苦平微温，无毒。酒炒用，反藜芦。
《本经》主心腹邪气，肠鸣幽幽如走水，寒热积聚，破症除瘕，止烦满，益气。
发明 丹参气平而降，心与包络血分药也。《本经》治心腹邪气，肠鸣幽幽如走水等疾
，皆瘀血内滞而化为水之候。止烦满益气者，瘀积去而烦满愈，正气复也。按∶四物汤治妇
人病，不问胎前产后，经水多少，皆可通用。唯一味丹参散，主治与之相同。盖丹参能破宿
血生新血，安生胎，落死胎，止崩中带下，调经脉之神品。然其性长于行血，妊娠无故勿服
。大便不实者忌之。
即牡蒙，又名童肠，三四月间遍地茸生，高三五寸，逐层起台，开紫花者是也
苦辛寒，无毒。反藜芦。
《本经》主心腹积聚，寒热邪气，通九窍，利大小便。
发明 紫参入足厥阴兼入足太阳、阳明血分，故治诸血病，及寒热血痢，痈肿积块。即
《本经》治心腹积聚，寒热邪气之谓。瘀血去，则九窍利，而二便通矣。古方治妇人肠覃，
乌喙丸中用牡蒙即紫参也。仲景治下痢、肺痛，用紫参汤，取其散积血也。但市人罕识其真
，详痢下肺痛皆胸中气结之故，每以紫菀代之，虽气味之寒温不同，疏利之性则一。
甘咸寒，无毒。色深紫而脆者良。淡紫质坚者曰紫梗，不入药。
《本经》主心腹邪气，五疳，补中益气，利九窍。
发明 紫草入心包络及肝经血分，其功专于凉血活血，利大小肠，故痘疹欲出未出，血
热毒盛，大便闭涩，色干枯，而毒不得越者宜之。已出而紫黑便闭者亦可用。盖紫草凉血，
血凉则毒出。世俗误以为宣发之药，非也。若已出而色红活者不宜，或白陷，及大小便利者
忌之。《本经》言，治心腹邪气五瘅者，乃活血利窍之义。发痘即活血利窍之大端也。言补
中益气者，营血和，则中气受益矣。
Bitter, neutral in nature with slight warmth, non-toxic. Use after wine-frying; incompatible with Veratrum nigrum (Lilü).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indications for evil qi in the heart and abdomen, intestinal murmurs sounding like flowing water, accumulation of cold-heat, breaking masses and removing growths, relieving fullness and irritability, and benefiting qi.
[Invention] Danshen has a neutral qi that descends; it is a herb entering the blood aspect of the Heart and Pericardium. The conditions treated by *Shennong Bencao Jing*, such as evil qi in the heart and abdomen and intestinal murmurs like flowing water, are all manifestations of stagnant blood transforming into fluid retention internally. "Relieving fullness and benefiting qi" means that once the stasis is removed, the fullness and irritability subside, and the healthy qi recovers. Note: Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is used to treat women's diseases, applicable regardless of whether before or after childbirth, and regardless of menstrual flow volume. A single-herb formula of Danshen San (Danshen Powder) has identical main indications. This is because Danshen can break old blood and generate new blood, secure a living fetus, expel a dead fetus, stop metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, and regulate the menses; it is a miraculous agent. However, its nature favors promoting blood circulation; pregnant women should not take it without cause. It is contraindicated in those with loose stools.
This is Mumen, also known as Tongchang. In March and April, it grows abundantly everywhere, three to five cun high, rising in layers with platforms, bearing purple flowers.
Bitter and acrid, cold in nature, non-toxic. Incompatible with Veratrum nigrum (Lilü).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indications for accumulations in the heart and abdomen, cold-heat evil qi, unblocking the nine orifices, and facilitating urination and defecation.
[Invention] Zishen enters the Foot Jueyin Liver channel and concurrently enters the blood aspect of the Foot Taiyang Bladder and Foot Yangming Stomach channels; thus, it treats various blood disorders, as well as cold-heat bloody dysentery, carbuncles, swellings, and mass formations. This corresponds to the treatment of heart and abdominal accumulations and cold-heat evil qi described in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Once the blood stasis is removed, the nine orifices become unblocked, and urination and defecation are facilitated. In ancient formulas treating Changtan (abdominal masses in women), such as Wuhui Wan, Mumen is used, which is Zishen. Zhang Zhongjing used Zishen Tang for dysentery and lung abscess, utilizing its ability to dissipate accumulated blood. However, people in the market rarely recognize the authentic product. Detailed analysis shows that dysentery and lung pain are often due to qi stagnation in the chest; therefore, Ziwan (Asteris Radix et Rhizoma) is often substituted. Although the flavor and temperature differ, their dispersing and draining properties are consistent.
Sweet and salty, cold in nature, non-toxic. Those with deep purple color and brittle texture are superior. Those with pale purple color and hard texture are called Zigeng and are not used medicinally.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indications for evil qi in the heart and abdomen, five types of childhood malnutrition syndromes (Gan), benefiting the middle jiao and qi, and unblocking the nine orifices.
[Invention] Zicao enters the blood aspect of the Pericardium and the Liver channel. Its efficacy specializes in cooling blood and invigorating blood circulation, and facilitating urination and defecation in the large and small intestines. Therefore, it is suitable for cases where measles or smallpox rashes are about to emerge but have not yet done so, characterized by excessive blood heat and toxin, constipation, dry and withered rash color, preventing the toxin from venting outward. It can also be used if the rash has emerged but appears dark purple accompanied by constipation. Essentially, Zicao cools the blood; when the blood is cooled, the toxin is expelled. Secular people mistakenly believe it is a diaphoretic herb for venting rashes, which is incorrect. It is unsuitable if the rash has already emerged and appears bright red; it is contraindicated if there is white sinking of the rash, or if urination and defecation are free-flowing. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen and five types of Gan, which implies the meaning of invigorating blood and unblocking orifices. Erupting rashes is a major aspect of invigorating blood and unblocking orifices. The statement "benefiting the middle jiao and qi" means that when the Ying (nutritive) blood harmonizes, the Middle Qi benefits.