（本经中品）
辐不离车，全辐凑合，乃能致远。
【气味】辛平，无毒。
【主治】主风寒温疟，热气诸痫，除邪，利大小便。
【核】曰∶出黔中、宜都、建平，不及汉中者良。故方书多称汉防己也。其茎如葛蔓延，
茎梗甚嫩，苗叶小类牵牛。折其茎一头吹之，气从中贯，如木通。根外白内黄，中心有黄黑
纹，作车辐解。若黑点木强者，不堪入药。别有一种，根作腥气而皮皱，上有丁足子者，木
防己，性稍峻烈。修事，细锉。用车前草根相对蒸半日，晒干取用。殷孽为之使。杀雄黄毒。
恶细辛。畏萆 、女菀、卤咸。伏硝石。
先人云∶防，防御；己，己土。此得水用，不令土有少犯，然性流离解散，当善驭之，
则为通剂之巨擘。
【 】曰∶防者障也，己者我也。我立则畛畦分矣。故绩平水土为独着，一曰解离，一
曰石解，谓根文作车辐解，当以离丽解散为己任，七方之急方，十剂之通剂也。然其气平，
故风寒湿热，四气咸宜，若温疟诸痫，乃阴阳舛错，严御其防，阴阳仍两间矣。
（本经中品）
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主腰背强，关机缓急，周痹，寒湿膝痛，颇利老人。
【核】曰∶出尝山川谷，及太行山、淄、温、眉州山野间。茎细叶花，两两相对，似大
叶蕨，及贯众叶，边有锯齿，面背皆光。根形如狗脊骨，凸凹 ，金毛密布者是也。勿用
透山根，其形状相似，只入顶苦不可饵。修治，火燎去毛，细锉，酒浸一夜，蒸之，从巳至
申，取出晒干。先人云∶狗脊绵韧，如筋如骨，味苦性坚，而叶对生，犹脊分两胁也。能强
关机者，唯精与气，体用俱备故也。
【 】曰∶此以功用立名，亦因形相类也。狗叩也，声有节，若叩物也；脊积也，积续
骨节筋脉上下也。主肝肾体用，权衡形脏之关机者也。故治寒湿周痹，致关机缓急，为腰背
强，及膝痛。颇利老人者，利老人之筋骨关机也。别录甄权。广关机不利于目，为目暗，不
利于膀胱，失溺不节，及淋露，寒湿痹，及风虚，毒风腰强，及腰痛，膝痛，及脚弱软脚
，伤中，及关节重，筋骨绝。若坚脊，即所以强肝肾，健筋骨，以利俯仰，少气，即关机失
利之故也。济生方治冲任寒热，室女白带，此又广关机不利冲任与带。并可广阳维、阴维，
阳跷、阴跷以及督与十二经脉经络之失利关机，则凡关机为病，为病及关机者，咸可因势
而利导之。吴绶方，病后足肿，狗脊煎汤渍洗，此法金匮要略治百合病。百合煎汤洗之。百
合病者，百脉之宗主为病，此筋骨脉络之关机为病也。以此推展，真不胜其用，唯在专司佐
使者何如耳。
(Middle Category, *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
The spokes of a wheel do not leave the hub; only when all spokes converge can it travel far.
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats Wind-Cold Warm Malaria (*Wen Nue*), various epilepsy syndromes caused by Heat Qi, expels pathogenic factors, and promotes the free flow of urination and defecation.
[Verification] It is said: Produced in Qianzhong, Yidu, and Jianping, but those from Hanzhong are superior. Therefore, medical formularies often refer to it as "Han Fangji" (Chinese Stephania Root). Its stem spreads like kudzu (*Puerariae Lobatae Radix*), with very tender stalks, and its seedlings and leaves resemble small moonflower (*Ipomoeae Nil Semen*). If one breaks one end of the stem and blows into it, air passes through the center, similar to *Akebiae Caulis* (Mu Tong). The root is white on the outside and yellow inside, with yellow-black patterns in the center radiating like wheel spokes. Those with black spots and hard wood texture are unsuitable for medicinal use. There is another variety called Mu Fangji (Stephania tetrandra), which has a fishy smell, wrinkled skin, and protrusions resembling "Ding Zu Zi"; its nature is slightly more峻烈 (pungent and potent). Processing method: Finely slice. Steam against *Plantaginis Seed* (Cheqian Cao) root for half a day, then dry in the sun for use. Yin Nie serves as its guiding herb. It neutralizes the toxicity of Realgar (Xionghuang). It is incompatible with Asarum (Xixin). It fears Bixie (Dissabatis Rhizoma), Nuwan (Polygala Tenuifolia Radix), and Lu Xian (Halite). It subdues Niter (Niaoshi).
