一生地黄。甘，寒，气凉，入心、肾二经。养阴除热，为喉科要药。但性兼破血宜少用。
一熟地黄。甘，温，微苦，功用尤宏大。补气血，滋培肾水，填骨髓，益真阴，专补肾中元气。凡诸真阴亏
虚，有为发热，为头痛，为喉痹，为气喘，为痰嗽，或虚火载血于口鼻，或阳浮而狂躁，或阴虚而火升者，皆非
熟地不可，得甘草能开胃进食，诚为药中之上品，并治喉患之神丹。《群芳谱》又载其能治肺，损牙宣龈露，跌
扑损伤，嗟乎！熟地之功，其不申于时用
者久矣。尤见畏忌于今时诸医，既不善用犹执此而诽谤之殊，深可恨耳。均按∶郑君此数言，矫枉过正，不免偏
护熟地太甚，今人何尝不重用之？其 者，每逢人病将愈，不问其体质何如，动以熟地加入方中，为调理之需，
率损多而益少。余所目击偾事者比比。如光绪辛卯壬辰之间，此风最炽，犹记一族嫂，于春初产后去血过多，势
甚萎靡，一老医不审其虽虚而兼有外感，遽投大剂养血，用熟地至五六钱服下，则饱闷不欲食，二剂则痰壅气闭
而殒。又旺山石姓，一男子年未五十，务农操劳，初夏偶患湿疟，邪未清以药截之，致倦怠减食，肩发烧热，有
一医谓为服田辛苦，虚热可虞，疏一金水六君方与之，嘱以多服兼可延年。甫进二剂，即见腹膨气逆，食少便溏，
急趋询医，云系初服病行为吉征也，仍劝多服。乃再三四剂，逐渐加剧，卒成水臌，未半月，腹脚流水而死。迄
光绪末年，有一族祖叔母，高年偶患外感，病匪沉重，邻村一老医诊之，谓宜先扶正而后驱邪，投以八珍合逍遥
方法，重用熟地，服下忽变昏迷气闭，热反内陷，急延柯君挽救，已无及矣。嗟嗟！此三人者，皆以熟地戕命。
盖药各有所主治，不能拘定成见，谓此为良，谓彼为劣，总要审症周详，然后用药必当，乌喙亦能愈疾，参 何
不杀人？况熟地滋腻之质，其能一无偏弊乎！不过，白腐一症，实恃为济生神丹，郑君之言，固不谬而不可概乎
别病也。
一玄参。苦、甘、微咸，气寒。能滋阴清火，不独入肾，亦走肺脏，故能退无根浮游之火，散周身痰结热痈，
逐头项咽喉痹痛，解斑疹，理心内惊烦，主用繁多。
一贝母。苦，寒，气平。凡用必须川产者良。其味甘、微苦，气平，不寒。除肺热，降胸中热结，祛肺痈、
肺痿、痰脓喘嗽，清咽喉，润肺燥。至于土贝母、浙贝母，大苦、性寒，气味俱浓，惟不宜于白腐之症。
一知母。苦，寒，气味俱浓，为肾经本药。兼能清肺止渴，去喉中腥臭，退阴火，整肃龙
雷，去膀胱肝肾湿热。
一麦门冬。甘而微寒，肺经药也。其味甘多苦少，故上行心肺，补上焦之津液，清肺中之伏火，益精滋阴，
泽肌润结，泻热火而益元气，滋燥金而清水源，肺干咳嗽，消痰补怯，诚为要药。治肠燥便结亦妙。盖以肺与大
肠相为表里之故。
一天门冬。甘、苦，而寒，肺肾之药。清金降火，益水之源，故三才丹中用之。
一葳蕤（即玉竹）。甘平入脾，柔润入肾，故能补中益气，逐热除蒸，治风淫湿毒，止头痛、腰痛、目疼皆
烂，大有殊功。
一丹皮。辛、苦，微凉，气味轻，俱入足少阴及手厥阴。清肝肾之虚热，但其微凉而辛，治白腐亦颇宜。
一火麻仁即（黄麻）。甘，平，性滑。润心肺，滋五脏，利大肠风热结燥。凡当润下者，用此最妙。胡麻仁，
如栗色，名鳖虱。胡麻主治亦同。
一女贞子。苦凉而平，养阴气，平阴火，清肝火，明目，疗阴虚喉痛。于白腐亦宜。
一白芍。酸而微苦，性颇寒，气薄于味，敛降多而升散少，为肺脾行经药，入肝脾血分，泻肝火，固腠理，
退虚热，消痈肿，敛疮口。凡喉患开首缓用，恐其酸敛也。
