甘辛温，小毒。
发明 白附子纯阳引药势上行，乃阳明经药。治肝肾风癣、阴痒、洗 黑入面脂用。其
性燥血耗气，是以类中风证，虽有痰壅禁用，小儿慢惊勿服。
《本经》名虎掌
苦辛温，有毒，治风痰生用，须以矾汤浸。若熟用以湿纸包
，于 火中炮制。用造胆星法，以南星磨末，筛去皮，腊月入黄牛胆中，悬当风处干之，年
久多拌者良。或兼蜂蜜以润其燥，但色易黑，不能久藏。
《本经》主心痛寒热结气，积聚，伏梁、筋痿拘缓，利水道。
发明 天南星之名，始自《开宝》，即《本经》之虎掌也，以叶取象，则名虎掌，根类
取名，故名南星。虽具二名，实系一物。为开涤风痰之专药。《本经》治心痛、寒热、结气
，即《开宝》之下气利胸膈也。《本经》之治积聚、伏梁，即《开宝》之破坚积也。《本经
》之治筋痿拘缓，即《开宝》之治中风，除麻痹也。《本经》之利水道，即《开宝》之散血
堕胎也。夫水由血不归经所化，蕴积于经而为湿热，则风从内发，津液凝聚为肿胀，为麻痹
，为眩晕，为颠仆，为口噤身强，为筋脉拘缓，为口眼 斜，各随身之所偏而留着不散，内
为积聚，外为痈肿，上为心痛，下为堕胎，种种变端总由湿热所致，盖缘一物二名。后世各
执一例，是不能无两岐之说，即仲淳之明，尚以《开宝》之文衍之为疏，而《本经》主治置
之罔闻，何怪诸家采集药性，一皆舍本逐末乎。按∶天南星味辛而麻，故能治风散血。气温
而燥，故能胜湿除痰。性紧而毒，故能攻积拔肿而治口 舌糜。诸风口禁，更以石菖蒲、人
参佐之。南星、半夏皆治痰药也。然南星专走经络，故中风麻痹以之为响导，半夏专走肠胃
，故呕逆泄泻以之为响导。《千金》治妇人头风，攻目作痛，掘地作坑烧赤，入南星于中，
以醋沃之，盖定候冷为末，酒服半钱。《易简》治面生疣子，醋调南星末涂之，其新生之芽
曰由跋。《本经》治毒肿结气。《千金方》用之取其开结热之用耳。
[Bai Fu Zi (Hirudis Preparation)] Sweet, acrid, warm, slightly toxic.
Invention: Bai Fu Zi is purely yang and guides medicinal potency upward; it is a herb of the Yangming channel. It treats wind-xeroderma of the liver and kidney, pruritus ani, and can be washed, blackened, and mixed into facial cosmetics for use. Its nature is drying and consumes blood and qi; therefore, in cases of stroke-like syndromes, even if there is phlegm obstruction, it is contraindicated, and it should not be taken by infants with slow convulsions.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* names it Hu Zhang.
[Tian Nan Xing (Arisaema Rhizome)] Bitter, acrid, warm, toxic. For treating wind-phlegm, use raw; it must be soaked in alum water. If cooked, wrap in wet paper and roast in fire. To prepare Dan Xing (Gall-nut Arisaema), grind Tian Nan Xing into powder, sift off the skin, place in a yellow ox gallbladder in the twelfth lunar month, hang in a ventilated place to dry; those aged long and frequently processed are superior. Alternatively, mix with honey to moisten its dryness, but the color easily turns black and it cannot be stored for long.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats heart pain, alternating cold and heat, constrained qi, accumulations, Fu Liang (subdiaphragmatic mass), sinew atrophy with spasm and flaccidity, and promotes urination.
Invention: The name "Tian Nan Xing" first appeared in *Kaibao Bencao*, which corresponds to "Hu Zhang" in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. It is named Hu Zhang because the leaf resembles a tiger's paw, and Tian Nan Xing because the root resembles a star (or refers to its shape). Although having two names, they refer to the same substance. It is the specialized herb for clearing wind-phlegm. What *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls treating heart pain, alternating cold and heat, and constrained qi is what *Kaibao Bencao* calls descending qi and benefiting the chest and diaphragm. What *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls treating accumulations and Fu Liang is what *Kaibao Bencao* calls breaking firm accumulations. What *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls treating sinew atrophy with spasm and flaccidity is what *Kaibao Bencao* calls treating wind-stroke and removing numbness. What *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls promoting urination is what *Kaibao Bencao* calls dispersing blood and inducing abortion. Water is transformed from blood that fails to return to its vessels; when accumulated in the channels as damp-heat, wind arises internally. Fluids condense causing swelling, numbness, vertigo, sudden collapse, locked jaw and stiff body, sinew spasm and flaccidity, and deviation of the mouth and eye. These remain lodged where the body is biased, forming internal accumulations, external abscesses, upper heart pain, and lower abortion. All these variations stem from damp-heat, likely due to one substance having two names. Later generations each adhered to one aspect, leading to divergent theories. Even Chen Shigong (Chen Chun), despite his clarity, still expanded upon the text of *Kaibao Bencao* while ignoring the indications of *Shennong Bencao Jing*. No wonder various collectors of materia medica abandon the root for the branches. Note: Tian Nan Xing is acrid and numbing, thus capable of treating wind and dispersing blood. Its temperature is warm and drying, thus capable of overcoming dampness and resolving phlegm. Its nature is tight and toxic, thus capable of attacking accumulations, drawing out swelling, and treating oral and lingual ulceration. For various wind-lock syndromes, add Shi Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) as assistants. Both Nan Xing and Ban Xia are herbs for treating phlegm. However, Nan Xing specifically travels through the channels and collaterals, so it serves as the guide for wind-stroke and numbness; Ban Xia specifically travels through the intestines and stomach, so it serves as the guide for vomiting, regurgitation, and diarrhea. *Qianjin Fang* treats women's head-wind causing eye pain by digging a pit, heating it red-hot, placing Nan Xing inside, pouring vinegar over it, waiting for it to cool and settle, grinding into powder, and taking half a qian with wine. *Yijian Fang* treats facial warts by mixing Nan Xing powder with vinegar and applying it; the newly sprouted buds are called You Ba. *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats toxic swelling and constrained qi. *Qianjin Fang* uses it for its ability to open up clustered heat.