味苦辛，性微寒有毒，入肝经。最开结痰，专理疟疾，毒令人吐。恶生葱、菘菜及醋。
苗名蜀漆，鸡骨者良。
按∶丹溪云∶常山属金，宜伐肝邪，然其性酷，下咽令人大吐，伤脾损胃，惟精壮与痰
实者宜之，老人小儿及虚弱久病勿用。
雷公云∶凡使春使茎叶，夏秋冬用根，用酒浸一宿，至明漉出，日干，熬捣炒用，勿令
老人久病服之，大忌。
味苦涩，性寒无毒，入肝胆肾膀胱四经。退肝经之邪热，除下焦之湿肿，明目定惊，治
疸止痢，能杀疳虫。小豆、贯众为使，恶防葵，地黄。
按∶《图经》龙胆秋令开花冬间结实，属金与水，金能制木，水入肾家、胆与膀胱，乃
肝肾同部之腑也，故均入焉。夫目得肝血而能视，肝得肾水而后生，今益肾清肝，目之受明
所自来矣。惊疳疸痢，皆肝胆证也，何弗治耶？
雷公云∶采得后阴干，欲出时，用铜刀切去髭上头丁，于甘草汤中浸一宿，至明漉出，
曝干用，勿空腹食之，令人溺不禁。
味苦咸，性微寒无毒，入心肺肾三经。主腹中寒热积聚，女子乳痈诸疾，补肾气，除心
烦，明眼目，理头风，疗咽喉，消瘿瘤，散痈肿，解热毒。恶黄 、干姜、大枣、山茱萸，
反藜芦，勿犯铜器，饵之噎喉损目。
按∶玄参气轻清而苦，故能入心肺，以清上焦之火，体重浊而咸，故能入肾部，以滋少
阴之火，所以积聚等证，靡不疗之。
雷公云∶凡采得须用蒲草重重相隔，入甑苤两伏时，后出晒干，使用时勿令犯铜器，饵
之坠人喉，损人目，拣去蒲草用之。
常山：味苦、辛，性微寒，有毒，归入肝经。最能开通郁结之痰，专门治疗疟疾，其毒性会引起呕吐。忌与生葱、白菜及醋同用。
其幼苗名为蜀漆，以鸡骨状者为佳。
按语：朱丹溪说：常山属金，适宜克制肝邪，然而其药性猛烈，咽下后使人剧烈呕吐，损伤脾胃，只有身体精壮且痰实者适宜使用，老人、小儿及久病体虚者禁用。
雷公说：凡使用常山，春季使用茎叶，夏秋冬三季使用根部，用酒浸泡一夜，至次日滤出，晒干，熬制、捣碎或炒制后使用，切勿让老人和久病之人服用，这是大禁忌。
草龙胆：味苦、涩，性寒，无毒，归入肝胆肾膀胱四经。能退除肝经的邪热，消除下焦的湿肿，明目定惊，治疗黄疸止住痢疾，能杀灭疳虫。以小豆、贯众为引经药，忌与防葵、地黄同用。
按语：《图经》记载龙胆在秋季开花，冬季结实，属金与水，金能制约木，水进入肾脏，胆与膀胱乃肝肾同部的腑脏，所以都归入这两经。眼睛依靠肝血才能视物，肝脏得到肾水的滋养而后生长，现在通过益肾清肝，眼睛获得光明是理所当然的。惊风、疳积、黄疸、痢疾，都是肝胆的证候，为什么不治疗呢？
雷公说：采收后阴干，欲使用时，用铜刀切去须根上的头部硬块，在甘草汤中浸泡一夜，至次日滤出，晒干后使用，切勿空腹食用，否则会导致小便失禁。
玄参：味苦、咸，性微寒，无毒，归入心肺肾三经。主治腹中寒热积聚，女子乳痈等各种疾病，补肾气，消除心烦，明亮眼目，调理头风，治疗咽喉疾病，消散瘿瘤，散除痈肿，解除热毒。忌与黄芩、干姜、大枣、山茱萸同用，反藜芦，不要接触铜器，服用后会噎喉损目。
按语：玄参气味轻清而苦，所以能入心肺，以清上焦之火；药体重浊而咸，所以能入肾部，以滋少阴之火，因此积聚等证候，没有不治疗的。
雷公说：凡采收后必须用蒲草层层隔开，放入甑中蒸两个时辰，之后取出晒干，使用时不要让铜器接触，否则会坠人喉咙，损害人的眼睛，拣去蒲草后使用。
*Changshan* (Dichroa Radix): Bitter and acrid in flavor, slightly cold in nature, toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian. It is most effective at resolving phlegm nodules and specifically treats malaria; its toxicity induces vomiting. Contraindicated with raw green onions, Chinese cabbage, and vinegar.
