赤石脂理腻粘苦缀唇，鲜红桃花色者为上品，近年佐渡州所产者是也。凡方有桃花名者，
以
柴胡桂枝干姜汤证曰∶渴而不呕。
小柴胡去半夏加栝蒌汤证曰∶发渴者。
上二方，栝蒌根各四两。
栝蒌桂枝汤，证不具。
栝蒌瞿麦丸证曰∶其人若渴。
上二方，栝蒌根各二两。
栝蒌牡蛎散证曰∶渴不差者。
牡蛎泽泻散证不具。
上二方，栝蒌根诸药等分。
据此诸方，则栝蒌根治渴明矣。凡渴有二证。烦渴者，石膏主之，但渴者，栝蒌根主之。
是宜分别而治之。按栝蒌根者，盖兼治口中燥渴及粘者，然是非栝蒌根一味之主治也。合用
而后见其妙，要宜考之于柴胡桂枝干姜汤，栝蒌桂枝汤二方。
栝蒌桂枝汤证，不具。然太阳病，其证备云，则是全备桂枝汤证之谓也。但身体强几几
然云者，岂独栝蒌根所主乎？几几然，是项背强急之状也。故桂枝加葛根汤证曰∶此方盖于
桂枝加葛根汤证曰∶项背强，几几然，则几几然，是为葛根之证明矣，余故曰∶此方盖于桂
枝加葛根汤方内，加栝蒌根二两，煮法水率，亦皆根据桂枝加葛根汤法，而不根据桂枝汤法也。
岂不其征乎？然则益知此方者，是桂枝加葛根汤证全备而渴者主之。《类聚方》不载此方，
水率煮法者误也。
牡蛎泽泻散，证不具。此方七味等分之剂，而不知何以为主药也？然今此谓大病瘥后，
从腰以下有水气，则必有渴证明矣。故有栝蒌根也。
赤石脂质地腻滑粘口，味道苦涩，沾在嘴唇上呈鲜红色桃花色的是上品，近年来佐渡州出产的就是这种。凡是方剂名称中带有“桃花”二字的，（其命名原因）是因为它能主治口渴。
《伤寒论》中柴胡桂枝干姜汤的证候描述说：“口渴但不呕吐。”
小柴胡汤去半夏加栝蒚汤的证候描述说：“出现口渴症状的。”
上述两个方剂中，栝蒚根各用四两。
栝蒚桂枝汤的证候描述不完整。
栝蒚瞿麦丸的证候描述说：“病人如果有口渴。”
上述两个方剂中，栝蒚根各用二两。
栝蒚牡蛎散的证候描述说：“口渴没有痊愈的。”
牡蛎泽泻散的证候描述不完整。
上述两个方剂中，栝蒚根与其他药物分量相等。
根据这些方剂的情况，那么栝蒚根主治口渴是明确的了。大凡口渴有两种证型：伴有烦躁的口渴，由石膏主治；单纯口渴，由栝蒚根主治。
应当分别进行治疗。考察栝蒚根的作用，大概兼治口中干燥口渴以及粘滞不爽的症状，但这并不是单味栝蒚根的主治功效。配合其他药物使用后才能显现其妙处，重点应该考察柴胡桂枝干姜汤和栝蒚桂枝汤这两个方剂。
栝蒚桂枝汤的证候描述不完整。然而太阳病的证候具备，这里指的是完全具备桂枝汤的证候。只是提到身体强直、几几然（僵硬不舒），这难道仅仅是栝蒚根所能主治的吗？“几几然”，是项背部强急的状态。所以《伤寒论》中桂枝加葛根汤的证候说：“项背强，几几然。”那么，“几几然”就是葛根主治的证明。因此我说：这个方剂大概是基于桂枝加葛根汤，加入栝蒚根二两，煎煮方法和水量比例，也都依据桂枝加葛根汤的法度，而不依据桂枝汤的法度。这难道不是证据吗？这样就更知道这个方剂，是针对桂枝加葛根汤证候完全具备且伴有口渴的患者主治的。《类聚方》没有收录这个方剂，关于水量和煎煮方法的记载是错误的。
牡蛎泽泻散，证候描述不完整。这个方剂是七味药等分的制剂，不知道以什么作为主药？然而现在认为这是大病初愈后，腰部以下有水气，那么必然会有口渴的症状证明。所以方中有栝蒚根。
Red halloysite (Chishizhi, 赤石脂) has a greasy, sticky texture and a bitter taste; it stains the lips with a fresh red color resembling peach blossoms. The best quality is produced in Sado Province in recent years. For any formula with "Peach Blossom" (Taohua, 桃花) in its name, [the naming reason] is that it mainly treats thirst.
The syndrome of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Tang (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig, and Dried Ginger Decoction) states: "Thirst without vomiting."
The syndrome of Xiao Chaihu Tang Banxia removed plus Gualou Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction with Banxia removed and Gualou added) states: "Those who develop thirst."
In the above two formulas, Gualou Gen (Trichosanthes Root) is used in amounts of four liang each.
The syndrome description for Gualou Guizhi Tang (Trichanthes and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is incomplete.
The syndrome of Gualou Qumai Wan (Trichanthes and Rumex Pill) states: "If the person has thirst."
In the above two formulas, Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root) is used in amounts of two liang each.
The syndrome of Gualou Muli San (Trichanthes and Oyster Shell Powder) states: "When thirst does not resolve."
The syndrome description for Muli Zexie San (Oyster Shell and Alisma Powder) is incomplete.
In the above two formulas, Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root) and other herbs are used in equal proportions.
Based on these formulas, it is clear that Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root) mainly treats thirst. Generally, there are two types of thirst syndromes: thirst accompanied by vexation is treated mainly by Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum); simple thirst is treated mainly by Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root).
They should be treated separately. Examining Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root), it seems to also treat dryness and thirst in the mouth as well as a sticky sensation; however, this is not the exclusive main indication of Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root) alone. Its efficacy is revealed only when combined with other herbs; thus, it is essential to examine the Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Tang (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig, and Dried Ginger Decoction) and Gualou Guizhi Tang (Trichanthes and Cinnamon Twig Decoction).
The syndrome description for Gualou Guizhi Tang (Trichanthes and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is incomplete. However, since the symptoms of Taiyang disease (Taiyang Disease) are complete, this refers to having all the symptoms of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). But regarding the statement "body stiffness and shu-shu-ran (stiffness and discomfort)," is this solely indicated by Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root)? "Shu-shu-ran" describes the state of stiffness and tension in the neck and back. Therefore, the syndrome of Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Pueraria) states: "Stiffness and tension in the neck and back, shu-shu-ran." Thus, "shu-shu-ran" is the proof that Gegen (Puerariae Radix) is the main herb. Hence, I say: this formula is likely based on Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Pueraria), with the addition of two liang of Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root). The decoction method and water ratio follow the principles of Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Pueraria), not those of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). Is this not evidence? This further confirms that this formula is indicated for patients who fully present the syndrome of Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Pueraria) and have thirst. The *Leiju Fang* (Collected Formulas) does not record this formula, and the records regarding water ratio and decoction method are erroneous.
The syndrome description for Muli Zexie San (Oyster Shell and Alisma Powder) is incomplete. This formula consists of seven herbs in equal proportions, so it is unknown which serves as the main herb. However, it is now stated that this is for after a major illness has resolved, with fluid accumulation below the waist; thus, there must be proof of thirst. Therefore, Gualou Gen (Trichanthes Root) is included in the formula.