可用于毒鱼（出自《名医别录》）。治疗心腹胀满，去除水气寒痰，鼻涕唾液像胶一样粘稠，通利血脉，治疗恶疮风痹湿，各种毒风，四肢拘挛紧急，不能行走（甄权）。治疗咳嗽瘴疟（大明）。治疗水饮痰癖，胁下疼痛（李时珍）。
【发明】李时珍说：张仲景治疗伤寒太阳证，表证未解，心下有停水，干呕发热而咳，或者喘或者利的，用小青龙汤主治。如果表证已解，有时头痛出汗、不怕冷，心下有停水，干呕，疼痛牵引两胁，或者喘或者咳的，用十枣汤主治。小青龙汤发散表邪，使水气从毛孔排出，这是《内经》所说的“开鬼门”法。十枣汤驱逐里邪，使水气从大小便排泄，这是《内经》所说的“洁净府”、去除陈旧积滞的方法。水饮有五种，都是由内饮水浆，外受湿气，郁结蓄积而成留饮。流注于肺则为支饮，使人喘咳寒热，吐沫背寒；流注于胁下则为悬饮，使人呕吐眩晕；流注于肠胃则为痰饮，使人腹鸣吐水，胸胁胀满，或者作泄泻，忽胖忽瘦；流注于经络则为溢饮，使人身体沉重注痛，或者作水气浮肿。芫花、大戟、甘遂直达水饮积聚的隐蔽之处。只能慢慢使用，见效很快。不可过量，否则会耗损人的真元。陈言《三因方》，将十枣汤药物研为末，用枣肉和丸，用来治疗水气喘急浮肿的病证，这算是善于变通了。
杨士瀛《直指方》说：破除癖积必须用芫花，行水之后随即养胃就可以了。
李杲说：水液由肺、肾、脾三经主管，涉及五脏六腑十二经的部位。上至头部，中至四肢，下至腰脚，外至皮毛，中至肌肉，内至筋骨。脉象有尺寸的不同，浮沉的区别。不可轻易使用泻下药。应当知道病在何经何脏，然后才能使用。如果误投，危害就很深了。芫花与甘草相反，但胡洽居士的方子，治疗痰癖饮癖，将甘遂、大戟、芫花、大黄、甘草一起使用。大概是想要通过剧烈呕吐来泄湿，利用相反相激的原理。
【正误】慎微说：《三国志》记载：魏朝初平年间，有位青牛先生，常服用芫花，一百多岁，外貌常常像五六十岁的人。
李时珍说：芫花乃是下品毒药，怎么能长期服用？这是方外迂怪的话，不值得相信。
【附方】旧方五个，新方二十一个。
突然咳嗽：芫花一升。水三升，煮取汁一升，加入十四枚大枣，煮至汁干。每天吃五枚，必定痊愈。（《肘后备急方》）
突然咳嗽有痰：芫花一两（炒）。水一升，煮四沸，去渣，加入半斤白糖。每次服用枣核大小的量。不要吃酸咸食物。（张文仲《备急方》）
喘嗽失音，暴感寒冷，喘嗽失音：取芫花连根一把，切碎晒干。让病人自己包裹坐在上面。捣碎直到灰飞扬，进入病人的七窍中。眼泪流出，口鼻都感到辛辣，等到芫花根用完为止。病即痊愈。（《古今录验》）
干呕胁痛，伤寒有时头痛，心下痞满，疼痛牵引两胁，干呕短气，汗出不怕冷的，是表解里未和，用十枣汤主治：芫花（炒）、甘遂、大戟各等分，研为散。用大枣十枚，水一升半，煮取八合，去渣纳入药粉。体质强者服一钱，体弱者半钱，清晨服用，应当腹泻病除。如果不愈，第二天早晨再服。（张仲景《伤寒论》）
水肿支饮，以及溢饮：用十枣汤加大黄、甘草，五味药各一两，大枣十枚同煮，依法服用。另一方案：加芒硝一两。（胡洽《百病方》）
天行热病烦乱：凝雪汤：治疗天行毒病七八日，热积胸中，烦乱欲死。用芫花一斤。水三升，煮取一升半，浸透旧布薄敷胸部。不超过三次热敷，热退即止。应当温暖四肢，防止厥逆。（《千金方》）
久疟结成癖块，在腹胁坚硬疼痛的：芫花（炒）二两，朱砂五钱，研为末，蜜丸梧子大。每次服十丸，枣汤送下。（《直指方》）
水蛊胀满：芫花、枳壳等分，用醋煮芫花至烂，再加入枳壳煮烂，捣丸梧子大。每次服三十丸，白开水送下。（《普济方》）
酒疸尿黄发黄，心中懊憹疼痛，足胫肿胀：芫花、椒目等分，烧成末。水服半钱，每日两次服用。（《肘后备急方》）
背腿间痛，一点痛，不可忍受：芫花根末，米醋调敷。如果不缓解，用帛束紧。妇人产后有此症，尤其适宜。（《袖珍方》）
各种气痛：芫花（醋煮）半两，玄胡索（炒）一两半，研为末。每次服一钱。男子元脏痛，葱酒送下。
疟疾，乌梅汤送下。妇人血气痛，当归酒送下。诸气痛，香附汤送下；小肠气痛，茴香汤送下。（《仁存方》）
鬼胎症瘕，月经不通：芫花根三两（锉碎）。炒黄研为末。每次服一钱，桃仁煎汤调下，应当排出恶物而病愈。
催生去胎：芫花根剥皮，用棉裹住，点上麝香，套入阴穴三寸，胎儿即下。（《摄生妙用方》）
产后恶露不下：芫花、当归等分，炒为末。调服一钱。（《保命集》）
