神农本经。药三百六十五种。效法周天三百六十五度之数。应三才而合四时。此本草之所以
权舆也。厥义尚矣。梁陶隐居。进明医别录。倍之为七百三十种。而义犹在焉。迨夫唐本图经。
蜀唐慎微证类。以至宋嘉 政和。重定重修。义皆不论。旁搜远访。务在增多。凡见闻所及。有
关用验者。莫不兼收并录。实总一千七百四十六种。而药无遗品。本草称大备。疾病之需。卫生之
具。天下至今为永赖焉。然一百一十三方。用者九十一种耳。旧本皆一一注性味于各方药下。烦
冗无义。今具钞而附说。以为初学仓卒。易于检对之便。余则略云。
桂枝 桂。味甘辛。大热。有小毒。主温中。利肝肺气。霍乱转筋。头痛出汗。止烦。坚骨
节。通血脉。理疏不足。宣导百药无所畏。（神农本经。有牡桂菌桂。辛温无毒。无桂枝。桂。别
录以下有桂。上文钞者是。皆无桂枝。别说云。仲景伤寒论发汗用桂枝。桂枝者。枝条非身干也。
取其轻薄而能发散。愚按诸家本草。桂虽云辛甘大热。本经则言辛温。皆无发散之说。经于发汗。
曰宜麻黄汤。曰宜桂枝汤云云者。以例言也。出汗不出汗。有权在经。深思宜之一字。则有所宜
者。必有所不宜者在。宜于此者。必有不宜于彼者在。此经之言外意。读者要当潜心察识。然后
可以用经之权。而能神经之妙矣。苟徒泥于发散。发汗云云。此成无己所以凿发散之谬注也。后
此。人人遂皆自然其说而以为说。殊不思人之用桂。大率皆皮。而无用枝者。经于桂枝。凡用皆
云去皮。去皮者。非谓去其枝上之皮也。以桂之用皆皮。惟经用枝。故有去皮云耳。经既去皮而
用枝。则是去人之所用于不用。而用人之所不用以为用。用不与人同。而意正与人相反可知矣。
岂取发散云乎哉。不在此也。然则所取何。曰。用不与人同而意正与人相反。则是枝必桂中奇才
妙用。人虽皆未及知。而经则独知之深者。以其从阳而敏于走卫也。得之者。惟主理疏不足。宣
导百药无所畏是也。）
麻黄。味苦。温。无毒。主伤寒头痛。温疟。发表。出汗。去邪热气。止咳逆上气。除寒热。
通腠。理疏。解肌。泄邪恶气。消黑赤斑毒。不可多服。令人虚。（陶隐居云。用之折除节。节
止汗故也。先煮一两沸。去上沫。沫令人烦。药性论。根节能止汗。日华子。通九窍。开毛孔皮
肤。）
葛根。味甘。平。无毒。主消渴身大热。解诸毒。疗伤寒中风头痛。解肌。发表。出汗。开腠理。
（陶隐居云。生者捣取汁饮之。解温病发热。药性论云。能治天行上气呕逆。近世方书。谓野葛
有毒。伤胎。遂将妊娠妇人方中葛根。改为家葛。殊不思本草作于神农氏。当此之时。人尚无家。
葛焉家哉。有野葛者。自是一种。大毒杀人。不啻伤胎而已。魏武啖至一寸者是也。非葛也。若
因此物。道听途说。岂不迂哉。）
柴胡。味苦。平。无毒。主寒热邪气。推陈致新。除伤寒心下烦热。诸痰热结实。胸中邪逆。
五脏间游气。（药性论云。主时疾内外热不解。萧炳云。主痰满胸胁中痞。柴。本经作茈。广韵
如此。）
芍药。味苦酸。微寒。有小毒。主邪气腹痛。寒热 瘕。通顺血脉。缓中。散恶血。去水气。
利膀胱大小肠。时行寒热。中恶腹痛。（本经一耳。别录分赤白为二用。赤者利小便下气。白者
止痛散血。古人采自山野。山野多赤。后世好奇尚白。取办于种莳。虽得白多而肥大。乃出自人
为。而物已失其天性矣。故难责效。风寒所用。义自赤者。经无明文。古意本来如此。若芍药甘
草汤方。明书白者。此用白也。药性论云。能蚀脓。衍义云。血虚寒人。禁此一物。）
甘草。（国老）味甘。平。无毒。主五脏六腑邪气。长肌肉。温中。解百药毒。（反大戟。
芫花。甘遂。海藻。陶隐居云。国老即帝师之称。虽非君为君所宗。故能安和草石而解诸毒也。
药性论云。忌猪肉。）
栝蒌根。味苦。寒。无毒。主消渴身热。烦满大热。除肠胃中痼热。八疸身面黄。唇干口燥。
（反乌头。日华子云。治热狂时疾。）
实名黄瓜。主胸痹。（图经云。疗时疾发黄。心狂烦热。闷不识人。）
近时方书及称呼皆无栝蒌根。惟有天花粉。谓天花粉即栝蒌根。殊不知栝蒌者载在本经。而
天花粉者。自本经别
录。以至唐蜀诸家本草。皆所未有。在政和以后所收七十五种之内。功用虽相若。而物则殊别。
正尔谓彼即此。亦失论矣。
黄芩。味苦。平。大寒。无毒。主诸热黄胆。肠 泄利。疗痰热。胃中热。（药性论云。
能治热毒骨蒸。寒热往来。肠胃不利。日华子云。主天行热病。）
黄连。味苦。寒。无毒。主明目。肠 。腹痛。下利。五脏冷热。调胃浓肠。（日华子云。
止惊悸烦躁。天行热疾。药性论云。忌猪肉。恶冷水。）
半夏。味辛。平。生微寒。熟温有毒。主伤寒寒热。心下坚。下气。喉咽肿痛。头眩。胸胀。
咳逆。消心腹胸膈痰热满结。咳嗽上气。时气呕逆。（迩来下俚。因经有渴者去半夏之文。释者
以燥津液为说。遂讹为燥。谓半夏燥药。凡用以贝母代之。夸奇矜贵。以自高炫。道邪悖邪。
诚可笑也。药性论云。开胃健脾。忌羊血饴糖。反乌头。）
生地黄。味甘。寒。无毒。除寒热。（本经止于干地黄下云生者尤良。无生名。）
麦门冬。味甘平。微寒。无毒。主心腹结气。心下支满。虚劳客热。口干燥渴。定肺气。安
五脏。（日华子。治时疾热狂。）
人参。味甘。微温。无毒。主补五脏。安精神。定魂魄。止惊悸。疗胸胁逆满。霍乱吐逆。
调中止消渴。（反藜芦。）
术。味苦。甘。温。无毒。主风寒湿痹。止汗。除热。消食。风眩头痛。消痰水。除心下急
满。及霍乱吐下不止。（陶隐居云。术乃有两种。白术叶大。有毛而作桠。根甜而少膏。可作丸
散用。赤术叶细无桠。根小苦而多膏。可作煎用。药性论云。忌桃李雀肉。菘菜青鱼。日华子云。
治山岚瘴气。衍义云。古方及本经止言术。未见分苍白二种也。只缘陶隐居言术有两种。自此人
