又名牡蒙。六月采根。晒干。皮色红紫。肉带红白。
苦辛微寒。气味俱浓。阴也。降也。入足厥阴。亦入足阳明。为除热散结逐血之要药。
主心腹积聚。寒热邪气。（皆因于血之滞）通九窍。利大小便。治肠胃大热。血痢吐衄。肠
中聚血。妇人血闭。治诸血病。及痈肿积块之属厥阴者。疗金疮。破血生肌肉。止渴。补虚
益气。佐甘草。治下利纯血腹痛。名紫参汤。吐血不止。用紫参阿胶甘草等分。为末。乌梅
汤或糯米汤服一二钱。
〔论〕紫参专入血分。而血分之治。专主其滞者。何也。以此品五月开花。虽苦寒而实
透于至阳之气化以出。即采根亦以六月阳极之候。非因其乘阳气以化阴者。入血而奏宣瘀和
血之功乎。若止用其苦寒以对待血滞。虽有大热。恐不免犯寒泣之忌矣。况补虚益气。如苏
恭所说。岂能责之苦寒乎。由斯绎之。则兹味不甚寒而能疗大热之溢血。亦善物也。
雅州眉州者良。有二种。一根粗无毛。有连珠。形如鹰爪。其质坚实。其色深黄。一
无珠多毛。中虚色淡黄。用各有所宜。（核）节多坚重。相击有声。色鲜明如赤金者善。芦
多者劣。瘦小须多者。不堪入药。（原始）
根味苦而浓。气寒而降。性冷而燥。阴也。入手少阴经。（苦入心。火就燥）并入手阳
明足少阳厥阴足阳明太阴。经冬不凋。寒水之象。有节色黄。中土之制。心之用药也。（复）
镇肝凉血。（本寒水之化以入心。故能凉血。凉血即所以镇肝。）调胃浓肠。主治郁热在中。
烦躁消渴。或兀兀欲吐。心下痞满。（仲景治九种心下痞。五等泻心汤。皆用之。）吞酸吐酸。
或卒心痛。并胁及小腹边痛。热呕热泻。一切湿热。腹痛热痢。五脏冷热。久下泄 脓血。
疗暑毒。及一切天行热毒。诸疮疡毒。治热气目痛皆伤泪出。又小儿疳气。妇人阴中肿痛。
（诸本草）能泻心火。故本草言其宁神。治惊悸安神定惊等丸皆用之。（嵩）凡治血病。防
风为上使。黄连为中使。（泻心实泻脾。故目为中焦使 。）地榆为下使。（海藏）盖心为血
主。黄连本寒水之化以入心。正所以调血而治肠 诸病也。伤寒留蓄恶血。内外俱热。有证
与少阳相似者。如服小柴胡不效。当以黄连一分。赤茯苓半分。入灯心煎与之。又大小产热
入血室。小柴胡力所不及者。于内加五灵脂。仍以黄连赤苓佐之。盖心主血而连苓皆清心凉
血之剂也。（仁斋）黄连入中土气分。去湿热而泻心火。若脾胃气虚不能转运者。以茯苓黄
芩代之。（丹溪）丹溪治食积丸。首用黄连。以吴萸制连而治左。以益智制连而治右。佐以
枳壳。消痞甚速。用姜汁制炒。治上焦痰火。（嘉谟）同木香用。治心下痞。并肠中积滞。
为腹痛下痢之要药。同吴萸用。治肝火。兼胁与小腹边痛。又为吞吐酸水要药。（嵩）黄连
为病酒之仙药。滞下之神草。六经所至。各有殊功。（仲淳）诸苦寒药多泄。惟连柏性冷而
燥。能降火去湿而止泻痢。故治痢以之为君。盖治痢惟宜辛苦寒药。辛能发散。开通郁结。
苦能燥湿。寒能胜热。使气宣平而已。（守真）下痢。胃口热。噤口者。用黄连人参煎汤。
终日呷之。如吐。再强饮。但得一呷下咽。便好。（丹溪）以黄土姜汁酒蜜四炒为君。使君
子为臣。酒白芍为佐。木香为使。治小儿五疳。以吴萸同炒。加木香等分。生大黄倍之。水
丸。治五痢。（韩 ）治痢。用干姜黄连。名姜连散。治消渴。用酒蒸黄连。治口疮。用细
辛黄连。不独相制而无偏胜之患。亦审其受病之浅深。脏腑之上下以制使也。同赤柽叶入三
黄石膏汤。治痧疹已透而烦躁不止。入当归六黄汤。加枣仁龙眼。治盗汗。同地黄甘菊荆芥
穗甘草梢柴胡川芎木通蝉蜕。治风热上攻。目赤痛。同芍药扁豆莲子升麻滑石甘草红曲。治
一切滞下脓血。同槐花枳壳乳香没药。治滞下纯血腹痛。同人参莲子。治虚人患痢。及老人
产妇滞下不止。同麦冬五味。治卒消渴。小便多。同五谷虫芦荟白芜荑青黛白槿花白芙蓉花。
治小儿一切疳热。
附方 香连丸。治赤白诸痢。里急后重腹痛。用宣黄连青木香等分。捣筛。白蜜丸梧子
大。每服二三十丸下。日再服。神效。久冷者。以煨蒜捣和丸之。此李绛兵部手集方。易简
治痢。黄连用吴萸炒过四两。木香面煨过一两。粟米饭丸。丹溪用治噤口痢。加石莲肉。王
氏治痢。渴加乌梅肉。以阿胶化和为丸。秘传香连丸。治气痢后重。（济生方）黄连四两。
木香二两。生姜四两。以姜铺砂锅底。次铺连。上铺香。入新汲水三碗煮。焙研。醋调仓米
糊为丸。如常日服五次。变通丸。治赤白下痢日夜无度。及肠风下血。用川黄连去毛。吴萸
汤泡过。各二两。同炒香拣出。各为末。以粟米饭和丸。梧子大。水收。每服三十丸。赤痢。
