\r芍药\ph146.bmp\r，生中岳川谷及丘陵，今处处有之，淮南者胜。春生红芽作丛；
茎上三枝五叶，似牡丹
而狭长，高一、二尺；夏开花，有红、白、紫数种；子似牡丹子而小；秋时采根，根亦有赤
、白二色。崔豹《古今注》云∶芍药有二种∶有草芍药、木芍药。木者花大而色深，俗呼为
牡丹，非也。又云∶牛亨问曰∶将离相别，赠以芍药何也？答曰∶芍药一名何离，故相赠犹
相招召，则赠以文无，文无一名当归，欲忘人之忧，则赠以丹棘，丹棘一名忘忧，使忘忧也
。欲蠲人之忿，则赠以青裳，青裳一名合欢，赠之使忘忿也。张仲景治伤寒汤，多用芍药，
以其主寒热，利小便故也。古人亦有单服食者。安其生服炼法云∶芍药二种∶一者金芍药，
二者木芍药。救病用金芍药，色白，多脂肉。木芍药色紫瘦，多脉，若取审看，勿令差错。
若欲服饵，采得净，刮去皮，以东流水煮百沸出，阴干，停三日。又于木甑内蒸之，上覆以
净黄土，一日夜熟出，阴干，捣末，以麦饮，或酒服三钱匕，日三。满三百日，可以登岭，
绝谷不饥。《正元广利方》∶治妇女赤白下，年月深久不瘥者，取白芍药三大两，并干姜半
大两，细锉，熬令黄，捣下筛，空肚和饮汁，服二钱匕，日再，佳。又金创血不止而痛者，
亦单捣白芍药，末敷上，即止，良验。
Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao, 芍药) grows in the river valleys and hills of Zhongyue (Mount Song). It is now found everywhere, but those from Huainan are superior. In spring, red buds emerge in clumps; the stems have three branches and five leaves, resembling Peony flowers but narrower and longer, reaching a height of one to two chi; in summer, flowers bloom in red, white, and purple varieties; the seeds resemble those of Peony but are smaller; in autumn, the roots are harvested, which come in red and white colors. Cui Bao's *Gu Jin Zhu* states: There are two types of Paeoniae Radix: Cao Shaoyao (Herbaceous Paeonia) and Mu Shaoyao (Tree Paeonia). The latter has larger flowers with deeper color and is colloquially called Mudan (Peony), which is incorrect. It further states: Niu Heng asked, "Why is Paeoniae Radix given as a parting gift?" The answer was: "Paeoniae Radix is also known as 'Helí' (Parting), so giving it is like summoning each other. To make someone forget sorrow, give them Wenwu (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Danggui); to make them forget worries, give them Danji (Hemerocallis Citrina, Wangyoucao); to dispel anger, give them Qingchang (Albiziae Cortex, Hehuanpi), so they may forget their resentment." Zhang Zhongjing used Paeoniae Radix frequently in decoctions for treating Shanghan (Cold Damage), because it primarily treats alternating chills and fever and promotes urination. Ancient people also consumed it singly as food therapy. *An Qisheng Fuliàn Fǎ* records: There are two types of Paeoniae Radix: one is Jin Shaoyao (Golden Paeonia), the other is Mu Shaoyao (Wood Paeonia). For treating illness, use Jin Shaoyao, which is white and fleshy. Mu Shaoyao is purple, thin, and fibrous; if selecting, examine carefully to avoid errors. If intended for consumption, after harvesting and cleaning, scrape off the skin, boil in running water from the east for one hundred cycles, remove, dry in shade, and let stand for three days. Then steam in a wooden steamer, cover with clean yellow earth, steam for one day and night until cooked, remove, dry in shade, and grind into powder. Take three qianbi with wheat drink or wine, three times daily. After three hundred days, one can climb mountains and survive without grain. *Zhengyuan Guangli Fang*: Treats women with chronic leukorrhea (red and white discharge) lasting many years without cure: take three da liang of Bai Shaoyao (White Paeonia Root) and half a da liang of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), finely chop, stir-fry until yellow, grind and sieve. Mix with drinking juice and take two qianbi on an empty stomach, twice daily, for best results. For traumatic injuries with unceasing bleeding and pain, single-grind Bai Shaoyao into powder and apply topically; this stops bleeding effectively and yields excellent results.