心痛有虫：芫花一两（醋炒），雄黄一钱，研为末。每次服一字，温醋汤送下。（《乾坤生意》）
牙痛难忍，诸药无效：芫花末擦患处，令热痛定，用温水漱口。（《永类方》）
白秃头疮：芫花末，猪脂调和敷之。（《集效方》）
痈肿初起：芫花末，和胶涂之。（《千金方》）
痈疖已溃：芫花根皮搓成捻条，插入伤口，则不生合，令脓易竭也。（《集简方》）
痔疮乳核：芫根一把，洗净，入木臼捣烂，入少水绞汁，于石器中慢火煎成膏。将丝线穿过膏内，以线系痔，当微痛。候痔干落，以纸捻蘸膏纳窍内，去根，当永除根也。一方：只捣汁浸线一夜用。不得使水。（《经验方》）
瘰疬初起气壮人：用芫根擂水一盏服，大吐利，即平。黄州陈大用所传。（《濒湖集简方》）
便毒初起：芫根擂水服，以渣敷之，得下即消。黄州熊珍所传。（《濒湖集简方》）
赘瘤焦法：甘草煎膏，笔妆瘤之四围，上三次。乃用芫花、大戟、甘遂等分，为末，醋调。别以笔妆其中，勿近甘草。次日缩小，又以甘草膏妆小晕三次如前，仍上此药，自然焦缩。（危氏《得效方》）
(From *Shelie*)
Chen Cangqi stated: It grows in the valleys of Shu. Its leaves are slender and long; among various herbs, it is the one that sheep refuse to eat. It tastes bitter and pungent, is warm in nature, and is non-toxic. It treats all wind-blood disorders, provides nourishment, and attacks various diseases. It can be taken as a decoction or soaked in wine.
Li Shizhen stated: This herb resembles *Rhododendron molle* (Yang Zhi Zhu) but is claimed to be non-toxic; it is likely a different species.
(From *Shennong Bencao Jing*, Lower Grade)
[Correction] Transferred from the Wood category to this section.
[Names] Du Yuan (from *Bielu*), Chi Yuan (from *Wu Pu*), Qu Shui (from *Benjing*), Du Yu (from *Bielu*), Tou Tong Hua (from *Bencao Gangmu*).
Li Shizhen stated: The character "Yuan" is sometimes written as "𦰩", the meaning of which is unknown. "Qu Shui" refers to its function, "Du Yu" refers to its nature, and "Daji" refers to its similarity to *Euphorbia pekinensis*. Common people call it "Tou Tong Hua" (Headache Flower) because of its foul odor. *Shan Hai Jing* states: "The grass on Mount Shou is mostly Yuan," referring to this plant.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Yuan Hua grows in the valleys of Huaiyuan. Flowers are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade.
