味苦辛，性大温无毒，入肾经。主五劳七伤，阳虚精滑，腰痛膝冷，囊湿肾寒。酒浸一
宿，水浸三日，蒸用，恶甘草，忌羊肉、羊血、芸薹。
按∶破故纸苦能坚肾，且性大温，故专走少阴，然气燥不宜多用，命门有火及津枯者忌
之。
味苦，性温无毒，入肾膀胱二经。得桃仁，大茴，疗膀胱疝气；得硫黄、黑附，理肾脏
虚寒。
按∶葫芦巴虽入肾与膀胱，考诸《本经》，无佐使不能独成功也。
味苦甘涩，温无毒，十二经络所不收。观其藤夜交，乃补阴之剂也。消瘰 ，散痈肿，
疗五痔，止肠风，乌须发，美容颜，补劳瘦，助精神，长肌肉，坚筋骨，添精髓，固腰膝，
除风湿，明眼目，及治妇人产后带下诸血。老年尤为要药，久服令人多子延年。去粗皮酒浸，
拌黑豆末蒸之，水中复加黑豆及酒，晒干，九次为度。春夏采鲜者，赤白合用，兼补气血，
茯苓为使，畏猪羊血、无鳞鱼、萝卜，忌铁器。
按∶何首乌大能补益，全在蒸晒如法，大者剖开，其中有鸟兽山岳之形，亦神物也。传
云∶五十年如拳大，号山奴，服之一年，发鬓青黑。百年如碗大，号山哥服，服之一年，颜
色红悦，一百五十年如盆大，号山伯，服之一年，齿落重生，二百年如斗大，号山翁，服之
一年，颜如童子，行及奔马，三百年如栲栳大，号山精，服之一年，延龄益寿，纯阳之体，
久服成仙，迩来渐能用之，惜末能如法制之耳。
【破故纸】
味苦、辛，性大温，无毒，归入肾经。主治五劳七伤（泛指各种慢性虚损性疾病），阳虚导致的精液滑泄，腰痛膝盖发冷，阴囊潮湿及肾脏寒冷。用酒浸泡一夜，用水浸泡三天，然后蒸制后使用。忌与甘草同用，忌食羊肉、羊血和芸薹（油菜）。
按语：破故纸味苦能坚固肾脏，且性大温，所以药力专走少阴肾经。然而其气燥烈，不宜多用，命门火旺（肾阳亢盛）及津液枯竭者禁用。
【葫芦巴】
味苦，性温，无毒，归入肾经和膀胱经。配伍桃仁、大茴香，可治疗膀胱疝气；配伍硫黄、黑附子，可调理肾脏虚寒。
按语：葫芦巴虽然入肾与膀胱二经，但考证《神农本草经》，若无佐使药配合，它不能单独取得成功疗效。
【何首乌】
味苦、甘、涩，性温，无毒，药力不局限于十二经络。观察其藤蔓夜间交合的特性，可知它是补阴的药剂。能消除瘰疬（颈部淋巴结结核），消散痈肿，治疗五种痔疮，止住肠风便血，使须发变黑，美化容颜，治疗虚劳消瘦，增强精神，促进肌肉生长，坚固筋骨，增添精髓，巩固腰膝，祛除风湿，明亮眼目，以及治疗妇女产后带下病和各种出血证。对于老年人尤为重要的药物，长期服用能使人多子并延年益寿。去除粗皮后用酒浸泡，拌入黑豆末进行蒸制，在水中再次加入黑豆和酒，晒干，重复九次为限度。春夏季节采集鲜品，赤白两种混合使用，兼补气血，以茯苓为使药，畏惧猪羊血、无鳞鱼和萝卜，忌用铁器。
按语：何首乌具有极强的补益作用，关键在于按照规范方法进行蒸晒。大的何首乌剖开后，其中间有鸟兽山岳的形状，也是神异之物。传说：五十年的何首乌如拳头大，称为“山奴”，服用一年后，头发鬓角变得青黑。百年的何首乌如碗大，称为“山哥”，服用一年后，面色红润喜悦。一百五十年的何首乌如盆大，称为“山伯”，服用一年后，脱落的牙齿重新生长。二百年的何首乌如斗大，称为“山翁”，服用一年后，面色如童子般红润，行动敏捷如奔跑的马。三百年的何首乌如栲栳（圆形竹筐）大，称为“山精”，服用一年后，延长寿命增加福泽，成为纯阳之体，长期服用可以成仙。近来逐渐有人使用它，可惜未能完全按照规范方法炮制罢了。
[Po Gu Zhi (Cibotii Rhizoma)]
Bitter and acrid in flavor, greatly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney meridian. Primarily treats five exhaustions and seven injuries (a general term for various chronic deficiency syndromes), seminal emission due to Yang deficiency, lower back pain with cold knees, dampness of the scrotum, and coldness of the Kidneys. Soak in wine for one night, soak in water for three days, then steam before use. Adverse with Gancao (Licorice Root); avoid mutton, sheep blood, and Youcai (Rapeseed).
