气味酸、平，无毒。主心腹症瘕，坚积寒热，去痞疾、蚀肉、阴蚀、痔核恶肉。
【述】鳖甲气平，禀金气而入肺；味咸无毒，得水味而入肾。心腹者，合心下大腹小腹，
以
及胁肋而言也。症瘕坚硬之积，致发寒热，为厥阴之肝气凝聚；鳖甲气平，
可以制肝，味咸可以软坚，所以主之也。痞者，肝气滞也，咸平能制肝而软
坚，故亦主之。蚀肉、阴蚀、痔核恶肉，一生于鼻，鼻者肺之窍也；一生于二便，二便者肾
之窍也；入肺肾而软坚，所以消一切恶肉也。
气味咸、平、辛，无毒。主治小儿惊痫、夜啼，去三虫，灭黑 ，令人面色好，男
子阴痒病。（凡禀金气色白之药，俱不宜炒。）
【述】僵蚕气平为秋气，味辛为金味，味咸为水味，禀金水之精也。治惊痫者，金能平
木也
。治夜啼者，金属干而主天，天运旋转，昼开夜阖也。杀三虫者，虫为风木所化，金主肃杀
也，灭黑 、令人面色好者，俾水气上滋也。治男子阴痒者，金能制风，咸能除痒也。
徐灵胎曰，僵蚕感风而僵，凡风气之疾，皆能治之，盖借其气以相感也。
或问∶因风以僵，何以反能治风？曰∶邪之中人也，有气而无形，穿经透络，愈久愈深。
以
气类相反之药投之，则拒而不入，必与之同类者，和入诸药，使为响导，则药力至于病所。
而邪与药相从，药性渐发，或从毛孔出，或从二便出，不能复留矣。此即从治之法也。风寒
暑湿，莫不皆然。此神而明之之道，不专恃正治奏功矣。
【鳖甲】
气味酸、平，无毒。主治心腹部的症瘕（腹部结块），坚硬的积聚伴有寒热症状，去除痞疾（气机阻滞形成的痞块）、腐蚀肌肉、阴部蚀疮、痔核及坏死的恶肉。
【述】鳖甲气平，禀受金气而进入肺经；味咸且无毒，禀受水味而进入肾经。心腹，是指合心中下脘、大腹和小腹，以及胁肋部位而言。症瘕这种坚硬的积聚，导致发冷发热，是由于厥阴肝气凝聚所致；鳖甲气平，可以制约肝气，味咸可以软化坚硬之物，所以能主治此病。痞疾，是肝气滞涩的表现，咸平之性能够制约肝气并软化坚硬，所以也能主治。腐蚀肌肉、阴部蚀疮、痔核及坏死的恶肉，一种生于鼻窍，鼻是肺的窍道；一种生于大小便，二便是肾的窍道；鳖甲入肺肾二经并能软化坚硬，所以能消除一切恶肉。
【白僵蚕】
气味咸、平、辛，无毒。主治小儿惊痫（惊风抽搐）、夜间啼哭，驱除三虫（蛔虫、蛲虫、寸白虫等寄生虫），消除黑斑，使面色红润，治疗男子阴部瘙痒。（凡是禀受金气、颜色白色的药物，都不宜炒制。）
【述】僵蚕气平属于秋气，味辛属于金味，味咸属于水味，禀受了金和水的精华。治疗惊痫，是因为金能克制木（肝主风，惊痫多与肝风有关）。治疗夜间啼哭，是因为金属天干且主宰天空，天体运行旋转，白天开启夜晚闭合（暗示调节昼夜节律）。杀灭三虫，是因为虫是由风木之气所化生，金具有肃杀的特性。消除黑斑、使人面色好，是因为能使肾水之气上滋于面。治疗男子阴部瘙痒，是因为金能制约风邪，咸味能去除瘙痒。
徐灵胎说，僵蚕因感受风邪而僵硬，凡是有风气引起的疾病，都能治疗它，这是借助其气息来相互感应。
有人问：因为风邪而僵硬，为什么反而能治疗风病？回答说：邪气侵入人体，有气而无具体形态，穿透经络，时间越久深入越深。如果用性质相反的药物投治，邪气会拒绝接受而不进入体内；必须使用与邪气同类性质的药物，调和在其他药物中，作为向导引导药力到达病灶所在。这样邪气与药物相从，药性逐渐发挥，邪气或从毛孔排出，或从大小便排出，就不能再停留了。这就是“从治”的方法。风寒暑湿等各种邪气，没有不是这样的。这是神妙明达的道理，不专门依靠正治法就能奏效。
[Trionyx Carapace]
Taste: Sour, Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats zheng jia (abdominal masses) in the heart and abdomen, hard accumulations accompanied by alternating chills and fever; removes pi ji (obstruction due to qi stagnation), corrodes flesh, treats yin erosion (ulceration of the genital area), hemorrhoidal nodules, and malignant necrotic tissue.
