（《本经》上品）
【释名】蛇粟（《本经》）、蛇米（《本经》）、
（《别录》，又名思益、绳毒、枣棘）。
时珍曰∶蛇虺喜卧于下食其子，故有蛇床、蛇粟诸名。其叶似蘼芜，故曰墙蘼。《尔雅》
云∶盱，虺床也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶蛇床，生临淄川谷及田野。五月采实阴干。
弘景曰∶田野墟落甚多，花叶正似蘼芜。
保升曰∶叶似小叶芎 ，花白，子如黍粒，黄白色。生下湿地，所在皆有，以扬州、襄
州者为良。
颂曰∶三月生苗，高三二尺，叶青碎，作丛似蒿枝。每枝上有花头百余，结同一窠，似
马芹类。四五月乃开白色，又似伞状。子黄褐色，如黍米，至轻虚。
时珍曰∶其花如碎米攒簇。其子两片合成，似莳罗子而细，亦有细棱。凡花实似蛇床者
，当归、芎 、水芹、 本、胡萝卜是也。
子
【修治】 曰∶凡使，须用浓蓝汁并百部草根自然汁，同浸一伏时，漉出晒干。却用生
地黄汁相拌蒸之，从巳至亥，取出晒干用。
大明曰∶凡服食，即 去皮壳，取仁微炒杀毒，即不辣也。作汤洗浴，则生用之。
【气味】苦，平，无毒。《别录》曰∶辛、甘，无毒。权曰∶有小
毒。之才曰∶恶牡丹、贝母、巴豆。伏硫黄。
【主治】妇人阴中肿痛，男子阴痿湿痒，除痹气，利关节，癫痫恶疮。久服轻身（《本
经》）。温中下气，令妇人子脏热，男子阴强。久服好颜色，令人有子（《别录》）。治男子
女人虚湿痹，毒风 痛，去男子腰痛，浴男子阴，去风冷，大益阳事（甄权）。暖丈夫阳气，
助女人阴气，治腰胯酸疼，四肢顽痹，缩小便，去阴汗湿癣齿痛，赤白带下，小儿惊痫，扑
损瘀血，煎汤浴大风身痒（大明）。
【发明】 曰∶此药令人阳气盛数，号曰鬼考也。
时珍曰∶蛇床乃右肾命门、少阳三焦气分之药，神农列之上品，不独辅助男子，而又有
益妇人。世人舍此而求补药于远域，岂非贱目贵耳乎？
【附方】旧四，新十二。
阳事不起∶蛇床子、五味子、菟丝子等分，为末，蜜丸梧子大。每服三十丸，温酒下，
日三服。（《千金方》）赤白带下，月水不来。用蛇床子、枯白矾等分，为末，醋面糊丸弹子
大，胭脂为衣，绵裹纳入阴户。如热极，再换，日一次。（《儒门事亲》方）子宫寒冷，温阴
中坐药。蛇床子散∶取蛇床子仁为末，入粉少许，和匀如枣大，绵裹纳之，自然温也。（《金
匮玉函方》）
妇人阴痒∶蛇床子一两，白矾二钱。煎汤频洗。（《集简方》）
产后阴脱∶绢盛蛇床子，蒸热熨之。又法∶蛇床子五两，乌梅十四个。煎水，日洗五六
次
妇人阴痛∶方同上。
大肠脱肛∶蛇床子、甘草各一两，为末。每服一钱，白汤下，日三服。并以蛇床末敷之。
（《经验方》）
小儿癣疮∶蛇床子杵末，和猪脂涂之。（《千金方》）小儿甜疮，头面耳边连引，流水极
痒，久久不愈者。蛇床子一两，轻粉三钱。为细末，油调搽之。（《普济方》）
耳内湿疮∶蛇床子、黄连各一钱，轻粉一字。为末吹之。（《全幼心鉴》）
风虫牙痛∶《千金》∶用蛇床子、烛烬。同研，涂之。《集简方》∶用蛇床子煎汤，乘热漱
数次，立止。冬月喉痹肿痛，不可下药者。蛇床子烧烟于瓶中，口含瓶嘴吸烟，其痰自出。
（《圣惠方》）
(Registered as a Superior Grade herb in *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
[Names] She Su (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), She Mi (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), (also known as Siyi, Shengdu, Zaoji in *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians]).
Li Shizhen said: Snakes and vipers like to lie beneath it to eat its seeds; hence the names Shechuang (Snake Bed) and She Su. Its leaves resemble Miwu (a type of aromatic herb), so it is called Qiangmi. *Erya* states: Xu is Huichuang (Shechuang).
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Shechuang grows in the valleys and fields of Linzi. The fruits are collected in the fifth lunar month and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is very abundant in fields and villages; its flowers and leaves closely resemble Miwu.
Su Baosheng said: The leaves resemble small-leaf Xiongqiong (*Ligusticum chuanxiong*), the flowers are white, and the seeds are like millet grains, yellowish-white. It grows in damp lowlands and is found everywhere, with those from Yangzhou and Xiangzhou being of superior quality.
Su Song said: Seedlings emerge in the third lunar month, growing two or three chi high. The leaves are green and finely divided, growing in clumps resembling mugwort branches. Each branch bears over a hundred flower heads, clustered together like horse fennel. White flowers bloom in the fourth and fifth months, resembling an umbel shape. The seeds are yellowish-brown, like millet, and extremely light and hollow.
