乳
气味甘酸冷利。 治烦热气郁。解小儿热毒。不生痘疹。浸黄连取汁。点风赤眼。
阴茎
气味甘温。 能强阴壮筋。
溺
气味辛寒。有小毒。 主反胃（因稍有毒。服时不可过多。须热饮之。病深者。七日
愈。）噎病。（用四物加驴尿。防其生虫。）杀虫。治狂犬咬伤。癣疠恶疮。（并多饮取瘥）
东阿井乃济水之伏者所注。其水清而重。其色正绿。
煮胶法。必取乌驴皮。牡者。刮净。急流水（浸野狼溪水中为合法）中浸七日。入大锅七
口内。渐增阿井水煮至化。化后。每日降序一口。聚其融化之极者。止得一口。熬时入鹿角
一片。即成胶。（群阴必得一阳以化也。胶成。搭于架上。任其顺下而亦不断。）冬月易干。
其色深绿。且明燥轻脆。味淡而甘。亦须陈久。方堪入药。
甘淡温平。气味俱薄。可升可降。阳中阴也。（缘水性之下趋。协皮革之外卫。藉火力
以成土化。从下者上。从外者内矣。）入手太阴少阴足少阴厥阴经。 主治虚劳羸瘦。阴气
不足。疗虚劳咳嗽喘急。肺痿吐脓血。并吐血衄血。血淋尿血血痢。及女子血痛。血枯崩漏。
经水不调无子。并胎前产后诸疾。更男女血涸血污。四肢酸痛。（风淫木旺。肢体遍疼者。
能驱之。）劳极洒洒如疟。除风润燥。化痰清肺。利小便。（调猪苓汤服）调大肠圣药也。 阿
井乃济水之眼。济水为天地之肝。乌驴皮合北方水色。顺而健行之物。故入肝入肾多功。水
充则火有制。火熄则风不生。凡木旺风淫火盛金衰之证。应手辄效。（士材） 阿胶用搅浊
水则清。故人服之。下膈疏痰止吐治诸淤浊及逆上之痰也。（濒湖） 凡治喘嗽。不论肺虚
肺实。可下可温。须用阿胶以安肺润肺。肺虚损极。咳唾脓血。非阿胶不能补。 痢疾多因
伤暑伏热而成。阿胶乃大肠之要药。有热毒留滞者能疏导。无热毒留滞者能平安。（同蜜蜡
黄连用） 小儿惊风后。瞳仁不正者。以阿胶倍人参煎服最良。阿胶育神。人参益气也。（以
上士灏） 同天冬麦冬生地栝蒌根白药子五味枸杞苏子桑皮百部白芍。治肺肾俱虚。咳嗽吐
血。 同杜仲枸杞白芍山药麦冬地黄黄 人参青蒿续断黄柏。治崩中漏血。 同白芍炙甘草
地黄麦冬白胶当归枸杞杜仲续断。治妇人胎痛。或胎漏下血。 月水不调。阿胶一钱。蛤
粉炒成珠。研末。热酒服。 月水不止。阿胶炒焦为末。酒服二钱。 妊娠血痢。阿胶二两。
酒一升半。煮一升。顿服。 妊娠下血不止。阿胶三两。酒一升半。煎化服。即愈。（此四
证不调与不止有异。血痢与下血亦殊。然皆主阿胶益阴而用酒以和血行气。其相合之功用可
思。）瘫缓偏风。及诸风手脚不遂。腰脚无力者。阿胶微炙热。先煮葱豉粥一升。别以水一
升煮香豉二合。去渣入胶。更煎七沸。烊如饧。顿服之。乃暖吃葱豉粥。（若冷服。令人呕
逆。）如此三四剂。即止。 老人虚秘。阿胶炒二钱。葱白三根。水煎化。入蜜二匙。温服。
妊娠胎动。阿胶炙研二两。香豉一升。葱一升。水三升。煮取一升。同胶化服。（此三证瘫
缓与胎动。皆用葱豉宣气达阳。以化阴气之或涩或戾。便秘止用葱者。借阳气以行阴而已。
要非本于阿胶以益阴。不能成功。） 吐血不止。用阿胶炒二两。蒲黄六合。生地黄三升。
水五升。煮三升。分服。 大衄不止。口耳俱出。用阿胶炙蒲黄半两。每服二钱。水一盏。
生地黄汁一合。煎至六分。温服。急以帛系两乳。（此二证皆主阿胶益阴气而入包络。蒲黄
和中土之血。使阴能化。生地冷血。助阿胶之益阴而退热也。） 产后虚秘。阿胶炒枳壳炒
各一两。滑石二钱半。为末。蜜丸梧子大。每服五十丸。温水下。未通。再服。 观诸方佐
使所以用阿胶者。可类推矣。