多贵白者。今人但贵其难得。惟用白耳。往往将苍术置而不用。如古方平胃散之类。苍术为最要
药。功效尤速。殊不详本草原无白术之名。近世多用。亦宜两审。谨按嘉 本草序。谓本草虽世
传作于神农氏。盖仲景华
佗诸贤之所编述也。然则经文术上其曰白者。无乃后之好事者之所加欤。惟白之加。则今之术皆
出种莳。务白以求售。医之为道。本来面目。尚存几何哉。）
大戟。味苦。寒。有小毒。主十二水。腹满急痛。积聚。利大小肠。（反甘草。日华子云。
泄天行黄病瘴疟。泽漆根也。）
泽泻。味甘咸。寒。无毒。除五脏痞满。逐膀胱三焦停水。扁鹊云。多服病患眼。（药性论云。
宜通水道。）
知母。味苦。寒。无毒。主消渴。疗伤寒久疟烦热。（陶隐居云。甚疗热结。）
旋复花。味咸。温。冷利。有小毒。主结气胁下满。去五脏间寒热。消胸上痰结。唾如胶漆。
心胁痰水。膀胱留饮。
葶苈。味辛苦。寒。无毒。主 瘕积聚。通利水道。下膀胱水。伏留热气。
皮间邪水上出。面目浮肿。（药性论云。有小毒。能利小便。抽肺气。上喘息急。止嗽。衍义云。
用子。味有甜苦两等。其形则一也。经既言味辛苦。即甜者不复更入药也。大概治体皆以行水走
泄为用。故曰久服令人虚。）
甘遂。味苦。寒。有毒。主大腹。 瘕。腹满。面目浮肿。留饮。利水谷道。下五水。散膀
胱留热。（反甘草。）
五味子。味酸。温。无毒。主益气。咳逆上气。（苏恭云。皮肉甘酸。核中辛苦。都有咸味。此则五味具也。）
茵陈蒿。味苦平。微寒。无毒。主风湿寒热邪气。热结黄胆。遍身发黄。小便不利。（日
华子云。治天行时疾热狂。）
荛花。味苦辛。寒。有毒。主伤寒温疟。下十二水。破积聚大坚。 瘕。荡涤肠胃中留癖。
饮食寒热邪气。利水道。疗痰饮。（衍义云。仲景伤寒论。以荛花治利者。以其行水也。水去则
利止。其意如此。然今人用时当以意斟酌。不可使过与不及也。仍须有是证者。方可用之。）
细辛。味辛。温。无毒。主咳逆。头痛脑动。百节拘挛。风湿痹痛。破痰。利水道。（反藜
芦。陶隐居云。最能除痰明目。药性论云。忌生菜。日华子云。忌狸肉。
衍义云。今惟华州者佳。柔韧极细。真深紫色。味极辛。嚼之习习如椒。治头面风不可缺也。叶
如葵叶。赤黑。非此即杜蘅。杜蘅叶形如马蹄。俗云马蹄香是也。近时用者皆此物。人亦莫知其
非。别说云。单用不可过半钱匕。多即气闷塞不通者死。虽死无伤。近年关中或用此毒人者。闻
平凉狱中尝治此。故不可不记。非本有毒。但以不识多寡之用。因以有此。）
连翘。味苦。平。无毒。主寒热。（衍义云。治心经客热最胜。翘。经作轺。注云连翘根也。
今之用者。皆于本草无明文。用者宜审。）
桔梗。味辛苦。微温。有小毒。主胸胁痛如刀刺。除寒热风痹。疗喉咽痛。（药性论。主气
促嗽逆。衍义云。治肺热气奔促。咳逆。肺痈。排脓。）
当归。味甘辛。温。无毒。主咳逆上气。温疟。寒热洗洗在皮肤中。妇人漏下绝子。诸恶疮
疡。（日华子云。治一切风。一切血。药性论云。补女子诸不足。别说云。气血昏乱者。服之立
定。此盖能使气血各有所归。恐圣人立当归之名。必因此出矣。）
通草。味辛甘。平。无毒。除脾胃寒热。通利九窍。出音声。（陈士良云。茎名木通。主理
风热淋疾。小便数。急疼。小腹虚满。）
升麻。味甘苦。平。无毒。主解百毒。辟疠疫瘴气。中恶腹痛。时气毒疠头痛。寒热风肿诸
毒。喉痛口疮。（图经云。解伤寒头痛。本经无。别录有。）
大黄（将军）味苦。寒。无毒。主下瘀血。血闭寒热。破 瘕积聚。留饮宿食。荡涤肠胃。
推陈致新。通利水谷。调中化食。安和五脏。平胃下气。除痰实。肠间结热。心腹胀满。女子寒
血闭胀。小腹痛。诸老血留结。（日华子云。通宣一切气。调血脉。利关节。泄壅滞水气。四
肢冷热不调。温瘴热疾。利大小便。并 一切疮疖痈毒。别说云。谨按大黄收采时。皆以火烧
石干。欲速货卖。更无生者。用之不须更多炮炙。少蒸煮之。将军者。言戡定祸乱创建太平。
止戈为武之谓也。）
葳蕤。味甘。平。无毒。主中风暴热。不能动摇（陶隐居云。按本经。有女葳。无葳蕤。别录无
女葳。有葳蕤。日华子云。除烦闷。止渴。润心肺。治天行热狂。图经云。主贼风。手足枯痹。
四肢拘挛。按陶云。则女葳葳蕤之为物虽不殊。而文本之差误则明甚。）
天门冬。味苦甘。大寒。无毒。主诸暴风湿偏痹。保定肺气。去寒热。（博物志云。禁食鲤
鱼。药性论云。误食鲤鱼中毒。浮萍解之。衍义云。治肺气之功为多。其味苦。但专泄而不专收。
寒多人禁服。）
贝母。味辛苦。微寒。无毒。主伤寒烦热。疗腹中结实。心下满。洗洗恶风寒。（反乌头。
药性论云。主胸胁逆气。疗时疾黄胆。与连翘同。日华子云。消痰润心肺。别说云。能散心
胸郁结之气。殊有功。）
蜀漆。味辛。微温。有毒。主疟。及咳逆寒热。腹中 坚痞结积聚。疗胸中邪结气。吐出
之。常山苗也。（药性论云。能主疗鬼疟多时不瘥。去寒热疟。治温疟寒热。不可多进。令人
吐逆。下肥气积聚。）
商陆根。味辛酸。平。有毒。主水胀疝瘕。除痈肿杀鬼精物。疗胸中邪气。水肿痿痹。腹满
洪直。疏五脏。散水气。如人形者有神。（图经云。俗名章柳根。花赤者根赤。花白者根白。苏
恭云。白者入药用。赤者见鬼神。甚有毒。但贴肿外用。若服之伤人。乃至利血不已而死也。日
华子云。得大蒜良。通大小肠。泻蛊毒。堕胎。协肿毒。敷恶疮。本经。无根字。）
海藻。味苦咸。寒。无毒。主瘿瘤气。项下核。破散结气。痈肿。 瘕。坚气。腹中上下鸣。
下十二水肿。疗皮间积聚。暴 。留气热结。利小便。
浓朴。味苦。温。无毒。主中风伤寒头痛。寒热惊悸。气血痹。温中。益气。消痰。下气。疗霍