甘草汤下黄连丸。白痢。姜汤下吴萸丸。赤白痢。各用十五丸。米汤下。姜黄散。用宣连一
两。生姜四两。同以文火炒至姜脆。各自拣出为末。水泄。用姜末。脾泄。用连末。每服二
钱。空心白汤下。甚者不过二服。亦治痢疾。蒜连丸。治脏毒下血。用独囊蒜煨捣。和黄连
末为丸。日日米汤服之。按黄连为痢疾要药。而香连之制。升以佐降。真有妙理。盖痢病概
本于肺气不行。木香能除肺中滞气。夫以寒理热。更调升降。而除其滞气。故此方永利也。
后之或用姜。或用茱。亦自有别。生姜由肺而胃。助苦寒以达气。而热乃行。似于气分居多。
吴萸由肝而脾。助苦燥以除湿。而热乃清。似于血分为多。以湿热固在血分也。至于伏暑用
酒煮。为干于心胞络。胞络主血也。久冷及脏毒下血。并用煨蒜和丸。为其辛热喜散。更能
通五脏而清血分之滞着也。
〔论〕 黄连本寒水至阴气味。而色象与告成之时。俱归中土。（其花黄。六月结黄实。
根亦黄。六七月根紧乃堪采。）盖寒水不假黄婆。则何以得交于火。此天然妙理。在物性亦
有然者也。（离中裕坎。丁壬有合也。肾脉支者注胸中。而脾与肝肾同上行。脾脉注于心中
。）先哲曰。心是天真神机开发之本。胃是谷气充大真气之标。标本相得。则膻中所留宗气。
（即督脉之注于胸中者）乃能流布四脏而不为病。（即真气与谷气并而充身之谓）然则胃中
谷气所以充大宗气。而脾脉之合肾肝以注心者。岂不为心之用欤。心之用病。是即病乎心也。
海藏云。黄连泻心。其实泻脾。丹溪谓黄连治病。在清心胃。皆非臆说。夫人身一水不胜二
火。而六淫七情之与正气戾者。即化为热。从六淫则由肺而胃。（肺阴不降入心。则清中之
浊不能入胃而生血。以还为心病）。从七情则由心而胃。此味主治。皆本于阳中之太阳。不
能合于寒水真阴以为病者。（阳中阴少。则气郁而化热。热郁久则化湿。惟黄连本寒水之化。
以为中土之用。其性味兼得乎燥金。故于郁热湿热之病。最为中的。）抑心之用病。莫先于
中土。而黄连治热之郁。郁而化湿者。亦莫先于中土。正对待以奏功也。能致寒水之化以归
中土。若风木本达寒水之化以上奉者。是以肝病即次及之。而又谓其能浓肠胃者。以燥性即
在苦寒中。而手足阳明皆燥金。同气相求故也。
缪氏云。凡病患血少气虚。脾胃薄弱。泄泻腹痛者。犯之危殆。服时大忌猪肉。惟实热
盛者宜服。若胃中停食受寒。及伤寒下早致痞。俱不可用。除肠红因湿热者固宜。若阴虚下
血。及损脾血下者。俱禁用。
〔修治〕入痢疾药。取真川连折之。中有孔。色如赤金者。去须切片。分开粗细。各置
姜汁透。用绵纸衬。先用山黄土炒干。研细。再炒至将红。以连片隔纸放土上。炒干。再拌
姜汁。切不可用水。纸焦易新者。如是九次为度。若赤痢。则用湿槐花拌炒。至于治本脏之
火。则生用。治肝胆实火。以猪胆汁浸炒。治肝胆虚火。醋浸炒。治上焦之火。则酒炒。治
中焦火。姜汁炒。治下焦火。盐水炒。朴硝炒。治气分湿热之火。以吴萸汤浸炒。治血分块
中伏火。干漆水炒。诸法不独为之导引。盖辛热能制其苦寒。盐寒能制其燥性。用者详之。
又名牡蒙。六月采集根部，晒干。外皮颜色红紫，肉质带红白。
味苦、辛，性微寒，气味都很浓厚，属阴，主降。入足厥阴肝经，也入足阳明胃经，是清除热邪、消散结聚、驱逐瘀血的重要药物。
主治心腹部的积聚，寒热邪气。（这些都是由于血液滞涩引起的）通利九窍，通畅大小便，治疗肠胃的大热，血痢，吐血和鼻衄，肠中积聚的瘀血，妇女的血闭不通，治疗各种血病，以及属于厥阴经的痈肿积块。治疗金疮（金属利器造成的创伤），破血生肌，止渴，补虚益气。配合甘草使用，治疗下利纯血且腹痛，名为紫参汤。吐血不止，用紫参、阿胶、甘草各等分，研为末，用乌梅汤或糯米汤送服一二钱。
〔论〕紫参专门进入血分，而治疗血分的疾病，专门针对血行滞涩的情况。为什么呢？因为这种植物五月开花，虽然味苦性寒，但实际上透达至阳之气化而出。即使采集根部也是在六月阳极的时候，如果不是因为它乘着阳气来化阴，进入血分而发挥宣通瘀血、调和血液的功效吗？如果仅仅用它苦寒的性质来对抗血滞，即使有大热，恐怕难免触犯“寒泣”（寒气使血液凝泣）的禁忌。况且像苏恭所说的补虚益气，怎么能指望苦寒的药物做到呢？由此推究，那么这味药并不甚寒却能治疗大热导致的溢血，也是善于利用物性的例子。