〔论〕 阿胶以阿井水煎乌驴皮而成。取其质于皮。而化其质之气于水。故命名在阿。
夫皮毛者。肺之合。人物一也。乌驴皮合北方水色。犹人身肾至于肺之义。阿水清而重。其
性下趋。合火化以成其顺下而返于所始。所以入手太阴足少阴。益肺元而不病于僭阳。调肺
气而不类于耗散也。抑气阳也。此味益阴。又言补肺气不足。义似相戾。不知肺贯心脉而行
呼吸。气者火之灵。心乃火之主也。因离中有坎。故肾脉之直者。上贯肝膈入肺中。而其支
者。又从肺出络心。注胸中。是肺脉贯心。而心脉更藉肺阴以下注也。（肺阴即肾脉之贯膈
而入者。肺本主气。何以曰肺阴。盖肺为阳中之少阴。犹肝为阴中之少阳。阳中之阴。阴中
之阳。尤阴阳关捩子也。肺气独重肺阴。所云阴从阳出者。益阴即以裕阳。正属关捩子之义
也。） 凡肺受六淫七情之侵。则肺阴伤而心火亢。火亢则金愈衰。而离中之坎不能合于金
以化血。则真气愈不足。如肺阴下降以入膻中。是为生血之化源。举火亢金衰。胥能平之。
所以疗诸血证。阴裕而阳乃得化。阴降而阳即随之。俾归命门以神三焦之用者。皆不越此。
所以由血而至于气。举益虚劳羸瘦等功。悉皆归之也。大抵滋阴之味多伤气。益气之味类并
阴。惟此味虽以益阴为功。独其阴从阳出者。益阴即以裕阳。所谓膏肓之上。中有父母。又
所谓上焦合而营诸阳。心肺是也。洁古首云入手少阴。海藏首云入手太阴。其义不可互参乎。
至俱言其入足厥阴者。缘心包络主血。与肝相表里。肝固藏血之脏也。由肺阴之下降。而主
血者不病。入心生血。则火息风平。而金媾于木。即藏血者亦不病矣。抑血病有顺逆。而此
无不治者。由能和膻中之气化以归命门。又达真阳之化醇以归血海。举生血和血之功。皆其
从金生水以为还元之助。即从阴益阳以为化生之地耳。（阿胶由益阴而阳得化。故益气不同
于参 。仁斋谓其疏利积热。诚窥其所始也。至于粘滞。乃其质如是耳。非性味也。）至其
除风。本于益肝之阴气。而金能媾以平之。非概治天表之风。其化痰。本于阴气之润下。能
逐炎上之火所化者。非概治湿滞之痰。其治喘。但治炎上之火属于阴气不守者。非概治风寒
外束。及湿滞上壅之喘。其治血痢。止如伤暑热痢之血。非概治湿盛化热之痢。其治四肢酸
痛。乃血涸血污之痛。非概治外淫所伤之痛。即治吐衄。亦止奏功于虚损。若暴热为患。或
外感郁抑。及怒气初盛者。俱弗混
〔辨治〕 陈阿胶光如 漆。色滞油绿。折之即断。不作臭气。夏月亦不甚湿软者。为
真。调经丸药中用。宜入醋重汤炖化。和药。 胃弱作呕者。弗烊化服。打碎同蛤粉蒲黄牡
蛎粉炒。随宜。
乳
气味甘、酸，性冷而利。治疗烦热之气郁结。解除小儿的热毒。防止痘疹不生。用其浸泡黄连取汁，滴入患风赤眼（眼部红肿如桃花）中。
阴茎
气味甘、温。能够强壮阴气，强健筋骨。
溺（驴尿）
气味辛、寒，有小毒。主治反胃（因稍有毒性，服用时不可过量，必须热饮。病情深重者，七日可愈）。噎病（使用四物汤加入驴尿，以防生虫）。杀虫。治疗狂犬咬伤。癣疠恶疮（均大量饮用以取得痊愈）。
东阿井的水是济水伏流所注入的。水质清澈且比重较大。颜色纯正呈绿色。
煮胶的方法：必须选用乌驴皮，雄性者佳。刮洗干净后，放入急流水（浸于野狼溪水中为合法）中浸泡七天。放入七口大锅内，逐渐增加阿井水，煮至皮化。皮化后，每天减少一口锅，聚集融化程度最高的那部分，最后只保留一口锅的量。熬制时加入一片鹿角，即成胶。（群阴之质必得一阳之物才能化生。胶成后，搭在架子上，任其自然下垂也不断裂。）冬季容易干燥，颜色深绿，且明亮、干燥、轻盈、脆硬。味道淡而甘。也必须陈放久一些，才适合入药。