乱及腹痛。胀满。胃中冷逆。胸中呕不止。泄利淋露。除惊。去留热心烦满。浓肠胃。（药性论
云。忌豆。食之者动气。味苦辛。大热。能主疗积年冷气。腹内雷鸣虚吼。宿食不消。除痰饮。
去结水。破宿血。消化水谷。止痛。大温胃气。呕吐酸水。主心腹满。病患虚而尿白。日华子云。
健脾。主反胃。霍乱转筋。冷热气。泻膀胱。泄五脏一切气。衍义云。不以姜制。则棘人喉舌。
平胃散中用。最调中。至今此药盛行。既能温脾胃气。又能走冷气。为世所须也。）
枳实。味苦酸。寒。无毒。主大风在皮肤中。如麻豆苦痒。除寒热结。止利。长肌肉。利五
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records 365 types of drugs, modeling the number after the 365 degrees of the celestial sphere, corresponding to the Three Powers (Heaven, Earth, and Humanity) and harmonizing with the Four Seasons. This marks the origin of Bencao (Materia Medica). Its principles are profound. During the Liang Dynasty, Tao Hongjing presented the *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians), doubling the number to 730 types, while retaining the original principles. Later, during the Tang Dynasty, the *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica), as well as Tang Shenwei's *Zhenglei Bencao* (Classified Materia Medica) from Shu, up until the Song Dynasty's Jiayou and Zhenghe eras, when revisions were made, the focus shifted away from discussing principles. Instead, there was a diligent effort to search widely and far, aiming to increase the quantity. Any drug encountered that had relevant therapeutic effects was comprehensively collected and recorded. The total reached 1,746 types, with no drug omitted, making Bencao remarkably comprehensive. It remains an indispensable tool for treating diseases and maintaining health, relied upon by the world to this day. However, among the 113 formulas in the text, only 91 are actually used. In older editions, the properties and flavors were annotated one by one under each formula's ingredients, which was cumbersome and meaningless. Now, I have transcribed them and added explanations to facilitate easy reference for beginners in haste. The rest is briefly summarized.
Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi): Gui (Cinnamon Bark) is sweet, pungent, very hot, and slightly toxic. It primarily warms the middle jiao, benefits liver and lung qi, treats huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with muscle cramps), headache, sweating, irritability, strengthens bone joints, unblocks blood vessels, regulates deficiency in dispersion, and guides all drugs without