苦辛温，无毒。蕲州者为胜。
发明 艾性纯阳，故可以取太阳真火，可以回垂绝元阳，服之则走肝脾肾三阴，而逐一
切寒湿，转肃杀之气为融和。生用则性温，炒熟则大热，用以灸火则透诸经而治百病。苏颂
言其有毒，误矣。夫用药以治病，中病则止。若素有虚寒痼冷，妇人湿郁带漏之病，以艾和
归、附诸药治之，夫何不可。艾附丸调经而温子宫，兼主心腹诸痛。胶艾汤治虚痢，及胎妊
产后下血。雷火针同丁香、麝脐熨寒痹挛痛。若老人脐腹畏冷及寒湿香港脚，以熟艾入布兜之
。惟阴虚火旺血燥生热及宿有失血病者为禁。有人患风瘙瘾疹，不时 发，以绢裹，擦之即
消。亦取其辛散升发之力。
苦平微寒，无毒。
《本经》主风湿寒热邪气，热结黄胆。
发明 茵陈有二种∶一种叶细如青蒿者，名绵茵陈，专于利水，为湿热黄瘅要药。一种
生子如铃者，名山茵陈，又名角蒿，其味辛苦小毒，专于杀虫，治口齿疮绝胜，并入足太阳
。《本经》主风湿寒热，热结黄瘅，湿伏阳明所生之病，皆指绵茵陈而言。仲景茵陈蒿汤以
之为君，治湿热发黄。栀子柏皮汤以之为佐，治燥热发黄。如苗涝则湿黄，旱则燥黄。其麻
黄连翘赤小豆汤以之为使，治瘀热在里而身黄，此三方分治阳黄也。其治阴黄则有茵陈附子
汤，各随燥湿寒热而为主治。按茵陈专走气分而利湿热，若蓄血发黄，非此能治也。《外台
》治齿龈宣露，《千金》治口疮齿蚀，并用烧灰涂之，有汁吐去，一宿即效。而杀虫方中，
一味煎汤，内服外洗，皆用角蒿，专取逐湿化热之功也。
[Artemisia argyi]
Bitter, acrid, warm, non-toxic. The variety from Qizhou is superior.
[Commentary]
Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye) possesses a purely Yang nature; therefore, it can extract the true fire of the Taiyang channel and restore nearly exhausted Yuan Yang. Upon ingestion, it circulates through the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney Yin channels, thereby dispelling cold-dampness one by one, transforming the austere energy into harmonious warmth. When used raw, its nature is warm; when stir-fried until cooked, its nature becomes intensely hot. When used for moxibustion, it penetrates all meridians to treat myriad diseases. Su Song claimed it was toxic, which was an error. Medicines are used to treat diseases; once the disease is cured, administration should cease. If a patient has chronic deficiency-cold or stubborn cold conditions, or if a woman suffers from damp-stagnation with leukorrhea or bleeding, treating these with Artemisia argyi combined with herbs such as Angelica sinensis (Danggui) and Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) is perfectly acceptable. Aifu Wan regulates menstruation and warms the uterus, and also treats various pains in the heart and abdomen. Jiao'ai Tang treats dysentery due to deficiency, as well as bleeding during pregnancy or postpartum. Leihuo Zhen (Thunder-Fire Needle), combined with Clove (Dingxiang) and Musk (Shexiang), applied with heat to treat cold-bi causing spasmodic pain. For elderly patients suffering from cold intolerance in the umbilical and abdominal regions, or for cold-dampness tinea pedis (Hongjiaojiao), cooked Artemisia argyi can be placed in a cloth bag for application. It is strictly contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency with effulgent fire, blood dryness generating heat, and those with a history of hemorrhage. Someone suffering from wind-induced pruritic urticaria (Feng Sao Yin Zhen) that appears intermittently found relief by wiping the area with Artemisia argyi wrapped in silk, causing the rash to disappear immediately. This utilizes the acrid-dispersing and ascending properties of the herb.
[Artemisia capillaris]
Bitter, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats pathogenic factors of wind-dampness, cold, and heat, and heat accumulation leading to jaundice.
[Commentary]
There are two types of Artemisia capillaris (Yinchen): one type has leaves fine like Qinghao (Artemisia annua); it is named Mian Yinchen (Cotton-like Yinchen), specializes in promoting urination, and is a crucial herb for treating damp-heat jaundice. The other type produces fruits resembling bells; it is named Shan Yinchen (Mountain Yinchen), also known as Jiaohao (Horn Mugwort). Its taste is bitter and acrid, with slight toxicity. It specializes in killing parasites and is exceptionally effective for treating oral and dental ulcers, entering the Foot-Taiyang Bladder channel. The indications in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* regarding wind-damp-cold-heat pathogens, heat accumulation jaundice, and diseases generated by dampness latent in the Yangming channel all refer to Mian Yinchen. Zhang Zhongjing’s Yinchenshao Decoction uses it as the sovereign herb to treat yellowing caused by damp-heat. Zhizi Bapi Decoction uses it as an assistant herb to treat yellowing caused by dry-heat. Excessive rainfall leads to damp-yellowing, while drought leads to dry-yellowing. Mahuang Lianqiao Xiaodou Decoction uses it as an envoy herb to treat body yellowing caused by stagnant heat within the interior. These three formulas respectively treat Yang Jaundice. For Yin Jaundice, there is Yinchenshenzi Decoction, where treatment is adjusted according to dryness, dampness, cold, and heat. According to analysis, Yinchen specifically moves the Qi level to promote the draining of damp-heat; it cannot treat yellowing caused by blood stasis. The *Waitai Miyao* treats protruding gums, and the *Qianjin Fang* treats oral ulcers and dental erosion, both using the ash from burnt herb applied topically; any exudate should be spat out, and improvement occurs overnight. In parasite-killing formulas, decocting this single herb for internal use and external washing always employs Jiaohao, specifically utilizing its ability to expel dampness and transform heat.