（阿胶）味甘、淡，性温平，气味俱薄。既可升又可降，属于阳中之阴。（因为水性向下趋流，配合皮革的外卫特性，借助火力转化为土性，从下者上升，从外者内入。）归入手太阴肺经、手少阴心经、足少阴肾经、足厥阴肝经。主治虚劳羸瘦、阴气不足。治疗虚劳咳嗽喘急、肺痿吐脓血，以及吐血、衄血、血淋、尿血、血痢，还有女子痛经、血枯、崩漏、月经不调导致的不孕，以及胎前产后各种疾病。更兼治男女血液枯竭、血液污浊、四肢酸痛。（若因风邪淫盛、肝木过旺导致全身肢体疼痛，它能驱除风邪。）极度疲劳时感觉寒冷如疟疾状。能祛风润燥，化痰清肺，利小便（配合猪苓汤服用）。是大肠的圣药。
阿井是济水的源头。济水是天地间的“肝”（对应五行之木）。乌驴皮合北方水色，是顺应水性且健行之物，所以入肝、入肾功效多。水充足则火有制约，火熄灭则风不生。凡是肝木过旺、风邪淫盛、心火亢盛、肺气衰弱的证候，都能应手见效。（引用士材语）
阿胶能使浑浊的水变清，所以人服用它，能疏通膈下的痰浊，止吐，治疗各种淤浊及逆上的痰。（引用濒湖语）
凡是治疗喘嗽，不论肺虚还是肺实，可用下法或温法，都必须用阿胶来安肺润肺。如果肺虚损极严重，咳唾脓血，非阿胶不能补。
痢疾多因伤暑伏热而成。阿胶是大肠的要药。有热毒留滞的能疏导，无热毒留滞的能平安。（与蜜蜡、黄连同用）
小儿惊风后，瞳孔不正的，用阿胶倍量人参煎服效果最好。阿胶能育神，人参能益气。（以上引用士灏语）
与天冬、麦冬、生地、栝蒌根、白药子、五味子、枸杞、苏子、桑白皮、百部、白芍同用，治疗肺肾俱虚，咳嗽吐血。
与杜仲、枸杞、白芍、山药、麦冬、地黄、黄芩、人参、青蒿、续断、黄柏同用，治疗崩中漏血。
与白芍、炙甘草、地黄、麦冬、白胶、当归、枸杞、杜仲、续断同用，治疗妇人胎痛，或胎漏下血。
月经不调：阿胶一钱，蛤粉炒成珠状，研末，热酒送服。
月经不止：阿胶炒焦为末，酒送服二钱。
妊娠血痢：阿胶二两，酒一升半，煮至一升，一次性服下。
妊娠下血不止：阿胶三两，酒一升半，煎化后服下，即可痊愈。（这四个证候，“不调”与“不止”有别，“血痢”与“下血”也不同，但都主用阿胶益阴，并用酒来和血行气，其相合的功用可以深思。）
瘫缓偏风，以及各类风邪导致手脚不遂、腰脚无力者，将阿胶微炙热，先煮葱豉粥一升，另外用水一升煮香豉二合，去渣后加入胶，再煎七沸，烊化成饴糖状，一次性服下，随后暖吃葱豉粥。（若冷服，令人呕吐逆乱。）如此服用三四剂，即可停止。
老人虚秘，阿胶炒二钱，葱白三根，水煎化开，加入蜂蜜两匙，温服。
妊娠胎动不安，阿胶炙后研细二两，香豉一升，葱一升，水三升，煮取一升，与胶混合化开服用。（这三个证候，瘫缓与胎动，都用葱豉宣通气机、通达阳气，以化解阴气的涩滞或乖戾；便秘只用葱，是借阳气以运行阴液罢了。关键在于本于阿胶以益阴，否则不能成功。）
吐血不止，用阿胶炒二两，蒲黄六合，生地黄三升，水五升，煮至三升，分次服用。
大衄不止，口耳同时出血，用阿胶炙、蒲黄半两，每次服二钱，水一盏，生地黄汁一合，煎至六分，温服。紧急时用帛带系住两乳。（这两个证候都主用阿胶益阴气而入包络，蒲黄调和脾胃之血，使阴能化生，生地凉血，助阿胶益阴退热。）
产后虚秘，阿胶炒、枳壳炒各一两，滑石二钱半，研为末，蜜丸如梧桐子大，每服五十丸，温水送下。未通大便，再服。
观察诸方中佐使药之所以用阿胶的原因，可以类推了。
〔论〕 阿胶是用阿井水煎煮乌驴皮而成的。取其质地源于皮，而将其气化生于水，所以命名在“阿”。
