（本经中品）
【气味】辛平，无毒。
【主治】主除脾胃寒热，通利九窍血脉关节，令人不忘，去恶虫。
【核】曰∶通草，即木通。泽、潞、汉中、江淮、湖南州郡皆有之。绕树蔓藤，大者经
三五寸，每节二三枝，枝头五叶。夏末开花紫色，亦有白色者。实如木瓜而小，长三四寸，
瓤白核黑，食之甘美。枝即通草，通理细孔，两头皆通，含取一头吹之，气出彼头，色黄白
者良。黑褐色者，此商贾因其质轻易得，多置舡篷上，为雨 所侵，以致形色腐黑，用之无
力也。
【 】曰∶黄中通理，故名通。草类藤蔓，仍名草。枝头五叶，长夏作花，味辛气平。
脾之用药通剂也。故除脾胃寒热，塞而不通，并九窍血脉关节，悉为脾土所摄故也。去恶虫，
令
（具此神通，则八万四千毛窍。有所闭塞。莫不令之开通。举九窍者，九窍为窍穴之总
持耳
（本经中品）
数犯此者，此字指生气言。
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主寒热邪气，寒湿风痹，肢节痛，下水，利小便。
【核】曰∶出飞鸟山谷，及甘松、龙洞、泾州、 州、岐州诸处。枝干高五六寸，叶婆
娑如莴苣叶，茎梗俱青。六月开花紫色似葛花，当月结子。根黄色，长尺许，作罗纹交斜，
其文左列者佳，右列者不堪入药，令人发香港脚病也。修治，认取脚文左列者，拭去黄白毛，
还元汤浸一宿，日干用。菖蒲为之使，恶牛乳。
先人云∶人身直者为经，横者为络，络之下注者为孙。肌腠之邪，多从孙人，次薄于络，
复
【 】曰∶根有罗纹，左旋者入药，盖天道左旋，而人生气从之。经云∶自古通天者生
之本，天地之间，六合之内，其气九州九窍，五脏十二节皆通乎天气。数犯此者，则邪气伤
人，内闭九窍，外壅肌肉，卫气散解，是以本经用治寒热邪气，或风寒湿痹，致骨节水道，
反从地道右旋者，使顺天运，以转玉玑。别录诸家，用治转胞口噤，目暗耳鸣，即九窍内闭。
用治痈疽黄胆，传尸骨蒸，即肌肉外壅。用治手足不遂，通身挛急，即卫气散解。设左右无
别，天道逆矣。
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category]
【Flavor and Nature】Acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats cold-heat disorders of the Spleen and Stomach, unblocks the Nine Orifices (the nine openings of the head and body), blood vessels, and joints, prevents forgetfulness, and expels harmful parasites.
【Verification】It is stated: Tongcao is Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis). It is found in Zezhou, Luzhou, Hanzhong, Jianghuai, and various prefectures in Hunan. It is a climbing vine that winds around trees. The thicker stems have a diameter of three to five cun. Each node produces two or three branches, with five leaves at the branch tips. Purple flowers bloom in late summer, though white ones also exist. The fruit resembles a small quince, about three to four cun long, with white pulp and black seeds; it tastes sweet and delicious. The stem itself is Tongcao, characterized by fine internal channels that are open at both ends. If one end is placed in the mouth and air is blown through, it exits the other end. Those with a yellowish-white color are of good quality. Blackish-brown specimens result from merchants placing them on boat canopies due to their light weight and ease of acquisition; rain infiltration causes them to rot and darken, rendering them ineffective for medicinal use.
【Commentary】It is said: "Yellow" represents the center and penetrating texture, hence the name "Tong" (Unblocking). As a herbaceous vine, it retains the character "Cao" (Herb). With five leaves at the tips and flowering in midsummer, its flavor is acrid and nature neutral. It serves as a regulating agent for the Spleen. Thus, it eliminates cold-heat in the Spleen and Stomach. Since blockages in the Nine Orifices, blood vessels, and joints are governed by the Earth element of the Spleen, this herb addresses these areas. By expelling harmful parasites, it demonstrates its spiritual efficacy: if any of the 84,000 pores are blocked, it ensures they all open. Mentioning the Nine Orifices highlights them as the general control points of all bodily orifices.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category]
Repeatedly violating this principle refers to the concept of "Sheng Qi" (Vital Qi).
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats cold-heat pathogenic factors, wind-dampness bi syndrome, pain in limbs and joints, promotes urination, and facilitates the flow of water.
【Verification】It is stated: It grows in valleys inhabited by flying birds, as well as in Gansong, Longdong, Jingzhou, [missing character]zhou, and Qizhou. The branches and trunk are five to six cun high. The leaves are luxuriant, resembling lettuce leaves, and the stems are green. Purple flowers, similar to Kudzu flowers, bloom in June, and fruits form in the same month. The root is yellow, approximately one chi long, with a cross-hatched pattern. Roots with patterns spiraling to the left are superior; those spiraling to the right are unsuitable for medicine and may cause gout (Hong Kong foot). For processing, select roots with left-spiraling patterns, wipe off the yellow-white hairs, soak in Huanyuan Decoction overnight, and dry in the sun for use. Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) acts as its assistant. It opposes cow's milk.
My late father said: In the human body, vertical structures are called Jing (Meridians), horizontal ones are Luo (Collaterals), and those flowing downward from the Luo are Sun (Sun Collaterals). Pathogens in the muscle interstices often enter via the Sun collaterals, then approach the Luo collaterals, and subsequently penetrate deeper.
【Commentary】It is said: The root has a spiral pattern; those rotating to the left are used in medicine, reflecting the Heavenly Dao's leftward rotation, which human Vital Qi follows. The Classics state: "Those who connect with Heaven since ancient times possess the root of life." Within the universe and the six directions, Qi connects the Nine Provinces, Nine Orifices, Five Zang Organs, and Twelve Joints with Heavenly Qi. Repeated violations of this principle allow pathogens to harm the body, internally closing the Nine Orifices and externally obstructing muscles, causing Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) to scatter and disintegrate. Therefore, the *Bencao Jing* uses Qinjiao to treat cold-heat pathogens or wind-cold-dampness bi syndromes that cause the bone-water pathways to rotate rightward (following the Earthly Dao) contrary to the Heavenly motion, thereby restoring harmony with Heaven's movement. The *Bielu* and other authorities use it to treat inverted bladder, lockjaw, dim vision, and tinnitus, representing internal closure of the Nine Orifices. It is used for carbuncles, jaundice, consumption, and bone-steaming fever, representing external obstruction of muscles. It is used for paralysis of limbs and whole-body spasms, representing the scattering of Wei Qi. If there were no distinction between left and right, the Heavenly Dao would be reversed.