气味苦微温，无毒。主治伤寒，补不足，金疮痈疡，折跌，续筋骨，妇人乳难。久服
益气力。
（续断始出常山山谷，今所在山谷皆有，而以川蜀者为胜。三月生苗，四月开花红白色，
或紫色，似益母草花，根色赤黄，晒干则黑。）
续断气味苦温，根色赤黄，晒干微黑，折有烟尘，禀少阴阳明火土之气化，而治经脉三
因之
证。主治伤寒者，经脉虚而寒邪侵入，为外因之证也，补不足者，调养经脉之不足，为里虚
内因之证也。金疮者，金伤成疮，为不内外因之证也。经脉受邪，为痈为疡，亦外因也。折
跌而筋骨欲续，亦不内外因也。妇人经脉不足而乳难，亦里虚内因也。续断禀火土之气，而
治经脉三因之证者如此。久服则火气盛，故益气。土气盛，故益力也。
气味苦温，无毒。主治恶血，破瘕症积聚，喉痹，乳难。久服长肌肉，明目，轻身。
（蒺藜始出冯翌平泽或道旁，今西北地多有。春时布地，蔓生细叶，入夏做碎小黄花，
秋深
结实，状如菱米，三角四刺，其色黄白，实内有仁，此刺蒺藜也。《尔雅》名茨。《诗》言
∶墙有茨者是也。又，同州沙苑一种，生于牧马草地上，亦蔓生布地，茎间密布细刺，七月
开花黄紫色，九月结实作荚，长寸许，内子如脂麻，绿色，状如羊肾，味甘微腥，今人谓之
沙苑蒺藜，即白蒺藜也。今市肆中以茨蒺藜为白蒺藜，白蒺藜为沙苑蒺藜，古今名称互异，
从俗可也。）
蒺藜子坚劲有刺，禀阳明之金气，气味苦温，则属于火。《经》云∶两火合并，故为阳
明，
是阳明禀火气而属金也。金能平木，故主治肝木所瘀之恶血，破肠胃郛郭之症瘕积聚，阴阳
交结之喉痹，阳明胃土之乳难，皆以其禀锐利之质而攻伐之力也。久服则阳明土气盛，故长
肌肉。金水相生，故明目。长肌肉，故轻身。
其沙苑蒺藜一种，生于沙地，形如羊肾，主补肾益精，治腰痛虚损，小便遗沥。所以然
者，味甘带腥，禀阳明土金之气，土生金而金生水也。
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic. It treats Shanghan (Cold Damage), tonifies deficiencies, treats metal wounds and sores, fractures and dislocations, reconnects sinews and bones, and addresses difficulty in lactation in women. Long-term consumption benefits Qi and enhances strength.
(Xuduan [Dipsacus Asperoides Root] originally grew in the valleys of Changshan, but is now found in valleys everywhere, with those from Sichuan and Shu being superior. Seedlings emerge in March, flowers bloom in April, red or white, or purple, resembling the flowers of Leonurus japonicus (Motherwort). The root is reddish-yellow, turning black when dried.)
Xuduan has a bitter and warm flavor. Its root is reddish-yellow, turning slightly black when dried, and emits dust-like particles when broken. It inherits the Qi transformation of Shaoyang Fire and Earth, thereby treating syndromes of the meridians caused by the Three Causes (External, Internal, and Neither-Internal-Nor-External). "Treating Shanghan" refers to cold pathogenic factors invading due to meridian deficiency, which is an External Cause syndrome. "Tonifying deficiencies" refers to nourishing meridian insufficiency, which is an Internal Cause syndrome of Interior Deficiency. "Metal wounds" refer to injuries caused by metal implements, which are Neither-Internal-Nor-External Cause syndromes. Meridians affected by pathogenic factors develop sores and ulcers, also an External Cause. Fractures and dislocations where sinews and bones desire to reconnect are also Neither-Internal-Nor-External Causes. Difficulty in lactation in women due to meridian insufficiency is also an Internal Cause syndrome of Interior Deficiency. Xuduan inherits the Qi of Fire and Earth, thus treating meridian syndromes of the Three Causes in this manner. Long-term consumption causes Fire Qi to flourish, thus benefiting Qi; Earth Qi flourishes, thus enhancing strength.
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, warm, non-toxic. It treats stagnant blood, breaks down masses and accumulations, treats throat obstruction (Houbi), and difficulty in lactation. Long-term consumption promotes muscle growth, brightens the eyes, and lightens the body.
(Jili [Tribulus Terrestris Fruit] originally grew in the plains and marshes of Fengyi or by roadsides, and is now abundant in Northwest China. In spring, it spreads along the ground with small leaves. In summer, it bears tiny yellow flowers. In late autumn, it bears fruit resembling corn kernels, with three angles and four spines, yellowish-white in color, containing seeds inside. This is Spiny Tribulus. It is named "Ci" in the Erya. The Shi Jing states: "The wall has Ci," referring to this plant. Additionally, there is a variety in Shayuan, Tongzhou, growing on pasturelands. It also spreads along the ground with fine spines densely covering the stems. It blooms yellow-purple in July and bears pods in September, about one inch long. The seeds resemble sesame, are green, kidney-shaped like sheep kidneys, taste sweet with a slight fishy odor, and are now called Shayuan Jili, i.e., White Tribulus. Currently, markets call Spiny Tribulus "White Tribulus" and White Tribulus "Shayuan Tribulus." Since ancient and modern names have swapped, following common usage is acceptable.)
Jili Zi (Tribulus Terrestris Fruit) is hard, strong, and thorny, inheriting the Metal Qi of Yangming. Its bitter and warm flavor belongs to Fire. The Classic states: "Two Fires combine, hence it is Yangming," meaning Yangming inherits Fire Qi while belonging to Metal. Metal controls Wood; therefore, it treats stagnant blood caused by Liver Wood stasis, breaks down masses and accumulations within the intestinal and gastric walls, throat obstruction caused by Yin-Yang knotting, and lactation difficulties related to Yangming Stomach Earth. All these actions rely on its sharp nature and attacking power. Long-term consumption causes Yangming Earth Qi to flourish, thus promoting muscle growth. Metal and Water generate each other, thus brightening the eyes. Muscle growth leads to a lighter body.
As for the Shayuan Jili variety, which grows in sandy soil and resembles sheep kidneys, it primarily tonifies the Kidney and benefits Essence, treating lower back pain and deficiency damage, as well as dribbling urination. This is because its sweet flavor with a slight fishy odor inherits the Earth and Metal Qi of Yangming. Earth generates Metal, and Metal generates Water.