典藏书目

Gallbladder (Dan)
The flavor is bitter and the nature is cold. It has slight toxicity. It primarily benefits vision (it can remove corneal opacities, functioning similarly to Ursi Fellea). It treats infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome), capable of killing parasites associated with malnutrition and consumption tuberculosis. It also eliminates all heat accumulations in the zang-fu organs (It enters the Liver and Spleen meridians. Heat in the Liver causes blurred vision; stagnant heat in the Spleen leads to Gan accumulation. The bitter-cold nature clears the heat in these two meridians, thus addressing various conditions). Combined with Hyracois Hepat et Ren (Aardvark Liver), Aloe (Luye), Dried Lac Resin (Ganqi), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai), Typhonii Rhizoma (Baibu), and Cinnabar (Dansha), and added to Kidney-nourishing prescriptions, it treats consumption tuberculosis (Chuan shi lao zhai) and internal cataracts/opacities. For use: take half liang of Elephant Gallbladder (Xiang Dan), seven carp gallbladders, one fen of Bear Gallbladder (Xiong Dan), half liang of Bovine Gallbladder (Niu Dan), one fen of Moschus (Shexiang), and one liang of Hemimitrae Concha (Shijueming). Grind into powder, make pills with paste the size of mung beans. Take ten pills with tea, twice daily.
Because Gallbladder is extremely bitter and cold, it should not be taken in large quantities by those with Spleen deficiency in Gan syndrome or blood deficiency causing eye diseases (Zhong Chun).
[Differentiation and Treatment] The dried form has a pattern resembling green bamboo nodes on the surface, smooth and glossy; this must be carefully identified. Its taste is slightly sweet. Before incorporating into other medicines, it must first be pounded into powder.
Skin
Treats external chancre (Xiagan). (Burn to ash, mix with oil, and apply.) It also addresses non-healing traumatic wounds. Added to ointments and powders, it is a key medicine for promoting flesh growth and wound closure (Its nature promotes astringency; using its hooked skin, wounds close rapidly).
Teeth
The flavor is sweet and the nature is cold. It primarily treats wind-phlegm epilepsy, confusion, and disorders attributed to evil spirits caused by Heart and Liver wind (Raw powder should be used in prescriptions). It draws out toxins from malignant sores and removes fistula tracts (Due to its ability to shed/molt). It promotes flesh growth and regenerates tissue. Combined with Alum (Mingfan), Yellow Beeswax (Huangla), Buffalo Horn (Niujiao), Lead Flowers (Qianhua), Centipedes with Golden Heads (Jintou Wugong), Skin (Pi), and Pig Suspended Hooves (Zhu Xuantí), it treats intestinal fistulas and tract removal. For unhealed smallpox/rash scars: Roast Ivory Powder (Yazhaxie) in a copper vessel until yellow-red, grind into powder. Take 7-8 fen or 1 qian, washed down with plain water.
In Spring, near the head; in Summer, on the belly; in Autumn, on the left foot; in Winter, on the right foot (Piyá). Those that are transparent throughout are superior.
The flavor is bitter and the nature is cold. It cools the Heart and calms the Liver. It acts on the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Jueyin, and Foot Yangming meridians. Used as eye drops, it removes opacities and restores sight. Applied to malignant sores and hemorrhoids, it treats toothache caused by worms and pinworm pain. It treats pediatric wind-heat convulsions/epilepsy, kills parasites, treats jaundice due to epidemic heat excess, and chronic dysentery during summer months.
[Attached Formulas] For red eyes with visual obstruction: dissolve a small amount of Gallbladder, add 1-2 pieces of Borneolum Syntheticum (Bingpian), and apply with a copper instrument. This is remarkably effective. If accompanied by tearing and itching, add a little Ginger Powder (Shengjiangfen). For Intestinal Wind Hemorrhoids: Mix half liang of Bear Gallbladder (Xiong Dan) with a small amount of Camphora (Pian Nao), and apply Pig Gallbladder Juice (Zhu Danzhi). For Pediatric Nasal Erosion: Dissolve half fen of Bear Gallbladder in water and apply. For Convulsions and Opisthotonos: Dissolve in Bamboo Sap (Zhuli) equivalent to two bean seeds and administer. This effectively removes phlegm from the Heart and is very beneficial. For various types of malnutrition with emaciation: Mix equal parts of Bear Gallbladder (Xiong Dan) and Quisqualis Seed Powder (Shijunzi Mo), grind evenly, steam and melt in a porcelain vessel, make pills the size of hemp seeds using steamed dough. Take twenty pills with rice drink.
[Discussion] The bear is a Yang animal. Mr. Miao stated its nature is warm and it can circulate through the meridians. While all gallbladders are bitter and cold, the unique application of Bear Gallbladder may be due to this reason. If half a grain is thrown into water, it spins like flying (Other gallbladders also spin, but more slowly). If there is condensed dust on the water surface, it clears instantly. This indicates that this substance’s efficacy in treating eye opacities and chronic hemorrhoids is not solely due to bitter-coldness clearing fire. It likely embodies the Yang within Yin and the movement within Yang, thus able to disperse Qi and Blood stagnations caused by pathogenic accumulation. (Bears often climb trees to guide Qi, or fall to the ground to feel pleasure, commonly called "die". This is what Zhuangzi referred to as "Bear hanging and Bird stretching." During winter hibernation, they do not eat; when hungry, they lick their palms. Observing this guiding of Qi, even during hibernation they can consume Qi. Thus, bears have unique properties and functions regarding Qi, namely obtaining the Yang within Yin and the movement within Yang, which is likely correct.) Medical texts also frequently use it to treat throat bi (Houbi). Throat bi is essentially toxic heat blocking and closing the throat; the treatment principle aligns with this meaning. Any substance that clears the Liver and Gallbladder and facilitates their function allows the Qi and Blood of the entire body to circulate through the meridians and open pathogenic blockages. Those who understand this will recognize it.
Those with chronic diseases should avoid eating bear meat, as it will cause the disease to remain incurable for life. Beware (Zhong Chun).
[General Discussion on Using Gallbladder] All gallbladders are extremely bitter and cold. They travel to the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, draining excess heat. In children, Gan accumulation often leads to eye opacities because pathogenic heat in the Liver and Spleen causes stagnation, leading to daily depletion of Qi and Blood in these two organs and increasing blockage. Using this to dissipate heat in the Liver, Gallbladder, and Spleen clears internal pathogens and removes external obstructions. However, if eye opacities occur without Gan syndrome, or clouding after smallpox, it is mostly due to dual deficiency of the Liver and Kidney. In such cases, nourishing Yin, tonifying Blood, and clearing heat is urgent. None of the other gallbladders should be used.