往尝向学，以未博医为欠事。一日，思取古人，既目医道类为小道，又谓人不可以不知
医。噫嘻，医不可以不知医也，亦不必于尽知也，非尽知不可也。顾吾所事者大。其余所谓
医者，精神有分数，日月不长居也。君子于医，苟知其概，以知之者付之专之者，斯固不害
为知也。此吾有取于药性赋也。虽然，吾为专于大者言也。苟有奇世之人，小大而无不知者，
奚必尽守乎吾言。或曰，斯人也，吾见亦罕矣。此吾有取于药性赋也。
\x元山道人识
诸药赋性，此类最寒。犀角解乎心热，羚羊清乎肺肝。泽泻利水通淋而补阴不足，海藻
散瘿破气而治疝何难。闻之菊花能明目而清风，射干疗咽闭而消痈毒。薏苡理香港脚而除风湿，
藕节消瘀血而止吐衄。瓜蒌子下气润肺喘兮，又且宽中；车前子止泻利小便兮，尤能明目。
是以黄柏疮用，兜铃嗽医。地骨皮有退热除蒸之效，薄荷叶宜消风清肿之施。
宽中下气，枳壳缓而枳实速也；疗肌解表，干葛先而柴胡次之。百部治肺热，咳嗽可止；
栀子凉心肾，鼻衄最宜。玄参治热结毒痈，清利咽膈；升麻消风热肿毒，发散疮痍。尝闻
腻粉抑肺而敛肛门，金箔镇心而安魂魄；茵陈主黄胆而利水，瞿麦治热淋之有血。朴硝通大
肠，破血而止痰癖。
石膏治头疼，解肌而消烦渴；前胡除内外之痰实；滑石利六腑之涩结；天门冬止嗽，补
血冷而润肝心；麦门冬清心，解烦渴而除肺热。又闻治虚烦，除哕呕，须用竹茹；通便秘，
导瘀血，必资大黄；宣黄连治冷热之痢，又浓胃肠而止泻；淫羊藿疗风寒之痹，且补阴虚而
助阳；茅根止血与吐衄；石苇通淋于小肠。
熟地黄补血，且疗虚损；生地黄宣血，更医眼疮。赤芍药破血而疗腹疼，烦热亦解；
白芍药补虚而生新血，退热尤良。若乃消肿满，逐水于牵牛；除毒热，杀虫于贯众；金铃子
治疝气而补精血，萱草根治五淋而消乳肿。侧柏叶治血山崩漏之疾，香附子理血气妇人之用
。地肤子利膀胱，可洗皮肤之风；山豆根解热毒，能止咽喉之痛。
白藓皮去风治筋弱，而疗足顽痹；旋复花明目治头风，而消痰嗽壅。又况荆芥穗清头目
便血，疏风散疮之用；瓜蒌根疗黄胆毒痈，消渴解痰之忧；地榆疗崩漏，止血止痢；昆布破
疝气，散瘿散瘤。疗伤寒，解虚烦，淡竹叶之功倍；除结气，破瘀血，牡丹皮之用同。知母
止嗽而骨蒸退，牡蛎涩精而虚汗收。
贝母清痰，止咳嗽而利心肺；桔梗下气，利胸膈而治咽喉。若夫黄芩治诸热，兼主五淋
，槐花治肠风，亦医痔痢；常山理痰结而治温疟。葶苈泻肺喘而通水气。此六十六种药性之
寒，又当考《图经》以博其所治。观夫方书以参其所用焉，其庶几矣。
过去我曾经求学，因为医术不够广博而感到遗憾。有一天，我思考取法古人，既然世人认为医道属于“小道”，又认为人不可以不懂医学。唉，医学确实不可不懂，但也并非需要完全通晓所有细节，并不是说非要尽知一切才行。只是我所从事的事业重大。其余所谓的医者，精力有限，生命也不长久。君子对于医学，只要知晓大概，将具体的诊疗工作交给专门精通的人去做，这并不妨碍自己成为懂医之人。这就是我对《药性赋》有所取用的原因。虽然如此，我是针对专注于大体原则而言的。假如有世间奇才，无论大小病症无所不知，那又何必完全拘泥于我的话呢？有人说，这样的人，我也很少见到。这也是我对《药性赋》有所取用的原因。
——元山道人 识
各种药物的本性，这类（寒性药）最为寒凉。犀角能解除心经的热邪，羚羊角能清泄肺肝之热。泽泻能利水通淋并补益阴液之不足，海藻能消散瘿瘤、破气散结，治疗疝气有何困难。听说菊花能明目并清风热，射干能治疗咽喉闭塞并消除痈毒。薏苡仁能治疗香港脚（足部肿痛）并祛除风湿，藕节能消散瘀血并停止吐血、衄血。瓜蒌子能降气润肺平喘，又能宽中理气；车前子能止泻利小便，尤其能明目。因此黄柏多用于疮疡，天竺黄多用于咳嗽。地骨皮有退热除蒸的功效，薄荷叶适宜用于消风散热消肿。
宽中下气方面，枳壳作用缓和而枳实作用迅速；疗肌解表方面，葛根优先而柴胡次之。百部治疗肺热，可止咳嗽；栀子凉心肾，最宜治疗鼻衄。玄参治疗热结导致的毒痈，清利咽喉膈膜；升麻消散风热肿毒，发散疮疡。曾听说腻粉（轻粉）能抑制肺气收敛肛门，金箔能镇心安魂；茵陈主治黄疸并利水，瞿麦治疗热淋伴有出血。朴硝能通大肠，破血积并停止痰癖。
石膏治疗头痛，解肌表之邪并消除烦渴；前胡清除内外的痰实；滑石利六腑的涩结；天门冬止咳，补血冷并润养肝心；麦门冬清心，解烦渴并除肺热。又听说治疗虚烦、消除呃逆呕吐，须用竹茹；通便秘、导瘀血，必赖大黄；黄连宣通治疗冷热痢疾，又能厚肠胃而止泻；淫羊藿治疗风寒痹痛，且补阴虚而助阳；白茅根止血及治疗吐血衄血；石苇通淋于小肠。
熟地黄补血，且治疗虚损；生地黄宣通血脉，更医治眼疮。赤芍药破血并治疗腹痛，烦热也能解除；白芍药补虚而生新血，退热效果尤佳。至于消肿满、逐水饮用牵牛子；除毒热、杀虫用贯众；金铃子治疗疝气并补精血，萱草根治疗五淋并消除乳肿。侧柏叶治疗血崩漏下之疾，香附子调理气血，为妇人常用药。地肤子利膀胱，可洗皮肤之风；山豆根解热毒，能止咽喉之痛。
白鲜皮祛风治疗筋弱，并治疗足部顽痹；旋复花明目治疗头风，并消除痰嗽壅盛。况且荆芥穗清头目、治便血，疏风散疮之用；瓜蒌根治疗黄疸毒痈，消渴解痰之忧；地榆治疗崩漏，止血止痢；昆布破疝气，散瘿散瘤。治疗伤寒、解虚烦，淡竹叶的功效加倍；除结气、破瘀血，牡丹皮的作用相同。知母止咳并退骨蒸，牡蛎涩精并收虚汗。
贝母清痰，止咳嗽并利心肺；桔梗下气，利胸膈并治咽喉。至于黄芩治疗各种热证，兼主五淋；槐花治疗肠风，也医治痔痢；常山治理痰结并治疗温疟。葶苈子泻肺喘并通水气。这六十六种寒性药物的药性，应当参考《图经》以广泛了解其主治。观察方书以参酌其用法，那就差不多了。
