（本经下品）
【气味】咸温，有小毒。
【主治】主结气，胁下满，惊悸，除水，去五脏间寒热，补中，下气。
【核】曰∶所在有之，生平泽川谷，及下湿地。二月生苗，长一二尺，茎柔细，似红兰
而无刺。叶如大菊，及水 、蒿艾辈。花亦如菊，六月开黄金色，香亦胜菊，故别名夏菊、
盗庚、滴滴金、金钱花也。根细而白，极易繁衍。修事，去蕊并壳皮，及蒂子，蒸之，从巳
至午，熬干用。
【 】曰∶旋者周旋，旌旗之指麾；覆者伏兵，奉旌旗之指麾者也。故主气无师帅，则
搏结不行，致形层之胁，满闭从阖矣。若惊惶悸动，即君主位次，有失奠安，并可定神脏往
来之寒热，与主决渎水液之向道，设非补中气司命，安能使诸气下伏从令乎？顾气味咸温，
亦可为营血之师帅，咸能走血，温行经隧故也。
（本经下品）
【气味】苦，微寒，无毒。
【主治】主邪气，皮肤中热，风瘙身痒，杀三虫。
【核】曰∶出江淮州郡，近道亦有之。生平谷道旁，及田野下湿处。二月抽青色苗，渐
长至三、四尺。茎色青红若蒿状，叶阔似柳而软。六、七月生花，上红下白。作实有角，子
黑而扁，大于苋实而光。根似莨菪根而白，直下独茎生根，襄人呼为昆仑草。近时指鸡冠子
为青葙者，误矣。修事，先烧铁杵臼，乃捣用之。
【 】曰∶青，东方色也。从生、从丹，木生火象也。葙，从相，相亦木相火行也。味
苦气寒，逆从以风为因，以热为证，不能升出，赖宣扬横遍之令者相宜。顾皮肤部署，正木
火升出授受之境耳，故主皮肤中，标见邪热热气为因证，而作风瘙身痒，及伏匿身中，而作
三虫与痔蚀 痛者，皆木不授火，反乘脾土，致外见唇口青色者，亦相宜也。然则青葙功力，
形
（不曰皮肤间，而曰皮肤中，即此可见木火授受之地。）
（木生火象，木相火行。内经所谓神转不回乃得其机。言四时之序，顺行之道也。如木
不授火，反乘脾土，即所谓回则不转。乃失其机，言四时之序，逆行之次也。而授受之机，
真莫之为而为，莫之致而至。）
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Lower Category)
[Flavor and Nature] Salty, warm, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats qi stagnation, fullness in the hypochondrium, palpitations due to fright, eliminates fluid retention, removes cold-heat pathogens between the five zang organs, tonifies the middle jiao, and directs qi downward.
[Verification] It states: This herb is found everywhere, typically growing in marshes, river valleys, and low-lying damp areas. Seedlings emerge in the second lunar month, growing one to two chi tall. The stem is soft and fine, resembling Honglan (a type of plant) but without thorns. The leaves resemble large chrysanthemums or plants such as Polygonum hydropiper (Shui Lian), mugwort (Ai), etc. The flowers also resemble chrysanthemums, blooming in the sixth lunar month with a golden-yellow color. Their fragrance surpasses that of chrysanthemums, hence alternative names include Summer Chrysanthemum (Xia Ju), Dao Geng, Di Di Jin, and Money Flower (Jin Qian Hua). The roots are thin and white, propagating easily. For processing, remove the stamens, husks, and pedicels, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM), then dry by roasting for use.
[Commentary] "Xuan" (Spin/Rotate) implies rotation, like the command of banners; "Fu" (Cover/Overturn) implies ambushing troops following the banner's command. Therefore, if the body's qi lacks a commander, it will knot and fail to circulate, causing the hypochondriac region of the body layers to become full and closed due to impaired opening and closing mechanisms. If there is fright and palpitation, it indicates the loss of stability in the Monarch position (Heart). This herb can stabilize the cold-heat fluctuations of the Shen Zang (Heart) and assist the pathway governing the drainage of fluids. Without tonifying the Middle Qi to govern life activities, how could it make all qi descend and obey orders? Considering its salty and warm nature, it can also serve as a commander for Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), because salty flavors enter the blood level, and warmth promotes circulation through the meridians.
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Lower Category)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats pathogenic factors, heat in the skin, generalized itching due to wind rashes (Feng Sao), and kills three types of parasites (San Chong).
[Verification] It states: Qingxiangzi grows in Jianghuai prefectures and is also found near roads. It typically grows beside valley paths and in damp fields. In the second lunar month, green seedlings emerge, gradually growing three to four chi tall. The stem is greenish-red, resembling mugwort, with broad, soft leaves similar to willow. Flowers appear in the sixth and seventh lunar months, red on top and white at the bottom. The fruit has horns/capsules; seeds are black, flat, larger than Amaranthus seeds, and smooth. The root resembles Ligusticum wallichii (Liang Dang) root but is white, growing vertically down on a single stem, locally called Kunlun Grass. Recently, some have mistakenly identified Celosia cristata (Ji Guan Zi) as Qingxiangzi. For processing, first heat an iron mortar and pestle until red-hot, then grind the herb within it.
[Commentary] "Qing" (Green/Cyan) is the color of the East. Composed of "Sheng" (Generate) and "Dan" (Red/Cinnabar), it symbolizes the image of Wood generating Fire. "Xiang" contains "Xiang" (Minister/Assist), which also represents the interaction of Wood Minister and Fire Phase. With a bitter flavor and cold nature, its pathology involves wind as the cause and heat as the manifestation; since the pathogen cannot ascend and exit, herbs with spreading and pervading actions are suitable. The skin distribution is precisely the realm where Wood and Fire ascend and interact. Therefore, Qingxiangzi treats superficial manifestations in the skin caused by evil heat, leading to wind rashes and generalized itching, as well as latent pathogens transforming into parasites and hemorrhoidal erosion/pain. These conditions arise when Wood fails to generate Fire and instead overacts on Spleen Earth, manifesting externally as cyanosis of the lips and mouth; using Qingxiangzi is appropriate here. However, the efficacy of Qingxiangzi lies in...
(Note: It says "in the skin" rather than "among the skin," indicating this is the site of Wood-Fire interaction.)
(The image of Wood generating Fire, the phase of Wood Minister and Fire. As stated in the Neijing, "The Spirit turns without returning" allows one to grasp the mechanism, referring to the correct order of the four seasons. If Wood fails to generate Fire and instead overacts on Spleen Earth, it is "returning without turning," losing the mechanism, referring to the reverse order of the four seasons. Yet, the mechanism of generation and reception occurs naturally without deliberate action or seeking.)