fear. (*Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions Mugui (Male Cinnamon) and Jungui (Fungus Cinnamon), which are pungent, warm, and non-toxic; it does not mention Guizhi. From *Mingyi Bielu* onwards, "Gui" is mentioned, referring to what was copied above. None of these refer to Guizhi. Another view states that Zhang Zhongjing used Guizhi for sweating in *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage); Guizhi refers to the branches, not the trunk, chosen for their lightness and ability to disperse. Upon examining various Bencaos, although Gui is described as sweet, pungent, and very hot, *Shennong Bencao Jing* describes it as pungent and warm, with no mention of dispersing properties. The classic text regarding sweating says "suitable for Mahuang Tang" or "suitable for Guizhi Tang," using "suitable" as a guideline. Whether sweating occurs or not depends on the context within the text. Deeply contemplating the word "suitable" reveals that what is suitable for one condition may be unsuitable for another; what suits one situation may not suit another. This is the implicit meaning of the classic. Readers should carefully observe and understand this to apply the flexibility of the classic and grasp its subtleties. If one merely sticks to the idea of dispersing and sweating, this is the erroneous annotation by Cheng Wuji regarding dispersal. Subsequently, people naturally adopted this view without considering that people generally use cinnamon bark, not branches. The classic specifies "remove the skin" for Guizhi. Removing the skin does not mean removing the bark from the branch; rather, since cinnamon is typically used as bark, and the classic uses branches, the instruction to "remove the skin" applies. By using branches and removing the skin, the classic uses what others do not use and discards what others commonly use. The usage differs from others, and the intent is opposite. Is it for dispersal? No. Then what is the purpose? Since the usage and intent are opposite to common practice, the branch must possess unique and miraculous efficacy. Although people are unaware, the classic knows it deeply because it follows Yang and moves swiftly through the Wei (Defensive) level. Its main function is regulating deficiency in dispersion and guiding all drugs without fear.
Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae): Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats cold damage headache, warm malaria, releases the exterior, induces sweating, eliminates pathogenic heat, stops cough and rebellious Qi, removes chills and fever, opens interstices, regulates dispersion, resolves the muscles, drains evil Qi, reduces black-red spot toxins. Do not take excessively as it causes deficiency. (Tao Hongjing said: Use it broken and remove the nodes, as nodes stop sweating. Boil first for one or two minutes, remove the foam on top, as the foam causes irritability. *Yaoxing Lun* states roots and nodes stop sweating. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it opens the nine orifices and pores.)
Gegen (Radix Puerariae): Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats thirst with high body heat, resolves various toxins, treats cold damage and wind-stroke headache, resolves muscles, releases the exterior, induces sweating, opens interstices. (Tao Hongjing said: Crush fresh root and drink juice to resolve warm disease fever. *Yaoxing Lun* states it treats epidemic upper Qi vomiting. Recent formularies claim wild Gege is toxic and harms pregnancy, replacing Gegen with Jiage (cultivated kudzu) in prescriptions for pregnant women. They fail to consider that Bencao was authored by Shennong, when humans had no concept of "home" or cultivation; how could Gege be "home"? Wild Gege is a distinct species, highly toxic and fatal, not just harming pregnancy. The type Emperor Wu of Wei ate an inch of was this. It is not standard Gege. Relying on hearsay about this substance is absurd.)
Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri): Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats chills and fever pathogenic factors, pushes out the old and generates the new, removes heart oppression and heat from cold damage, resolves phlegm-heat accumulation, rebellious Qi in the chest, and wandering Qi among the five zang organs. (*Yaoxing Lun* states it treats internal and external unresolved heat from epidemics. Xiao Bing states it treats phlegm-fullness and stagnation in the chest and hypochondrium. "Chai" is written as "Zi" in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, according to *Guangyun*.)
Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae): Bitter, sour, slightly cold, slightly toxic. Primarily treats pathogenic abdominal pain, chills and fever masses, unblocks blood vessels, moderates the interior, dissipates bad blood, removes water qi, benefits bladder and large/small intestines, treats epidemic chills/fever, sudden poisoning abdominal pain. (*Shennong Bencao Jing* lists only one. *Mingyi Bielu* divides it into Red and White for different uses. Red benefits urination and descends Qi; White stops pain and dissipates blood. Ancients gathered from mountains and wilds, where red was common. Later generations prized white, obtaining it through cultivation. Although white and large, it is artificially produced and has lost its natural nature, making efficacy difficult to achieve. For wind-cold, the principle belongs to Red. The classic has no explicit text, but ancient intent favored Red. If Shaoyao Gancao Tang explicitly writes "White," then White is used. *Yaoxing Lun* states it can erode pus. *Yanyi* states those with blood deficiency and cold should avoid this herb.)
Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) (Guolao/National Elder): Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats pathogenic Qi in the five zang and six fu organs, promotes flesh growth, warms the middle, resolves toxicity of hundred drugs. (Incompatible with Daji, Yuanhua, Gansui, Haizao. Tao Hongjing said Guolao is a title for the Emperor's teacher; though not the ruler, he is revered by the ruler, thus able to harmonize herbs and minerals and resolve toxins. *Yaoxing Lun* states avoid pork.)
Gualougen (Radix Trichosanthis): Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats thirst with body heat, irritability and fullness with high heat, removes chronic heat in stomach and intestines, eight types of jaundice with yellow body/face, dry lips and mouth. (Incompatible with Wutou. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats heat mania and epidemics.)
The mature fruit is called Huanggua, primarily treating Xiongbi (chest bi obstruction). (*Tujing* states it treats epidemic jaundice, heart mania and irritability, confusion and inability to recognize people.)