皮毛是肺的合应，人与物是一样的。乌驴皮合北方水色，犹如人身肾至于肺的意义。阿水清澈且重，其性向下趋流，配合火化以成就其顺下而返于始源的过程，所以入手太阴肺经、足少阴肾经，益肺元而不致僭越阳气，调肺气而不像耗散之品。这属于气阳范畴。此味益阴，又言补肺气不足，义理似乎相悖。不知肺贯通心脉而行呼吸，气是火的灵明，心是火的主宰。因为离卦中有坎卦，所以肾脉的直行者，上贯肝膈入肺中，而其支脉，又从肺出络于心，注入胸中。这是肺脉贯心，而心脉更藉肺阴以下注。（肺阴即肾脉之贯膈而入者。肺本主气，何以曰肺阴？盖肺为阳中之少阴，犹肝为阴中之少阳。阳中之阴，阴中之阳，正是阴阳的关键枢纽。肺气独重肺阴，所谓“阴从阳出”，益阴即是裕阳，正属关键枢纽之义。）
凡是肺受六淫七情侵袭，则肺阴伤而心火亢。火亢则金愈衰，而离中之坎不能合于金以化血，则真气愈不足。如肺阴下降以入膻中，是为生血的化源。举凡火亢金衰，都能平复。所以治疗各种血证，阴裕而阳乃得化，阴降而阳即随之。使得归命门以神三焦之用者，都不越此理。所以由血而至于气，举凡益虚劳羸瘦等功效，悉皆归于此处。大抵滋阴之味多伤气，益气之味类并阴。惟此味虽以益阴为功，独独其阴从阳出者，益阴即以裕阳。所谓膏肓之上，中有父母，又所谓上焦合而营诸阳，心肺是也。洁古首云入手少阴心经，海藏首云入手太阴肺经，其义不可互参乎？
至于都说其入足厥阴肝经，是因为心包络主血，与肝相表里。肝固然是藏血之脏。由肺阴之下降，而主血者不病。入心生血，则火息风平，而金媾于木，即藏血者亦不病了。抑血病有顺逆，而此无不治者，由能和膻中之气化以归命门，又达真阳之化醇以归血海，举凡生血和血之功，皆其从金生水以为还元之助，即从阴益阳以为化生之地耳。（阿胶由益阴而阳得化，故益气不同于参、芪。仁斋谓其疏利积热，诚窥其所始也。至于粘滞，乃其质如是耳，非性味也。）
至于其除风，本于益肝之阴气，而金能媾以平之，并非概治体表之风。其化痰，本于阴气之润下，能逐炎上之火所化者，并非概治湿滞之痰。其治喘，但治炎上之火属于阴气不守者，并非概治风寒外束，及湿滞上壅之喘。其治血痢，止如伤暑热痢之血，并非概治湿盛化热之痢。其治四肢酸痛，乃血涸血污之痛，并非概治外淫所伤之痛。即治吐衄，亦止奏功于虚损。若暴热为患，或外感郁抑，及怒气初盛者，俱弗混用。
〔辨治〕 陈年阿胶光泽如漆，颜色滞油绿，折断即断，不作臭气，夏季亦不甚湿软者，为真品。调经丸药中用，宜入醋重汤炖化，和药。胃弱作呕者，不要烊化服，打碎同蛤粉、蒲黄、牡蛎粉炒，随宜使用。
Udder (Donkey Udder)
Flavor: Sweet, Sour. Nature: Cold, Purgative. Treats heat accumulation and Qi stagnation causing vexation. Resolves heat toxicity in children. Prevents failure of smallpox to erupt. Soak Coptis Chinensis Rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) in it to extract juice, and apply to eyes affected by wind-red-eye (Fengchi Yan, 风赤眼).
Penis (Donkey Penis)
