茎穗味辛微苦。气温。性微凉。气味俱薄。浮而升也。肝经气分药。能搜肝气。主恶
风贼风。口面 斜。手足筋急。或遍身 痹。通血脉。除湿痹。散结聚气。转送五脏不足气
。又主血劳。风气壅满。（是血虚而热盛）背脊瘠痛虚汗。筋骨烦痛。（是肝肾阴虚而血不荣
于筋骨）搜肝气。散风热。清头目。治头旋目眩目疾。利咽喉。凡吐衄下血。血痢崩漏。妇
人血风。及产后中风为要药。消疮肿。并寒热鼠 瘰 。方书治鼻证。螈 狂痫。痰饮咳嗽
。呕吐。二便秘淋。香港脚脱肛。肝热生风。故名血风。劳者病久血虚。月候不行。发热不止
也。（闻风）祛风邪。散瘀血。破结气。消疮毒。盖厥阴风木主血。而相火寄之。故风病血
病疮病为要药。（濒湖）一切偏风口眼 斜。用荆芥一斤。薄荷一斤。同入砂盆内研烂。生
绢绞汁。瓷器中煎成膏。漉去渣三分之一。将二分日干为末。以膏和丸。梧子大。每服三十
丸。白汤下。早暮各一服。忌动风物。中风口噤。荆芥穗为末。酒服二钱。立愈。名荆芥散。
产后中风口噤。手足螈 如角弓。或血晕肢强。不省人事。荆芥穗微焙为细末。先以大豆黄
卷炒。用酒沃之。去黄卷。取清汁调前末三五钱。和渣服。轻者一服。重二三服愈。童便调
亦得。大抵产后大眩。则汗出腠理疏。易于中风。且多因怒气伤肝。或忧气内郁。或坐草受
风而成。急宜服此。上方并治一切失血。及汗后搐搦。指迷加当归等分。水煎服。口噤则挑
齿灌之 噤则灌入鼻中。神效。产后迷闷。（因怒后发热而得）荆芥穗半生。以其半置新瓦
上炒为末。童便服一二钱。若角弓反张。豆淋酒下。或锉散。童便煎服极妙。盖角弓反张。
乃产后危证。惟荆芥为要药。按荆芥用酒服。则纾阴以达阳。用童便服。则裕阴以和阳。同
一化风。而用实有别。产后风虚。血眩昏冒。荆芥穗一两三钱。桃仁去皮尖炒五钱。为末。
水服三钱。若喘。加杏仁去皮尖炒。炙甘草各三钱。产后下痢。荆芥四五穗。于盏内烧存性。
（弗犯油火）入麝少许。以沸汤些须调下。此药虽微。能愈大病。不可忽。口鼻出血如涌泉。
因酒色太过者。荆芥烧研。陈皮汤服二钱。两服愈。崩中不止。荆芥穗于麻油灯上烧焦为末
。每用童便调服二钱。一切头目诸疾。及血劳风气头痛。头旋目眩。荆芥穗为末。每酒服三
钱。神妙。
〔论〕荆芥以二月布子生苗。历夏而至八月方开小花结穗。（功重于穗）本经言味辛气
温者。盖全乎辛味以成其温升之气也。嵩言其性微凉者。以性为气味之主。此品先辛后苦。
辛胜而苦微。辛苦中俱带凉。是兼乎苦味。以成其凉降之气也。本乎气之温。成于味之辛。
合春和木气之升举。是为能达阴气。俾阳得乘阴以出。（故能通血脉。破结聚气。传送五脏
不足气。除湿痹。下瘀血。此层阳升而阴亦随之以畅气。）阳乘阴以出。则风治矣。而血已
和。抑以味之辛。更禀乎性之凉。合秋爽金气之凉降。是为能和阳气。俾阴得先阳以畅。（故
能搜肝气。治血劳。风气壅满。背脊疼痛。筋骨烦疼。更理丈夫香港脚。此层阴降而阳亦随之
以和血。）阴先阳以畅。则血裕矣。而风亦平。揣其性味。似全属金。宛以天气接引地气。
能升而达在地之郁阴。即能降而化在天之亢阳。故虽不专主于温升。然佐升散得宜。则无论
外因风寒而阳郁。即内因七情致血分有滞以郁阳者。（肝气折而为风）此能纾阴以达之。虽
不专主于凉降。然佐清降得宜。则无论内因肝热而阳僭。（肝之气有余则阳胜而血热。热久
则血虚而为血劳风。需此凉降之治也。）即外感六淫致血分有热以僭阳者。（肝气淫而为风）
此更能裕阴以和之。惟风脏血脏。俱属肝。而荆芥之致精于肝也专。故为血中要药。盖血以
升举为要。药更以升而兼降者为全功。（兹味全得金气。其能温升者有温升而后有凉降。归
其所始耳。）且气有余即是火。经曰。阳病发于血。濒湖故谓其治吐衄诸血证及痔漏也。（荆
芥治血之逆而尤优于下行者）又荆芥之用。上行为多。而头目为最。不可谓非风剂也。第与
世医所谓风剂。则有不可例视者。盖人身风木之气。自下而上。乃阴中之少阳。属地气者也。
如天气之下济以交于地者。阳中无阴。而只有孤阳。其何以交于阴而为既济乎。惟荆芥所禀。
正合于阳中少阴。在上主天气。一迎于地气之欲达于天者。而即能畅之。不使欲达之阳。还
郁于阴也。且阳中之阴。更合于元阳所生之地气以交之。不使阳之上际于天者。无所归而离
决于阴之中也。（经曰。阳出之阴则怒。非肝之失其职乎。）若谓兹药只能疏风。而未明所以
静风之微。岂非梦梦乎。明于斯旨。然后知中风之治阳淫。（犀角防风汤）头痛之清上火。（清
上泻火汤）痛晕之去风热。狂证之清心热。非助诸味以清消风热。乃本诸归阳于阴之义也。
然后知中风之导阳郁。（追风如圣散）头痛眉骨眼痛之散血滞。（上清散）头风屑之清气散壅。
（人参消风散）风痫之化阴滞。达阳壅。亦非助诸味以祛散风阳。乃本诸由阳彻阴之义也。
然后知中风之补精血。达元阳。化阳滞。（补骨脂丸）头痛之益肝气。化阴畅阳以消风毒。（大
追风散）螈 之养阴和阳以消风滞。类用荆芥于中者。非取以散风。乃原本于由阳彻阴。由
阴化阳之全用也。若徒袭一散风之浮说。则试思产后血虚风证。何以投此一味。便奏神功。
（风药多燥以竭阴。此独于产后。及失血。并大汗后风证。用奏殊功者。缘其湿升之中。便
有凉降。所谓由阴达阳。即由阳归阴。有阴阳合化之妙。而治风乃神也。）又何以于大肠血
病。最为亲切乎。况乎风与燥热同气。阳也。今惟此味由阳彻阴。即由阴化阳。是以宜于热。
并宜于寒。（如金沸草散。佐麻黄以治寒咳。旋复花汤。佐麻黄五味以治产后寒嗽。）第阴阳
既如是其咸宜。何以上行而极者主治最多。而下行如香港脚等证。究属仅见。不知荆芥乃天气
精专之剂。经曰。云雾不精。则上应白露不降。云雾精者。乃天气之阳。合于地气之阴。酝
酿变化。极其精微而后血之生化有地。犹之白露降也。（膻中之气犹云雾。是谓膻中之气欲
化耳。夫血生化于阳中之阴。精于云雾之天气。乃由膻中血会。得凉降而归于血海。）然则
气化 于上以为云雾之精。可不疑于治上治下之有多少矣。总之。兹味专精于肝。而妙阴
阳之化以化结。正惟有阴阳合化之妙。而治风乃神。（所以清龙散治风气传化。腹内瘀结而
目黄。风气不得泄。为热中烦渴引饮。用荆芥为君。）不可止谓其散风而与风剂例视也。
阴虚火炎面赤。因而头痛
〔修治〕陈者良。去梗取穗。有微炒用以杀辛气者。若用以止血。须炒黑。
