甘苦平，无毒。忌见火。解莨菪毒。
《本经》辟温疫瘴气，邪气蛊毒，入口皆吐出，中恶腹痛，时气毒疠，头痛寒热，风肿
诸毒，咽痛，口疮。
发明 升麻能引清气右升，足阳明本药也。《本经》治疫瘴蛊毒，取性升上行也。治
中恶腹痛，取开发胃气也。治喉痛口疮者，取升散少阳、阳明火热也。同葛根则发散阳明风
邪。同柴胡则升提胃中清气，引甘温之药上升，故元气下陷者，用此于阴中升阳，以缓带脉
之缩急。凡胃虚伤冷郁遏阳气于脾土，宜升麻、葛根以升散其火郁。故补脾胃药非此引用不
效，脾痹非此不除。升麻葛根汤乃阳明发散药，若初病太阳便服之，发动其邪，必传阳明，
反成其害也。又升麻葛根能发痘，惟初发热时可用，见点后忌服，为其气升发动热毒于上，
为害莫测，而麻疹尤为切禁，误投喘满立至。按∶升麻属阳性升，力能扶助阳气，捍御阴邪
，故于淋带泻痢脱肛方用之，取其升举清阳于上也。古方治噤口痢，用醋炒升麻，引人参、
莲肉扶胃进食，大有神效。凡上盛下虚，吐血衄血，咳嗽多痰，阴虚火动，气逆呕吐，怔忡
癫狂诸证，皆在所禁。
苦寒，无毒。反藜芦。
《本经》主心腹结气，症瘕积聚，黄瘅，溺有余沥，逐水，除痈肿，补中，明目，止
泪。
发明 苦参、黄 之苦寒下降，皆能益肾，盖取其苦燥湿寒除热也。热生风，湿生虫，
故又能治风杀虫。惟肾水烁而相火胜者宜之。若脾胃虚而饮食减少，肝肾虚而火衰精冷，及
年高之人不可用也。久服苦参多致腰重，因其性降而不升也。观《本经》主治皆湿热为患之
病，详补中当是补阴之误，以其能除湿热，湿热去而阴自复，目自明矣。然惟湿热者宜之。
沈存中苦腰重，久坐不能行，此因病齿痛数年，用苦参揩齿，其气味入齿伤肾所致也。后施
昭先亦用苦参揩齿，岁久亦病腰重，自后悉不用之，腰疾皆愈。或云∶苦参既能补阴明目，
何久服反病腰重乎，殊不知苦寒之性直入心肾，内有湿热者，足以当之。始得之，则有辅阴
祛邪之力，清热明目之功，湿热既去而又服之，必致苦寒伤肾，腰重脚弱在所不免，理固然
也，何疑之有。
[Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)]
Sweet and bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Avoid exposure to fire. Resolves the toxicity of Datura (Lángdàng).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records its ability to ward off warm epidemics, miasmas, evil qi, and gu poison; if ingested, it induces vomiting to expel them. It treats sudden severe abdominal pain due to evil invasion, epidemic toxic pestilence, headache with chills and fever, wind-induced swelling, various toxins, sore throat, and mouth ulcers.
[Invention]
Shengma can guide clear yang to ascend on the right side and is a principal herb for the Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats epidemic miasmas and gu poison by utilizing its ascending and dispersing nature. It treats sudden severe abdominal pain by opening and developing stomach qi. It treats sore throat and mouth ulcers by ascending and dispersing the fire-heat of the Shaoyang and Yangming meridians. When combined with Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), it disperses wind-pathogens of the Yangming. When combined with Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), it lifts the clear qi of the stomach and guides sweet-warm herbs upward. Therefore, for conditions of sinking yuan qi, this herb is used to raise yang within yin, thereby relieving the contraction and urgency of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel). In cases of stomach deficiency with cold injury suppressing yang qi in the spleen-earth, Shengma and Gegen are suitable to ascend and disperse the constrained fire. Thus, spleen-stomach tonifying formulas are ineffective without this guiding herb, and Pi Bi (Spleen Obstruction) cannot be resolved without it. Shengma Gegen Tang is a dispersing formula for the Yangming meridian; if taken during the initial Taiyang stage, it may stir up pathogens, causing transmission to the Yangming meridian and resulting in harm. Furthermore, Shengma Gegen can induce eruption of smallpox; it is only usable during the initial fever stage. Once spots appear, it is contraindicated because its ascending nature may drive heat-toxins upward, causing unpredictable harm. For measles, it is strictly prohibited; misapplication leads to immediate wheezing and fullness. Note: Shengma belongs to the category of positive, ascending substances; its strength supports yang qi and defends against yin pathogens. Therefore, it is used in formulas for strangury, leukorrhea, dysentery, and rectal prolapse to lift clear yang upward. Ancient formulas treat Jin Kou Li (Anorectic Dysentery) using vinegar-fried Shengma combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Lianrou (Nelumbinis Semen) to support the stomach and promote intake, yielding miraculous effects. It is contraindicated in conditions of excess above and deficiency below, hematemesis, epistaxis, cough with profuse phlegm, yin-deficiency with fire-hyperactivity, rebellious qi with vomiting, palpitations, mania, and epilepsy.
[Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix)]
Bitter, cold in nature, non-toxic. Incompatible with Libu (Veratri Radix).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records its treatment of knotted qi in the heart and abdomen, masses and accumulations, jaundice, dribbling after urination, water retention, abscess reduction, middle-jiao tonification, brightening the eyes, and stopping tearing.
[Invention]
The bitter-cold and descending nature of Kushen and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) both benefit the Kidney, primarily due to their bitter-drying dampness and cold-clearing heat properties. Heat generates wind, and dampness generates parasites, thus they also treat wind and kill parasites. They are suitable only when Kidney water is scorched and Ministerial Fire prevails. They should not be used in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency with reduced appetite, Liver-Kidney deficiency with deficient fire and cold essence, or in elderly individuals. Long-term use of Kushen often causes heavy sensation in the lower back because its nature descends rather than ascends. Observing that the indications in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* are all diseases caused by damp-heat, "tonifying the middle" is likely a textual error for "tonifying yin," as it removes damp-heat, allowing yin to recover naturally and vision to clarify. However, it is suitable only for those with damp-heat. Shen Cunzhong suffered from heavy sensation in the waist, unable to walk after sitting for long periods; this was caused by using Kushen to brush teeth for years due to toothache, where the herb's aroma entered the teeth and damaged the Kidneys. Later, Shi Zhaoxian also used Kushen to brush teeth and developed heavy waist over time; he subsequently stopped using it, and his waist ailments healed. Some ask: If Kushen can tonify yin and brighten eyes, why does long-term use cause heavy waist? The truth is that the bitter-cold nature enters the Heart and Kidney directly. Those with internal damp-heat can tolerate it. Initially, it aids yin and expels pathogens, clearing heat and brightening eyes. However, once damp-heat is cleared, continued use inevitably damages the Kidney with bitter-cold, leading to heavy waist and weak legs, which is logical. What is there to doubt?