（《药性论》）
【释名】
【集解】时珍曰∶昔人用曲，多是造酒之曲。后医乃造神曲，专以供药，力更胜之。盖
取诸神聚会之日造之，故得神名。贾思勰《齐民要术》虽有造神曲古法，繁琐不便。近时造
法，更简易也。叶氏《水云录》云∶五月五日，或六月六日，或三伏日，用白面百斤，青蒿
自然汁三升，赤小豆末、杏仁泥各三升，苍耳自然汁、野蓼自然汁各三升，以配白虎、青龙、
朱雀、玄武、勾陈、 蛇六神，用汁和面、豆、杏仁作饼，麻叶或楮叶包 ，如造酱黄法，
待生黄衣，晒收之。
【气味】甘、辛，温，无毒。
元素曰∶阳中之阳也，入足阳明经。凡用须火炒黄，以助土气。陈久者良。
【主治】化水谷宿食，症结积滞，健脾暖胃（《药性》）。养胃气，治赤白痢（元素）。消
食下气，除痰逆霍乱，泄痢胀满诸疾，其功与曲同。闪挫腰痛者， 过淬酒温服有效。妇人
产后欲回乳者，炒研，酒服二钱，日二即止，甚验（时珍）。
【发明】
时珍曰∶按∶倪维德《启微集》云∶神曲治目病，生用能发其生气，熟用能敛其
【附方】旧一，新六。
胃虚不克∶神曲半斤，麦芽五升，杏仁一升，各炒为末，炼蜜丸弹子大。每食后嚼化一
丸。（《普济方》）。
壮脾进食，疗痞满暑泄∶曲术丸∶用神曲（炒）、苍术（泔制炒）
等分为末，糊丸梧子大。每米饮服五十丸。冷者加干姜或吴茱萸。（《肘后百一
健胃思食∶消食丸∶治脾胃俱虚，不能消化水谷，胸膈痞闷，腹胁膨胀，连年累月，食
减嗜卧，口苦无味。神曲六两，麦 （炒）三两，干姜（炮）四两，乌梅肉（焙）四两，为
末，蜜丸梧子大。每米饮服五十丸，日三服。（《和剂局方》）。
虚寒反胃∶方同上。
暴泄不止∶神曲（炒）二两，茱萸（汤泡，炒）半两，为末，醋糊丸梧子大。每服五十
丸，米饮下。（《百一选方》）。
产后运绝∶神曲（炒）为末，水服方寸匕。（《千金方》）。
食积心痛∶陈神曲一块烧红，淬酒二大碗服之。（《摘玄方》）。
(From *Yao Xing Lun*)
[Names]
(None)
[Collection and Explanation]
Li Shizhen stated: In the past, the "qu" (fermented starter) used by people was mostly wine qu. Later physicians created Shen Qu (Divine Leaven), specifically for medicinal use, which is more potent than wine qu. It is believed to be named "Shen" (Divine) because it is produced on days when deities are said to gather. Although Jia Sixie's *Qimin Yaoshu* contains ancient methods for making Shen Qu, they are cumbersome and inconvenient. Contemporary methods are much simpler. Ye Shi's *Shuiyun Lu* records: On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, or the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, or during the Sanfu (Dog Days) period, take 100 jin of white flour, 3 sheng of fresh juice from Qinghao (Artemisia annua L.), 3 sheng each of powdered red beans and almond paste, and 3 sheng each of fresh juice from Canshi (Xanthium sibiricum Patr.) and Yeliao (Polygonum hydropiper L.). These ingredients correspond to the White Tiger, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Gou Chen, and Teng She (Six Deities/Spirits). Use these juices to mix with flour, bean powder, and almond paste to form cakes. Wrap them in hemp leaves or paper mulberry leaves, similar to the method for making soybean paste. Wait until a yellow mold layer grows, then dry and store.
[Odor and Flavor]
Sweet, pungent, warm, non-toxic.
Zhang Yuansu stated: It is Yang within Yang, entering the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. When used, it must be stir-fried until yellow to assist Earth Qi. Aged specimens are superior.
[Indications]
Transforms retained food and grain, treats accumulations and stagnation, strengthens the Spleen and warms the Stomach (*Yao Xing Lun*). Nourishes Stomach Qi, treats bloody and non-bloody dysentery (Zhang Yuansu). Promotes digestion and directs rebellious Qi downward, eliminates phlegm-rebellious Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), diarrhea, dysentery, and distension/fullness diseases. Its efficacy is similar to that of Shen Qu. For lower back pain caused by sprain or strain, soaking Shen Qu in wine, warming it, and drinking it is effective. For women postpartum who wish to suppress lactation, stir-fry Shen Qu, grind it into powder, and take 2 qian with wine; twice daily will stop lactation, with excellent results (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation]
Li Shizhen stated: According to Ni Weide's *Qiwei Ji*, Shen Qu treats eye diseases. Raw Shen Qu can disperse its vital energy, while cooked Shen Qu can consolidate... [Text cuts off here].
[Attached Prescriptions]
One old prescription, six new prescriptions.
Stomach deficiency unable to digest food: Shen Qu 8 liang, Maiya (Sprouted Hordeum vulgare L.) 5 sheng, Xingren (Prunus armeniaca L.) 1 sheng. Stir-fry each separately, grind into powder, and make pills with refined honey the size of bird eggs. Chew one pill after each meal (*Puji Fang*).
Strengthen Spleen and promote appetite, treat fullness and summerheat diarrhea: Qushu Wan: Equal parts of Shen Qu (stir-fried) and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, processed with rice water and stir-fried). Grind into powder, make pills with starch paste the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills with rice drink per dose. Add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) or Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) for cold patterns (*Zhouhou Baibian Fang*).
Strengthen Stomach and stimulate appetite: Xiaoshi Wan: Treats dual deficiency of Spleen and Stomach, inability to digest food and fluids, chest and diaphragm stuffiness, abdominal and hypochondriac distension, lasting for years, decreased appetite, lethargy, bitter taste, and lack of taste. Shen Qu 6 liang, Maituo (Stellariae Herba, stir-fried) 3 liang, Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, processed) 4 liang, Wumei Rou (Mume Fructus pulp, baked) 4 liang. Grind into powder, make pills with honey the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills with rice drink, three times daily (*Heji Jufang*).
Deficiency-cold regurgitation: Same formula as above.
Sudden persistent diarrhea: Shen Qu (stir-fried) 2 liang, Zhuyu (Evodiae Fructus, soaked in hot water and stir-fried) 0.5 liang. Grind into powder, make pills with vinegar paste the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills per dose with rice drink (*Baiyi Xuanfang*).
Postpartum fainting: Shen Qu (stir-fried) ground into powder. Take one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure) with water (*Qianjin Fang*).
Food stagnation causing heart pain: Take a piece of aged Shen Qu, heat it until red-hot, and quench it in two large bowls of wine. Drink this wine (*Zhaixuan Fang*).