气味甘苦平，微寒，无毒。主解百毒，杀百精老物殃鬼，辟瘟疫、瘴气、邪气，蛊
毒入口皆吐出，中恶腹痛，时气毒疠，头痛寒热，风肿诸毒，喉痛口疮。久服不夭，轻身长
年。
（升麻今蜀汉、陕西、淮南州郡皆有，以川蜀产者为胜。一名周麻。春苗夏花，叶似麻
叶，其根如蒿根，其色紫黑，多须。）
升麻气味甘苦平，甘者土也，苦者火也。主从中土而达太阳之气。太阳标阳本寒，故微
寒。
盖太阳禀寒水之气而行于肤表，如天气之下连于水也。太阳在上，则天日当空，光明清
湛。
清湛，故主解百毒。光明，故杀百精老物殃鬼。太阳之气，行于肤表，故辟瘟疫、瘴气、邪
气。太阳之气，行于地中，故蛊毒入口皆吐出。治蛊毒，则中恶腹痛自除。辟瘟疫瘴气邪气
，
则时气毒疠，头痛寒热自散。寒水之气，滋于外而济于上，故治风肿诸毒，喉痛口疮。久服
则阴精上滋，故不夭。阳气盛，故轻身，阴阳充足，则长年矣。
愚按∶柴胡、升麻，皆达太阳之气，从中土以上升，柴胡从中土而达太阳之标阳，升麻
兼启
太阳之寒水，细辛更启寒水之气于泉下，而内合少阴，三者大义相同，功用少别。具升转周
遍之功，故又名周麻。防风、秦艽、乌药、防己、木通、升麻，皆纹如车辐，而升麻更觉空
通。
[Flavor and Efficacy] The flavor is sweet and bitter, the nature is neutral with a slight coldness, and it is non-toxic. It primarily serves to resolve various toxins, eliminate hundred spirits, old entities, and calamitous ghosts, repel epidemics (Yiwen), miasma (Zhangqi), and pathogenic factors (Xieqi). When gu poison enters the mouth, it can be vomited out. It treats sudden evil abdominal pain (Zhong'e腹疼痛), seasonal toxic plague (Shiqi Duli), headache with chills and fever (Touhng Hanre), wind-induced swelling and various toxins (Fengzhong Zhudu), sore throat, and oral ulcers. Long-term consumption prevents premature death, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
(Note: Shengma [Rhizoma Cimicifugae] is currently produced in Shuhan, Shaanxi, and Huainan commanderies, with those from Sichuan being superior. It is also known as Zhouma. It sprouts in spring and flowers in summer; its leaves resemble hemp leaves, its root resembles mugwort root, its color is purple-black, and it has many fibrous roots.)
[Property Analysis] The flavors of Shengma are sweet and bitter, with a neutral nature. Sweetness belongs to Earth, and bitterness belongs to Fire. Its action is to transmit Qi from the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach) to reach the Taiyang channel Qi. The Taiyang channel's marked Yang originates from Cold, hence its slight cold nature.
[Mechanism Explanation] Generally, the Taiyang channel inherits the Qi of Cold Water and circulates on the skin surface, similar to how heavenly Qi connects downward to water. When Taiyang is above, it is like the sun shining in the sky, bright, clear, and azure.
Because it is clear and azure, it resolves various toxins. Because it is bright, it eliminates hundred spirits, old entities, and calamitous ghosts. Since Taiyang Qi circulates on the skin surface, it repels epidemics, miasma, and pathogenic factors. Since Taiyang Qi circulates within the earth, gu poison entering the mouth can be vomited out. Treating gu poison naturally removes sudden evil abdominal pain. Repelling epidemics, miasma, and pathogenic factors naturally dissipates seasonal toxic plague, headache, chills, and fever. The Qi of Cold Water nourishes externally and assists upward, thus treating wind-induced swelling, various toxins, sore throat, and oral ulcers. Long-term consumption causes Yin Essence to nourish upward, preventing premature death. Yang Qi becomes abundant, lightening the body; with sufficient Yin and Yang, one can prolong life.
[Commentary] I observe: Chaihu [Radix Bupleuri] and Shengma both transmit Taiyang Qi, ascending from the Middle Jiao. Chaihu transmits from the Middle Jiao to reach the marked Yang of Taiyang, while Shengma additionally启 (opens/activates) the Cold Water of Taiyang. Xixin [Radix Asari] further opens the Cold Water Qi from the depths and internally harmonizes with the Shaoyin channel. The three share the same major principle but have slightly different functions. They all possess the merit of ascending and circulating throughout, hence the alternative name Zhouma. Fangfeng [Radix Saposhnikoviae], Qinjiao [Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae], Wuyao [Radix Linderae], Fangji [Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae], Mutong [Caulis Akebiae], and Shengma all have textures resembling chariot spokes, but Shengma appears even more hollow and patent.