The seedling is named *Shuqi* (Dichroae Caulis), and those resembling chicken bones are considered superior.
Commentary: Zhu Danxi stated that Changshan belongs to Metal and is suitable for suppressing Liver pathogenic factors. However, its nature is harsh; upon ingestion, it causes severe vomiting, damaging the Spleen and Stomach. It is only suitable for individuals with robust constitution and excess phlegm. It should not be used by the elderly, children, or those suffering from chronic weakness and prolonged illness.
Leigong stated: When using Changshan, use the stems and leaves in spring, and the roots in summer, autumn, and winter. Soak in wine overnight, strain the next day, dry in the sun, then process by heating, pounding, or stir-frying. Do not allow the elderly or chronically ill to take it; this is a major contraindication.
*Cao Longdan* (Gentianae Scabrae Radix et Rhizoma): Bitter and astringent in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver, Gallbladder, Kidney, and Bladder meridians. It clears pathogenic heat from the Liver meridian, eliminates dampness and swelling in the Lower Jiao, brightens the eyes, calms fright, treats jaundice, stops dysentery, and kills pinworms (*Ganchong*). Red bean (*Xiaodou*) and *Guanzhong* act as guides. Contraindicated with *Fang Kui* and Rehmanniae Radix (*Dihuang*).
Commentary: The *Tujing* records that Longdan flowers in autumn and bears fruit in winter, belonging to Metal and Water. Metal controls Wood; Water enters the Kidney, while the Gallbladder and Bladder are fu-organs associated with the Liver and Kidney. Therefore, it enters these meridians. The eyes rely on Liver Blood for vision, and the Liver is nourished by Kidney Water. By benefiting the Kidney and clearing the Liver, the eyes naturally receive brightness. Fright, *Gan* syndrome, jaundice, and dysentery are all Liver-Gallbladder patterns; why would they not be treated?
Leigong stated: After harvesting, dry in the shade. Before use, cut off the head and hard parts of the root hairs with a copper knife. Soak in Licorice Decoction (*Gancao Tang*) overnight, strain the next day, and dry in the sun before use. Do not consume on an empty stomach, as it may lead to urinary incontinence.
*Xuanshen* (Scrophulariae Radix): Bitter and salty in flavor, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Lung, and Kidney meridians. It primarily treats abdominal accumulations and masses due to cold and heat, various diseases such as breast abscesses in women, tonifies Kidney Qi, relieves mental restlessness, brightens the eyes, regulates wind affecting the head, treats throat conditions, dissipates goiters, disperses carbuncles and swellings, and resolves heat toxins. Contraindicated with *Huang Qin*, Dried Ginger (*Ganjiang*), Jujube (*Dazao*), and Cornus Fruit (*Shanzhuyu*). It is incompatible with Veratrum Root (*Lilu*). Avoid contact with copper vessels; ingestion causes throat obstruction and eye damage.
Commentary: Xuanshen has a light, clear, and bitter quality, allowing it to enter the Heart and Lungs to clear Fire in the Upper Jiao. Its substance is heavy, turbid, and salty, allowing it to enter the Kidney region to nourish the Yin of the Shaoyin. Thus, it treats various accumulation patterns effectively.
Leigong stated: Upon harvest, layers of cattail grass must separate the herbs. Steam in a steamer for two double-hours (four hours). Then remove and dry in the sun. During use, avoid contact with copper vessels, as it will cause choking and eye damage. Remove the cattail grass before use.