（宋开宝）
庄周以松柏独受命于地，冬夏青青比舜之受命于天，柽之从圣，亦以此欤。
【气味】咸温，无毒。
【主治】主剥驴马血入肉毒，取木片火炙熨之，并煮汁浸之。
【核】曰∶出河西，所在亦有。喜生沙地水旁，插之便生。干小枝弱，皮赤如绛，叶整
如丝。一日三眠起，一岁三秀实，穗长三五寸，如蓼花，水红色，婀娜可爱。尔雅翼云∶柽，
河柳也。郭璞以为河旁赤茎小杨也，天之将雨，柽先起气以应之，故一名雨师，字从柽。字
说云∶知雨而应，与于天道，木性虽仁圣矣，犹未离夫木也。小木既圣矣。仁不足以明之，
当音 ，为赤之贞。神降而为赤，曰柽也。非独知雨，亦负霜雪，有异余柳。段成式云∶赤
白柽，出凉州。大者为炭，入灰汁中，可以煮铜。则柽又有白色者矣。农书云∶山柳白而明，
河柳赤而脆。南都赋注云∶柽似柏而香，柽中有脂，称柽乳云。
先人云∶柽柳不与生长收藏相流通，超五行，纯二气，无杀罚，唯生予。顾阴阳气和而
雨，先知之应，可类推矣。当匹阴阳和平之人，启阴阳自和之汗。
【 】曰∶诗疏称柽柳曰雨师。谓其具通而先识也。故天将雨，必先起气以应之。经云∶
地气上为云，天气下为雨，雨出地气，云出天气。亦可称柽柳曰云母矣。尔雅一名西河。河
者水之源，水之伯也。一岁三花，一日三眠三起，即其气三，三而三之，合为九野；九野为
九藏，九藏者，神藏五，形藏四也。然则柽柳功力，不独仅通假气为痞，剥驴马血入肉毒而
已。缪仲淳先生本草经疏，广之以治沙疹，此不独取其能通，又取其象形。疹亦三显三隐，
三而三之，合为九烹，以应九藏。人能于此从指事会意，假借转注，观色身无病不可治，世
界无物不是药矣。
（诗云∶启之辟之，其柽其椐，然则柽亦良木矣。
(Song Kaibao)
Zhuangzi believed that pine and cypress alone receive their mandate from the earth, remaining green in both winter and summer, which is akin to Emperor Shun receiving his mandate from Heaven. Tamarix (Chengliu), following the sage, shares this attribute as well.
[Flavor and Nature] Salty, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats poisoning caused by donkey or horse blood entering the flesh. Take slices of tamarix wood, heat them over fire, and apply as a hot compress; also decoct the juice for soaking.
[Analysis] Says: It originates from the Hexi region but is found elsewhere. It thrives in sandy areas near water and propagates easily via cuttings. The trunk is slender with weak branches, the bark is crimson red like deep vermilion, and the leaves are intact like silk threads. It undergoes three cycles of dormancy and awakening daily, and produces fruit three times a year. The spikes are three to five inches long, resembling knotweed flowers, water-red in color, and gracefully lovely. *Erya Yi* states: "Cheng" refers to river willow. Guo Pu considered it a small poplar with red stems by the river. When rain is imminent, tamarix first emits qi to respond, hence its name Yushi (Rain Master). The character derives from "cheng". *Shuozhi* explains: Knowing rain and responding aligns with the Way of Heaven. Although the nature of wood is benevolent and sage-like, it has not transcended the element of Wood. Since the small tree possesses sagehood, "benevolence" alone is insufficient to describe it; it should be pronounced chēng, representing the true color of red. When spirit descends manifesting as red, it is called Cheng. Unlike other willows, it not only anticipates rain but also withstands frost and snow. Duan Chengshi notes: There are white and red varieties of tamarix from Liangzhou. The larger ones can be made into charcoal; when placed in ash lye, they can melt copper. Thus, there are white tamarix trees. Agricultural texts state: Mountain willow is white and bright, while river willow is red and brittle. Notes on *Nandu Fu* state: Tamarix resembles cypress but is fragrant; it contains resin, known as Chengru (Tamarix Milk).
My late father said: Tamarix does not circulate through the processes of growth, flourishing, harvesting, and storage. It transcends the Five Elements, consisting purely of Yin and Yang Qi, lacking destructive punishment, possessing only generative nourishment. Considering that harmonious Yin and Yang Qi brings rain, its ability to anticipate and respond allows for analogical reasoning. It may be compared to individuals with balanced Yin and Yang, capable of inducing sweat through self-harmonization of Yin and Yang.
[Commentary] Says: The commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* calls tamarix "Yushi" (Rain Master), attributing to it the qualities of connectivity and prescience. Thus, before rain, it rises in qi to respond. The Classics state: Earthly Qi rises to form clouds, Heavenly Qi descends to form rain; rain emerges from earthly Qi, clouds from heavenly Qi. It may also be referred to as Yunmu (Cloud Mother). In *Erya*, it is alternatively named Xihe (Western River). The river is the source of water, the elder brother of waters. Blooming three times a year and undergoing three sleep-wake cycles daily reflects its Qi number as three. Three multiplied by three yields Nine Fields; Nine Fields correspond to Nine Viscera, comprising five Spirit Viscera and four Form Viscera. Therefore, the efficacy of tamarix extends beyond merely unblocking false Qi to resolve stagnation or treating blood-poisoning from animal ingress. Mr. Miu Zhongchun, in his *Bencao Jing Shu*, expanded its use to treat sand-rash (shazhen). This utilizes not only its unblocking property but also its morphological symbolism. Rashes also appear and disappear three times; three multiplied by three forms Nine Cookings, corresponding to the Nine Viscera. If one can grasp the meaning through ideographic composition and semantic extension here, observing that no physical body is incurable, then all things in the world become medicine.
(The *Book of Songs* says: "Open it up, clear it away, the tamarix and the ju," indicating that tamarix is indeed a fine timber.)