气平,味微苦,气味俱薄,无毒,升也,阴中之阳也。主左右胁下刺痛,日晡潮热往来。
在
此其能除手足少阳寒热也。大都中病即已,不可过用,为其气味俱薄,多散故耳。治劳方中
用之者,以其能提清气从左而旋,以却邪热耳。又止偏头疼,胸胁痛,疗肌解表,疏邪清热
。君黄芩,伤寒门实为要剂。主常山,温疟症诚作主方。与白芍同用,能抑肝而散火。与黄
连同用,能凉心而解热。经脉不调,入四物秦艽续断牡丹治之最效。产后血积,用四物三棱
莪术马鞭草破之极验。逍遥散用之,散郁气而内畅。补中汤用之,提元气而左旋。
气平,味甘,气味俱薄,无毒,升也,阳中之阴也。发伤寒之表邪,止胃虚之消渴。解
中酒之苛毒,治往来之温疟。能住头疼,善疏疮疹。入柴胡疗肌表,功为第一。同升麻通毛
窍,效实无双。其汁寒凉,专理天行时疫,且止热毒吐衄。其粉甘冷,善解酒后烦热,更利
二便燥结。花能醒酒不醉,壳能治痢实肠,诚阳明圣药也。痘疮不起者,予用之立起,何哉?
盖因肌肉实,腠理密,不得通畅,故痘出不快耳,今得葛根一疗解,一疏通,此肌肉畅而腠
理开,其痘立起矣。孕妇所忌。
气温,味甘苦,气薄味浓,可升可降,阴中之阳也。有小毒。入手太阴之剂也。解肌毒,
散结滞。入麻黄,利胸中气逆而喘促。同乌梅,润大肠气闭而便难。单仁开腠理甚捷,双
仁治狗咬极验。予尝用杏仁三钱,马兜铃三钱,蝉蜕二钱,白矾五钱,白砒五分,乳细,红
枣肉为丸,如梧桐子大,食后冷水送下,男七女六,治哮神效。大都中病即已,不可多服,
过则令人伤筋骨。泄痢忌用。戒粟米,畏犬肉。
柴胡:气性平和,味道微苦,气味都很淡薄,没有毒性,具有升散作用,属于阴中的阳药。主要治疗左右胁肋部的刺痛,以及下午定时发热、寒热往来的症状。在这里,它能清除手足少阳经的寒热病症。大多情况下,病情好转即应停药,不可过度使用,这是因为它的气味淡薄,容易耗散正气的原因。在治疗虚劳的方剂中使用它,是因为它能提升清气从左脉旋转上升,从而驱除邪热。此外,还能治疗偏头痛和胸胁痛,解除肌表之邪,疏散邪气并清解热毒。与黄芩配合使用,在伤寒病的治疗中实为关键要药。作为常山的主药,是治疗温疟症的确切主方。与白芍同用,能抑制肝气亢盛并消散火邪。与黄连同用,能清心凉血并解除热毒。对于经脉不调,加入四物汤、秦艽、续断、牡丹皮进行治疗最为有效。产后血瘀积滞,使用四物汤配合三棱、莪术、马鞭草来破血逐瘀,效果极佳。逍遥散中使用它,可以疏散郁结之气使体内气机通畅。补中益气汤中使用它,可以提升元气并向左旋转上升。
葛根:气性平和,味道甘甜,气味都很淡薄,没有毒性,具有升散作用,属于阳中的阴药。能发散伤寒在表的邪气,止住因胃气虚弱引起的消渴症。解除饮酒过量带来的严重毒性,治疗往来发作的温疟。能停止头痛,善于疏解疮疹。进入柴胡方剂中治疗肌表疾病,功效居首。与升麻配合,能通达毛孔,效果确实无双。其汁液寒凉,专门调理流行性时疫,并且能止住热毒引起的呕吐和鼻出血。其粉末甘冷,善于解除酒后烦热,更能通利二便的燥结。花能使人醒酒而不醉,壳能治疗痢疾并固涩肠道,确实是阳明经的圣药。对于痘疮不能透发的情况,我使用葛根立刻使其透发,为什么呢?这是因为肌肉坚实,腠理致密,导致气血不得通畅,所以痘疮出不快。现在得到葛根的解肌和疏通作用,使得肌肉通畅而腠理开泄,痘疮就能立刻透发了。孕妇忌用。
杏仁:气性温,味道甘苦,气薄味浓,既可升又可降,属于阴中的阳药。有小毒。是入手太阴肺经的药物。能解肌毒,散结滞。加入麻黄中,能利胸中逆气而缓解气喘急促。同乌梅配合,能润大肠、通闭结而改善排便困难。单仁开启腠理非常快捷,双仁治疗狗咬伤极其灵验。我曾经用杏仁三钱、马兜铃三钱、蝉蜕二钱、白矾五钱、白砒五分,研细末,用红枣肉做成丸药,大小如梧桐子,饭后用冷水送服,男性七粒女性六粒,治疗哮喘神效。大多情况下,病情好转即应停药,不可多服,过量则会损伤筋骨。泄泻痢疾者忌用。禁忌食用粟米,畏惧犬肉。
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri): The qi is neutral, the taste is slightly bitter. Both qi and taste are thin, it is non-toxic, ascending in nature, and represents yang within yin. It primarily treats stabbing pain in the hypochondriac regions on both sides, tidal fever occurring at dusk, and alternating chills and fever. Here, its function is to eliminate cold-heat conditions of the Hand-Shaoyang and Foot-Shaoyang meridians. Generally, one should stop using it once the disease is cured; it must not be overused because its qi and taste are thin and easily dispersing. In formulas treating consumption (Lao), it is used because it can lift clear qi to rotate from the left side, thereby dispelling pathogenic heat. Furthermore, it treats migraines and chest-hypochondriac pain, resolves the muscle layer, releases the exterior, disperses pathogens, and clears heat. When paired with Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), it serves as a crucial agent in the treatment of Shang Han (Cold Damage). As the principal herb for Chang Shan (Dichroae Radix), it forms the main prescription for Wen Nue (Warm Malaria). Used together with Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), it suppresses Liver Qi and dissipates fire. Used together with Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), it cools the Heart and resolves heat. For irregular menstruation, adding Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) yields the most effective results. For postpartum blood stasis, using Si Wu Tang combined with San Leng (Curcumae Zedoariae Rhizoma), E Zhu (Curcumae Rhizoma), and Ma Bian Cao (Callicarpae Herba) to break up stasis is extremely effective. In Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), it is used to scatter stagnant Qi and promote internal smoothness. In Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), it is used to lift Yuan Qi and rotate it to the left.
Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix): The qi is neutral, the taste is sweet. Both qi and taste are thin, it is non-toxic, ascending in nature, and represents yin within yang. It releases exterior pathogens of Shang Han (Cold Damage) and stops polydipsia caused by Stomach deficiency. It resolves severe toxicity from excessive alcohol consumption and treats intermittent Warm Malaria. It can stop headaches and is good at dispersing sores and rashes. When entering formulas with Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) to treat the muscle layer, its merit is paramount. Combined with Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) to open hair follicles, its efficacy is unparalleled. Its juice is cold and specifically regulates epidemic febrile diseases, and it also stops vomiting and epistaxis due to heat toxins. Its powder is sweet and cold, effectively resolving post-drinking irritability and promoting the unblocking of dry constipation in both bowels and bladder. The flower awakens the spirit and prevents drunkenness; the shell treats dysentery and consolidates the intestines. It is truly the sacred herb of the Yangming channel. For impetigo that fails to erupt, I use it to cause immediate eruption. Why? Because the muscles are solid and the cou li (pores/skin texture) are dense, preventing free flow, thus causing slow eruption. Now, through Ge Gen's ability to resolve the muscle layer and unblock, the muscles become smooth and the cou li opens, allowing the lesions to erupt immediately. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum): The qi is warm, the taste is sweet and bitter. The qi is thin and the taste is strong; it can ascend and descend, representing yang within yin. It has slight toxicity. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian. It resolves muscle toxins and dissipates stagnation. When added to Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), it benefits rebellious Qi in the chest and relieves panting. Combined with Wu Mei (Mume Fructus), it moistens the Large Intestine, resolves Qi closure, and alleviates difficulty in defecation. Single kernels open the cou li very quickly; double kernels are extremely effective for treating dog bites. I once used Xing Ren (3 qian), Lou Lu (Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Fructus, 3 qian), Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum, 2 qian), Bai Fan (Alumen, 5 qian), and Bai Pi (Arsenite, 0.5 fen), finely ground, formed into pills with red date flesh, sized like paulownia seeds. Taken after meals with cold water, seven doses for males and six for females, it is miraculously effective for asthma. Generally, stop use once the disease is cured; do not take excessively, as overdose damages sinews and bones. Contraindicated in diarrhea and dysentery. Avoid millet; wary of dog meat.