Flavor: Sweet. Nature: Warm. Strengthens Yin and reinforces sinews and bones.
Urine (Donkey Urine)
Flavor: Pungent. Nature: Cold. Slightly toxic. Mainly treats regurgitation (due to slight toxicity, do not take excessively; must be taken hot. For severe cases, recovery occurs within seven days). Treats dysphagia (use Siwu Tang [Four Substances Decoction] added with donkey urine to prevent parasitic worms). Kills parasites. Treats rabies bites, tinea, leprosy, and malignant sores (drink large amounts to achieve cure).
The water from Dong’e Well is fed by the subterranean flow of the Ji River. The water is clear and heavy. Its color is a pure green.
Method for boiling glue: Must select hide from black donkeys, preferably male. Scrape clean, then soak in rapid-flowing water (soaking in wild wolf creek water is considered correct) for seven days. Place into seven large pots, gradually adding Dong’e well water until the hide melts. After melting, reduce the number of pots by one each day, concentrating the most thoroughly melted portion, until only one pot remains. During boiling, add one piece of Deer Antler (Lujiao, 鹿角), and the glue is formed. (Yin substances require Yang to transform. Once formed, hang on a rack to dry naturally without breaking.) In winter, it dries easily, appearing dark green, bright, dry, light, and brittle. Flavor is pale and sweet. It must be aged for a long time before being suitable for medicinal use.