雅州、眉州出产的质量好。有两种：一种根粗无毛，有连珠状节，形状像鹰爪，质地坚实，颜色深黄；另一种无珠多毛，中间空虚，颜色淡黄。使用时各有适宜之处。（核）节多且坚硬沉重，互相敲击有声，颜色鲜明如赤金的为好。芦头多的质量差，瘦小须多的不堪入药。（原始）
根部味道苦而浓烈，气寒而降，性冷而燥，属阴。入手少阴心经。（苦入心，火就燥）并入手阳明大肠经、足少阳胆经、足厥阴肝经、足阳明胃经、足太阴脾经。冬天不凋谢，这是寒水的象。有节且色黄，是中土的制约，是治疗心脏的药物。（复）
镇肝凉血。（本于寒水之化而入心，所以能凉血，凉血就是用来镇肝。）调理胃肠，厚肠止泻。主治郁热在中焦，烦躁消渴，或者恶心欲吐，心下痞满。（张仲景治疗九种心下痞，五种泻心汤都使用它。）吞酸吐酸，或者突然心痛，以及胁肋和小腹边缘疼痛，热呕热泻，一切湿热，腹痛热痢，五脏冷热错杂，长期腹泻脓血。
治疗暑毒，以及一切天行热毒，各种疮疡毒，治疗热气引起的目痛流泪。又治小儿疳气，妇人阴中肿痛。（诸本草）能泻心火，所以本草说它能宁神，治疗惊悸安神定惊等丸剂都使用它。（嵩）凡是治疗血病，防风作为上使，黄连作为中使。（泻心实际上就是泻脾，所以称为中焦使）地榆作为下使。（海藏）大概心主宰血，黄连本于寒水之化而入心，正是为了调血而治疗肠道各种疾病。伤寒留蓄恶血，内外俱热，证候与少阳病相似的，如果服用小柴胡汤无效，应当用黄连一分，赤茯苓半分，加入灯心草煎服。另外，大小产热入血室，小柴胡汤力量不及的，在里面加入五灵脂，仍以黄连、赤茯苓辅助。大概心主血，而黄连、赤苓都是清心凉血的药剂。（仁斋）黄连进入中土气分，去除湿热而泻心火。如果脾胃气虚不能转运的，用茯苓、黄芩代替。（丹溪）丹溪治疗食积丸，首先使用黄连，用吴茱萸制黄连来治左，用益智仁制黄连来治右，佐以枳壳，消除痞满非常迅速。用姜汁制炒，治疗上焦痰火。（嘉谟）同木香使用，治疗心下痞，以及肠中积滞，是治疗腹痛下痢的要药。同吴茱萸使用，治疗肝火，兼治胁肋和小腹边缘疼痛，又是治疗吞吐酸水的要药。（嵩）黄连是治疗酒病的仙药，治疗痢疾的神草，六经所至，各有特殊功效。（仲淳）各种苦寒药大多泄利，只有黄连、黄柏性冷而燥，能降火去湿而止泻痢。所以治疗痢疾以它为君药。大概治疗痢疾只宜用辛苦寒药，辛能发散，开通郁结，苦能燥湿，寒能胜热，使气机宣平罢了。（守真）下痢，胃口热，噤口痢的，用黄连、人参煎汤，整天小口喝。如果吐出来，再强行喂饮。只要有一口咽下去，就好了。（丹溪）以黄土、姜汁、酒、蜜四炒为君药，使君子为臣药，酒白芍为佐药，木香为使药，治疗小儿五疳。用吴茱萸同炒，加木香等分，生大黄加倍，水泛为丸，治疗五痢。（韩 ）治疗痢疾，用干姜、黄连，名为姜连散。治疗消渴，用酒蒸黄连。治疗口疮，用细辛、黄连。不仅相互制约而没有偏胜的祸患，也是审视病变的深浅、脏腑的上下来进行配伍制约。同赤柽叶入三黄石膏汤，治疗痧疹已透发但烦躁不止。入当归六黄汤，加枣仁、龙眼，治疗盗汗。同地黄、甘菊、荆芥穗、甘草梢、柴胡、川芎、木通、蝉蜕，治疗风热上攻，目赤痛。同芍药、扁豆、莲子、升麻、滑石、甘草、红曲，治疗一切滞下脓血。同槐花、枳壳、乳香、没药，治疗滞下纯血腹痛。同人参、莲子，治疗虚人患痢，以及老人产妇滞下不止。同麦冬、五味子，治疗突发消渴，小便多。同五谷虫、芦荟、白芜荑、青黛、白槿花、白芙蓉花，治疗小儿一切疳热。
附方 香连丸。治疗赤白诸痢，里急后重腹痛。用宣黄连、青木香等分，捣碎过筛，白蜜丸如梧桐子大。每次服二三十丸，日服两次，神效。久冷者，用煨蒜捣烂和丸。这是李绛兵部手集方。易简治疗痢疾，黄连用吴茱萸炒过四两，木香面煨过一两，粟米饭丸。丹溪用治疗噤口痢，加石莲肉。王氏治疗痢疾，口渴加乌梅肉，以阿胶化和为丸。秘传香连丸，治疗气痢后重。（济生方）黄连四两，木香二两，生姜四两，用姜铺在砂锅底，其次铺黄连，上面铺木香，加入新汲水三碗煮，焙干研粉，醋调仓米糊为丸，如常法每日服五次。变通丸，治疗赤白下痢日夜无度，以及肠风下血。用川黄连去毛，吴茱萸汤泡过，各二两，同炒香拣出，各为末，以粟米饭和丸，梧桐子大，水泛丸。每次服三十丸。赤痢，甘草汤送服黄连丸；白痢，姜汤送服吴茱萸丸；赤白痢，各用十五丸，米汤送服。姜黄散，用宣黄连一两，生姜四两，同以文火炒至姜脆，各自拣出为末。水泄，用姜末；脾泄，用黄连末。每次服二钱，空腹白开水送下。严重的不过两服，也治疗痢疾。蒜连丸，治疗脏毒下血。用独头蒜煨捣烂，和黄连末为丸，日日米汤送服。按黄连是治疗痢疾的要药，而香连丸的制剂，升以佐降，真有妙理。大概痢病根本在于肺气不行，木香能除肺中滞气。以寒治热，更调升降，而除去滞气，所以此方永远有效。后来有的用姜，有的用吴茱萸，也自有区别。生姜由肺而胃，助苦寒以达气，而热乃行，似乎多在气分。吴茱萸由肝而脾，助苦燥以除湿，而热乃清，似乎多在血分。因为湿热本来就在血分。至于伏暑用酒煮，是因为热干于心包络，胞络主血。久冷及脏毒下血，并用煨蒜和丸，因为其辛热喜散，更能通五脏而清血分之滞着。
