叶
【主治】恶疮似癞，十年者，捣烂日涂，盐汤先洗（《千金方》）。
时珍曰∶按《抱朴子》云∶韩子治用地黄苗喂五十岁老马，生三驹，又一百三十岁乃死
也。
张 《朝野佥载》云∶雉被鹰伤，衔地黄叶点之；虎中药箭，食清泥解
毒，何况人乎？
实
【主治】四月采，阴干捣末，水服方寸匕，日三服，功与地黄等
弘景曰∶出渭城者有子，淮南七精散用之。
花
【主治】为末服食，功同地黄（苏颂）。肾虚腰脊痛，为末，酒服方寸匕，日三（时珍）。
【附方】新一。
（晒）、槐
点少许，日三、四次。（《圣惠方》）
【附录】胡面莽（《拾遗》）。 藏器∶味甘，温，无毒。主去 癖及冷气，止腹痛，煮
服。生岭南，叶如地黄。
（《本经》上品）
【释名】牛茎（《广雅》）、百倍
弘景曰∶其茎有节，似牛膝，故以为名。
时珍曰∶《本经》又名百倍，隐语也，言其滋补之功，如牛之多力也。其叶似苋，其节
对生，故俗有山苋、对节之称。
【集解】《别录》曰∶牛膝生河内川谷及临朐。二月、八月、十月采根，阴干。
普曰∶叶如夏蓝，茎本赤。
弘景曰∶今出近道蔡州者，最长大柔润。其茎有节，茎紫节大者为雄，青细者为雌，以
雄为胜。
大明曰∶怀州者长白，苏州者色紫。
颂曰∶今江淮、闽粤、关中亦有之，然不及怀州者为真。春生苗，茎高二三尺，青紫色，
有节如鹤膝及牛膝状。叶尖圆如匙，两两相对。于节上生花作穗，秋结实甚细。以根极长，
大至三尺而柔润者为佳。茎叶亦可单用。
时珍曰∶牛膝处处有之，谓之土牛膝，不堪服食。惟北土及川中人家栽莳者为良。秋间
收子，至春种之。其苗方茎暴节，叶皆对生，颇似苋叶而长且尖KT 。秋月开花，作穗结
子，状如小鼠负虫，有涩
虽白直可贵，而 去白汁入药，不如留
根
【修治】 曰∶凡使去头芦，以黄精自然汁浸一宿，漉出，锉，焙干用。
时珍曰∶今惟以酒浸入药，欲下行则生用；滋补则焙用，或酒拌蒸过用。
【气味】苦、酸，平，无毒。普曰∶神农∶甘；雷公∶酸，无毒。李当之∶温。
之才曰∶恶萤火、龟甲、陆英，畏白前，忌牛肉。
【主治】寒湿痿痹，四肢拘挛，膝痛不可屈伸，逐血气，伤热火烂，堕胎。久服轻身耐
老（《本经》）。疗伤中少气，男子阴消，老人失溺，补中续绝，益精利阴气，填骨髓，止发
白，除脑中痛及腰脊痛，妇人月水不通，血结（《别录》）。治阴痿，补肾，助十二经脉
，逐恶血（甄权）。治腰膝软怯冷弱，破症结，排脓止痛，
明）。
强筋，补肝脏风虚（好古）。同苁蓉浸酒服，益肾。竹木刺入肉，嚼烂罨之，即出（宗 ）。
治
久疟寒热，五淋尿血，茎中痛，下痢，喉痹口疮齿痛，痈肿恶疮伤折（时珍）。
【发明】权曰∶病患虚羸者，加而用之。
震亨曰∶牛膝能引诸药下行，筋骨痛风在下者，宜加用之。凡用土牛膝，春夏用叶，秋
冬用根，惟叶汁效尤速。
时珍曰∶牛膝乃足厥阴、少阴之药。所主之病，大抵得酒则能补肝肾，生用则能去恶血，
二者而已。其治腰膝骨痛、足痿阴消、失溺久疟、伤中少气诸病，非取其补肝肾之功欤？其
症瘕心腹诸痛、
按陈日华《经验方》云∶方夷吾
书云∶老人久苦淋疾，百药不效。偶见临汀《集要方》中用牛膝者，服之而愈。又叶朝议亲
人患血淋，流下小便在盆内凝如 ，
膝根煎浓汁，日饮五服，名地髓汤。虽未即愈，而血色渐淡，久乃复旧。后十年病又作，服