Wu Pu stated: The root of Yuan grows in Handan. Leaves emerge in the second lunar month, green in color, turning black when darker. Flowers are purple, red, or white. Fruits fall by the third lunar month, after which leaves grow. Flowers are harvested in the third lunar month, leaves in the fifth, and roots in the eighth and ninth lunar months, then dried in the shade.
Su Baosheng stated: It is found everywhere nearby. The seedling is two to three chi high. Leaves resemble those of *Pedicularis resupinata* (Bai Qian) and willow. The root bark is yellow, resembling mulberry root. Flowers bloom in the first and second lunar months, appearing purple-green. They should be harvested before leaves emerge and dried in the sun. Once leaves appear and flowers wither, they are unsuitable for use.
Su Song stated: It is found everywhere. Old stems of perennial roots are purple, one to two chi long. Roots penetrate the soil three to five cun deep, are white, and resemble elm roots. Seedlings and leaves emerge in spring, small and pointed, resembling willow branches. Purple flowers bloom in the second lunar month, resembling *Cercis chinensis* (Zi Jing) but in spikes, and similar to vine flowers but finer. Those produced in Jiangzhou have yellow flowers and are called Huang Yuan Hua.
Li Shizhen stated: Gu Yewang's *Yupian* records: "Mu [Yuan] grows in Yuzhang; its decoction preserves fruits and eggs from spoiling." Hong Mai's *Rongzhai Suibi* records: "It is now found everywhere in Raozhou. The stem is not purely woody. Petty people use its leaves to rub the skin during fights, causing redness and swelling like bruises, to frame others. Rubbing salt on an egg dyes it ochre-colored."
[Processing] Tao Hongjing stated: It should be slightly roasted before use. Avoid contact with eyes.
Li Shizhen stated: Aged Yuan Hua stored for several years is superior. For use, boil in good vinegar for over ten boils, discard the vinegar, soak in water overnight, dry in the sun, and then use to reduce toxicity.
[Aroma and Flavor] The root has the same properties. Pungent, warm, slightly toxic. *Bielu* states: Bitter, slightly warm.
Wu Pu stated: Shennong, Huangdi, and Leigong considered it bitter and toxic; Bian Que and Qibo considered it bitter; Li Dangzhi considered it highly toxic, stating that excessive consumption causes diarrhea.
Xu Zhicai stated: *Cassia obtusifolia* (Jueming) acts as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Licorice Root (Gan Cao).
[Main Actions] Cough with rebellious Qi, wheezing in the throat, sore throat, shortness of breath, gu poison, ghost malaria, hernia, masses, abscesses. Kills parasites and fish (from *Benjing*). Eliminates phlegm-fluid in the chest, excessive salivation, edema, fluid retention in the five zang organs and skin, lower back pain, and expels cold and meat toxins. The root treats scabies and can be used to poison fish (from *Bielu*). Treats abdominal distension and fullness, removes fluid retention and cold-phlegm, thick sputum, unblocks blood vessels, treats malignant sores, wind-bi-dampness, all toxic winds, limb spasms and stiffness preventing walking (Zhen Quan). Treats cough and malarial fevers (Daming). Treats fluid retention and phlegm-masses, hypochondriac pain (Li Shizhen).