一沙参。微甘，微苦，气味俱轻。性微寒，补阴清肺，排脓消肿，除邪热，凉肝，补五脏之阴。南沙参兼清
散勿用。
一茯苓。甘、淡而平，补中开胃，利水化痰，淡渗上行，生津液，开腠理，滋水之源而下降。用人乳拌匀，
蒸晒，炒过，更佳。
一叭哒杏仁。味，甘而美味浓于气，无毒，入肺胃、大肠。宁嗽润肺，亦润肠化痰，解喉痹。
一黑豆（即马料豆）。甘，寒，色黑，属水，似肾。肾之谷也。补心肾，散热祛风，解毒消肿。
一种野料豆。更佳。畏五参、龙胆、猪肉，得杏仁、牡蛎良。
一桑叶。甘、寒，手足阳明之药。凉血清热。经霜者，疗嗽。若音哑勿用。
一当归。甘、辛而温，入心、肝、脾三经，血分之药。凡喉患属血虚者，佐白芍治之，效。但不大宜于白腐，
因其辛温而散也。
一百合。甘、淡，气平，功缓。益气润肺，除嗽，解喉痹、乳痈，润大小便。又一种味苦者，不宜用。
一山药（原名薯蓣）。甘、平而淡，微涩。补脾肺，益肾涩精，养心神除烦热，治诸虚百损，须选淮山药之
肥白者乃佳。其建山药，味苦气烈，不合于用，尤不宜于白腐。
一甘草。气平味甘之品，合土之德，故独入脾胃。稼穑作甘，土之正味，盖土居中而能兼运乎五行，可升可
降，可内可外，有和有缓，有生有克，有承有制，有补有泻，善于解诸毒，祛热邪，坚筋骨，建脾胃，长肌肉，
随气药入气，随血药入血，无往而不可，故称为国老。凡生用则凉，炙用则温，尤能助熟地，疗阴虚之危。
一金钗斛。甘、淡而力薄，性轻清和缓，有从容分解之妙。能养阴退火，除烦清肺，逐邪热，平脾胃之火，
去嘈杂善饥。
一沙苑蒺藜。甘，温，入肝、肾二经。益精补肾，止腿痛遗泄。凡喉患后用佐调理甚良。
一黑芝麻（即巨胜子）。甘，平。补中益气，养肺润肠，逐风湿，填脑髓，久服延年，疗白缠喉最妙。
以上诸品，均纯阴至静之药，乃喉患之所必需，用得其宜，何异神丹九转？第今时之人，肾阴不足者居多，
是以喉患属虚者，比比如此。故治法须兼顾养阴，若拘于俗，见徒从事表散寒凉而不误者鲜矣。
附见∶
铜绿（即铜青），酸平，微毒。治风烂泪眼恶疮，疳疮，妇人血气心痛，吐风痰，合金疮，止血杀虫，用醋
制刮用。自然铜，辛，平。主折伤续筋骨，散瘀止痛。火 醋 七次，研细取用。均按∶此二味并非治喉之品，
即吹药内亦
不宜入，不知何故，羼入编末。或系钞书者误摘于此耶？抑不知前所列忌用药品下注明六十八味，数之不足，当
经错落此二味，属于前而补于后耶？然于书意旨无妨，姑仍旧，贯录存之。
【宜用药味列后】
一味地黄。味甘，性寒，气凉，归心、肾二经。能滋养阴液、清除虚热，是治疗咽喉疾病的要药。但其性质兼有破血作用，故应少量使用。
一味熟地黄。味甘，性温，微苦，功效尤为宏大。能补益气血，滋培肾水，填补骨髓，增益真阴，专门补补肾中的元气。凡是各种真阴亏虚引起的发热、头痛、喉痹（咽喉肿痛闭塞）、气喘、痰嗽，或者虚火迫血妄行导致口鼻出血，或者阳气浮越导致狂躁，或者阴虚导致火气上升的病症，都非用熟地黄不可。若配合甘草使用，能开胃进食，确实是药物中的上品，也是治疗咽喉疾患的神丹妙药。《群芳谱》又记载它能治疗肺损、牙齿松动、牙龈暴露、跌打损伤等症。唉！熟地黄的功劳，在当时的应用中被忽视已经很久了。尤其被当今许多医生畏惧和忌讳，他们既不能善于使用它，还拿着这个理由诽谤它，实在令人痛恨。均按：郑君这几句话，矫枉过正，不免偏袒保护熟地黄太过分了。如今的人何尝不重用熟地黄？那些误事的人，每逢病人病情将愈时，不问其体质如何，动不动就在方剂中加入熟地黄作为调理所需，结果往往是损害多而益处少。