Recent formularies and names do not mention Gualougen, only Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root Powder). It is claimed that Tianhuafen is Gualougen. However, Gualou is recorded in *Bencao Jing*, whereas Tianhuafen appears from *Bielu* onwards and is absent in Tang and Shu dynasty materia medica. It was included in the 75 types added after Zhenghe. Although functions are similar, the substances are distinct. Asserting they are identical is incorrect.
Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae): Bitter, neutral, very cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats various heat-related jaundice, intestinal dysentery/diarrhea, resolves phlegm-heat, stomach heat. (*Yaoxing Lun* states it treats heat toxin bone-steaming fever, alternating chills and fever, gastrointestinal discomfort. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats epidemic heat diseases.)
Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis): Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Primarily brightens eyes, treats intestinal dysentery, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cold/heat in five zang organs, regulates stomach and thickens intestines. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states it stops palpitations, irritability, and epidemic heat diseases. *Yaoxing Lun* states avoid pork and cold water.)
Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae): Pungent, neutral, raw slightly cold, cooked warm, toxic. Primarily treats cold damage chills/fever, hardness below the heart, descends Qi, throat swelling/pain, dizziness, chest distension, cough/rebellious Qi, resolves phlegm-heat fullness in heart/abdomen/chest/diaphragm, cough with upward Qi, epidemic vomiting. (Recently, laypeople, citing the classic's "remove Banxia if thirsty," interpreted it as drying fluids, erroneously calling Banxia a drying herb and substituting it with Beimu. This is absurd vanity. *Yaoxing Lun* states it opens stomach and strengthens spleen, avoid sheep blood and malt sugar, incompatible with Wutou.)
Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Recens): Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Removes chills and fever. (*Shennong Bencao Jing* only states under Dry Dihuang that fresh is better; there is no name "Shengdihuang".)
Maidong (Rhizoma Ophiopogonis): Sweet, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats heart/abdominal binding Qi, subcostal fullness, deficiency labor with guest heat, dry mouth/thirst, calms Lung Qi, stabilizes five zang organs. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats epidemic heat mania.)
Renshen (Radix Ginseng): Sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. Primarily tonifies five zang organs, calms spirit, stabilizes hun and po, stops palpitations, treats chest/hypochondriac rebellious fullness, huoluan vomiting, regulates middle and stops thirst. (Incompatible with Lilu.)
Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis): Bitter, sweet, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-cold-damp bi obstruction, stops sweating, removes heat, aids digestion, wind-induced vertigo/headache, resolves phlegm-water, removes acute fullness below heart, and huoluan with continuous vomiting/diarrhea. (Tao Hongjing stated Zhu has two types: Baizhu has large leaves, hairy and branched, sweet root with little gum, usable for pills/powders. Chizhu has fine leaves, no branches, small bitter root with much gum, usable for decoctions. *Yaoxing Lun* states avoid peach, plum, sparrow meat, cabbage, green fish. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats mountain miasma. *Yanyi* states ancient formulas and *Bencao Jing* only mention Zhu, not distinguishing Bai/Cang. Because Tao Hongjing said there are two types, people began valuing Bai Zhu. Now people value rarity and use only Bai Zhu, often ignoring Cang Zhu. Yet in ancient formulas like Pingwei San, Cang Zhu is crucial and fast-acting. One should note *Bencao Jing* originally had no name "Baizhu." Recent heavy use warrants caution. According to Jiayou Bencao Preface, although attributed to Shennong, it was compiled by Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo, etc. Thus, if the character "Bai" precedes Zhu in the classic, might it be an addition by later enthusiasts? With "Bai," current Zhu is cultivated to be white for sale. How much of the true Dao of medicine remains?)
Daji (Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis): Bitter, cold, slightly toxic. Primarily treats twelve types of water retention, abdominal fullness/acute pain, accumulations, benefits large/small intestines. (Incompatible with Gancao. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it drains epidemic jaundice/malaria, also Zeqi root.)
Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis): Sweet, salty, cold, non-toxic. Removes five zang organ fullness/stagnation, drives out stagnant water from bladder and Sanjiao. Bian Que stated excessive use harms eyes. (*Yaoxing Lun* states it facilitates water passages.)
Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae): Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats thirst, resolves persistent malaria fever from cold damage. (Tao Hongjing stated it effectively treats heat accumulation.)
Xuanfuhua (Flos Inulae): Salty, warm, cold-purgative, slightly toxic. Primarily treats binding Qi and hypochondriac fullness, removes chills/heat among five zang organs, resolves upper chest phlegm knots, sticky saliva, heart/hypochondriac phlegm-water, bladder retained fluid.