〔论〕黄连本是寒水至阴的气味，而色象与收获之时，都归于中土。（其花黄，六月结黄实，根亦黄，六七月根紧才堪采收。）大概寒水不借助黄婆（中指土），那么凭什么能与火相交？这是天然的妙理，在物性上也有这样的。（离中裕坎，丁壬有合。肾脉支者注胸中，而脾与肝肾同上行，脾脉注于心中。）先哲说：心是天真神机开发之本，胃是谷气充大真气之标。标本相得，则膻中所留宗气（即督脉之注于胸中者）乃能流布四脏而不为病（即真气与谷气并而充身之谓）。然而胃中谷气所以充大宗气，而脾脉之合肾肝以注心者，岂不为心之用欤？心之用病，是即病乎心也。海藏说：黄连泻心，其实泻脾。丹溪谓黄连治病，在清心胃，都不是臆说。人身一水不胜二火，而六淫七情之与正气戾者，即化为热。从六淫则由肺而胃（肺阴不降入心，则清中之浊不能入胃而生血，以还为心病）。从七情则由心而胃。此味主治，皆本于阳中之太阳，不能合于寒水真阴以为病者（阳中阴少，则气郁而化热，热郁久则化湿，惟黄连本寒水之化，以为中土之用，其性味兼得乎燥金，故于郁热湿热之病，最为中的）。抑心之用病，莫先于中土，而黄连治热之郁，郁而化湿者，亦莫先于中土，正对待以奏功也。能致寒水之化以归中土，若风木本达寒水之化以上奉者，是以肝病即次及之，而又谓其能浓肠胃者，以燥性即在苦寒中，而手足阳明皆燥金，同气相求故也。
缪氏说：凡是病患血少气虚，脾胃薄弱，泄泻腹痛者，犯之危殆。服时大忌猪肉，惟实热盛者宜服。若胃中停食受寒，及伤寒下早致痞，俱不可用。除肠红因湿热者固宜，若阴虚下血，及损脾血下者，俱禁用。
〔修治〕入痢疾药，取真川连折之，中有孔，色如赤金者，去须切片，分开粗细，各置姜汁透，用绵纸衬，先用山黄土炒干，研细，再炒至将红，以连片隔纸放土上，炒干，再拌姜汁，切不可用水，纸焦易新者，如是九次为度。若赤痢，则用湿槐花拌炒。至于治本脏之火，则生用。治肝胆实火，以猪胆汁浸炒。治肝胆虚火，醋浸炒。治上焦之火，则酒炒。治中焦火，姜汁炒。治下焦火，盐水炒。朴硝炒。治气分湿热之火，以吴茱萸汤浸炒。治血分块中伏火，干漆水炒。诸法不独为之导引，盖辛热能制其苦寒，盐寒能制其燥性，用者详之。
Also known as *Mumeng*. The roots are harvested in the sixth lunar month and dried. The skin color is reddish-purple, and the flesh is reddish-white.
Bitter, pungent, slightly cold. The odor and taste are both strong. It belongs to Yin and has a descending nature. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and also the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It is an essential herb for clearing heat, dissipating nodules, and expelling blood stasis.