之又瘥。因检本草，见《肘后方》治小便不利，茎中痛欲死，用牛膝并叶，以酒煮服之。今
再拈出，表其神功。又按杨士瀛《直指方》云∶小便淋痛，或尿血，或沙石胀痛。用川牛膝
一两，水二盏，煎一盏，温服。一妇患此十年，服之得效。杜牛膝亦可，或入麝香、乳香尤
良。
【附方】旧十三，新七。
劳疟积久，不止者∶长大牛膝一握。生切，以水六升，煮二升，分三服。清早一服，未
发前一服，临发时一服。（《外台秘
汁五升浸之，日曝夜浸，汁尽为度，蜜丸梧子大，每空心温酒下三十丸。久服壮筋骨，驻颜
色，黑发，津液自生。（《经验后方》）。
卒暴症疾∶腹中有如石刺，昼夜啼呼。牛膝二斤，以酒一斗渍之，密封，于灰火中温令
味出。每服五合至一升，随量饮。（《肘后方》）
为肠蛊。牛膝二两（捣碎）。
以酒一升渍经一宿
妇人血块∶土牛膝根洗切，焙捣为末，酒煎温服，极效。福州人单用之。（《图经本草》）
女人血病∶万病丸∶治女人月经淋闭，月信不来，绕脐寒疝痛，及产后血气不调，腹中
结瘕症不散诸病∶牛膝（酒浸一宿焙）、干漆（炒令烟尽）各一两（为末），生地黄汁一升，
入石
器内，慢火熬至可丸，丸如梧子大。每服二丸，空心米饮下。（《拔萃方》）
妇人阴痛∶牛膝五两，酒三升，煮取一升半，去滓，分三服。（《千金方》）
生胎欲去∶牛膝一握（捣）。以无灰酒一盏，煎七分，空心服。仍以独根土牛膝涂麝香，
插入牝户中（《妇人良方》）。
胞衣不出∶牛膝八两，葵子一合，水九升，煎三升，分三服（《延年方》）。
产后尿血∶川牛膝水煎频服（《熊氏补遗》）。
喉痹乳蛾∶新鲜牛膝根一握，艾叶七片，捣和人乳，取汁灌入鼻内。须臾痰涎从口鼻出
，即愈。无艾亦可。一方∶牛膝捣汁，和陈醋灌之。
口舌疮烂∶牛膝浸酒含漱，亦可煎饮。（《肘后方》）
牙齿疼痛∶牛膝研末含漱。亦可烧灰致牙齿间。（《千金方》）
折伤闪肭∶杜牛膝捣罨之。（《卫生易简方》）
金疮作痛∶生牛膝捣敷，立止。（《梅师方》）猝得恶疮，人不识者∶牛膝根捣敷之。（《千
金方》）
痈疖已溃∶用牛膝根略刮去皮，插入疮口中，留半寸在外，以嫩橘叶及地锦草各一
握，捣其上。牛膝能去恶血，二草温凉止痛，随干随换，有十全之功也。（陈日华《经验方
》）风瘙瘾疹及 。牛膝末，酒服方寸匕，日三服。（《千金方》）
茎叶
【气味】缺。
【主治】寒湿痿痹，老疟淋秘，诸疮。功同根，春夏宜用之（时珍）。
【附方】旧三，新一。
气湿痹痛，腰膝痛∶用牛膝叶一斤（切），以米三合，于豉汁中煮粥，和盐、酱，空
食之。（《圣惠方》）
老疟不断∶牛膝茎叶一把（切）。以酒三升渍服，令微有酒气。不即断，更作，不过三
剂
止。（《肘后方》）溪毒寒热，东间有溪毒中人，似射工，但无物。初病恶寒发热烦懊，骨节
强痛。不急治，生虫食脏杀人∶用雄牛膝（茎紫色节大者）一把，以酒、水各一杯同捣，绞
汁温饮，日三服。（《肘后方》）
眼生珠管∶牛膝并叶捣汁，日点三、四次。（《圣惠方》）
Leaf
[Indications] For treating malignant sores resembling leprosy lasting ten years, crush the leaves and apply daily. Wash with salt water first (from *Qianjin Fang*).