[Glue Properties] Flavor: Sweet, Pale. Nature: Warm, Neutral. Aroma and flavor are thin. Capable of ascending and descending; belongs to Yin within Yang. (Because water nature tends downward, combined with the external protection of leather, aided by fire to transform into Earth nature, rising from below and entering from outside.) Enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Mainly treats deficiency consumption with emaciation, insufficient Yin Qi. Treats deficiency consumption cough, wheezing, and urgency; lung abscess with expectoration of pus and blood; hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody strangury, hematuria, bloody dysentery; also women’s dysmenorrhea, blood exhaustion, metrorrhagia, irregular menstruation leading to infertility, and various diseases during pregnancy and postpartum. Furthermore treats blood depletion and impurity in men and women, and soreness and pain in the four limbs. (If limb pain is due to wind pathogen excess and hyperactive liver wood, it can dispel it.) Treats extreme fatigue with chills resembling malaria. Dispels wind, moistens dryness, resolves phlegm, clears the lungs, and promotes urination (take with Zhu Ling Tang [Polyporus Decoction]). It is a sacred medicine for the Large Intestine.
Dong’e Well is the source of the Ji River. The Ji River corresponds to the Liver (Wood element) in heaven and earth. Black donkey hide combines with the northern water color; it is a substance that follows and moves vigorously, thus entering the Liver and Kidney with great efficacy. When water is sufficient, fire is controlled; when fire extinguishes, wind does not arise. For conditions of hyperactive liver wood, rampant wind, flourishing heart fire, and declining lung metal, effects are immediate. (Quoting Shicai)
When E’jiao [Donkey-Hide Gelatin] stirs turbid water, it becomes clear. Therefore, when humans ingest it, it clears phlegm below the diaphragm, stops vomiting, and treats various turbidities and rebellious phlegm. (Quoting Bencao Gangmu author Li Shizhen/Binhu)
In treating cough and asthma, whether lung deficiency or excess, whether using purgative or warming methods, E’jiao must be used to calm and moisten the lung. If lung deficiency is extremely severe, with expectoration of pus and blood, only E’jiao can tonify.
Dysentery often arises from summerheat injury and latent heat. E’jiao is a key medicine for the Large Intestine. It can guide out heat toxins if they are stagnant, and ensure peace if no heat toxins are stagnant. (Use with beeswax and Coptis Rhizome)
For children after convulsions from wind-stroke, with misaligned pupils, decocting E’jiao with double the amount of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参) is best. E’jiao nourishes the spirit; Ginseng tonifies Qi. (Above quoted from Shihao)
Combined with Asparagus Tuber (Tian Dong, 天冬), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong, 麦冬), Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di Huang, 生地), Trichosanthes Root (Gualou Gen, 栝蒌根), Polygonatum Kingianum Rhizome (Bai Yao Zi, 白药子), Schisandra Fruit (Wuweizi, 五味), Lycium Fruit (Gouqi, 枸杞), Perilla Seed (Suzi, 苏子), Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi, 桑皮), Stemona Root (Baibu, 百部), and White Peony Root (Baishao, 白芍), it treats dual deficiency of lung and kidney, cough, and hemoptysis.
Combined with Eucommia Bark (Duzhong, 杜仲), Lycium Fruit, White Peony Root, Chinese Yam (Shanyao, 山药), Ophiopogon Tuber, Rehmannia Root, Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin, 黄芩), Ginseng, Artemisia Annua (Qinghao, 青蒿), Dipsacus Root (Xuduan, 续断), and Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai, 黄柏), it treats metrorrhagia and metrorrhagia.
Combined with White Peony Root, Honey-fried Licorice Root (Zhi Gancao, 炙甘草), Rehmannia Root, Ophiopogon Tuber, White Glue (Baijiao, 白胶), Angelica Sinensis (Danggui, 当归), Lycium Fruit, Eucommia Bark, and Dipsacus Root, it treats uterine pain in women, or threatened miscarriage with bleeding.
Irregular menstruation: One qian of E’jiao, stir-fried with Polycybe Mushroom Powder (Gefen, 蛤粉) until pearl-like, ground to powder, taken with hot wine.
Menorrhagia: E’jiao stir-fried until charred, ground to powder, taken with wine, two qian per dose.
Pregnancy bloody dysentery: Two liang of E’jiao, one sheng half of wine, boiled down to one sheng, taken at once.