我亲眼目睹因误用而坏事的情况比比皆是。如在光绪辛卯、壬辰年间，这种风气最盛。我还记得一位族嫂，在初春产后失血过多，精神非常萎靡。一位老医生没有审察到她虽然体虚但兼有外感，就急忙投以大剂量养血药，用了五六钱熟地黄服用后，出现饱闷不想吃东西的症状，再服两剂则痰壅气闭而死。还有旺山石姓人家，一个男子不到五十岁，务农操劳，初夏偶然患湿疟疾，邪气未清就用药物强行截断疟疾，导致倦怠减食，肩部发烧。有一位医生说这是种田辛苦导致的虚热，值得担忧，开了一金水六君汤给他，嘱咐多服兼可延年。刚进两剂，就出现腹部膨隆、气逆、食少便溏，急忙去咨询医生，医生说是初服药病邪退走的吉征，仍劝多服。于是又服三四剂，病情逐渐加重，最终形成水臌（鼓胀病），不到半个月，腹脚流水而死。直到光绪末年，有一位族祖叔母，年高偶尔患外感，病情并不沉重。邻村一位老医生诊断后说应当先扶正而后驱邪，投以八珍汤合逍遥散的方法，重用熟地黄，服用后忽然变成昏迷气闭，热邪反而内陷，急忙请柯君挽救，已经来不及了。唉！这三个人，都是因为熟地黄而丧命。大概药物各有所主治，不能拘泥于成见，说这个是好的，那个是坏的，总要详细审察症状，然后用药才恰当。乌喙（一种有毒中药）也能治愈疾病，人参、黄芪为什么不杀人呢？况且熟地黄质地滋腻，难道能完全没有偏弊吗！不过，对于白腐（指喉科白喉类疾病）这一病症，确实依靠它作为济生神丹，郑君的话，固然不错，但不能概括其他疾病。
一味玄参。味苦、甘，微咸，气寒。能滋阴降火，不仅入肾经，也走肺脏，所以能退除无根浮游之火，消散周身痰结热痈，驱逐头项咽喉痹痛，解除斑疹，调理心内惊烦，主要用途繁多。
一味贝母。味苦，性寒，气平。凡是用贝母必须选用四川产的品质好。它的味甘、微苦，气平，不寒。能清除肺热，降下胸中热结，祛除肺痈、肺痿、痰脓喘嗽，清洁咽喉，润肺燥。至于土贝母、浙贝母，大苦、性寒，气味都很浓烈，唯独不适合用于白腐病症。
一味知母。味苦，性寒，气味都很浓烈，是肾经的本药。兼能清肺止渴，去除喉中腥臭，退除阴火，整肃龙雷之火（指肝肾之虚火），去除膀胱肝肾湿热。
一味麦门冬。味甘而微寒，是肺经的药。它味甘多苦少，所以上行心肺，补益上焦津液，清除肺中伏火，益精滋阴，润泽肌肤润燥结，泻热火而益元气，滋润燥金（肺）而清水源（肾），治疗肺干咳嗽，消痰补怯，确实是重要药物。治疗肠燥便秘也很奇妙。这是因为肺与大肠互为表里的缘故。
一味天门冬。味甘、苦，性寒，是肺肾的药。能清金降火，益水之源，所以在三才丹中使用它。
一味葳蕤（即玉竹）。味甘平入脾经，柔润入肾经，所以能补中益气，逐热除蒸（骨蒸潮热），治疗风淫湿毒，止头痛、腰痛、目疼皆烂，大有特殊功效。
一味丹皮。味辛、苦，微凉，气味轻，都入足少阴及手厥阴经。能清肝肾之虚热，但它微凉而辛，治疗白腐也很适宜。
一味火麻仁即黄麻。味甘，性平，性质滑利。能润心肺，滋五脏，利大肠风热结燥。凡是应当润下的情况，用此药最妙。胡麻仁，如栗色，名叫鳖虱。胡麻的主治也相同。
一味女贞子。味苦凉而平，养阴气，平阴火，清肝火，明目，治疗阴虚喉痛。对于白腐也适宜。
一味白芍。味酸而微苦，性质颇寒，气薄于味，收敛下降多而升散少，是肺脾行经药，入肝脾血分，泻肝火，固腠理，退虚热，消痈肿，敛疮口。凡是咽喉疾患刚开始时缓用，恐怕它酸敛收涩。