[Innovation/Explanation] Li Shizhen stated: Zhang Zhongjing treated Taiyang syndrome in Shanghan, where the exterior was not resolved and there was fluid retention in the epigastrium, presenting with dry retching, fever, and cough, or wheezing or diarrhea; Xiao Qing Long Tang was the primary formula. If the exterior was resolved, but there was occasional headache, sweating, aversion to cold absent, fluid retention in the epigastrium, dry retching, pain radiating to both hypochondria, or wheezing/cough; Shi Zao Tang was the primary formula. Xiao Qing Long Tang disperses exterior pathogens, allowing fluid retention to exit via hair pores, following the Neijing principle of "opening the ghost gates." Shi Zao Tang drives out interior pathogens, allowing fluid retention to exit via urination and defecation, following the Neijing principle of "cleaning the fu organs" and removing old stagnation. There are five types of fluid retention, caused by internal consumption of water/grain and external dampness, leading to accumulation. Flowing into the lungs constitutes Zhi Yin (branching fluid), causing wheezing, cough, chills/fever, frothy sputum, and back cold; flowing into the hypochondrium constitutes Xuan Yin (hanging fluid), causing vomiting, chills/fever, and vertigo; flowing into the stomach/intestines constitutes Tan Yin (phlegm-fluid), causing borborygmus, vomiting water, chest/hypochondriac fullness, diarrhea, and fluctuating weight; flowing into meridians constitutes Yi Yin (overflowing fluid), causing heaviness, fixed pain, or edema. Yuan Hua, Daji, and Gansui reach the hidden nests of fluid retention directly. They must be used gradually for rapid effect. Overdose depletes true Yuan energy. Chen Yan's *Sanyin Fang* powdered Shi Zao Tang pills with jujube paste treat water-induced asthma and edema, showing flexibility.
Yang Shaying's *Zhizhi Fang* stated: To break masses, Yuan Hua is necessary; nourish the stomach immediately after promoting water metabolism.
Li Gao stated: Water metabolism is governed by the Lung, Kidney, and Spleen channels, involving the twelve meridians of the five zang and six fu. It affects the head, limbs, waist/legs, skin/hair, muscles, and bones/pelvis. Pulse diagnoses vary by position (cun/chix) and depth (floating/sinking). Do not lightly use purgatives. One must know the affected channel and zang organ before use. Misuse causes deep harm. Although Yuan Hua is incompatible with Gan Cao, Hu Qia Jushi's formula for phlegm/water masses combines Kansui, Daji, Yuan Hua, Rhubarb, and Gan Cao. This likely aims at violent emesis to drain dampness, utilizing the antagonistic interaction.
[Correction of Errors] Shen Wei stated: *Records of the Three Kingdoms* mentions: In the early Ping era of Wei, Master Qing Niu often consumed Yuan Hua, living over a hundred years while appearing fifty to sixty years old.
Li Shizhen stated: Yuan Hua is a lower-grade toxic substance; how can it be taken long-term? This is an eccentric tale from outside medicine and is not credible.
[Attached Formulas] Five old formulas, twenty-one new formulas.
Sudden cough: One sheng of Yuan Hua. Three sheng of water, boiled down to one sheng of juice. Add fourteen jujubes, boil until dry. Take five pieces daily until cured. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Sudden cough with phlegm: One liang of Yuan Hua (stir-fried). One sheng of water, boiled four times. Strain, add half a jin of white sugar. Take a date-sized amount each time. Avoid sour and salty foods. (*Zhang Wenzhong Beiji Fang*)
Sudden loss of voice due to cough/wheezing and cold injury: Take a handful of Yuan Hua including roots, slice and dry. Have the patient sit wrapped in it. Pound until ash flies, inhale through the seven orifices. Tears will flow, mouth/nose will feel spicy. Stop when the root is exhausted. The disease will cure. (*Gujin Luyan*)
Dry retching, hypochondriac pain, occasional headache in Shanghan, epigastric fullness, pain radiating to hypochondria, dry retching, shortness of breath, sweating without aversion to cold: Exterior resolved, interior unharmonized. Use Shi Zao Tang: Equal parts processed Yuan Hua, Kansui, and Daji, powdered. Ten jujubes, one and a half sheng of water, boiled to eight he. Strain, add medicine. Strong adults take one qian, weak adults half a qian, taken at dawn. Diarrhea should occur, curing the disease. If not cured, take again next morning. (*Zhang Zhongjing Shanghan Lun*)
