紫苏子临证妙用

Clinical Use of Zisuzi(Fructus Perillae)

历代诸多名家治疗杂病时,喜在基础方中纳入紫苏子,或理气机,或调水液,而获良效。紫苏子肃降之性速,可降肺胃之气纳于肾部,故可疗咳喘疾患;肃降之路畅通,则肝有升发之余地,故能达平肝之功;初秋摘收,禀金之性,可入肾以生水,故有补肾润肺之能;消痰而气畅血通,敛阳而汗有所归,故能于自汗一病中发挥其长。因此,药有四气五味,用之需熟知其性,临证方能起效。

When many famous masters in history treated miscellaneous diseases,they liked to use Zisuzi(Fructus perillae)in the basic formula,to regulate Qi movement or Water Fluid and good results have been achieved.It can descend the Lung Qi and the Stomach Qi to the Kidney in treating cough and asthma.If the Qi descending activity is normal,the Liver Qi can ascending smoothly,so it can achieve the function of balancing the Liver Qi.It is harvested in early autumn,with the nature of the Gold.It enters the Kidney to produce Water,so it has the ability to nourish the Kidney and moisten the Lung.Phlegm eliminating leads to smooth blood flow,and sweating normally when Yang is regulated properly.Therefore,it can work best in treating spontaneous perspiration disease.In a word,it is necessary to be familiar with the properties of the drugs,which has the characteristics of four Qi and five flavors,in order to make best use of them.