荆芥的茎和穗味辛、微苦。药性气温，性质微凉。气味都很淡薄，具有上浮上升的特性。它是入肝经气分的药物，能够疏泄肝气。主治恶风、贼风（指非时之风或邪风），口眼歪斜，手足筋脉拘急，或者全身麻木不仁。它能疏通血脉，祛除风湿痹痛，消散结聚之气，转输五脏不足之气。又主治血劳（因久病血虚发热所致之病），风气壅滞胀满。（这是血虚而热盛的表现）背脊消瘦疼痛，虚汗，筋骨烦痛。（这是肝肾阴虚，血液不能濡养筋骨的表现）。它能疏泄肝气，疏散风热，清利头目，治疗头晕眼花及眼部疾病，利咽喉。凡是吐血、衄血、便血、血痢、崩漏，妇女血风病，以及产后中风，都是它的重要适应症。它能消除疮肿，并治寒热往来及鼠瘰（淋巴结核）。方书中用其治疗鼻部疾病，抽搐、发狂、癫痫，痰饮咳嗽，呕吐，大小便不通及淋证，脚气，脱肛，肝热生风等症，所以名叫“血风”。劳损日久导致血虚，月经不行，发热不止。（因感受风邪所致）。它能祛风邪，散瘀血，破结气，消疮毒。大概厥阴风木主司血液，而相火寄寓其中，所以它是治疗风病、血病、疮病的重要药物。（李时珍曰）治疗一切偏风口眼歪斜，用荆芥一斤，薄荷一斤，一同放入石臼中研烂，用生绢绞取汁液，在瓷器中煎成膏状，滤去三分之一的渣滓，将剩余的二分晒干研为细末，用膏剂调和制成梧桐子大小的丸药。每次服用三十丸，白开水送下，早晚各一次。忌食动风之物。中风口噤（牙关紧闭），将荆芥穗研为细末，酒服二钱，立即痊愈，名为荆芥散。产后中风口噤，手足抽搐如角弓反张，或者血晕肢体强直，不省人事，将荆芥穗微焙后研为细末，先用大豆黄卷炒过，用酒浇淋，去掉豆卷，取澄清的药汁调服前药末三到五钱，连同药渣一起服用。轻者服一次，重者服两三次即愈。用童便调服也可以。大抵产后眩晕严重，则汗出腠理疏松，容易中风，且多因怒气伤肝，或忧思气郁内结，或临产受风而成，急需服用此药。上述方子也治疗一切失血，以及出汗后抽搐。指迷方加当归等份，水煎服。口噤则挑开牙齿灌入；若牙关紧闭无法灌入，则灌入鼻中，神效。产后昏迷闷乱。（因发怒后发热所致），荆芥穗一半生用，另一半放在新瓦上炒焦研末，用童便服一钱二分。如果是角弓反张，用豆淋酒送下，或者锉成散剂，用童便煎服极妙。大概角弓反张是产后危重证候，只有荆芥是重要药物。按：荆芥用酒服，则是舒展阴气以通达阳气；用童便服，则是滋养阴气以调和阳气。同样是化风，但用法实有区别。产后风虚，血虚眩晕昏冒，用荆芥穗一两三钱，桃仁去皮尖炒五钱，研为细末，水送服三钱。如果气喘，加杏仁去皮尖炒、炙甘草各三钱。产后下痢，用荆芥四五穗，在盏内烧存性（不可接触油火），加入少许麝香，用沸水少量调下。此药虽然轻微，能治愈大病，不可忽视。口鼻出血如涌泉，因酒色过度所致，将荆芥烧研，陈皮汤送服二钱，服两次即愈。崩中不止，将荆芥穗在麻油灯上烧焦为末，每次用童便调服二钱。一切头目诸疾，以及血劳风气头痛，头晕眼花，将荆芥穗研为细末，每次酒服三钱，神妙。
〔论述〕荆芥在二月播种生苗，经过夏季直到八月才开小花结穗。（药效侧重于穗）《本经》说它味辛气温，大概是全凭辛味来成就其温升之气。李梴说它性微凉，是因为性是气味的主宰。此药先辛后苦，辛胜而苦微，辛苦之中都带有凉意，这是兼有苦味，来成就其凉降之气。基于气的温性，成就于味的辛性，合于春季温和木气之升举，这是能通达阴气，使阳气得以乘阴而出。（所以能通血脉，破结聚之气，传送五脏不足之气，除湿痹，下瘀血，这一层是阳升而阴也随之通畅。）阳气乘阴而出，则风邪得治，而血液已调和。再加上味的辛，更禀受性的凉，合于秋季爽冽金气之凉降，这是能调和阳气，使阴气得以先于阳气而通畅。（所以能疏泄肝气，治血劳，风气壅满，背脊疼痛，筋骨烦疼，更调理男子的脚气，这一层是阴降而阳随之调和血液。）阴先于阳而通畅，则血液充盈，而风邪亦平息。揣测其性味，似乎完全属金，宛如天气接引地气，能升而通达在地之郁闭阴气，即能降而化解在天之亢盛阳气。所以虽然不专门主于温升，但如果辅助升散得当，那么无论是外因风寒导致阳气郁闭，还是内因七情导致血分有滞从而郁闭阳气。（肝气折而为风），此药能舒展阴气以通达之；虽然不专门主于凉降，但如果辅助清降得当，那么无论是内因肝热导致阳气僭越。（肝之气有余则阳胜而血热，热久则血虚而为血劳风，需要这种凉降的治疗），还是外感六淫导致血分有热从而僭越阳气。（肝气淫而为风），此药更能滋养阴气以调和之。只有风脏、血脏都属于肝，而荆芥对肝脏的精专作用特别显著，所以是血中的要药。大概血液以升举为要，药物更以升而兼降者为全功。（此处味道全得金气，其能温升是有温升之后才有凉降，回归到它的本源罢了）。而且气有余即是火，经书说：阳病发于血，李时珍因此说它治疗吐血、衄血等各种血证及痔漏。（荆芥治疗血的逆乱，尤其优于下行）。另外荆芥的作用，上行较多，而以头目最为显著，不能说不是风剂。只是与世医所谓的风剂相比，则有不可同等看待的地方。大概人身风木之气，自下而上，乃是阴中之少阳，属于地气。如同天气下济以交于地，如果阳中没有阴，而只有孤阳，怎么能交于阴而达到既济呢？只有荆芥所禀受的，正符合于阳中少阴，在上主司天气，一旦迎接地气想要达于天的趋势，就能使之通畅，不让想要达到的阳气，重新郁闭于阴中。而且阳中之阴，更合于元阳所生的地气与之交合，不让阳气上际于天，无所归依而离决于阴之中。（经书说：阳出于阴则怒，这不是肝失职守吗？）如果说这药只能疏风，而不明白它静风的微妙之处，岂不是糊涂吗？明了这个宗旨，然后知道治疗中风之治阳淫（犀角防风汤），头痛之清上火（清上泻火汤），痛晕之去风热，狂证之清心热，并非助长各种药味以清消风热，而是基于将阳气归于阴的意义。然后知道治疗中风之导阳郁（追风如圣散），头痛眉骨眼痛之散血滞（上清散），头风屑之清气散壅（人参消风散），风痫之化阴滞、达阳壅，也并非助长各种药味以祛散风阳，而是基于由阳彻阴的意义。然后知道治疗中风之补精血、达元阳、化阳滞（补骨脂丸），头痛之益肝气、化阴畅阳以消风毒（大追风散），抽搐之养阴和阳以消风滞，这类使用荆芥在中，并非取用它来散风，而是原本基于由阳彻阴、由阴化阳的全用之法。如果仅仅袭取一种散风的浮浅说法，那么试思考产后血虚风证，为什么投以此一味药，便能奏神效？（风药大多燥烈以竭阴，此药唯独在产后，以及失血，并大汗后风证，用之奏殊功，原因在于其湿升之中，便有凉降，所谓由阴达阳，即由阳归阴，有阴阳合化的妙用，而治风乃神妙）。又为什么对于大肠血病，最为亲切呢？况且风与燥热同气，属阳。如今只有此味药由阳彻阴，即由阴化阳，所以宜于热，并宜于寒。（如金沸草散，佐麻黄以治寒咳；旋复花汤，佐麻黄五味以治产后寒嗽）。只是阴阳既然如此咸宜，为什么上行而极者主治最多，而下行的如脚气等证，终究属仅见？不知道荆芥乃是天气精专之剂，经书说：云雾不精，则上应白露不降。云雾精者，乃是天气之阳，合于地气之阴，酝酿变化，极其精微而后血液的生化有根据地，犹如白露降下。（膻中之气犹云雾，是谓膻中之气欲化耳。夫血生化于阳中之阴，精于云雾之天气，乃由膻中血会，得凉降而归于血海。）然而气化凝结于上以为云雾之精，可不怀疑治疗上部与下部病症有多少差异了。总之，此味药专精于肝，而妙用阴阳之化以化解结聚，正惟有阴阳合化的妙用，而治风乃神妙。（所以清龙散治风气传化，腹内瘀结而目黄，风气不得泄，为热中烦渴引饮，用荆芥为君药）。不可只称它散风而与风剂同等看待。