一味沙参。味微甘，微苦，气味都轻。性微寒，补阴清肺，排脓消肿，除邪热，凉肝，补五脏之阴。南沙参兼有清散作用，勿用。
一味茯苓。味甘、淡而平，补中开胃，利水化痰，淡渗上行，生津液，开腠理，滋水之源而下降。用人乳拌匀，蒸晒，炒过，更佳。
一味叭哒杏仁。味，甘而美味浓于气，无毒，入肺胃、大肠经。能宁嗽润肺，也润肠化痰，解喉痹。
一味黑豆（即马料豆）。味甘，性寒，色黑，属水，似肾。是肾之谷。能补心肾，散热祛风，解毒消肿。
一种野料豆。更好。畏五参、龙胆、猪肉，得杏仁、牡蛎良。
一味桑叶。味甘、寒，是手足阳明经的药。能凉血清热。经霜者，疗嗽。若音哑勿用。
一味当归。味甘、辛而温，入心、肝、脾三经，是血分之药。凡是咽喉疾患属于血虚者，佐以白芍治疗，有效。但不太适宜于白腐，因为因其辛温而散也。
一味百合。味甘、淡，气平，功效缓慢。能益气润肺，除嗽，解喉痹、乳痈，润大小便。又有一种味苦的，不宜用。
一味山药（原名薯蓣）。味甘、平而淡，微涩。能补脾肺，益肾涩精，养心神除烦热，治诸虚百损，须选淮山药之肥白者乃佳。其建山药，味苦气烈，不合于用，尤不宜于白腐。
一味甘草。气平味甘之品，合土之德，故独入脾胃。稼穑作甘，土之正味，盖土居中而能兼运乎五行，可升可降，可内可外，有和有缓，有生有克，有承有制，有补有泻，善于解诸毒，祛热邪，坚筋骨，建脾胃，长肌肉，随气药入气，随血药入血，无往而不可，故称为国老。凡生用则凉，炙用则温，尤能助熟地，疗阴虚之危。
一味金钗斛。味甘、淡而力薄，性轻清和缓，有从容分解之妙。能养阴退火，除烦清肺，逐邪热，平脾胃之火，去嘈杂善饥。
一味沙苑蒺藜。味甘，性温，入肝、肾二经。能益精补肾，止腿痛遗泄。凡是咽喉疾患后用佐调理甚良。
一味黑芝麻（即巨胜子）。味甘，性平。能补中益气，养肺润肠，逐风湿，填脑髓，久服延年，疗白缠喉最妙。
以上诸品，均为纯阴至静之药，是咽喉疾患所必需的，用得适宜，何异于神丹九转？只是当今之人，肾阴不足者居多，所以咽喉疾患属于虚证的，比比皆是。因此治法须兼顾养阴，如果拘泥于世俗，只见从事表散寒凉而不误者的很少了。
附见：
铜绿（即铜青），味酸平，微毒。治疗风烂泪眼恶疮，疳疮，妇人血气心痛，吐风痰，合金疮，止血杀虫，用醋制刮用。自然铜，味辛，性平。主折伤续筋骨，散瘀止痛。火煅醋淬七次，研细取用。均按：这两味并非治疗咽喉的药物，即使在吹药内也不宜加入，不知什么原因，混杂编入末尾。或者是抄书者误摘于此耶？还是不知道前所列忌用药品下注明六十八味，数之不足，当经错落此二味，属于前而补于后耶？然而于书意旨无妨，姑且仍旧，贯录存之。
[List of Suitable Medicinal Ingredients]
1. Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix). Sweet, cold, cool in qi, enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. Nourishes yin and eliminates heat; it is an essential herb for throat disorders. However, its nature also involves breaking blood stasis, so it should be used in small doses.
2. Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix). Sweet, warm, slightly bitter, with particularly grand efficacy. Tonifies qi and blood, nourishes and cultivates Kidney water, fills the marrow, benefits true yin, and specifically tonifies the primordial qi of the Kidney. For any deficiency of true yin manifesting as fever, headache, throat obstruction (bi syndrome of the throat), asthma, phlegm-cough, or false fire forcing blood to flow into the mouth and nose, or floating yang causing mania and restlessness, or yin deficiency causing rising fire, none can replace Shu Di Huang. When combined with Gan Cao (Licorice Root), it opens the stomach and promotes appetite; it is truly a superior grade among herbs and a divine elixir for treating throat ailments. *Qun Fang Pu* also records its ability to treat lung damage, loose teeth, exposed gums, and traumatic injuries. Alas! The merits of Shu Di Huang have long been unrecognized in contemporary practice. It is especially feared and avoided by many physicians today; they neither know how to use it properly nor refrain from slandering it based on this prejudice, which is truly regrettable. Commentary: Mr. Zheng's remarks are overcorrecting and show excessive bias in favor of Shu Di Huang. Do people today not already use it heavily? Those who cause harm do so by indiscriminately adding Shu Di Huang to formulas for convalescence without considering the patient's constitution, resulting in more harm than benefit. I have witnessed such failures frequently. For instance, between the Xinmao and Renchen years of the Guangxu era, this trend was rampant. I recall a sister-in-law who suffered excessive blood loss after childbirth in early spring, appearing extremely depleted. An old physician failed to recognize that although she was deficient, she also had an external pathogenic factor, and hastily administered a large dose of blood-nourishing medicine, including 5-6 qian of Shu Di Huang. After ingestion, she experienced fullness and loss of appetite; after two additional doses, she died from phlegm obstruction and qi closure. Another case involved a man under fifty from the Shi family in Wangshan, who worked hard in agriculture. In early summer, he contracted damp malaria. Because the pathogen was not cleared, another physician forcibly arrested the malaria with medication, leading to fatigue, reduced appetite, and fever in the shoulder. A doctor attributed this to the hardship of farming and suspected deficiency heat, prescribing Jin Shui Liu Jun Tang and advising prolonged use for longevity. After just two doses, abdominal distension, rebellious qi, poor appetite, and loose stools appeared. Upon urgent consultation, the doctor claimed this was a favorable sign of the disease retreating and advised continued use. After three or four more doses, the condition worsened progressively, eventually developing into water distension (ascites). Within half a month, fluid leaked from the abdomen and legs, and he died. Towards the end of the Guangxu reign, an elderly aunt occasionally contracted an external pathogen, but the illness was not severe. An old physician from a neighboring village diagnosed that righteousness should be supported first before expelling the pathogen, prescribing Ba Zhen Tang combined with Xiao Yao San, using heavy doses of Shu Di Huang. After ingestion, she suddenly fell into coma with qi closure, and the heat sank inward. Emergency rescue by Dr. Ke was futile. Alas! These three individuals lost their lives due to Shu Di Huang. Each herb has specific indications; one cannot rigidly adhere to preconceived notions that one is good and another bad. One must carefully examine the symptoms to prescribe accurately. Even Wuhui (Aconitum carmichaelii deaux side root) can cure diseases, and why do not Renshen (Ginseng) and Huangqi (Astragalus) kill people? Moreover, Shu Di Huang is cloying and greasy; can it truly have no drawbacks? However, for the specific condition of "white rot" (likely referring to diphtheria-like throat conditions), it indeed serves as a life-saving divine elixir. Mr. Zheng's statement is correct for this context but cannot be generalized to other diseases.
3. Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix). Bitter, sweet, slightly salty, cold in qi. Nourishes yin and clears fire. It enters not only the Kidney meridian but also travels to the Lung organ. Thus, it can extinguish rootless floating fire, dissipate phlegm nodules and hot carbuncles throughout the body, drive away bi-pain of the head, neck, and throat, resolve macules and rashes, regulate internal cardiac palpitations and irritability, and has numerous primary uses.
4. Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus). Bitter, cold, neutral in qi. Only Sichuan-produced varieties are considered excellent. Its taste is sweet and slightly bitter, qi is neutral, and it is not cold. Clears lung heat, descends heat accumulation in the chest, removes lung abscesses, lung萎 (withering lung), purulent phlegm, and wheezing coughs, cleanses the throat, and moistens lung dryness. As for Tu Bei Mu and Zhe Bei Mu, they are highly bitter and cold with strong aromas and flavors, making them unsuitable for white rot conditions.
5. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). Bitter, cold, with strong aroma and flavor. It is a principal herb for the Kidney meridian. It also clears the lungs and stops thirst, removes foul odor from the throat, reduces yin fire, regulates dragon-lei fire (hyperactive liver-kidney fire), and drains damp-heat from the bladder, liver, and kidneys.
6. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber). Sweet and slightly cold; a Lung meridian herb. With more sweetness and less bitterness, it ascends to the Heart and Lungs, replenishes fluids in the upper jiao, clears latent fire in the lungs, benefits essence and nourishes yin, moistens skin and resolves stagnation, drains fierce fire while benefiting primordial qi, moistens dry metal (Lung) and clears the water source (Kidney). It treats dry lung cough, resolves phlegm, and strengthens deficiency; it is indeed an important herb. It is also effective for intestinal dryness and constipation because the Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior partners.
7. Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Tuber). Sweet, bitter, cold; a Lung and Kidney herb. Clears metal (Lung) and descends fire, benefits the source of water (Kidney); thus, it is used in San Cai Dan.
8. Wei Rui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, i.e., Yu Zhu). Sweet and neutral, enters the Spleen; soft and moistening, enters the Kidney. Thus, it tonifies the middle and benefits qi, dispels heat and eliminates steaming bone disorder, treats wind-damp toxicity, stops headache, lower back pain, and painful/ulcerated eyes, demonstrating remarkable efficacy.
9. Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex). Pungent, bitter, slightly cool, with light aroma and flavor. Enters the Foot Shaoyin and Hand Jueyin meridians. Clears deficiency heat of the Liver and Kidney. Due to its slight coolness and pungency, it is also quite suitable for treating white rot.
10. Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus, i.e., Huang Ma). Sweet, neutral, slippery in nature. Moistens the Heart and Lungs, nourishes the five zang organs, and relieves wind-heat and dryness obstruction in the Large Intestine. For cases requiring lubricating purgation, this is the best choice. Hu Ma Ren, resembling chestnut color, is called Bie Shi. Its therapeutic actions are similar.
11. Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus). Bitter, cool, and neutral. Nourishes yin qi, balances yin fire, clears Liver fire, brightens the eyes, and treats yin-deficiency throat pain. It is also suitable for white rot.
12. Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba). Sour and slightly bitter, quite cold in nature. Qi is thinner than flavor; it has more descending/astringent action and less ascending/dispersing action. It is a herb for the Lung and Spleen meridians, entering the Blood aspect of the Liver and Spleen. It drains Liver fire, secures the interstices, reduces deficiency heat, eliminates carbuncles and swelling, and closes ulcer openings. For initial stages of throat disorders, use cautiously to avoid its sour astringency.
13. Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix or Adenophorae Radix). Slightly sweet, slightly bitter, with light aroma and flavor. Slightly cold; nourishes yin and clears the lungs, discharges pus and reduces swelling, eliminates pathogenic heat, cools the Liver, and nourishes the yin of the five zang organs. Nan Sha Shen (Adenophorae Radix) has clearing and dispersing properties and should not be used here.
14. Fu Ling (Poria). Sweet, bland, and neutral. Tonifies the middle and opens the stomach, promotes urination and transforms phlegm. Bland and permeating, it ascends, generates fluids, opens the interstices, nourishes the source of water (Kidney) and causes descent. Mixing with human milk, steaming, drying, and stir-frying enhances its effect.
15. Ba Da Xing Ren (Pruni Semen). Taste is sweet, with flavor stronger than aroma. Non-toxic. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Calms cough and moistens the lungs, also moistens the intestines and transforms phlegm, and resolves throat obstruction.
16. Hei Dou (Sojae Semen Nigrum, i.e., Ma Liao Dou). Sweet, cold, black in color, associated with Water, resembling the Kidney. It is the grain of the Kidney. Tonifies the Heart and Kidney, dissipates heat and dispels wind, detoxifies, and reduces swelling.