Li Shizhen says: According to *Baopuzi*, Han Zi fed fifty-year-old mares with Rehmannia seedlings, resulting in three foals; the mare lived to be one hundred and thirty years old before dying.
Zhang Hua in *Chaoye Qianzai* states: When a pheasant is injured by an eagle, it carries Rehmannia leaves to dab on the wound; when a tiger is hit by a poisoned arrow, it eats clean mud to detoxify. How much more so for humans?
Fruit
[Indications] Harvest in April, dry in shade, and grind into powder. Take one cubic inch spoonful with water, three times a day. The efficacy is equal to that of Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) (Tao Hongjing). Tao Hongjing notes: Those from Weicheng have seeds and are used in Huainan Qijing San.
Flower
[Indications] Grind into powder and take orally; efficacy is the same as Shengdi Huang (Su Song). For kidney deficiency causing lower back and spine pain, grind into powder and take with wine, one cubic inch spoonful, three times a day (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Formulas] One new formula.
(Dry), Sophora japonica flower buds
Apply a small amount, three to four times a day. (*Shenghui Fang*)
[Appendix] Humian Mang (*Shiyi*). Zang Qin says: Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Mainly removes accumulations and cold qi, stops abdominal pain, taken boiled. Grows in Lingnan, leaves resemble those of Shengdi Huang.
(*Ben Jing*, Upper Grade)
[Names] Niu Jing (*Guangya*), Baibei
Tao Hongjing says: Its stem has nodes, resembling a cow's knee, hence the name.
Li Shizhen says: *Ben Jing* also calls it Baibei, which is a metaphor implying its nourishing power is like the strength of a cow. Its leaves resemble Amaranthus, and the nodes are opposite, hence the folk names Shan Xian (Mountain Amaranth) and Duijie.
[Collected Explanations] *Bie Lu* states: Niu Xi grows in river valleys of Henei and Linqu. Harvest roots in February, August, and October, and dry in shade.
Lei Xiao says: Leaves resemble Summer Indigo, stems are reddish at the base.
Tao Hongjing says: Those from Caizhou near the capital are the largest, longest, and most supple. The stem has nodes; those with purple stems and large nodes are male, while those with green, thin stems are female. Male plants are superior.
Meng Shen says: Those from Huazhou are white, while those from Suzhou are purple.
Su Song says: They are now found in Jianghuai, Min-Yue, and Guanzhong, but those from Huazhou are considered authentic. Sprouts emerge in spring, stems grow two or three chi high, are green-purple, and have nodes resembling crane knees or cow knees. Leaves are pointed and round like spoons, growing opposite each other. Flowers form spikes at the nodes, bearing very fine seeds in autumn. Roots that are extremely long, up to three chi, and supple are best. Stems and leaves can also be used alone.
Li Shizhen says: Niu Xi grows everywhere and is called Tu Niu Xi (Wild Cowherb Root), which is unsuitable for medicinal use. Only those cultivated in northern lands and central Sichuan are good. Collect seeds in autumn and plant in spring. The seedlings have square stems with nodes, and leaves are opposite, resembling Amaranthus leaves but longer and sharper. Flowers bloom in autumn, forming spikes with seeds shaped like mice carrying insects, with an astringent taste. Although straight white ones are valuable, removing the white juice for medicine is inferior to keeping it... [Text fragment].
Root
[Processing] Lei Xiao says: Remove the head and rhizome, soak overnight in natural juice of Huang Jing (Polygonati Rhizoma), drain, chop, and bake dry.
Li Shizhen says: Currently, only soaking in wine for medicinal use is common. To direct action downward, use raw; for tonification, bake or steam with wine before use.