〔修治〕陈久的药材好。去除梗，只取穗。有微炒用以抑制辛气的。如果用来止血，必须炒黑。
The stems and spikes of Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica) taste pungent and slightly bitter. The qi nature is warm, while the substance nature is slightly cool. Both qi and flavor are thin, possessing a floating and ascending property. It is a herb entering the Liver meridian's Qi level, capable of searching out and dispersing Liver Qi. It primarily treats aversion to wind and thief-wind (pathogenic winds), deviation of the mouth and eye, spasm of tendons in hands and feet, or generalized numbness. It unifies the blood vessels, removes damp-bi, dissipates accumulated Qi, and transmits insufficient Qi from the five Zang organs. It also treats Blood-Lao (a condition caused by chronic illness leading to blood deficiency and heat), and fullness due to stagnation of wind-qi. (This indicates blood deficiency with excessive heat). It addresses emaciation and pain in the back and spine, spontaneous sweating, and vexatious pain in bones and sinews. (This indicates Yin deficiency of the Liver and Kidney, where blood fails to nourish the bones and sinews). It searches out Liver Qi, disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyes, treats vertigo, dizziness, and eye diseases, benefits the throat, and is a key herb for hematemesis, epistaxis, lower GI bleeding, bloody dysentery, metrorrhagia, uterine bleeding, women's blood-wind disease, and postpartum wind-stroke. It reduces carbuncles and swellings, and treats alternating chills and fever as well as scrofula. Formulary texts use it for nasal disorders, convulsions, mania, epilepsy, phlegm-fluids, cough, vomiting, constipation and stranguria, podagra, rectal prolapse, and Liver-heat generating wind, hence its name "Blood-Wind". In cases of consumptive disease where long-term illness leads to blood deficiency, amenorrhea, and persistent fever (due to wind pathogen invasion), it dispels wind pathogens, disperses stasis, breaks Qi accumulation, and eliminates toxin sores. Generally, the Jueyin Wind-Wood governs blood, and Ministerial Fire resides within it; thus, it is a crucial herb for wind diseases, blood diseases, and sores. (Li Shizhen stated): For any unilateral facial paralysis with deviation of the mouth and eye, use one jin of Jingjie and one jin of Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), grind them together in a mortar until paste-like, squeeze the juice