〔害〕其性辛散，走泄真气。上行头目，下行血海。凡病气升痰喘，虚火上炎、呕吐、
咳
逆、自汗，易汗、盗汗，咽干口燥，骨蒸发热，作渴烦躁，及气弱人均不宜用。单服久服，
令人暴亡，亦泄其真气使然也。畏黄连、硝石，恶黄 、山茱萸。
〔利〕辛温升浮，入心胞、肝、胆、三焦。润肝燥，补肝虚，乃血中气药。升清阳而开
诸郁
，为搜风散瘀止痛调经。小者名抚芎，止痢开郁，为上升辛散之力也。白芷为使，伏雌黄。
〔修治〕八月根下始结，乃可掘取曝干。凡用以川中大块，里色白不油，嚼之微辛甘者
佳，
酒炒。其苗作菜颇香，俗呼香芹菜。余西北道上曾食之。
一名苦楝子
〔害〕苦寒，若脾胃虚寒者，大忌。
〔利〕苦寒，能导小肠膀胱之热，因引心包相火下行，通利小便，为疝气要药。亦治伤
寒热
厥腹痛，疗疮疥，杀三虫。茴香为使。根皮微寒，杀诸虫，通大肠，采无时。
〔修治〕苦楝子，以川中者为良。十二月采得，熬干酒拌，蒸软去皮核，取肉用。凡使
肉不
使核，使核不使肉，如使核，捣碎用。近惟酒炒，亦有去肉取皮用，则苦寒性减。子如小铃
，熟则黄色，故名金铃子。
〔害〕赤芍破血，凡一切血虚病，及泄泻产后，恶露已行，少腹痛已止，痈疽已溃，并
不宜
服。恶芒硝、石斛、鳖甲，畏龟甲、小蓟。反藜芦。
〔利〕苦酸微寒，泻肝火，专行恶血，兼利小肠。治腹痛、胁痛、坚积、血痹、疝瘕、
经闭
、肠风痈肿、目赤。能于土中泻木，赤散邪，能行血中之滞，雷丸为使。
〔修治〕分栽时，根气味全浓，八九月掘取，切片酒炒，单瓣红芍药入药。
[Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong)]
[Harm] Its nature is acrid and dispersing, prone to depleting the true Qi. It ascends to the head and eyes, and descends to the Blood Sea (referring to the Chong Mai or the Liver's function of storing blood). For any condition involving ascending Qi, phlegm and wheezing, deficiency fire flaming upward, vomiting, hiccups, spontaneous sweating, easy sweating, night sweats, dry throat and mouth, bone-steaming tidal fever, thirst and irritability, as well as for those with weak Qi constitution, it is not suitable for use. Taking it alone for a long time can cause sudden death, which is also due to the depletion of true Qi. It fears Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) and Natrii Sulfas (Xiaoshi), and dislikes Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu).
[Benefit] Acrid and warm in nature, ascending and floating, entering the Pericardium, Liver, Gallbladder, and Sanjiao channels. It moistens Liver dryness and supplements Liver deficiency; it is an Qi-moving herb within the Blood category. It raises clear Yang and opens various stagnations, serving to search out wind, dissipate stasis, relieve pain, and regulate menstruation. The smaller ones are named "Fuxiong," capable of stopping dysentery and opening depression, relying on their ascending and acrid-dispersing power. Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) serves as the guiding herb, suppressing the toxicity of Orpiment (Ciyellow).
[Processing and Collection] In August, when the rhizomes begin to form at the root base, they can be dug up and sun-dried. For medicinal use, large pieces from Sichuan that are white inside, not oily, and taste slightly acrid and sweet when chewed are considered best; they should be stir-fried with wine. The young shoots can be eaten as vegetables and are quite fragrant, commonly known as Fragrant Celery. I have eaten them on roads in the northwest.
[Koulianzi (Melia Toosendan Fruit)]
[Alias] Also known as Kuxianzi.
[Harm] Bitter and cold in nature; strictly contraindicated for those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold.
[Benefit] Bitter and cold in nature, it can guide heat from the Small Intestine and Bladder downward, thereby drawing down the Ministerial Fire of the Pericardium, promoting urination, and serving as a key herb for treating hernia. It is also used to treat abdominal pain caused by cold-heat reversal in Cold Damage disorders, sores and scabies, and to kill three types of parasites. Foeniculum Vulgare Fructus (Huixiang) serves as the guiding herb. The bark of the root has a slightly cold nature, kills various parasites, and unblocks the Large Intestine; it can be collected at any time.
[Processing and Collection] Koulianzi, those from Sichuan are of superior quality. Collected in December, dried by heating, mixed with wine, steamed until soft, then the skin and seeds are removed, using only the flesh. Generally, if using the flesh, do not use the seeds; if using the seeds, do not use the flesh. If using the seeds, crush them before use. Recently, only wine-stir-frying is used. Some remove the flesh and use only the bark, which reduces its bitter-cold nature. The fruit resembles a small bell, turning yellow when ripe, hence the name Jinlingzi.
[Chi Shaoyao (Red Peony Root)]
[Harm] Chi Shaoyao breaks blood stasis. It is unsuitable for all conditions of Blood deficiency, as well as for postpartum cases with diarrhea, after lochia has ceased, after lower abdominal pain has stopped, and after carbuncles and ulcers have ulcerated. It dislikes Mirabilite (Mangxiao), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), and Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia); it fears Testudinis Carapax (Guijia) and Paeoniae Thunbergii Herba (Xiaoji). It is inversely compatible with Veratrum Nigrum Rhizoma (Lilu).
[Benefit] Bitter and sour, slightly cold in nature. It clears Liver Fire, specifically moves foul blood, and benefits the Small Intestine. It treats abdominal pain, hypochondriac pain, hard accumulations, blood obstruction, hernia masses, amenorrhea, intestinal wind, abscesses and swellings, and red eyes. It can drain Wood through Earth (draining Spleen Earth to subdue Liver Wood); the red color disperses pathogenic factors, and it can move stagnation within the blood. Omphalia Lapidea (Leiwan) serves as the guiding herb.
[Processing and Collection] When divided and transplanted, the roots have the strongest aroma. They are dug up in August or September, sliced, and stir-fried with wine. Single-petaled Red Shaoyao is used for medicinal purposes.