It primarily treats accumulations and masses in the heart and abdomen, and pathogenic factors of cold and heat (all caused by blood stagnation). It unblocks the nine orifices, promotes urination and defecation, treats severe heat in the intestines and stomach, bloody dysentery, hematemesis, and epistaxis, accumulated blood in the intestines, amenorrhea in women, various blood disorders, and carbuncles and masses belonging to the Jueyin category. It treats traumatic injuries from metal weapons, breaks blood stasis, generates flesh, stops thirst, tonifies deficiency, and benefits Qi. When combined with Licorice Root (*Gancao*), it treats dysentery with pure blood and abdominal pain, named *Zishen Tang* (Purple Ginseng Decoction). For incessant hematemesis, use equal parts of *Zishen*, Donkey-hide Gelatin (*Ejiao*), and Licorice Root, grind into powder, and take one or two qian with Sour Plum Decoction or Rice Porridge Decoction.
[Discussion] *Zishen* specifically enters the Blood level, and its treatment of Blood-level diseases specifically targets stagnation. Why? Because this plant flowers in the fifth lunar month; although bitter and cold, it actually penetrates through the Qi transformation of extreme Yang to emerge. Even when harvesting the roots, it is done during the time of extreme Yang in the sixth lunar month. If it were not because it takes advantage of Yang Qi to transform Yin, entering the Blood level to achieve the effect of promoting blood circulation and harmonizing blood, how could it work? If one merely uses its bitter-cold nature to counteract blood stagnation, even in cases of severe heat, one might inevitably violate the taboo of "cold causing coagitation." Moreover, how can tonic effects like benefiting deficiency and Qi, as described by Su Gong, be expected from bitter-cold herbs? From this reasoning, it follows that this herb, being not extremely cold, can treat hemorrhage caused by severe heat, demonstrating a skillful use of material properties.