through raw silk, boil into an extract in porcelain, filter off one-third of the dregs, dry the remaining two-thirds to powder, mix with the extract to make pills the size of wu-tzu seeds. Take thirty pills each time with warm water, morning and evening. Avoid wind-inducing foods. For wind-stroke with locked jaw, take Jingjie spike powder with wine, two qian, for immediate recovery, named Jingjie San. For postpartum wind-stroke with locked jaw, convulsions resembling opisthotonos, syncope with limb stiffness, or unconsciousness, lightly roast Jingjie spikes, grind to fine powder. Stir-fry Douchi Huangjuan (Sojae Semen Praeparatum), pour wine over it, remove the beans, take the clear liquid to mix with three to five qian of the powder, including dregs. Mild cases recover after one dose; severe cases after two or three doses. Mixing with child's urine is also effective. Generally, severe postpartum vertigo causes sweating and loose pores, making one susceptible to wind-stroke. This is often due to anger injuring the Liver, sorrow causing internal Qi stagnation, or exposure to wind during childbirth. Immediate administration of this medicine is required. The above formulas also treat all types of hemorrhage and spasms after sweating. Add Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) in equal parts to Zhimi formula, decoct in water and take. If there is locked jaw, pry open teeth to administer; if unable to swallow, insufflate into the nose for miraculous effect. For postpartum coma and confusion (caused by fever after anger), use half raw Jingjie spikes and half roasted on new tiles to powder, take one to two qian with child's urine. For opisthotonos, take with Doulin Jiu (Soybean Wine) or decoct the powder with child's urine for excellent results. Opisthotonos is a critical postpartum syndrome, for which Jingjie is the essential herb. Note: Taking Jingjie with wine expands Yin to reach Yang; taking it with child's urine enriches Yin to harmonize Yang. Although both transform wind, the methods differ. For postpartum wind-deficiency and blood-deficiency vertigo/fainting, use one liang three qian of Jingjie spikes and five qian of Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) peeled and stir-fried, powder, take three qian with water. If panting, add Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) peeled and stir-fried, and Zhi Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata) three qian each. For postpartum dysentery, burn four or five spikes of Jingjie in a cup until carbonized (avoid oil/fire), add a little She Xiang (Moschus), and take with a small amount of boiling water. Though mild, this herb cures major