Tinglizi (Semen Lepidii/Descurainiae): Bitter, pungent, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats masses/accumulations, unblocks water passages, drains bladder water, clears latent heat, expels evil water from skin causing facial/eye edema. (*Yaoxing Lun* states slightly toxic, promotes urination, draws out Lung Qi, relieves wheezing/rapid breathing, stops cough. *Yanyi* states seeds have sweet/bitter tastes but same shape. Since classic specifies bitter/pungent, sweet ones are excluded. Generally, it acts by moving water and draining, hence long-term use causes deficiency.)
Gansui (Radix Kansui): Bitter, cold, toxic. Primarily treats abdominal distension, masses, fullness, facial/eye edema, retained fluid, benefits water/grain passage, drains five waters, dissipates bladder retained heat. (Incompatible with Gancao.)
Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae): Sour, warm, non-toxic. Primarily benefits Qi, treats cough/rebellious Qi. (Su Gong stated skin/flesh is sweet/sour, core is bitter/pungent, all have salty taste, thus containing five flavors.)
Yinchenhao (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae): Bitter, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-cold-damp-heat pathogenic factors, heat-bound jaundice, generalized yellowing, difficult urination. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats epidemic heat mania.)
Raohua (Flos Sparagii): Bitter, pungent, cold, toxic. Primarily treats cold damage/warm malaria, drains twelve waters, breaks severe accumulations/masses, cleanses residual habits in intestines/stomach, dietary cold/heat pathogenic factors, benefits water passages, treats phlegm-fluid. (*Yanyi* states Zhang Zhongjing used Raohua to treat diarrhea because it moves water; when water goes, diarrhea stops. Current users should exercise judgment, avoiding excess or deficiency. Only use if symptoms match.)
Xixin (Herba Asari): Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats cough/rebellious Qi, headache with brain movement, joint spasms, wind-cold-damp bi pain, resolves phlegm, benefits water passages. (Incompatible with Lilu. Tao Hongjing stated it best removes phlegm and brightens eyes. *Yaoxing Lun* states avoid raw vegetables. *Rihuazi Bencao* states avoid fox meat. *Yanyi* states Huazhou variety is best: soft, fine, deep purple, extremely pungent, tingles like pepper, essential for head/face wind. Leaves resemble mallow, reddish-black; if not this, it is Duheng. Duheng leaves are horse-hoof shaped,俗称 Horse Hoof Fragrance. Recent users mistake this for Xixin. Another view states single use should not exceed half a qian-bi; excessive amounts cause suffocation/death, though death is harmless. Recently in Guanzhong, some used this to poison people; heard of cases in Pingliang prisons, so recording is necessary. Not inherently toxic, but misuse due to ignorance of dosage causes this.)
Liaoqiao (Fructus Forsythiae): Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats chills/fever. (*Yanyi* states it best treats guest heat in Heart channel. "Qiao" is written as "Yao" in classic, noted as Liaqiao root. Current usage lacks explicit Bencao text; users should verify.)
Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis): Bitter, pungent, slightly warm, slightly toxic. Primarily treats chest/hypochondriac pain like knife stabbing, removes wind-cold heat bi, treats throat pain. (*Yaoxing Lun* states treats shortness of breath/cough. *Yanyi* states treats Lung heat with rushing Qi, cough, lung abscess, drains pus.)
Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis): Sweet, pungent, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats cough/rebellious Qi, warm malaria, shivering skin cold/heat, uterine bleeding/infertility, various malignant sores/ulcers. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states it treats all wind and blood conditions. *Yaoxing Lun* states tonifies female deficiencies. Another view states it stabilizes chaotic Qi and Blood immediately, likely why the sage named it Danggui [Return to Place], implying Qi and Blood return to their proper locations.)
Tongcao (Medulla Tetrapanacis): Pungent, sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Removes spleen/stomach cold/heat, unblocks nine orifices, restores voice. (Chen Shiliang stated stem is named Mutong, treats wind-heat strangury, frequent/urgent painful urination, lower abdominal fullness.)
Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae): Sweet, bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily resolves hundred toxins, wards off plague/miasma, mid-evil abdominal pain, epidemic toxic headache, wind-cold heat swelling/toxins, throat pain/mouth ulcers. (*Tujing* states it resolves cold damage headache; absent in Bencao Jing, present in Bielu.)
Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) (Jiangjun/General): Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Primarily purges blood stasis, blood closure with chills/fever, breaks masses/accumulations, retained fluid/leftover food, cleanses intestines/stomach, pushes out old/generates new, unblocks water/grain passage, regulates middle/digests food, stabilizes harmonizes five zang organs, flattens stomach/descends Qi, resolves phlegm-solidity, intestinal knot-heat, abdominal fullness, female cold-blood closure/distension, lower abdominal pain, old blood retention. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states it circulates all Qi, regulates blood vessels, benefits joints, drains stagnant water/qi, limb cold/heat imbalance, warm malaria/heat diseases, benefits urination/defecation, treats all sores/furuncles/abscesses. Another view states Dahuang is harvested by fire-drying stones to sell quickly, never fresh. Minimal processing needed, slight steaming/boiling. "General" implies quelling chaos and establishing peace, stopping warfare.
Weirui (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati): Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats stroke wind-heat, immobility. (Tao Hongjing stated Bencao Jing has Nüwei, no Weirui. Bielu has Weirui, no Nüwei. *Rihuazi Bencao* states it removes irritability/thirst, moistens heart/lungs, treats epidemic heat mania. *Tujing* states it treats thief wind, limb numbness/spasms. Tao's note implies Nüwei and Weirui are similar substances, but textual error is obvious.)
Tianmendong (Rhizoma Asparagi): Bitter, sweet, very cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats acute wind-damp hemiplegia, secures Lung Qi, removes chills/fever. (*Bowuzhi* states avoid carp. *Yaoxing Lun* states carp poisoning resolved by Fuping. *Yanyi* states it excels in benefiting Lung Qi; bitter taste, purely draining not astringing, avoided by those with cold.)
Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae): Bitter, pungent, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats cold damage irritability/heat, resolves abdominal solidity, subcostal fullness, aversion to wind/cold. (Incompatible with Wutou. *Yaoxing Lun* states treats chest/hypochondriac rebellious Qi, epidemic jaundice, same as Liaoqiao. *Rihuazi Bencao* states resolves phlegm, moistens heart/lungs. Another view states it scatters heart/chest depression, very effective.)
Shuqi (Herba Dichroae): Pungent, slightly warm, toxic. Primarily treats malaria, cough/rebellious chills/fever, abdominal hardness/masses/accumulations, resolves chest pathogenic binding Qi, expectorates it. It is the sprout of Changshan. (*Yaoxing Lun* states it treats lingering ghost malaria, removes chills/fever malaria, warm malaria; do not take excessively as it causes vomiting and downward feiqi accumulation.)
Shanglugen (Radix Phytolaccae): Bitter, pungent, neutral, toxic. Primarily treats water distension/hernia masses, removes carbuncles/swelling, kills spirits/essences, treats chest pathogenic Qi, edema/numbness, abdominal fullness/tightness, vents five zang organs, scatters water qi; human-shaped roots are spiritual. (*Tujing* states vulgar name Zhangliu Gen; red flower/red root, white flower/white root. Su Gong stated white enters medicine, red causes hallucinations, highly toxic, only for external application on swelling; ingestion causes fatal hemorrhage. *Rihuazi Bencao* states garlic is beneficial, unblocks intestines, drains gu poison, aborts fetus, assists swelling/toxins, applies to malignant sores. Bencao Jing lacks "Gen".)
Haizao (Thallus Sargassii): Bitter, salty, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats goiter/Qi, neck nodules, breaks scattering binding Qi, carbuncles/swelling, masses, hard Qi, abdominal rumbling, drains twelve water retentions, treats skin accumulations, sudden swelling, retained heat/qi knots, benefits urination.
Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis): Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-strike/cold damage headache, chills/fever palpitations, Qi/blood bi, warms middle, benefits Qi, resolves phlegm, descends Qi, treats huoluan/abdominal pain, distension, stomach cold/reversal, persistent chest vomiting, diarrhea/dribbling urine, removes fright, clears retained heat/irritability/fullness, thickens intestines/stomach. (*Yaoxing Lun* states avoid beans (moves Qi), bitter/pungent very hot, treats chronic cold qi, abdominal thunder/noise, undigested food, resolves phlegm-fluid/knot water, breaks old blood, digests food/grain, stops pain, greatly warms stomach Qi, vomiting acid, chest/abdominal fullness, patient deficiency with white urine. *Rihuazi Bencao* states strengthens spleen, treats regurgitation, huoluan cramps, cold/heat Qi, drains bladder, vents all five zang Qi. *Yanyi* states without ginger processing, it irritates throat; in Pingwei San, it best regulates middle; currently popular for warming spleen/stomach and moving cold qi.)
Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus): Bitter, sour, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats major wind in skin like hemp seeds/bitter itch, removes cold/heat knots, stops diarrhea, promotes flesh growth, benefits five...