（《本经》下品）
【释名】丹草（《本经》）、丹沙草。
时珍曰∶四时不凋，故曰长生。
【集解】《别录》曰∶石长生，生咸阳山谷。
弘景曰∶俗中时有采者，方药不复用。近道亦有，是细细草叶，花紫色。南中多生石岩
下，叶似蕨，而细如龙须，黑如光漆，高尺余，不与余草杂也。
恭曰∶苗高尺许，五、六月采茎叶用。今市人用KT 筋草为之，叶似青葙，茎细劲紫
色，今太常用者是也。
时珍曰∶宋祁《益部方物记》∶长生草生山阴蕨地，修茎茸叶，色似桧而泽，经冬不凋
【气味】咸，微寒，有毒。普曰∶神农∶苦。雷公∶辛。桐君∶甘。权曰∶酸，有小毒
【主治】寒热恶疮大热，辟鬼气不祥（《本经》）。下三虫（《别录》）。治疥癣，逐诸风，
治百邪魅（权）。
【附录】红茂草（《图经》）
颂曰∶味苦，大凉，无毒。主痈疽疮肿。焙研为末，冷水调贴。一名地没药，一名长生
草。生施州，四季枝叶繁，故有长生之名。春采根叶。
时珍曰∶案《庚辛玉册》云∶通泉草一名长生草，多生古道丘垄荒芜之地。叶似地丁，
中心抽一茎，开黄白花如雪，又似麦饭，摘下经年不槁。根入地至泉，故名通泉。俗呼秃疮
花。此草有长生之名，不知与石长生及红茂草亦一类否？故并附之。
(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**Names** Dancao (from *Benjing*), Dansha Cao.
Li Shizhen said: It does not wither in any season, hence the name Changsheng (Everlasting).
**Collection and Explanation** *Bielu* states: Shichangsheng grows in the valleys of Xianyang.
Tao Hongjing said: It is occasionally gathered by common people, but no longer used in prescriptions. It also grows near roads; it has slender leaves and purple flowers. In the south, it grows abundantly under rocky cliffs; its leaves resemble ferns but are as fine as dragon whiskers, black and glossy like lacquer, growing over a chi high, and does not mix with other weeds.
Su Gong said: The seedlings grow about a chi high; stems and leaves are harvested in the fifth and sixth lunar months. People in the market now use KTjincao to substitute it; its leaves resemble Qingxiang, and the stem is slender, tough, and purple. This is the variety commonly used by the Imperial Medical Bureau today.
Li Shizhen said: Song Qi's *Yibu Fangwu Ji* records: Changshengcao grows in the shady, fern-covered areas of mountains. It has long stems and hairy leaves, its color resembles that of juniper and is lustrous, remaining green through winter without withering.
**Odor and Taste** Salty, slightly cold, toxic.
Lei Gong said: Shennong considered it bitter. Lei Gong considered it pungent. Tongjun considered it sweet. Li Quan said: Sour, slightly toxic.
**Indications** Treats alternating chills and fever, malignant sores, and intense heat; expels evil qi and inauspicious influences (*Benjing*). Expels three types of parasites (*Bielu*). Treats scabies and tinea, drives out various wind pathogens, and treats various demonic afflictions (Li Quan).
**Appendix** Hongmaocao (from *Tujing*)
Su Song said: Bitter, very cold, non-toxic. Mainly treats carbuncles, ulcers, and swelling. Roasted, ground into powder, and applied externally after mixing with cold water. Also known as Dimoyao, or Changshengcao. Grows in Shizhou; its branches and leaves flourish in all four seasons, hence the name Changsheng. Roots and leaves are harvested in spring.
Li Shizhen said: According to *Gengxin Yuce*, Tongquancao is also called Changshengcao. It grows abundantly in abandoned places along ancient roads. Its leaves resemble Diding; a single stem emerges from the center, bearing yellowish-white flowers like snow, resembling Maifan (wheat meal), which remains fresh for a year after picking. Its roots penetrate deep underground to the spring water, thus named Tongquan (Spring-Penetrating). Commonly called Tuchuanghua (Impetigo Flower). This herb bears the name Changsheng; it is unknown whether it belongs to the same category as Shichangsheng and Hongmaocao. Therefore, it is appended here together.