味辛、苦，寒、微寒，无毒。主寒热，中风，螈 ，痉，惊痫，邪气，除症坚瘀血留舍
肠胃，安五脏，疗痈疮。除
时气，头痛，客热，五劳，劳气，头腰痛，风噤，癫疾。一名鹿韭，一名鼠姑。生巴郡山谷
及汉中，二月、八月采根，
阴干。
畏菟丝子、贝母、大黄。今东间亦有，色赤者为好，用之去心。按鼠妇亦名鼠姑，而此
又同，殆非其类，恐字误。
〔谨案〕牡丹，生汉中。剑南所出者，苗似羊桃，夏生白花，秋实
凋，根似芍药，肉白皮丹。
出汉、剑南，土人谓之牡丹，亦名百两金，京下谓之吴牡丹者，是真也。今俗用者，异于此，
别有臊气也。
味辛、苦、平、温，无毒。主风寒，温疟，热气，诸痫，除邪，利大小便。疗水肿，风
肿，去膀胱热，伤寒，寒热
邪气，中风手脚挛急，止泄，散痈肿，恶结，诸蜗疥癣，虫疮，通腠理，利九窍。一名解离，
文如车辐理解者良。生汉
中川谷，二月、八月采根，阴干。
殷孽为之使，杀雄黄毒，恶细辛，畏萆 。今出宜都、建平，大而青白色，虚软者好，
黯黑冰强者不佳。服食亦须
之。是疗风水家要药耳。
〔谨案〕防己，本出汉中者，作车辐解，黄
名木防己，都不任用。陶谓
之佳者，盖未见汉中者尔。
[Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex)]
Pungent, bitter, cold, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats alternating chills and fever, wind-stroke, convulsions (spasmodic contraction of tendons), spasms, palpitations with epilepsy, expels pathogenic factors, eliminates fixed masses (zheng) and blood stasis lodging in the intestines and stomach, calms the five zang organs, treats carbuncles and sores. Expels seasonal epidemic diseases, headache, external heat pathogens, five types of deficiency exhaustion (wulao), qi generated by overexertion, headache and lower back pain, wind-lock (trismus due to wind), mania. Also known as Lujun, also known as Shugu. Grows in the valleys of Ba Commandery and Hanzhong. Roots are harvested in February and August, and dried in the shade.
Incompatible with Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), and Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang). It is now also produced in the eastern regions; those with reddish color are considered superior. When used, the core should be removed. Note: Shi Fu (Oniscus) is also named Shugu, and this herb shares the same name, but they are likely not of the same category; it is probable that there is a textual error.
[Commentary] Mudanpi grows in Hanzhong. The variety from Jiannan has seedlings resembling Actinidia arguta (Yangtao), produces white flowers in summer, and fruits wither in autumn. The root resembles Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Shaoyao), with white flesh and red bark. Those originating from Hanzhong and Jiannan are called Mudan by locals, also known as Bailiangjin, and Wu Mudan near the capital; these are the authentic ones. The varieties commonly used today differ from these and possess a distinct musky odor.
[Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix)]
Pungent, bitter, neutral, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-cold, warm malaria, heat pathogens, various forms of epilepsy, expels pathogenic factors, promotes urination and defecation. Treats edema, wind-swelling, clears heat from the bladder, typhoid, chills and fever caused by pathogenic factors, wind-stroke resulting in stiffness and contracture of hands and feet, stops diarrhea, dissipates carbuncles and swelling, malignant nodules, various scabies and tinea infections, insect sores, unblocks interstices (couli), and benefits the nine orifices. Also known as Jielí. Those with texture resembling the spokes of a cart wheel are of good quality. Grows in the river valleys of Hanzhong. Roots are harvested in February and August, and dried in the shade.
Yinie serves as its guiding drug; it neutralizes the toxicity of Realgar (Xionghuang); incompatible with Asari Radix (Xixin); fears Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bixie). Currently produced in Yidu and Jianping; those that are large, bluish-white, and spongy/soft are good; those that are dark black and hard are poor. It is also required for taking alchemical elixirs. It is an essential herb for treating wind-water disorders.
[Commentary] Fangji originally originated from Hanzhong, exhibiting a cart-wheel spoke pattern. The yellow variety, named Mu Fangji, is not used. Tao Hongjing considered others to be superior, likely because he had not seen the authentic Hanzhong variety.