Pregnancy continuous bleeding: Three liang of E’jiao, one sheng half of wine, melted and taken, resulting in cure. (These four conditions differ in "irregularity" vs "continuity," and "bloody dysentery" vs "bleeding," but all primarily use E’jiao to benefit Yin, and wine to harmonize blood and move Qi; their synergistic function is worth pondering.)
Paralysis, hemiplegia, and various wind conditions causing inability to move hands and feet, or weakness in waist and legs: Lightly heat E’jiao, first decoct scallion and fermented soybean porridge (Congchi Zhou, 葱豉粥) one sheng. Separately, boil Fermented Soybean (Xiangchi, 香豉) two he in one sheng of water, remove dregs, add glue, boil seven times more until melted like syrup, take at once, then eat warm scallion and fermented soybean porridge. (If taken cold, it causes vomiting and rebellion.) Taking three to four doses will stop symptoms.
Elderly deficiency constipation: Stir-fried E’jiao two qian, three stalks of white scallion, decocted in water until melted, add two spoons of honey, take warm.
Threatened miscarriage with fetal movement: Roasted and powdered E’jiao two liang, Fermented Soybean one sheng, Scallion one sheng, Water three sheng, boiled down to one sheng, mixed with melted glue and taken. (For these three conditions, paralysis and threatened miscarriage, both use scallion and fermented soybean to circulate Qi and reach Yang, to resolve stagnation or deviation of Yin Qi. Constipation uses only scallion, borrowing Yang Qi to move Yin. Crucially, it relies on E’jiao to benefit Yin to succeed.)
Continuous hematemesis: Stir-fried E’jiao two liang, Polygonum Multiflorum Seed (Puhuang, 蒲黄) six he, Fresh Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang, 生地黄) three sheng, Water five sheng, boiled down to three sheng, taken in divided doses.
Severe epistaxis continuing, bleeding from mouth and ears: Roasted E’jiao and Puhuang half liang, take two qian per dose, one cup of water, one he of Fresh Rehmannia Juice, boiled down to six parts, take warm. Urgently tie both breasts with cloth. (These two conditions primarily use E’jiao to benefit Yin Qi and enter the Pericardium Luo, Puhuang to harmonize blood in the Middle Jiao, allowing Yin to transform, and Fresh Rehmannia to cool blood, assisting E’jiao in benefiting Yin and retreating heat.)
Postpartum deficiency constipation: Stir-fried E’jiao and stir-fried Aurantium Fructus (Zhike, 枳壳) one liang each, Talcum (Huashi, 滑石) two qian half, ground to powder, honey pills sized like wu-tong seeds, take fifty pills per dose with warm water. If stool not passed, take again.
Observing why E’jiao is used as an assistant in various formulas, one can infer other applications.
[Discussion] E’jiao is made by decocting black donkey hide with Dong’e well water. It takes its substance from the hide, and transforms its Qi through the water, hence named "A" (referring to the water/source). Skin and hair are the exterior correspondence of the Lung; humans and animals share this nature. Black donkey hide combines with northern water color, analogous to the relationship between Kidney and Lung in the human body. Dong’e water is clear and heavy, its nature tending downward. Combined with fire transformation, it achieves its downward tendency returning to the origin. Thus, it enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, benefiting Lung Yuan without causing hyperactive Yang, and regulating Lung Qi without being dissipative. This pertains to Qi and Yang. This substance benefits Yin, yet is said to tonify insufficient Lung Qi; the meaning seems contradictory. However, the Lung penetrates the Heart vessels and governs respiration. Qi is the spirit of Fire; the Heart is the master of Fire. Because Li (Fire trigram) contains Kan (Water trigram), the straight branch of the Kidney meridian goes up through the Liver and Diaphragm into the Lung, and its branch emerges from the Lung, connects to the Heart, and pours into the chest. Thus, Lung meridian penetrates the Heart, and Heart meridian relies on Lung Yin to descend below. (Lung Yin refers to the Kidney meridian branch penetrating the diaphragm and entering. The Lung governs Qi, why call it Lung Yin? The Lung is Yin within Yang, just as the Liver is Yang within Yin. Yin within Yang and Yang within Yin are the critical pivots of Yin and Yang. Lung Qi emphasizes Lung Yin; what is called "Yin emerging from Yang," benefiting Yin thereby enriches Yang, precisely fits the pivot meaning.)