17. Ye Liao Dou (Wild Soybean). Better quality. Contraindicated with Wu Shen (five types of Ginseng/Glehnia/etc.), Long Dan (Gentian Root), and pork; synergistic with Xing Ren (Apricot Seed) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell).
18. Sang Ye (Mori Folium). Sweet, cold; a herb for the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians. Cools blood and clears heat. Leaves that have undergone frost treat cough. Do not use if hoarseness is present.
19. Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix). Sweet, pungent, and warm. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians; a Blood-acting herb. For throat disorders due to blood deficiency, combining with Bai Shao is effective. However, it is not very suitable for white rot due to its pungent, warm, and dispersing nature.
20. Bai He (Lilii Bulbus). Sweet, bland, neutral in qi, with slow-acting efficacy. Benefits qi and moistens the lungs, stops cough, resolves throat obstruction and breast abscesses, and moistens the large and small intestines. A variety with bitter taste should not be used.
21. Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, originally named Shu Yu). Sweet, neutral, bland, slightly astringent. Tonifies Spleen and Lung, benefits Kidney and secures essence, nourishes Heart spirit and eliminates irritability, treats various deficiencies and hundred damages. Select plump and white Huai Shan Yao for best results. Jian Shan Yao is bitter and potent in qi, unsuitable for use, especially contraindicated for white rot.
22. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Neutral in qi, sweet in taste, harmonizing with the virtue of Earth, thus entering only the Spleen and Stomach. "Sowing and reaping produce sweetness," the true flavor of Earth. Earth resides in the center and governs the Five Phases; it can ascend and descend, act internally and externally, harmonize and relax, generate and control, receive and restrain, tonify and drain. It excels at resolving various toxins, dispelling heat pathogens, strengthening sinews and bones, establishing Spleen and Stomach, and growing flesh/muscle. It follows Qi herbs to enter Qi and Blood herbs to enter Blood, being versatile in all applications, hence called "Guo Lao" (State Elder). Raw use is cooling; honey-fried use is warming. It particularly assists Shu Di Huang in treating critical yin deficiency.
23. Jin Cha Hu (Dendrobii Caulis). Sweet, bland, weak in potency, light, clear, gentle, and slow-acting, possessing the subtlety of gradual resolution. Nourishes yin and reduces fire, eliminates irritability and clears the lungs, expels pathogenic heat, balances Stomach and Spleen fire, and relieves epigastric discomfort and hunger pangs.
24. Sha Yuan Ji Li (Astragali Complanati Semen). Sweet, warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Benefits essence and tonifies Kidney, stops leg pain and seminal emission. Excellent for adjunctive regulation after throat disorders.
25. Hei Zhi Ma (Sesami Fructus, i.e., Ju Sheng Zi). Sweet, neutral. Tonifies the middle and benefits qi, nourishes the lungs and moistens the intestines, dispels wind-damp, fills brain marrow, prolongs life with long-term use, and is most effective for treating white-wrapped throat (diphtheria).
All the above ingredients are purely yin and extremely tranquil herbs, essential for throat disorders. Used appropriately, how could they differ from divine elixirs refined nine times? However, most people today suffer from Kidney yin deficiency, so throat disorders presenting as deficiency are common. Therefore, treatment methods must simultaneously nourish yin. If one adheres to vulgar practices, focusing solely on exterior-releasing and cold-cooling measures, few will avoid error.
Appendix:
Tong Lv (Chloropyrum, i.e., Tong Qing). Sour, neutral, slightly toxic. Treats wind-ulcerated tearful eyes, malignant sores, gan sores, women's blood-qiy heart pain, vomiting of wind-phlegm, setting broken bones, stopping bleeding, killing parasites. Prepared with vinegar and scraped for use. Zi Ran Tong (Pyritum). Pungent, neutral. Mainly for fractures to knit sinews and bones, disperses stasis and stops pain. Calcined seven times, quenched in vinegar, ground fine for use. Commentary: These two items are not herbs for treating throat disorders and should not even be included in insufflation powders. It is unknown why they were mixed into the end of the compilation. Perhaps the copyist mistakenly extracted them here? Or did they fail to notice that sixty-eight contraindicated herbs were listed previously, and these two were misplaced to fill the count, belonging to the previous section but appended later? Nevertheless, this does not affect the intent of the book. We retain them as recorded.