Those from Yazhou and Meizhou are of good quality. There are two types: one type has thick roots without hairs, with bead-like nodes, shaped like an eagle's claw, solid texture, and deep yellow color; the other type has no beads, many hairs, hollow center, and pale yellow color. Each has its appropriate uses. (Core) Those with many nodes, hard and heavy, making sound when struck, and bright red-gold color are superior. Those with many rhizomes are inferior, and those that are thin, small, and have many rootlets are unsuitable for medicinal use. (Original)
The root tastes bitter and strong, has a cold and descending Qi, cold and dry nature, and belongs to Yin. It enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. (Bitter enters the Heart; Fire tends toward dryness.) It also enters the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It does not wither in winter, representing the image of Cold Water. Having nodes and yellow color represents the regulation of Central Earth; it is a medicine for the Heart. (Reversal)
It calms the Liver and cools Blood. (Based on the transformation of Cold Water entering the Heart, thus cooling Blood; cooling Blood is the means to calm the Liver.) It regulates the Stomach and thickens the Intestines. It primarily treats stagnant heat in the middle jiao, restlessness, thirst, nausea, and fullness below the heart. (Zhang Zhongjing used it in all five Xiexin Tang formulas for treating nine types of subcardiac fullness.) It treats acid regurgitation, sudden heart pain, pain in the hypochondrium and lower abdomen, hot vomiting, hot diarrhea, all damp-heat conditions, abdominal pain with hot dysentery, mixed cold and heat in the five Zang organs, and chronic diarrhea with pus and blood.
It treats summerheat toxicity, all epidemic heat toxins, various sores and ulcers, and heat-induced eye pain with tearing. It also treats pediatric malnutrition (*Gan*) and swelling and pain in the female genitals. (Various Materia Medica) It can drain Heart Fire, hence the Materia Medica states it calms the Spirit. It is used in pills for calming palpitations, soothing the Spirit, and stabilizing fright. (Song) In treating blood disorders, Saposhnikovia Root (*Fangfeng*) serves as the upper envoy, Coptis Rhizome (*Huanglian*) as the middle envoy, and Sanguisorba Root (*Diyu*) as the lower envoy. (Draining the Heart is essentially draining the Spleen, hence called the Middle Jiao Envoy.) Since the Heart governs Blood, and *Huanglian* enters the Heart based on the transformation of Cold Water, it is precisely for regulating Blood and treating intestinal diseases. In Typhoid Fever with retained evil blood and internal/external heat, presenting similarly to Shaoyang disease, if Xiao Chaihu Tang is ineffective, use one part *Huanglian*, half part Red Poria (*Chifuling*), decocted with Ramulus Nymphae (*Dengxinjian*). Also, for postpartum heat entering the Blood Chamber where Xiao Chaihu Tang is insufficient, add Trogopterus Dung (*Wulingzhi*), assisted by *Huanglian* and *Chifuling*. Since the Heart governs Blood, and both *Huanglian* and *Chifuling* clear Heat and cool Blood. (Renzhai) *Huanglian* enters the Qi level of Central Earth, removing damp-heat and draining Heart Fire. If Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency prevents transportation, substitute with Poria (*Fuling*) and Scutellaria Root (*Huangqin*). (Danxi) Danxi's pill for food stagnation primarily uses *Huanglian*, processed with Evodia Fruit (*Wuzhuyu*) to treat the left side, and Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit (*Yizhiren*) to treat the right side, assisted by Aurantium Fructus (*Zhike*) for rapid resolution of fullness. Processed with Ginger Juice and stir-fried for Upper Jiao Phlegm-Fire. (Jiamo) Combined with Aucklandia Root (*Muxiang*) for subcardiac fullness and intestinal stagnation, it is an essential herb for abdominal pain and dysentery. Combined with *Wuzhuyu* for Liver Fire, including hypochondriac and lower abdominal pain, and for acid regurgitation. (Song) *Huanglian* is the immortal herb for alcohol intoxication and the divine grass for dysentery, having unique merits across the Six Channels. (Zhongchun) Most bitter-cold herbs cause purgation, but only *Huanglian* and Phellodendron Bark (*Huangbai*) are cold and dry, capable of descending Fire, removing dampness, and stopping dysentery. Thus, it is the Sovereign herb for treating dysentery. Treating dysentery requires bitter, pungent, and cold herbs: pungent disperses and opens stagnation, bitter dries dampness, and cold overcomes heat, thereby promoting smooth Qi flow. (Shouzhen) For dysentery with hot stomach and inability to eat (Jinkou Li), decoct *Huanglian* and Ginseng Root (*Renshen*) and sip throughout the day. If vomited, force-feed again. Once swallowed, improvement occurs. (Danxi) Use