Whenever the Lung is invaded by the Six Evils or Seven Emotions, Lung Yin is damaged and Heart Fire flares. Flaring Fire causes Metal to decline further, and Kan within Li cannot combine with Metal to transform Blood, causing True Qi to become increasingly deficient. If Lung Yin descends to enter the Chest Center (Shanzhong, 膻中), this is the source of blood generation. It can level out flaring Fire and declining Metal. Therefore, it treats various blood disorders. When Yin is enriched, Yang transforms; when Yin descends, Yang follows. This allows the return to the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen, 命门) to govern the functions of the Triple Burner, without exceeding this principle. Thus, from Blood to Qi, all benefits for deficiency consumption and emaciation are attributed here. Generally, Yin-nourishing substances often damage Qi, and Qi-tonifying substances tend to consume Yin. Only this substance, although functioning by benefiting Yin, uniquely has Yin emerging from Yang; benefiting Yin thereby enriches Yang. As stated, above the Gaohuang points lie the Parents, and the Upper Jiao combines to nourish all Yang, which are the Heart and Lung. Jiegu first stated it enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian; Haicang first stated it enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Can their meanings not be mutually referenced?
As for saying it enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, it is because the Pericardium Luo governs Blood and is interior-exterior related to the Liver. The Liver is indeed the organ storing Blood. Through the descent of Lung Yin, the organ governing Blood is not diseased. Entering the Heart to generate Blood, Fire extinguishes and Wind calms, and Metal couples with Wood, so even the organ storing Blood is not diseased. Although blood diseases have favorable and unfavorable trajectories, this substance treats them all. It harmonizes Qi transformation in the Chest Center to return to Mingmen, and reaches the purity of True Yang to return to the Sea of Blood. All functions of generating and harmonizing blood are aids in returning to the origin by generating Water from Metal, i.e., benefiting Yang from Yin as the place of generation. (E’jiao generates Yang from benefiting Yin, thus its Qi-tonifying effect differs from Ginseng and Astragalus. Renzhai said it clears accumulated heat, truly seeing its origin. Its stickiness is merely its physical nature, not its flavor/nature.)
Regarding dispelling wind, it originates from benefiting Liver Yin Qi, and Metal couples to level it; it does not generally treat surface wind. Regarding resolving phlegm, it originates from the moistening and descending nature of Yin Qi, driving away phlegm transformed by flaming upward Fire; it does not generally treat dampness-stagnant phlegm. Regarding treating asthma, it treats only flaming upward Fire belonging to unguarded Yin Qi; it does not generally treat asthma caused by external wind-cold binding or dampness-stagnation obstructing upward. Regarding treating bloody dysentery, it treats only bloody dysentery from summerheat-heat; it does not generally treat dysentery from dampness transforming into heat. Regarding treating soreness and pain in the four limbs, it treats pain from blood depletion and impurity; it does not generally treat pain from external pathogen invasion. Even in treating hematemesis and epistaxis, it only achieves merit in deficiency consumptions. If caused by sudden heat, or external contraction with depression, or initial盛 anger, it should not be mixed indiscriminately.
[Differentiation and Treatment] Aged E’jiao is glossy like lacquer, color dull oily green, breaks cleanly, emits no foul odor, and is not too soft/humid in summer; this is authentic. For menstrual regulation pills, it should be dissolved in vinegar over heavy heat, then mixed with medicine. For those with weak stomach causing vomiting, do not melt directly; crush and stir-fry with Polycybe Mushroom Powder, Puhuang, and Oyster Shell Powder as appropriate.