Edema, Zhi Yin, and Yi Yin: Use Shi Zao Tang plus Rhubarb and Licorice, one liang each of the five items, ten jujubes, boiled together, taken according to method. Alternative: Add one liang of Mirabilite. (*Hu Qia Bai Bing Fang*)
Epidemic heat causing restlessness: Ningxue Tang: Treats epidemic toxin disease after 7-8 days, heat accumulated in chest, extreme restlessness. One jin of Yuan Hua. Three sheng of water, boiled to one and a half sheng. Soak old cloth thinly and apply to chest. Apply no more than three times; remove when heat subsides. Keep limbs warm to prevent reversal cold. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Chronic malaria forming masses, hard and painful in abdomen/hypochondria: Two liang of stir-fried Yuan Hua, five qian of Cinnabar, powdered, honey-pilled size of wu zi. Take ten pills with jujube soup. (*Zhizhi Fang*)
Hydrotympanites/distension: Equal parts Yuan Hua and Aurantium. Boil Yuan Hua in vinegar until soft, add Aurantium, boil until soft, pill size of wu zi. Take thirty pills with plain water. (*Puji Fang*)
Jaundice from alcohol, yellow urine, yellow skin, chest oppression/pain, swollen legs: Equal parts Yuan Hua and Sichuan Pepper seeds, burned to ash. Take half a qian with water, twice daily. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Pain between back and thighs, sharp point pain unbearable: Powdered Yuan Hua root mixed with rice vinegar applied topically. If ineffective, bind tightly. Especially suitable for postpartum women. (*Xiuzhen Fang*)
Various Qi pains: Half a liang of Yuan Hua (vinegar-boiled), one and a half liang of stir-fried Corydalis (Xuanhusuo), powdered. Take one qian. For men's yuan zang pain, take with green onion wine. For malaria, take with dark plum soup. For women's blood/qi pain, take with Angelica wine. For general qi pain, take with Cyperus soup. For small intestine qi pain, take with Fennel soup. (*Ren Cun Fang*)
Ghost fetus/masses, amenorrhea: Three liang of Yuan Hua root (chopped). Stir-fry until yellow, powder. Take one qian, mixed with Peach Kernel decoction. Expulsion of evil matter expected.
Induce labor/remove fetus: Peel Yuan Hua root, wrap in cotton, apply Musk, insert three cun into vagina. Fetus will descend. (*Shesheng Miaoyong Fang*)
Postpartum retention of lochia: Equal parts Yuan Hua and Angelica, stir-fried and powdered. Take one qian mixed. (*Baoming Ji*)
Heart pain with parasites: One liang of Yuan Hua (vinegar-stir-fried), one qian of Realgar, powdered. Take one zi with warm vinegar soup. (*Qiankun Shengyi*)
Unbearable tooth pain, other medicines ineffective: Rub with Yuan Hua powder until heat/pain subsides, rinse with warm water. (*Yonglei Fang*)
White tinea capitis: Yuan Hua powder mixed with lard applied topically. (*Jixiao Fang*)
Initial carbuncles/swellings: Yuan Hua powder mixed with glue applied topically. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Ulcerated carbuncles/furuncles: Roll Yuan Hua root bark into strips, insert into wound to prevent closure and facilitate pus drainage. (*Jijian Fang*)
Hemorrhoids/breast nodules: A handful of Yuan Hua root, washed, pounded in mortar, mixed with little water, strained, slow-cooked in earthenware to paste. Pass silk thread through paste, tie around hemorrhoid, slight pain expected. Wait for hemorrhoid to dry and fall off, apply paper twist dipped in paste to cavity to remove root. Alternative: Soak thread in juice overnight. Keep dry. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Initial scrofula in robust individuals: Drink one cup of water rubbed with Yuan Hua root. Violent vomiting/diarrhea expected, condition resolves. Passed down from Chen Dayong of Huangzhou. (*Binhu Jijian Fang*)
Initial bubo: Drink water rubbed with Yuan Hua root, apply residue topically. Resolution expected upon evacuation. Passed down from Xiong Zhen of Huangzhou. (*Binhu Jijian Fang*)
Method to cauterize warts: Decoct Licorice to paste. Paint around wart perimeter three times. Then mix equal parts Yuan Hua, Daji, and Kansui, powder, mix with vinegar. Paint center only, avoiding Licorice. Next day shrink, paint Licorice halo three times again, reapply mixture. Naturally cauterizes and shrinks. (*Weishi Dexiao Fang*)