气味苦平，无毒。主治寒热邪气，寒湿风痹，肢节痛，下水，利小便。
（秦艽出秦中，今泾州、 州、岐州、河陕诸郡皆有。其根土黄色，作罗纹交纠左右旋
转。李时珍曰∶以左纹者良，今市肆中或左或右，俱不辨矣。）
秦艽气味苦平，色如黄土，罗纹交纠，左右旋转，禀天地阴阳交感之气，盖天气左旋右
转，
地气右旋左转，左右者，阴阳之道路。主治寒热邪气者，地气从内以出外，阴气外交于阳，
而寒热邪气自散矣。治寒湿风痹，肢节痛者，天气从外以入内，阳气内交于阴，则寒湿风三
邪，合而成痹，以致肢节痛者，可愈也。地气营运则水下，天气营运则小便利。
气味辛平，无毒。主治风寒温疟热气，诸痫，除邪，利大小便。
（防己《本经》名解离，以生汉中者为佳，故名汉防己。江南诸处皆有，总属一种，因
地土
同，致形有大小，而内之花纹皆如车辐。所谓木防己者，谓其茎梗如木，无论汉中他处皆名
木防己，即通草，名木通之义非。出汉中者，名汉防己，他处者，名木防己也。上古诸方，
皆云木防己汤，是木防己，乃其本名，生汉中佳，故后人又有汉防己之称，其茎蔓延如葛，
折其茎一头吹之，气从中贯，俨如木通，其根外白内黄，破之黑纹四布，故名解离。）
防己气味辛平，色白纹黑，禀金水相生之气化。其茎如木，木能防土，己者土也，故有
防己
之名。主治风寒温疟热气者，风寒之邪，藏于肾脏，发为先热后寒之温疟。温疟者，热气有
余之疟也。《经》云∶温疟者，先热后寒，得之冬中于风寒，此病藏于肾。防己启在下之水
精而输转于外，故治风寒温疟热气也。诸痫除邪者，心包受邪，发为牛马猪羊鸡诸痫之证。
防己中空藤蔓，能通在内之经脉，而外达于络脉，故治诸痫除邪也。利大小便者，土得木而
达，木防其土，土气疏通，则二便自利矣。
愚按∶防己气味辛平，茎空藤蔓，根纹如车辐，能启在下之水精而上升，通在内之经脉
而外
达，故《金匮要略》云∶膈间支饮，其人喘满，心下痞坚，面色黧黑者，其脉沉紧，得之数
十日，医吐下之，不愈，木防己汤主之。又云∶风水脉浮身重，汗出恶风者，防己黄 汤主
之。皮水为病，四肢肿，水气在皮肤中，四肢聂聂动者，防己茯苓汤主之。《千金方》治遗
尿小便涩，三物木防己汤主之。而李东垣有云∶防己乃下焦血分之药，病在上焦气分者，禁
用。试观《金匮》诸方所治之证，果在气分乎？血分乎？抑在上焦乎？下焦乎？盖防己乃行
气通
上之药，其性功与乌药、木通相类，而后人乃以防己为下部药，不知何据。东垣又云∶防己
大苦寒，能泻血中湿热，比之于人，则险而健者也，幸灾乐祸，能为乱阶，然善用之，亦可
敌凶突险，此瞑眩之药也。故圣人存而不废噫。神农以中品之药为臣，主通调血气，祛邪治
病，无毒有毒，斟酌其宜，随病而用。如防己既列中品，且属无毒，以之治病，有行气清热
之功。险健为乱之说，竟不知从何处得来，使后人遵之如格言，畏之若毒药，非先圣之罪人
乎。东垣立言，多属臆说，盖其人富而贪名，又无格物实学。李时珍乃谓千古而下，唯东垣
一人，误矣。嗟嗟，安得伊芳耆再治世，更将经旨复重宣。
[Qin Jiao]
The flavor is bitter and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It treats cold-heat pathogenic factors, bi-syndrome caused by cold-dampness and wind, pain in limbs and joints, promotes water metabolism, and facilitates urination.
(Qin Jiao originates from the Qin region; it is now found in Jingzhou, Yuanzhou, Qizhou, Heshan, and other commanderies. Its root is earth-yellow in color, featuring cross-hatched patterns that twist left and right. Li Shizhen stated: Those with left-twisting patterns are superior. However, in current markets, both left and right twisting patterns exist, making them indistinguishable.)
Qin Jiao has a bitter flavor and neutral nature, its color resembles yellow earth, with cross-hatched patterns twisting left and right. It inherits the qi of the interaction between heaven and yin-yang. Generally, heaven's qi rotates left then right, while earth's qi rotates right then left. Left and right represent the pathways of yin and yang. To treat cold-heat pathogenic factors, earth's qi moves from interior to exterior, allowing yin qi to interact externally with yang qi, thereby dissipating cold-heat pathogens. To treat bi-syndrome caused by cold-dampness and wind, and pain in limbs and joints, heaven's qi enters from exterior to interior, allowing yang qi to interact internally with yin qi. Thus, bi-syndrome formed by the combination of cold, dampness, and wind pathogens, resulting in limb and joint pain, can be cured. When earth's qi circulates, water descends; when heaven's qi circulates, urination becomes smooth.
