Compendium of Materia Medica

Page Nine

Bletilla Rhizome

Fluorite serves as its messenger. It abhors gypsum and fears apricot kernels and plum kernels. original: "Baiji"; a starchy orchid rhizome used to stop bleeding and heal wounds.

Section One of Herbs (continued)

Coptis Rhizome

Baical skullcap, dragon bone, and gypsum serve as its messengers. Avoid pork. It abhors cold water, chrysanthemum, scrophularia, silkworm, and dittany bark. It fears achyranthes and coltsfoot. original: "Huanglian"; one of the most famous bitter herbs in Chinese medicine, used to clear "damp-heat" and toxins.

Picrorhiza Rhizome

Avoid pork. It abhors chrysanthemum, scrophularia, and dittany. original: "Hu Huanglian"; literally "Foreign Coptis," often sourced from high-altitude regions like the Himalayas.

Rhizome head The insertion "Lu" refers to the "reed" or neck of the root, often removed before processing.

Baical Skullcap

Dragon bone and dogwood fruit serve as its messengers. It abhors onion seeds. It fears cinnabar, peony, and hellebore. original: "Huangqin"; a primary herb for clearing heat from the upper body and lungs.

Largeleaf Gentian

Sweetflag serves as its messenger. It fears cow’s milk. original: "Qin Jiao"; primarily used to dispel "wind-dampness" and soothe the joints.

Bupleurum Root

Pinellia serves as its messenger. It abhors honey locust pods. It fears aster and hellebore. original: "Chaihu"; a crucial herb for harmonizing the exterior and interior of the body, often used for alternating chills and fever.

Hogfennel Root

Pinellia serves as its messenger. It abhors honey locust pods. It fears hellebore. original: "Qianhu"; used to direct Qi downward and expel phlegm.

Siler Root

Seven-lobed yam serves as its messenger. It abhors dried ginger, hellebore, ampelopsis, and daphne. It fears Chinese yam. original: "Fangfeng"; literally "Guard against Wind," used to treat headaches and tremors.

Notopterygium and Pubescent Angelica

Iris seed serves as its messenger. original: "Qiangduhuo"; these two herbs were often grouped together at the time; they are used to treat pain in the upper and lower back/limbs.

Sophora Root

Scrophularia serves as its messenger. It abhors fritillary and rhaponticum. It fears dodder seed. It subdues mercury, orpiment, and saltpeter. original: "Kushen"; literally "Bitter Root," used for skin ailments and clearing heat. Its ability to "subdue" (fu) chemicals refers to its use in alchemical processing to stabilize volatile minerals.