气味苦寒，无毒。主治诸热，黄胆，肠 ，泄痢，逐水，下血闭，恶疮，疽蚀，火疡
。
（黄芩《本经》名腐肠，又名空肠，又名妒妇，谓外皮肉，而内空腐，妒妇心黯，黄芩
心黑
同也。出川蜀及陕西河东，近道皆有。芩者黔也，黑色也。其根黑而黄，故曰黄芩。）
黄芩色黄内空，能清肠胃之热，外肌皮而性寒，能清肌表之热，乃手足阳明兼手太阴之
药也
。主治诸热黄胆，肠 泄痢者，言诸经之热，归于胃土而为黄胆，归于大肠而为泄痢。黄芩
中空，主清肠胃之热，故能治之。肠胃受浊，得肺气通调，则水津四布，血气营运，逐水下
血闭者，黄芩外肌皮而清肌表。肌表清，则肺气和，而留水可逐，血闭自下矣。火热之气留
于肌肉皮肤，则为恶疮疽蚀。恶疮疽蚀名曰火疡。黄芩治之，清肌表也。
气味辛温，无毒。主治妇人疝瘕，阴中寒肿痛，腹中急，除风头痛，长肌肤，悦颜色
。
（ 本始出崇山山谷，今西川河东、兖州、杭州山中皆有。根似芎 而轻虚，味麻不堪
作饮，正月、二月采根，曝
干三十日成。）
，高也。 本始生崇山，得天地崇高之气，禀太阳标本之精。故下治妇人疝瘕，阴中
寒肿
痛，中治腹中拘急，上除头风痛。盖太阳之脉本于下，而上额交巅，出入于中上也。太阳阳
气有余，则长肌肤，悦颜色。
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications]
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats various heat syndromes, jaundice (Huangdan), intestinal dysentery (Changpi), diarrhea and dysentery, expels fluid retention, unblocks blood obstruction, malignant sores (Echuang), carbuncles and ulcers (Jushi), and fire burns (Huoyang).
(Huangqin [Scutellariae Radix], named "Fuchang" [Rotting Intestine] in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, is also known as "Kongchang" [Hollow Intestine] or "Dufu" [Jealous Woman]. This describes its outer skin being fleshy while the interior is hollow and rotting, akin to a jealous woman's dark heart; Huangqin has a black core, which corresponds to this. It originates from Sichuan, Shu, Shaanxi, and Hedong regions, and is available along nearby routes. "Qin" means "Qian," referring to black color. Its root is black on the outside and yellow inside, hence the name Huangqin.)
Huangqin is yellow in color and hollow inside, capable of clearing heat from the intestines and stomach. Acting externally on the muscle and skin with a cold nature, it clears heat from the muscular surface. It is a herb for the Hand-Yangming and Foot-Yangming meridians, extending to the Hand-Taiyin meridian. Regarding the treatment of various heat syndromes, jaundice, Changpi, and diarrhea/dysentery: this refers to heat from various meridians returning to the Stomach Earth to form jaundice, or returning to the Large Intestine to form diarrhea and dysentery. Since Huangqin is hollow inside and primarily clears heat from the intestines and stomach, it can treat these conditions. When the intestines and stomach are affected by turbid qi, if the Lung Qi achieves free flow and diffusion, body fluids distribute widely, and Qi and Blood circulate smoothly. The action of expelling fluid retention and unblocking blood obstruction occurs because Huangqin acts on the muscle and skin to clear superficial heat. When the superficial layer is cleared, Lung Qi harmonizes, retained fluids are expelled, and blood obstruction naturally resolves. When fiery-heat qi stagnates in the muscles and skin, it forms malignant sores and carbuncles/ulcers. Malignant sores and carbuncles/ulcers are termed Huoyang (fire burns). Huangqin treats these by clearing superficial heat.
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications II]
Acrid in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It treats gynecological masses (Shenjia) in women, cold swelling and pain in the genital region, abdominal tension and pain, removes wind-induced headaches, promotes skin growth, and enhances complexion.
(Benshi originally grew in high mountains and valleys. Now it is found in the mountains of Western Sichuan, Hedong, Yanzhou, and Hangzhou. The root resembles Xiongqiong [Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma] but is light and void. It tastes astringent and is unsuitable for brewing tea. Roots are harvested in the first and second lunar months and sun-dried for thirty days.)
"Ben" means high. Benshi grows in high mountains, inheriting the lofty Qi of Heaven and Earth, and absorbing the essence of the Taiyang meridian's Biao-Biao relationship. Therefore, it treats lower-body conditions such as Shenjia in women and cold swelling/pain in the yin region; middle-body conditions like abdominal tension; and upper-body conditions like wind-headache. This is because the Taiyang meridian originates from below, ascends to the forehead and vertex, and enters/exits the upper-middle region. Abundance of Taiyang Yang Qi promotes skin growth and enhances complexion.