Li Shizhen said: Its flowers cluster like crushed rice. Its seeds consist of two halves, resembling Anethum graveolens seeds but finer, with fine ridges. Any plant with flowers and fruits resembling Shechuang includes Danggui (*Angelica sinensis*), Xiongqiong (*Ligusticum chuanxiong*), Shuiqin (*Oenanthe javanica*), Gaoben (*Ligusticum sinense*), and Huluobo (*Daucus carota*).
[Processing] (Author unknown) said: For use, it must be soaked for one shichen (two hours) in concentrated indigo juice and the natural juice of Baibu (*Bletilla striata*) rhizomes. Then filter and dry. Subsequently, mix with fresh Dihuang (*Rehmannia glutinosa*) juice, steam from Si hour to Hai hour (ten hours), then take out and dry for use.
Meng Shen said: For internal administration, remove the husks, take the kernels, and stir-fry lightly to detoxify, eliminating the pungency. For decoctions used in bathing, use raw material.
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Pungent, sweet, non-toxic. Zhen Quan said: Slightly toxic. Xu Zhicai said: Incompatible with Mudan (*Paeonia suffruticosa*), Beimu (*Fritillaria cirrhosa*), and Badou (*Croton tiglium*). Can suppress Liuhuang (Sulfur).
[Indications] Swelling and pain in the female vagina, impotence and itching of the male genitals, removal of Bi syndrome qi, unblocking joints, treating epilepsy and malignant sores. Long-term consumption lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Warms the middle and directs Qi downward, warming the female uterus and strengthening the male penis. Long-term consumption improves complexion and promotes fertility (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats deficiency-dampness Bi syndrome in men and women, toxic wind pain, removes lower back pain in men, washes the male genitals to dispel cold-wind, greatly benefiting sexual function (Zhen Quan). Warms the Yang Qi of men, assists the Yin Qi of women, treats soreness and pain in the waist and hips, stubborn Bi syndrome in the four limbs, reduces urination, eliminates damp tinea and toothache from yin sweat, leukorrhea (red and white discharge), pediatric convulsions, traumatic blood stasis, and decoction for bathing to relieve severe wind-induced body itching (Meng Shen).
[Elucidation] (Author unknown) said: This herb multiplies Yang Qi several times, hence nicknamed "Gui Kao" (Ghost Test).
Li Shizhen said: Shechuang is a herb for the Right Kidney Mingmen (Gate of Life) and Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Qi levels. Shennong listed it in the Superior Grade. It not only benefits men but also aids women. Why do people discard this herb and seek tonics from distant regions? Is this not despising what is close at hand while valuing what is far away?
[Attached Prescriptions] Four old prescriptions, twelve new prescriptions.
Impotence: Equal parts Shechuang Zi (*Cnidium monnieri* fruit), Wuweizi (*Schisandra chinensis* fruit), and Tusizi (*Cuscuta chinensis* seed), powdered, honey-pilled size of wutong seeds. Take 30 pills each time, washed down with warm wine, three times daily. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Red and white leukorrhea, amenorrhea. Use equal parts Shechuang Zi and Gubai Fan (calcined alum), powdered, pill-sized with vinegar and flour paste, coated with cinnabar, wrapped in cotton, and inserted into the vagina. If heat is extreme, replace again, once daily. (*Rumen Shinqin Formula*)
Uterine coldness, vaginal suppository for warming. Shechuang Zi San: Powder the kernel of Shechuang Zi, add a little powder, mix evenly to the size of a jujube, wrap in cotton, and insert; it will naturally become warm. (*Jingui Yufang Fang*)
Female genital itching: One liang of Shechuang Zi, two qian of Baifan (alum). Decoct and wash frequently. (*Jijian Fang*)
Postpartum uterine prolapse: Place Shechuang Zi in silk, steam until hot, and apply as a compress. Another method: Five liang of Shechuang Zi, fourteen Wumei (*Prunus mume*). Decoct in water, wash five or six times daily.
Female genital pain: Same formula as above.
Rectal prolapse: One liang each of Shechuang Zi and Gancao (*Glycyrrhiza uralensis*), powdered. Take one qian each time, washed down with plain water, three times daily. Also apply Shechuang Zi powder topically. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Pediatric tinea: Pound Shechuang Zi into powder, mix with lard, and apply. (*Qianjin Fang*) Pediatric sweet tinea, spreading from head/face/ears, weeping fluid, extremely itchy, chronic. One liang of Shechuang Zi, three qian of Qingfen (calomel). Powder finely, mix with oil, and apply. (*Puji Fang*)
Ear wet eczema: One qian each of Shechuang Zi and Huanglian (*Coptis chinensis*), one zi of Qingfen. Powder and insufflate into the ear. (*Quanyou Xinjian*)
Wind-worm toothache: *Qianjin*: Use Shechuang Zi and candle soot. Grind together and apply. *Jijian Fang*: Decoct Shechuang Zi, gargle with hot liquid several times, stops immediately. In winter, for throat bi with swelling and pain where oral medication is difficult: Burn Shechuang Zi smoke in a bottle, hold the bottle mouth in the mouth to inhale the smoke, phlegm will discharge spontaneously. (*Shenghui Fang*)