[Aroma and Flavor] Bitter, sour, neutral, non-toxic. Lei Xiao says: Shen Nong considered it sweet; Lei Gong considered it sour and non-toxic. Li Dangzhi considered it warm. Xu Zhicai says: It clashes with Ying Huo (Firefly), Gui Jia (Tortoise Shell), Lu Ying (Euphorbia lathyris), fears Bai Qian (Adenophorae Radix), and avoids beef.
[Indications] Treats cold-dampness flaccidity and bi-syndrome, limb spasms, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood stasis, treats heat-induced skin rot, and induces abortion. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging (*Ben Jing*). Treats internal injury with shortness of breath, male genital atrophy, elderly urinary incontinence, supplements the middle and reconnects severed tendons, benefits essence and promotes yin qi, fills marrow, stops whitening of hair, removes pain in the brain and lower back/spine, treats amenorrhea and blood clumping in women (*Bie Lu*). Treats impotence, tonifies kidneys, assists the twelve meridians, and expels evil blood (Zhen Quan). Treats weak and cold lower back and knees, breaks mass formations, drains pus, and relieves pain (Zhen Quan). Strengthens sinews, tonifies liver wind deficiency (Hao Gu). Soaked with Cong Rong (Cistanche) in wine to benefit kidneys. Chewed and applied to remove bamboo or wood splinters from flesh (Zong Shi). Treats chronic malaria with chills and fever, five types of strangury with hematuria, penile pain, dysentery, throat obstruction, mouth ulcers, toothache, carbuncles, malignant sores, and fractures (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Zhen Quan says: Add for patients who are deficient and emaciated.
Zhu Zhenheng says: Niu Xi guides other herbs downward. For wind-bi pain in the lower limbs and bones, it should be added. When using Tu Niu Xi, use leaves in spring and summer, roots in autumn and winter; leaf juice acts fastest.
Li Shizhen says: Niu Xi enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Its indications generally fall into two categories: with wine, it tonifies liver and kidney; raw, it expels blood stasis. Are not its treatments for knee bone pain, foot weakness, genital atrophy, urinary incontinence, chronic malaria, and internal injury with shortness of breath due to its ability to tonify liver and kidney? Its treatment for masses and abdominal pain... [Text fragment].
According to Chen Rihua's *Jingyan Fang* citing Fang Yiwu: An elderly man suffered from strangury for a long time with no effect from various medicines. He accidentally saw Niu Xi used in Linting *Jiyao Fang* and was cured. Another relative of Councillor Ye had bloody strangury, where urine coagulated in the basin like... [Text missing]. Boiling concentrated juice of Niu Xi root and drinking five doses daily, named Disui Tang, did not cure immediately but gradually lightened the blood color, restoring health after a long time. Ten years later, the disease recurred, and taking it again cured him. Checking the materia medica, *Zhouhou Fang* treats difficult urination and severe penile pain using Niu Xi and leaves boiled in wine. I highlight this again to show its miraculous efficacy. Also, Yang Shiying's *Zhizhi Fang* states: For painful strangury, hematuria, or sand/stones causing distending pain, use Chuan Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) one liang, two cups of water, decoct to one cup, and take warm. A woman suffering for ten years was effective. Du Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) is also acceptable, especially with Moschus (She Xiang) and Frankincense (Ru Xiang).
[Attached Formulas] Thirteen old formulas, seven new formulas.
Chronic malaria persisting for a long time: One handful of large Niu Xi. Slice raw, boil in six sheng of water to two sheng, divide into three doses. Take one dose early morning, one dose before onset, and one dose at onset. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Soak in five sheng of juice, expose to sun by day and soak by night until juice is exhausted, make pills like wu zi size. Take thirty pills with warm wine on an empty stomach. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, preserves complexion, blackens hair, and generates fluids naturally. (*Jingyan Houfang*)
Sudden acute mass disease: Feeling like stone刺 in abdomen, crying day and night. Two jin of Niu Xi, soak in one dou of wine, seal tightly, warm in ash fire until flavor emerges. Take five he to one sheng per dose according to tolerance. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
For intestinal gu poisoning. Two liang of Niu Xi (crushed). Soak in one sheng of wine overnight... [Text fragment].