In the past, when I was studying, I felt regretful that my medical knowledge was not extensive. One day, reflecting on the ancients, although some considered the Way of Medicine to be a "minor art," they also asserted that one cannot but know medicine. Alas, it is true that medicine must be known, yet it is not necessary to know everything; it is not the case that one cannot proceed without knowing all details. The matter I attend to is significant. As for other so-called practitioners, their energy is limited, and days and months do not stay long. For a gentleman regarding medicine, if he grasps the general principles and entrusts specific treatments to those who specialize in them, this does not hinder him from being considered knowledgeable in medicine. This is why I find value in the *Yao Xing Fu* (Ode to Drug Properties). Nevertheless, I speak here regarding focusing on the major principles. If there were extraordinary individuals in the world who knew everything, large and small, why would they need to strictly adhere to my words? Some might say, such people are rarely seen by me. This is also why I find value in the *Yao Xing Fu*.
— Recorded by Yuan Shan Dao Ren
Among the natures of various drugs, this category is the coldest. Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) resolves heart heat; Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao) clears lung and liver heat. Alisma (Zexie) promotes urination to relieve stranguria and supplements insufficient yin; Sargassum (Haizao) dissipates goiter, breaks qi stagnation, and treats hernia with ease. It is said that Chrysanthemum (Juhua) can brighten the eyes and clear wind-heat; Belamcanda (Shegan) treats throat obstruction and eliminates carbuncle toxicity. Coix Seed (Yiyiren) treats podagra (Hong Kong foot) and dispels wind-dampness; Lotus Node Root (Oujie) resolves blood stasis and stops hematemesis and epistaxis. Trichosanthes Seed (Gualouzi) descends qi, moistens the lungs, and calms asthma, while also relaxing the middle jiao; Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi) stops diarrhea and promotes urination, and is especially effective in brightening the eyes. Therefore, Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai) is used for sores, and Thunbergia Fruit (Doutingling / Tianzhuhuang contextually often refers to Thunbergia or similar cooling phlegm herbs, here translated as Thunbergia Fruit based on text) is used for coughs. Cortex Lycii (Digupi) has the effect of reducing fever and eliminating steaming bone disorder; Mint Leaf (Boheye) is suitable for dispelling wind and clearing swelling.
