蔓荆实别录主风头痛脑鸣,用者往往鲜效。盖人知蔓荆为辛寒之药,而不知其苦温乃过
于辛寒也。本经味苦微寒,微字本有斟酌;别录补出辛平温,则全体具见。盒饭于此切究其
义。巢氏病源云∶头面风者,是体虚阳经脉为风所乘也。诸阳经脉上走于头面,运动劳役,
阳气发泄,腠理开而受风,谓之首风。夫曰体虚,曰阳气发泄,明系阳虚之受风,非内热之
搏风。阳虚之证,其标在上,其本在下,然或宜治标,或宜治本,因虽一而证则殊。宜治本
者,阳气弱而不振,根柢将摧;宜治标者,阳气弛而偶倾,轻翳窃据。治本虽天雄可与,治
标则蔓荆适宜。试思头痛非阳虚有风,何至脑鸣。风为阳,阳虚脑鸣为阴。蔓荆生于水滨,
实色黑斑,宜其入肾;然气味辛寒而兼苦温,又得太阳本寒标热之气化,用能由阴达阳,以
阳化阴。其体轻虚上行,虽本经所谓筋骨间寒热湿痹拘挛者,亦能化湿以通痹;而搜逐之任,
性终不耐,故古方用之者少。惟风头痛脑鸣,则确有专长。其不效者,人自不察耳。愚又思
蔓荆知己之少,不自今始也。徐之才谓散阳明风热,竟视与薄荷牛蒡无二。张洁古谓阳中之
阴,实则阴中之阳;谓凉诸经之血,实则气药非血药。其尚有知者,则李濒湖之主头面风虚,
张
The *Bie Lu* (Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians) states that Jing Mi Fructus (Cacumen Viticis, 蔓荆实) is indicated for wind-induced headache and tinnitus in the head. However, practitioners often find it ineffective. This is because people know Jing Mi as a pungent-cold herb, but fail to realize that its bitter-warm nature actually exceeds its pungent-cold property. The *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records its flavor as bitter and slightly cold; the character "slightly" implies careful deliberation. The *Bie Lu* supplements with pungent, neutral, and warm properties, thereby revealing its complete nature. One should investigate this meaning thoroughly here. Chao Yuan-fang in the *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* (General Treatise on the Causes and Symptoms of All Diseases) states: Wind diseases of the head and face arise from bodily deficiency, where yang meridians are invaded by wind pathogens. All yang meridians ascend to the head and face. When physical exertion causes yang qi to dissipate, the cou li (skin pores) open, allowing wind invasion, which is termed "Shou Feng" (Head Wind). Since it mentions bodily deficiency and dissipation of yang qi, this clearly indicates wind invasion due to yang deficiency, rather than internal heat clashing with wind. In cases of yang deficiency, the branch manifestation is superior, while the root is inferior. However, treatment may target either the branch or the root; although the etiology is one, the syndromes differ. For those requiring root treatment, yang qi is weak and unassertive, with the foundation collapsing; for those requiring branch treatment, yang qi is lax and occasionally tilting, allowing minor pathogenic factors to occupy high positions. While treating the root may involve Tian Xiong Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Prepared Side Root of Monkshood), treating the branch is suitable for Jing Mi Fructus. Consider: if the headache were not caused by wind in the context of yang deficiency, why would there be tinnitus? Wind belongs to yang, whereas tinnitus due to yang deficiency belongs to yin. Jing Mi grows near water, and its fruit is black with spots, suggesting an affinity for the Kidney meridian. However, its aroma and flavor are pungent-cold combined with bitter-warm, and it acquires the qi transformation characteristics of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian—cold at the root and hot at the branch. Thus, when used, it can reach yang from yin, transforming yin through yang. Its substance is light and void, ascending upward. Even for the cold-heat-damp bi syndrome and spasms between bones and sinews mentioned in the *Ben Cao Jing*, it can transform dampness to unblock bi obstructions. However, regarding the task of searching out and expelling pathogens, its nature is ultimately not enduring or potent enough, so ancient formulas rarely use it. It has specific expertise only in wind-induced headache and tinnitus. Cases of ineffectiveness occur simply because users do not observe correctly. I further reflect that awareness of Jing Mi's limitations is not new. Xu Zhicai stated it disperses wind-heat in the Yangming meridian, equating it indistinguishably with Bo He Herba Menthae (Mint) and Niu Bang Zi Fructus Arctii (Arctium Fruit). Zhang Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) described it as yin within yang, but in reality, it is yang within yin; he claimed it cools blood in various meridians, but in fact, it is a qi-moving herb, not a blood-cooling herb. Those who still understood it include Li Binhu (Li Shizhen), who advocated its use for wind-deficiency of the head and face, and Zhang...