气味甘，微温，无毒。主治胸胁逆气，咳嗽上气，呼吸欲绝。（《别录》附。）
（陶弘景曰，白前出近道，根似细辛而大，色白，不柔易折。苏恭曰∶苗高尺许，其叶
似柳
，或似芫花，根长于细辛，白色生洲渚沙碛之上，不生近道，俗名石蓝，又名嗽药。马志曰
∶根似白薇、牛膝辈。陈嘉谟曰∶似牛膝粗长坚直，折之易断者，白前也。似牛膝细短柔软
，折之不断者，白薇也。近道俱有，形色颇同，以此别之，大致差误。）
寇宗 曰∶白前能保定肺气，治嗽多用，以温药相佐使尤佳。李时珍曰∶白前色白而味
微辛
甘，手太阴药也。长于降气，肺气壅实而有痰者宜之。若虚而长哽气者，不可用。张仲景治
咳而脉浮者，泽漆汤中亦用之。愚以泽漆汤方有紫参，复有白前，故因紫参而附白前于此也
。白前虽《别录》收入中品，而仲祖方中先用之，则弘景亦因古方录取，但出处不若《本经
》之详悉，学人须知之。
气味苦温，无毒。主治咳逆上气，温疟寒热洗洗在皮肤中，妇人漏下绝子，诸恶疮疡
金疮，煮汁饮之。
（当归始出陇西川谷及四阳黑水，今川蜀、陕西诸郡皆有。春生苗，绿叶青茎，七八月
开花，似莳萝娇红可爱，形圆象心，其根黑黄色，今以外黄黑，内黄白，气香肥壮者为佳。）
当归花红根黑，气味苦温，盖禀少阴水火之气。主治咳逆上气者，心肾之气上下相交，
各有所归，则咳逆上气自平矣。治温疟寒热洗洗在皮肤中者，助心主之血液从经脉而外充于
皮肤，则温疟之寒热洗洗然，而在皮肤中者，可治也。治妇人漏下绝子者，助肾脏之精气从
胞中
而上交于心包，则妇人漏下无时，而绝子者，可治也。治诸恶疮疡者，养血解毒也。治金疮
者，养血生肌也。凡药皆可煮饮，独当归言煮汁饮之者，以中焦取汁变化而赤，则为血。当
归滋中焦之汁以养血，故曰煮汁。谓煮汁饮之，得其专精矣。《本经》凡加别言，各有意存
，如术宜煎饵，地黄作汤，当归煮汁，皆当体会。
[White Anterium Root (Appendix)]
Flavor: Sweet. Nature: Slightly warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, cough with upward rushing Qi, breathing difficulty approaching cessation. (Appended from *Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians]).
Tao Hongjing stated: White anterium grows along convenient routes. Its root resembles *Xixin* (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) but is larger, white in color, not pliable, and breaks easily. Su Gong stated: The herb grows about one chi high; its leaves resemble those of willow or sometimes *Yuanhua* (Genkwa Flos). The root is longer than that of *Xixin*, white in color, growing on sandy islets and gravel banks, not along convenient routes. It is commonly known as *Shilan* (Lapis Saxatilis) or *Souyao* (Cough Medicine). Ma Zhi stated: The root resembles *Baiwei* (Cynanchi Atrati Radix) and *Niuxi* (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix). Chen Jiamo stated: If it resembles *Niuxi* in being thick, long, firm, and straight, breaking easily, it is White anterium (*Baiqian*). If it resembles *Niuxi* in being thin, short, soft, and not breaking easily when snapped, it is *Baiwei*. Both grow along convenient routes, and their appearance is quite similar; distinguishing them by these characteristics prevents major errors.
Kou Zongshi stated: White anterium can stabilize Lung Qi and is frequently used to treat coughs; it is particularly effective when assisted by warming herbs. Li Shizhen stated: White anterium is white in color and slightly pungent and sweet in flavor; it enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel. It excels at descending Qi and is suitable for cases of Lung Qi stagnation and excess with phlegm. However, it should not be used for deficiency patterns characterized by prolonged belching. Zhang Zhongjing used it in *Zeqi Tang* (Euphorbia Decoction) for treating cough with a floating pulse. I believe that since *Zeqi Tang* contains both *Zishen* (Stemonae Radix) and White anterium, I have appended White anterium here following *Zishen*. Although White anterium was recorded in the Middle Grade by *Bielu*, it was utilized first in Zhang Zhongjing’s formulas; thus, Tao Hongjing likely included it based on ancient prescriptions. However, its origin is less detailed than in *Benjing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), which students must note.
[Danggui]
Flavor: Bitter. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Cough with rebellious Qi, warm malaria with chills and fever feeling like cold water washing over the skin, uterine bleeding leading to infertility, various malignant sores and ulcers, and traumatic injuries from metal weapons. It should be boiled, and the decoction drunk.
(Danggui originally grew in the valleys of Longxi and the Black Waters of Siyang. Now it is found in all commanderies of Sichuan, Shu, and Shaanxi. Sprouts emerge in spring with green leaves and blue-green stems. Flowers bloom in the seventh and eighth months, resembling *Shiluo* (Anethum graveolens) with lovely bright red color. The shape is round, symbolizing the Heart. The root is black-yellow. Currently, roots that are yellow-black on the outside, yellow-white on the inside, fragrant, and robust are considered superior.)
Danggui has red flowers and black roots. Its bitter and warm nature suggests it inherits the Qi of Water and Fire from the Shaoyin (Kidney/Heart) channel. In treating cough with rebellious Qi, it facilitates the interaction between Heart and Kidney Qi, allowing each to return to its proper place, thereby calming the rebellious Qi. In treating warm malaria with chills and fever felt as if washed by cold water on the skin, it assists the Blood governed by the Heart to extend from the meridians to fill the skin, thus curing the chills and fever associated with warm malaria on the skin. In treating uterine bleeding and infertility in women, it assists the Essence and Qi of the Kidneys to ascend from the Baozhong (Uterus) and interact with the Pericardium, thereby curing irregular uterine bleeding and infertility. In treating various malignant sores and ulcers, it nourishes Blood and resolves toxicity. In treating traumatic injuries from metal weapons, it nourishes Blood and generates flesh. While most herbs can be boiled and drunk, Danggui specifically specifies boiling the juice because the Middle Jiao extracts fluids that transform into red Blood. Danggui nourishes the fluids of the Middle Jiao to generate Blood, hence the term "boiled juice." Saying "drink the boiled juice" implies obtaining its essence. Whenever *Benjing* adds specific preparation methods, there is profound meaning: for example, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is best taken as a decoction powder, Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) as a soup, and Danggui as boiled juice; all should be thoroughly understood.