Yellow Earth, Ginger Juice, Wine, and Honey for four-fold processing as the Sovereign herb, Quinoa Seed (*Shijunzi*) as the Minister herb, Wine-processed White Peony Root (*Baishao*) as the Assistant herb, and *Muxiang* as the Guide herb, for pediatric five types of *Gan*. Stir-fry with *Wuzhuyu*, add equal parts *Muxiang*, double Raw Rhubarb (*Sheng Dahuang*), water-pellet for five types of dysentery. (Han) For dysentery, use Dried Ginger (*Ganjiang*) and *Huanglian*, named Jianglian San. For thirst, use Wine-steamed *Huanglian*. For mouth ulcers, use Asarum Root (*Xixin*) and *Huanglian*. This not only mutual restraint avoids bias but also considers the depth of disease and location of Zang-Fu. Combined with Tongolo Barberry Stem (*Chichengye*) in Sanhuang Shigao Tang for irritability after rash eruption. Added to Dangui Liu Huang Tang with Ziziphus Seed (*Suanzaoren*) and Longan Aril (*Longyanrou*) for night sweats. Combined with Rehmannia Root (*Dihuang*), Chrysanthemum Flower (*Ganju*), Schizonepeta Spike (*Jingjie Sui*), Licorice Root Tip (*Gancao Shao*), Bupleurum Root (*Chaihu*), Chuanxiong Rhizome (*Chuanxiong*), Akebia Caulis (*Mutong*), and Cicada Slough (*Chantui*) for wind-heat attacking upward, red painful eyes. Combined with White Peony Root (*Shaoyao*), Lablab Seed (*Biandou*), Lotus Seed (*Lianzi*), Cimicifuga Rhizome (*Shengma*), Talc (*Huashi*), Licorice Root (*Gancao*), and Red Yeast Rice (*Hongqu*) for all types of dysentery with pus and blood. Combined with Sophora Flower (*Huaihua*), *Zhike*, Frankincense (*Ruxiang*), and Myrrh (*Moyao*) for pure bloody dysentery with abdominal pain. Combined with *Renshen* and Lotus Seed for deficient patients with dysentery, and elderly/postpartum women with persistent dysentery. Combined with Ophiopogon Tuber (*Maidong*) and Schisandra Berry (*Wuweizi*) for sudden thirst with polyuria. Combined with Ground Beetle (*Wuguchong*), Aloe (*Luhui*), White Galangal Seed (*Bai Wutiy*), Indigo Naturalis (*Qingdai*), Hibiscus Flower (*Bai Jin Hua*), and Hollyhock Flower (*Bai Furong Hua*) for all pediatric heat-related *Gan*.
Attached Formulas Xianglian Wan. Treats red and white dysentery with tenesmus and abdominal pain. Use equal parts Xuan *Huanglian* and Qing *Muxiang*, grind and sieve, form pills with White Honey size of Sophora seeds. Take 20-30 pills per dose, twice daily. Divine efficacy. For chronic cold, mix with roasted garlic. This is from Li Jiang's military manual. Yijian treats dysentery: *Huanglian* stir-fried with *Wuzhuyu* 4 liang, *Muxiang* roasted with flour 1 liang, formed into pills with millet rice. Danxi adds Stone Lotus Seed for Jinkou Li. Wang Shi adds Sour Plum Flesh for thirst, dissolved with Ejiao for pills. Secret Formula Xianglian Wan treats Qi dysentery with tenesmus. (Jisheng Fang) *Huanglian* 4 liang, *Muxiang* 2 liang, Ginger 4 liang. Spread Ginger at bottom of clay pot, then *Huanglian*, then *Muxiang*. Add 3 bowls of fresh water, boil, dry, grind, form pills with Vinegar and Barnyard Millet Paste. Take 5 times daily. BianTong Wan treats unremitting red/white dysentery and intestinal wind bleeding. Use Chuan *Huanglian* de-haired, *Wuzhuyu* soaked in Sour Plum Decoction, 2 liang each. Stir-fry until fragrant, remove, grind separately. Mix with millet rice paste, form Sophora-sized pills, water-pellets. Take 30 pills per dose. Red dysentery: swallow with Licorice Decoction; White dysentery: swallow with Ginger Decoction; Red/White: 15 pills each with Rice Decoction. Jianghuang San. Use Xuan *Huanglian* 1 liang, Ginger 4 liang. Stir-fry gently until Ginger is crisp, separate, grind. For watery diarrhea, use Ginger powder; for Spleen diarrhea, use *Huanglian* powder. Take 2 qian on empty stomach with plain water. Severe cases resolve in two doses. Also treats dysentery. Suanlian Wan. Treats visceral toxin bleeding. Roast single-clove garlic, mash, mix with *Huanglian* powder, form pills. Take daily with Rice Decoction. Note: *Huanglian* is an essential herb for dysentery. The formulation of Xianglian Wan uses ascending to assist descending, containing profound logic. Dysentery fundamentally stems from Lung Qi stagnation; *Muxiang* removes Lung Qi stagnation. Using cold to treat heat, adjusting ascending/descending, and removing stagnation makes this formula perpetually effective. Later variations using Ginger or Evodia differ. Ginger acts from Lung to Stomach, assisting bitter-cold to move Qi, addressing Qi level mostly. Evodia acts from Liver to Spleen, assisting bitter-dry to remove dampness, addressing Blood level mostly, as damp-heat resides in Blood. Summerheat uses Wine-boiling because heat affects Pericardium, which governs Blood. Chronic cold and visceral toxin bleeding use roasted garlic because pungent-hot disperses, unblocking Five Zang and clearing Blood stagnation.