My late father said: "Fang" means defense; "Ji" refers to Ji Earth (Spleen Earth). This herb utilizes Water's function to prevent Earth from being invaded even slightly. However, its nature is fluid and dispersing, so it must be managed well; thus, it becomes a leading agent among Unblocking Formulas (Tong Ji).
[Commentary] It is said: "Fang" means barrier; "Ji" means self. When the self is established, boundaries are distinct. Therefore, it excels in leveling water and earth. It is also called "Jie Li" (Resolve Separation) or "Shi Jie" (Stone Resolution), referring to the radial pattern of its root resembling wheel spokes. It takes upon itself the task of separation, attachment, and dispersion. It is an Urgent Formula (Ji Fang) among the Seven Forms and an Unblocking Agent (Tong Ji) among the Ten Categories. However, since its qi is neutral, it is suitable for all four pathogens: Wind, Cold, Dampness, and Heat. Regarding Warm Malaria and various epilepsy syndromes, these result from chaotic Yin and Yang. By strictly managing the "defense," Yin and Yang remain distinct.
(Middle Category, *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats stiffness of the waist and back, flaccidity or spasticity of joints, generalized Bi syndrome, knee pain due to Cold-Dampness, and is particularly beneficial for the elderly.
[Verification] It is said: Produced in Changshan Chuan Valley, as well as in the wild areas of Taihang Mountain, Zizhou, Wenzhou, and Meizhou. The stems are thin, leaves and flowers grow in pairs opposite each other, resembling large-leaf ferns and Cyrtomium fortunei (Guanzhong) leaves, with serrated edges and smooth surfaces on both sides. The root resembles a dog's spine bone, convex and concave, densely covered with golden hairs. Do not use Tou Shan Gen (which looks similar); its tip is bitter and should not be ingested. Processing method: Burn off the hairs with fire, finely slice, soak in wine overnight, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Shen hour (3-5 PM), then take out and dry in the sun. My late father said: Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma) is soft and tough, like sinew and bone, bitter in flavor and firm in nature. Its leaves grow oppositely, just as the spine divides into two flanks. What strengthens the joints is solely Essence and Qi, because both substance and function are complete.
[Commentary] It is said: This is named based on its function and also because of its morphological similarity. "Gou" (Dog) implies knocking, with rhythmic sounds, like striking an object; "Ji" (Spine) implies accumulation, accumulating and connecting bones, joints, sinews, and meridians up and down. It primarily governs the substance and function of Liver and Kidney, acting as the balance for the critical mechanisms of form and viscera. Thus, it treats generalized Bi syndrome caused by Cold-Dampness, leading to joint flaccidity or spasticity, causing waist and back stiffness, as well as knee pain. It is particularly beneficial for the elderly because it benefits their sinews, bones, and joint mechanisms. *Bielu* and Zhenquan add: Expanding the function of joints; if unfavorable, it leads to dim vision; unfavorable to Bladder, leading to incontinence and dribbling; Cold-Damp Bi syndrome; Wind-Deficiency; Toxic-Wind causing stiff neck; back pain; knee pain; weak and soft feet; internal injury; heavy joints; severance of sinews and bones. Firming the spine is precisely to strengthen Liver and Kidney, invigorate sinews and bones, and facilitate flexion and extension. Shortness of Qi is due to the failure of joint mechanisms. *Jisheng Fang* treats Chong and Ren vessel Cold-Heat fluctuations and leukorrhea in unmarried women, which further indicates that dysfunction of the joint mechanism affects Chong, Ren, and Dai vessels. It can also expand the functions of Yang Wei, Yin Wei, Yang Qiao, Yin Qiao, Du Mai, and the twelve meridians' dysfunctional joints. Therefore, for any disease involving joints, or diseases affecting joints, one can guide the treatment according to the situation. Wu Shou's formula uses Gouji decoction for soaking and washing swollen feet after illness, a method derived from *Jin Gui Yao Lue* treating Baihe Bing (Lily Disease). Baihe Bing involves the master of all vessels; here, it is the joint mechanism of sinews, bones, and collaterals that is diseased. Extending this logic, its applications are countless, depending entirely on how the assistant and courier herbs are employed.