illnesses and should not be neglected. For profuse bleeding from mouth and nose due to excess alcohol and sexual activity, take two qian of Jingjie powder with Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) decoction; two doses cure. For continuous metrorrhagia, burn Jingjie spikes on a sesame oil lamp until charred, take two qian mixed with child's urine. For all head and eye disorders, Blood-Lao wind-headache, vertigo, and dizziness, take three qian of Jingjie spike powder with wine for miraculous results.
[Discussion] Jingjie sows seeds in February, grows through summer, and flowers/fruits in August. (Efficacy focuses on the spikes). The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states it is pungent and warm, implying that its pungency fully constitutes its warming and ascending nature. Li Chan states its nature is slightly cool because "nature" governs "qi and flavor." This herb is first pungent then bitter; pungency prevails while bitterness is slight. Within the pungent and bitter qualities, there is a cooling aspect, utilizing bitterness to achieve its cooling and descending nature. Based on warm Qi and pungent Flavor, it aligns with the ascending energy of Spring Wood. Thus, it can penetrate Yin, allowing Yang to emerge through Yin. (Therefore, it unifies blood vessels, breaks Qi accumulation, transmits deficient Qi of the Zang organs, removes damp-bi, and descends blood stasis; this layer represents Yang ascending while Yin follows to become smooth.) When Yang emerges through Yin, wind is treated, and blood is harmonized. Furthermore, combining its pungent flavor with its cool nature aligns with the cooling descent of Autumn Metal. Thus, it can harmonize Yang, allowing Yin to flow prior to Yang. (Therefore, it searches out Liver Qi, treats Blood-Lao, resolves wind-Qi fullness, back/spine pain, and bone/sinew vexation, and treats male podagra; this layer represents Yin descending while Yang follows to harmonize blood.) When Yin flows before Yang, blood is enriched, and wind is calmed. Analyzing its nature and flavor, it seems entirely Metal-like, akin to Heaven Qi guiding Earth Qi. It can ascend to reach stagnant Yin on earth, and descend to transform hyperactive Yang in heaven. Thus, although not exclusively warming/ascending, if assisted properly with ascending/dispersing methods, whether the cause is external wind-cold obstructing Yang, or internal seven emotions causing blood stasis obstructing Yang (Liver Qi transforming into wind), this herb can expand Yin to reach it. Although not exclusively cooling/descending, if assisted properly with clearing/descending methods, whether the cause is internal