Commentary: Po Gu Zhi is bitter, which can firm the Kidneys, and its nature is greatly warm, so its action specifically targets the Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. However, its qi is drying and it should not be used in large doses; it is contraindicated in cases of Mingmen fire hyperactivity (hyperactive Kidney Yang) and fluid exhaustion.
[Hulu Ba (Trigonellae Semen)]
Bitter in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians. When combined with Taoren (Peach Kernel) and Dahui (Fennel Fruit), it treats Bladder hernia; when combined with Liuhuang (Sulfur) and Hei Fuzi (Black Prepared Aconite Root), it regulates Kidney deficiency-cold.
Commentary: Although Hulu Ba enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians, according to the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), without assistant and guide herbs, it cannot achieve success on its own.
[He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix)]
Bitter, sweet, and astringent in flavor; warm in nature, non-toxic. Its medicinal effect is not confined to the twelve meridians. Observing that its vines intertwine at night indicates it is a Yin-nourishing agent. It eliminates Luoli (scrofula/cervical lymph node tuberculosis), dissipates carbuncles and swellings, treats five types of hemorrhoids, stops intestinal wind bleeding (blood in stool), darkens beard and hair, beautifies the complexion, treats consumptive fever and emaciation, boosts spirit, promotes muscle growth, strengthens sinews and bones, replenishes essence and marrow, secures waist and knees, dispels wind-dampness, brightens the eyes, and treats leukorrhea and various bleeding disorders postpartum in women. It is particularly important for the elderly; long-term use promotes fertility and longevity. Remove the coarse skin, soak in wine, mix with black soybean powder, and steam. Add more black soybeans and wine in water, dry in the sun, repeating this process nine times as the standard. Fresh herbs harvested in spring and summer, using both red and white varieties together, additionally tonify Qi and Blood. Fu Ling (Poria) serves as the guiding herb. It is adverse to pig/sheep blood, scaleless fish, and radish; avoid ironware.
Commentary: He Shou Wu has powerful tonic effects, entirely dependent on proper steaming and drying methods. Large specimens, when cut open, reveal shapes resembling birds, beasts, mountains, and hills within, marking them as divine objects. Legends state: A fifty-year-old root, fist-sized, called "Shan Nu," after one year of consumption, turns hair and temples black. A hundred-year-old root, bowl-sized, called "Shan Ge," after one year of consumption, yields a ruddy and joyful complexion. A 150-year-old root, basin-sized, called "Shan Bo," after one year of consumption, causes lost teeth to regrow. A 200-year-old root, bucket-sized, called "Shan Weng," after one year of consumption, yields a complexion like a youth, with agility matching a galloping horse. A 300-year-old root, basket-sized, called "Shan Jing," after one year of consumption, extends life and health, forming a pure Yang body; long-term use leads to immortality. Recently, its usage has increased, but unfortunately, few adhere strictly to the proper processing methods.