[Commentary]
The Qi of Trionyx Carapace is neutral, inheriting Metal Qi to enter the Lung Meridian; its taste is salty and non-toxic, inheriting Water taste to enter the Kidney Meridian. "Heart and abdomen" refers collectively to the epigastrium, greater abdomen, lesser abdomen, and hypochondriac regions. The hard accumulation of zheng jia, causing chills and fever, results from the condensation of Jueyin Liver Qi. Since Trionyx Carapace has neutral Qi, it can restrain the Liver; since its taste is salty, it can soften hardness. Therefore, it is indicated for this condition. Pi ji is caused by stagnant Liver Qi; its salty and neutral nature can restrain the Liver and soften hardness, thus it is also indicated. Malignant necrotic tissue such as corroded flesh, yin erosion, and hemorrhoidal nodules arises either from the nose (the orifice of the Lung) or from urination and defecation (the orifices of the Kidney). By entering the Lung and Kidney meridians and softening hardness, it eliminates all kinds of malignant tissue.
[Bombyx Batryticatus / Stiff Silkworm]
Taste: Salty, Neutral, Pungent. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats pediatric jing xian (convulsions with fright) and nocturnal crying; expels three types of parasites (San Chong); eliminates dark spots; improves complexion; treats pruritus of the male genitals. (Note: Herbs that inherit Metal Qi and are white in color should generally not be stir-fried.)
[Commentary]
The Qi of Bombyx Batryticatus is neutral, corresponding to Autumn Qi; its pungent taste corresponds to Metal, and its salty taste corresponds to Water. It inherits the essence of Metal and Water. Treating convulsions works because Metal controls Wood (Liver wind). Treating nocturnal crying works because Metal relates to Heavenly Stems and governs the sky; the rotation of celestial bodies dictates opening during the day and closing at night (regulating circadian rhythms). Killing parasites works because parasites are transformed from Wind-Wood Qi, and Metal possesses a肃杀 (astringing and killing) property. Eliminating dark spots and improving complexion works by allowing Kidney Water Qi to nourish upwards. Treating genital pruritus works because Metal controls Wind, and Saltiness removes itching.
Xu Lingtai stated: Bombyx Batryticatus becomes stiff after contracting Wind. Therefore, it can treat diseases caused by Wind pathogenic factors, utilizing resonance through its Qi.
A question arises: If it becomes stiff due to Wind, why can it treat Wind diseases? The answer is: When pathogenic factors invade humans, they possess Qi but lack form, penetrating meridians and collaterals, becoming deeper over time. If drugs with opposite properties are administered, the pathogen rejects them and does not accept entry. One must use drugs of similar nature to the pathogen, harmonizing them with other herbs to act as guides, leading the medicinal power to the site of the disease. Consequently, the pathogen follows the drug, the drug's nature gradually manifests, and the pathogen is expelled either through pores or via urination and defecation, unable to remain. This is the method of "treating according to similarity" (Cong Zhi). This applies equally to Cold, Wind, Summer-heat, and Dampness. This represents the profound and illuminating principle, achieving efficacy not solely relying on orthodox treatment (Zheng Zhi).