Liver-heat causing Yang rebellion (excess Liver Qi leads to Yang excess and blood heat; prolonged heat leads to blood deficiency and Blood-Lao wind, requiring cooling/descending treatment), or external six evils causing blood heat rebelling against Yang (Liver Qi flooding into wind), this herb can enrich Yin to harmonize it. Since both Wind and Blood organs belong to the Liver, Jingjie's essence specifically targets the Liver, making it a key herb for blood. Blood requires ascending; herbs that ascend and descend simultaneously achieve complete function. (This herb fully acquires Metal Qi; its warming ascent precedes its cooling descent, returning to its origin.) Moreover, excess Qi becomes Fire. The Classics state: Yang diseases originate in blood. Hence, Li Shizhen noted its efficacy in treating hematemesis, epistaxis, and other bleeding disorders and hemorrhoids. (Jingjie treats rebellious blood, especially excelling in downward action). Additionally, Jingjie's action ascends more than descends, particularly affecting the head and eyes; it cannot be denied as a wind-dispersing agent. However, it differs from common wind agents used by contemporary physicians. The Wind-Wood Qi in the human body ascends from below; it is Shaoyang within Yin, belonging to Earth Qi. Like Heaven Qi descending to interact with Earth, if Yang lacks Yin and exists only as solitary Yang, how can it interact with Yin to achieve balance? Jingjie embodies Yang containing Minor Yin. Governing Heaven Qi above, it meets Earth Qi seeking to reach Heaven, facilitating its flow without letting ascending Yang re-stagnate in Yin. Furthermore, Yin within Yang combines with Earth Qi generated by Primordial Yang to interact, preventing Yang from reaching Heaven without return and separating from Yin. (The Classics say: Yang exiting Yin causes anger; is this not Liver dysfunction?) To claim this herb merely disperses wind, without understanding its subtle ability to calm wind, is ignorance. Understanding this principle reveals that treating wind-stroke Yang hyperactivity (Xijiao Fangfeng Tang), headache clearing upper fire (Qingshang Xiehuo Tang), dizziness removing wind-heat, and mania clearing Heart-heat, do not merely assist flavors to clear wind-heat, but follow the principle of returning Yang to Yin. Treating wind-stroke guiding Yang stagnation (Zhuifeng Rusheng San), headache/eye pain dispersing blood stasis (Shangqing San), head-wind scalp flakes clearing Qi obstruction (Renshen Xiaofeng San), and wind-epilepsy transforming Yin stagnation/reaching Yang obstruction, do not merely assist flavors to disperse wind-Yang, but follow the principle of penetrating Yin from