[Discussion] *Huanglian* possesses the Qi and flavor of Cold Water, extreme Yin, yet its color and harvest time return to Central Earth. (Flowers are yellow, fruits yellow in June, roots yellow, firm in June-July). Cold Water cannot interact with Fire without the mediation of Earth (Yellow Mother). This is a natural wonder. (Li contains Kun, Kan contains Li, Ding-Ren combine. Kidney meridian branch enters chest; Spleen, Liver, Kidney ascend together; Spleen meridian enters Heart.) Ancients said: Heart is the root of Tianzhen Shenji development; Stomach is the mark of Guqi filling Zhenqi. When root and mark harmonize, Zongqi remaining in Danzhong (branch of Du Meridian entering chest) circulates to Four Zang without disease (meaning Zhenqi and Guqi fill the body). Thus, Guqi in Stomach fills Zongqi, and Spleen meridian combining with Liver/Kidney to enter Heart serves the Heart. Disease of Heart function is disease of Heart itself. Haizang said: *Huanglian* drains Heart, actually drains Spleen. Danxi said: *Huanglian* treats disease by clearing Heart/Stomach. Neither is arbitrary. One Water cannot overcome Two Fires. Pathogenic factors conflicting with Righteous Qi transform into Heat. From Six Evils, it moves from Lung to Stomach (Lung Yin failing to descend to Heart causes turbid Clear to fail entering Stomach to generate Blood, returning as Heart disease). From Seven Emotions, it moves from Heart to Stomach. This herb's main action originates from Taiyang within Yang, unable to combine with True Yin of Cold Water for disease (Less Yin within Yang causes Qi stagnation transforming to Heat; long-term Heat transforms to Dampness. Only *Huanglian*, based on Cold Water transformation serving Central Earth, possessing Dry Metal nature, is most accurate for stagnant/damp-heat). Disease of Heart function starts in Central Earth. *Huanglian* treats stagnant Heat transforming to Dampness, starting in Central Earth, acting by opposition. It brings Cold Water transformation to Central Earth. If Wind Wood reaches Cold Water transformation to offer upwards, Liver disease follows. Its ability to thicken intestines comes from dryness within bitter-cold, and Hand/Foot Yangming being Dry Metal, seeking similar Qi.
Miao said: Patients with Blood deficiency, Qi deficiency, weak Spleen/Stomach, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are endangered if treated with this. Pork is strictly forbidden during use. Suitable only for excess Heat. Contraindicated for food retention with cold in Stomach, or痞 (fullness) caused by premature purgation in Typhoid. Suitable for rectal bleeding due to damp-heat. Contraindicated for Yin-deficiency bleeding and Spleen-blood deficiency bleeding.
[Processing] For dysentery medicines, select genuine Chuan *Huanglian*, break it; those with holes and red-gold color are best. Remove rootlets, slice, separate coarse/fine. Soak thoroughly in Ginger Juice. Line with cotton paper. First stir-fry with Mountain Yellow Earth until dry, grind fine, stir-fry until nearly red. Place slices on earth via paper, dry, mix with Ginger Juice again. Do not use water. Replace scorched paper. Repeat nine times. For red dysentery, stir-fry with wet Sophora Flower. For treating Fire of the organ itself, use raw. For Liver/Gallbladder Excess Fire, soak in Pig Bile and stir-fry. For Deficient Fire, soak in Vinegar and stir-fry. For Upper Jiao Fire, stir-fry with Wine. For Middle Jiao Fire, stir-fry with Ginger Juice. For Lower Jiao Fire, stir-fry with Salt Water. Stir-fry with Mirabilite. For Qi-level damp-heat Fire, soak in Evodia Decoction and stir-fry. For latent Fire in Blood-level masses, stir-fry with Dry Lacquer Water. These methods not only guide but also restrain bitter-cold with pungent-hot, and dryness with salt-cold. Users should detail these.