Female blood masses: Wash and slice Tu Niu Xi root, bake, grind to powder, decoct with wine and take warm, highly effective. People in Fuzhou use it alone. (*Tujing Bencao*)
Women's blood diseases: Wanbing Wan: Treats female menstrual obstruction, amenorrhea, cold hernia pain around the navel, postpartum qi-blood imbalance, and abdominal masses that do not dissipate: Niu Xi (soaked in wine overnight, baked), Gan Qi (Stir-fried until smoke ceases) each one liang (powder), Sheng Di Huang juice one sheng. Place in stone vessel, slow-fire boil until pillable, make pills wu zi size. Take two pills with rice drink on empty stomach. (*Bacui Fang*)
Female genital pain: Five liang of Niu Xi, three sheng of wine, boil to obtain one and a half sheng, strain, divide into three doses. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Expelling living fetus: One handful of Niu Xi (crushed). Decoct in one cup of unadulterated wine to seven parts, take on empty stomach. Also, apply musk to single-root Tu Niu Xi and insert into vagina. (*Furen Liangfang*)
Retained placenta: Eight liang of Niu Xi, one he of Abelmoschus esculentus seeds, nine sheng of water, decoct to three sheng, divide into three doses. (*Yannian Fang*)
Postpartum hematuria: Decoct Chuan Niu Xi in water and take frequently. (*Xiongshi Buyi*)
Throat obstruction and tonsillitis: One handful of fresh Niu Xi root, seven pieces of Artemisia argyi leaves, crush together with human milk, extract juice and instill into nose. Phlegm and saliva will discharge from mouth and nose shortly, then cured. Artemisia is optional. Another formula: Crush Niu Xi to juice, mix with aged vinegar and instill.
Mouth and tongue ulcers: Soak Niu Xi in wine for gargling, or decoct and drink. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Toothache: Grind Niu Xi to powder for gargling. Or burn to ash and apply between teeth. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Fractures and sprains: Crush Du Niu Xi and apply. (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*)
Metal wounds causing pain: Apply crushed raw Niu Xi, pain stops immediately. (*Meishi Fang*) Sudden malignant sores of unknown origin: Crush Niu Xi root and apply. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Suppurating boils already ulcerated: Scrape off skin of Niu Xi root slightly, insert into wound leaving half cun outside. Crush one handful each of tender orange leaves and Euphorbia humifusa on top. Niu Xi expels evil blood, the two herbs are warm/cool and stop pain. Replace as they dry, achieving complete cure. (Chen Rihua *Jingyan Fang*) Wind-induced urticaria and... [Text missing]. Niu Xi powder, take with wine, one cubic inch spoonful, three times a day. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Stem and Leaf
[Aroma and Flavor] Missing.
[Indications] Cold-dampness flaccidity and bi-syndrome, chronic malaria, strangury and retention, various sores. Efficacy same as root, suitable for use in spring and summer (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Formulas] Three old formulas, one new formula.
Qi-dampness bi-pain, lower back and knee pain: Use one jin of Niu Xi leaves (sliced), three he of rice, cook porridge in fermented soybean juice, mix with salt and sauce, eat on empty stomach. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Chronic malaria not stopping: One handful of Niu Xi stem and leaves (sliced). Soak in three sheng of wine and drink, allowing slight alcohol sensation. If not stopped, prepare again, no more than three doses needed to stop. (*Zhouhou Fang*) Stream poison chills and fever: In eastern regions, stream poison affects people, similar to "she gong" but without physical object. Initial symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, irritability, and strong joint pain. If not treated urgently, worms grow and eat viscera killing the person: Use one handful of male Niu Xi (purple stem, large nodes), crush together with one cup each of wine and water, squeeze juice and drink warm, three times a day. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Pearl tube growth in eyes: Crush Niu Xi and leaves to juice, instill three to four times daily. (*Shenghui Fang*)