Yang. Treating wind-stroke tonifying essence/blood/reaching Yuan Yang/resolving Yang stagnation (Buguzhi Wan), headache benefiting Liver Qi/harmonizing Yin to resolve Yang eliminating wind-toxin (Da Zhuifeng San), and convulsions nourishing Yin/harmonizing Yang eliminating wind stagnation, using Jingjie centrally does not aim to disperse wind, but utilizes the complete method of penetrating Yin from Yang and transforming Yang from Yin. Merely adhering to superficial wind-dispersal theories, consider why a single dose of Jingjie works miraculously for postpartum blood-deficiency wind syndromes. (Wind herbs are usually drying and deplete Yin; Jingjie uniquely succeeds in postpartum, hemorrhage, and post-sweat wind syndromes because its moist ascent contains cooling descent—transforming Yin to Yang, i.e., Yang returning to Yin—possessing the wonder of Yin-Yang mutual transformation, making wind treatment divine). Why is it particularly close to Large Intestine blood diseases? Wind and dry-heat share the same Qi (Yang). Only this herb penetrates Yin from Yang and transforms Yang from Yin, making it suitable for both heat and cold (e.g., Jinfeicao San assisting Mahuang for cold cough; Xuanfuhua Tang assisting Mahuang and Wuweizi for postpartum cold cough). Since it suits Yin and Yang equally, why does it treat upper symptoms most frequently, while lower symptoms like podagra are rare? Jingjie is a refined agent of Heaven Qi. The Classics state: If cloud/mist is impure, White Dew does not descend. Pure cloud/mist is Heaven Yang combining with Earth Yin, fermenting and changing to extreme subtlety, providing a basis for blood generation, like White Dew descending. (Qi at Danzhong is like cloud/mist, meaning Danzhong Qi desires transformation. Blood generates from Yin within Yang, refines via Heaven Qi clouds/mist, gathers at Danzhong Blood Meeting, receives cooling descent, and returns to the Sea of Blood.) Thus, Qi condensing upward as pure cloud/mist explains the difference in treating upper versus lower regions. In summary, this herb specializes in the Liver, wondrously using Yin-Yang transformation to resolve accumulation. Only through Yin-Yang mutual transformation is wind treatment divine. (Thus, Qinglong San uses Jingjie as sovereign for wind transmission, abdominal stasis, yellow eyes, blocked wind Qi, heat-center thirst). It should not be viewed merely as a wind-dispersing herb alongside other wind agents.
Yin deficiency with flaming fire causing red face and subsequent headache.
[Processing] Aged material is superior. Remove stems, use only spikes. Light stir-frying reduces pungency. For stopping bleeding, must be charred black.