To relax the middle and descend qi, Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus) acts slowly, whereas Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) acts quickly; to resolve the muscle layer and release the exterior, Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix) comes first, while Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) follows. Stemonae Radix (Baibu) treats lung heat and can stop coughing; Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) cools the heart and kidneys and is most suitable for epistaxis. Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) treats toxic carbuncles caused by heat accumulation, clears and benefits the throat and diaphragm; Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma) dissipates wind-heat swelling and toxins, and expels sores. It is heard that Calomelas (Nifen / Qinfen) suppresses lung qi and astringes the anus; Gold Leaf (Jinpo) calms the heart and stabilizes the soul; Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yinchen) primarily treats jaundice and promotes urination; Diantherae Herba (Qumai) treats hot stranguria with blood. Mirabilite (Piaoxiao) unblocks the large intestine, breaks blood stasis, and stops phlegm-fluid retention.
Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) treats headache, resolves the muscle layer, and eliminates thirst and irritability; Peucedani Radix (Qianhu) removes internal and external phlegm-solidity; Talcum (Huashi) benefits the six fu organs by resolving涩结 (obstruction); Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong) stops coughing, supplements cold-blood deficiency, and moistens the liver and heart; Ophiopogonis Radix (Maimendong) clears the heart, resolves thirst and irritability, and eliminates lung heat. Furthermore, to treat empty irritability and eliminate hiccups/vomiting, Bamboo Shavings (Zhuru) must be used; to unblock constipation and guide out blood stasis, Rhubarb (Dahuang) is essential; Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) treats dysentery of both cold and heat, thickens the stomach and intestines, and stops diarrhea; Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo) treats bi-syndrome due to wind-cold, and tonifies yin deficiency while assisting yang; Imperatae Rhizoma (Maogen) stops bleeding and treats hematemesis/epistaxis; Pyri Folium (Shiwei) unblocks stranguria in the small intestine.
Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudihuang) tonifies blood and treats deficiency damage; Raw Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang) circulates blood and further treats eye sores. Red Peony Root (Chishaoyao) breaks blood stasis and treats abdominal pain, relieving irritability and heat; White Peony Root (Baishaoyao) tonifies deficiency and generates new blood, with excellent heat-reducing effects. To reduce swelling and fullness, and drive out water using Kansui Root (Qianniu); to eliminate toxic heat and kill parasites using Cyathulae Root (Guanzhong); Meliae Semen (Jinlingzi) treats hernia and supplements essence and blood; Daylily Root (Xuancao Gen) treats five types of stranguria and eliminates breast swelling; Platycladi Cacumen (Cebaiye) treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea; Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfuzi) regulates blood and qi, commonly used by women. Kochiae Spica (Difuzi) benefits the bladder and can wash away wind from the skin; Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix (Shandougen) resolves toxic heat and can stop throat pain.
Dictamni Cortex (Baixianpi) dispels wind, treats tendon weakness, and cures stubborn bi-syndrome of the feet; Inula Flower (Xuanfuhua) brightens the eyes, treats cephalalgia due to wind, and eliminates phlegm-cough congestion. Moreover, Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie Sui) clears the head and eyes, treats bloody stool, and is used for dispersing wind and sores; Trichosanthes Root (Gualou Gen) treats jaundice, toxic carbuncles, thirst, and phlegm worries; Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu) treats metrorrhagia, stops bleeding and dysentery; Algae (Kunbu) breaks hernia, dissipates goiter and tumors. To treat cold damage and resolve empty irritability, the efficacy of Lophatheri Herba (Dan Zhuye) is doubled; to remove stagnant qi and break blood stasis, the use of Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) is the same. Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) stops coughing and reduces steaming bone disorder; Ostrea Concha (Muli) astringes essence and stops spontaneous sweating due to deficiency.
Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) clears phlegm, stops coughing, and benefits the heart and lungs; Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) descends qi, benefits the chest and diaphragm, and treats the throat. As for Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) treating various heat syndromes, concurrently managing five types of stranguria; Sophorae Flavescentis Flos (Huaihua) treating intestinal wind, also treating hemorrhoids and dysentery; Dichroiae Radix (Changshan) regulating phlegm nodules and treating warm malaria; Lepidii Semina (Tingli) draining lung asthma and promoting water metabolism. These sixty-six kinds of cold-natured drug properties should be examined in the *Tu Jing* to extensively understand their indications. Observing prescription books to reference their applications would be sufficient.