[Fang Ji]
The flavor is acrid and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It treats wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi; various epilepsy syndromes; eliminates pathogenic factors; and facilitates both large and small bowel movements.
(Fang Ji was named Xie Li in the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*. The variety produced in Hanzhong is considered best, hence the name Han Fang Ji. It grows in various parts of Jiangnan. Although they belong to the same species due to similar soil conditions, their shapes vary in size, but the internal patterns resemble the spokes of a wheel. The term "Mu Fang Ji" (Wood Fang Ji) refers to its stem being woody. Regardless of whether it is produced in Hanzhong or elsewhere, it is called Mu Fang Ji, similar to how Tong Cao is named Mu Tong; it does not refer to Tong Cao itself. Produced in Hanzhong, it is called Han Fang Ji; produced elsewhere, it is called Mu Fang Ji. Ancient prescriptions all referred to "Mu Fang Ji Tang," indicating that Mu Fang Ji is its original name. Since the Hanzhong variety is superior, later generations also called it Han Fang Ji. Its stems creep like kudzu vines. If one end of the stem is broken and blown into, air passes through centrally, resembling Mu Tong. Its roots are white on the outside and yellow inside; when broken, black patterns radiate outward, hence the name Xie Li.)
Fang Ji has an acrid flavor and neutral nature, with white color and black patterns, inheriting the qi transformation of Metal generating Water. Its stems are woody; Wood can protect Earth, and "Ji" refers to Earth, thus the name Fang Ji. To treat wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi: Wind-cold pathogens hide in the Kidney, manifesting as warm malaria characterized by fever preceding chills. Warm malaria is malaria with excess heat qi. The *Classic* states: Warm malaria presents with fever first and chills later, contracted from wind-cold in winter, and the disease resides in the Kidney. Fang Ji stimulates the water essence located below and transports it outward, thus treating wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi. To treat various epilepsy syndromes and eliminate pathogens: When the Pericardium is affected by pathogens, it manifests as various epilepsy symptoms such as those resembling oxen, horses, pigs, sheep, or chickens. Fang Ji has hollow, creeping stems that can unblock internal meridians and reach external collaterals, thus treating various epilepsy syndromes to eliminate pathogens. To facilitate bowel movements: Earth achieves permeability through Wood. Wood protects Earth, smoothing Earth's qi, thereby naturally facilitating both urinary and fecal discharge.
My commentary: Fang Ji has an acrid flavor and neutral nature, hollow stems, creeping vines, and root patterns resembling wheel spokes. It can stimulate the water essence below and raise it upward, unblock internal meridians, and extend outward. Therefore, the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: For支饮 (fluid retention in the diaphragm), where the patient experiences wheezing and fullness, epigastric hardness and fullness, dark facial complexion, and a deep, tight pulse lasting for dozens of days, if vomiting or purging methods fail, Mu Fang Ji Tang should be used. It also states: For Feng Shui (wind edema) with floating pulse, heavy body, sweating, and aversion to wind, Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang should be used. For Pi Shui (skin edema) with swollen limbs, water qi in the skin, and slight tremors in the limbs, Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang should be used. The *Qian Jin Fang* treats enuresis and dysuria with San Wu Mu Fang Ji Tang. However, Li Dongyuan claimed: Fang Ji is a herb for the blood level of the lower jiao; it is contraindicated for diseases in the qi level of the upper jiao. Let us examine the conditions treated in the formulas of the *Jin Gui*: Are they truly in the qi level? Or the blood level? In the upper jiao? Or the lower jiao? Essentially, Fang Ji is a herb that moves qi and unblocks the upper body; its properties and functions are similar to Wuyao and Mutong. Later generations regarded Fang Ji as a lower-body herb without clear basis. Li Dongyuan further stated: Fang Ji is greatly bitter and cold, capable of draining damp-heat from the blood. Compared to a person, it is dangerous yet robust, prone to causing chaos, yet if used skillfully, it can overcome danger. It is a "mingxuan" (disorientation/critical reaction) herb. Thus, the Sages retained it without abolishing it. Shennong classified middle-grade herbs as ministers, primarily to regulate qi and blood, eliminate pathogens, and treat diseases. Whether toxic or non-toxic, one must judge their suitability and use them according to the disease. Fang Ji is listed in the middle grade and is non-toxic; using it to treat diseases has the effect of moving qi and clearing heat. The claim that it is "dangerous, robust, and causes chaos" is baseless. Making later generations revere it like a maxim and fear it like poison makes one a sinner against the ancient sages. Li Dongyuan's statements are mostly speculative; he was wealthy and fame-seeking, lacking genuine empirical learning. Li Shizhen claimed that after antiquity, only Li Dongyuan existed, which is incorrect. Alas, how can we have a Yi Yin to govern the world again and re-proclaim the classic principles?