味辛，温，无毒。主治中风入脑头痛，寒痹，筋挛缓急，金疮，妇人血闭无子。除脑中
冷动，面上游风去来，目泪出，多涕唾，忽忽如醉，诸寒冷气，心腹坚痛，中恶，猝急肿痛，
胁风痛，温中内寒。一名胡芎，一名香果。其叶名蘼芜。生武功川谷斜谷西岭。三月、四月
采根，曝干。（得细辛治金疮止痛，得牡蛎治头风吐逆，白芷为之使，恶黄连。）
今惟出历阳，节大茎细，状如马衔，谓之马衔川芎。蜀中亦有而细，人患齿根血出者，
含之多瘥。苗名蘼芜，亦入药，别在下说。世方多用，道家时须尔。胡居士云∶武功去长安
二百里，正长安西，与扶风、狄道相近。斜谷是长安西岭下，去长安一百八十里，山连接七
百里。（《大观》卷七，《政和》一七四页）
味辛、苦，温、微温、微寒，无毒。主治妇人疝瘕，阴中寒肿痛，腹中急，除风头痛，
长肌肤，悦颜色。辟雾露润泽，治风邪 曳，金疮，可作沐药面脂。实主风流四肢。一名鬼
卿，一名地新，一名微茎。生崇山山谷。正月、二月采根，曝干，三十日成。恶 茹。
世中皆用川芎根须，其形气乃相类。而《桐君药录》说川芎苗似 本，论说花实皆不同，
所生处又异。今东山别有 本，形气甚相似，惟长大尔。（《大观）卷八，《政和》二一二
[Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats headache caused by wind-stroke pathogen invading the brain, cold-bi syndrome, tendon spasms or flaccidity with urgency, metallic wounds (Jin Chuang), and amenorrhea in women leading to infertility. It eliminates cold agitation in the brain, dispels wandering wind on the face, stops lacrimation, reduces excessive saliva and nasal discharge, alleviates a trance-like state resembling drunkenness, treats various cold pathogens causing hardness and pain in the heart and abdomen, sudden painful swelling due to evil qi invasion, wind-pain in the hypochondrium, warms the middle and disperses internal cold. Also known as Hu Xiong, also known as Xiang Guo. Its leaves are called Mi Wu. Grows in the valleys of Wugong, specifically the west ridge of Xiegu. Roots are harvested in March and April and sun-dried. (When used with Xixin [Asari Radix et Rhizoma], it treats metallic wounds and stops pain; when used with Muli [Concha Ostreae], it treats head-wind vomiting and reflux; Baizhi [Angelicae Dahuricae Radix] is its guiding herb; it is incompatible with Huanglian [Coptidis Rhizoma].) Currently, only those from Liyang are available, characterized by large nodes and thin stems, resembling a horse bit, hence called Ma Xian Chuanxiong. Those from Shu are also available but thinner; people suffering from bleeding at the tooth roots find relief by holding them in the mouth. The seedling is called Mi Wu and is also used in medicine, described separately below. It is widely used in secular prescriptions, and Daoists sometimes require it. Ju Shi Hu stated: Wugong is two hundred li west of Chang'an, close to Fufeng and Didao. Xiegu is at the foot of the west ridge of Chang'an, one hundred and eighty li from Chang'an, with mountains connecting for seven hundred li. (Da Guan Vol. 7, Zhenghe p. 174)
[Ben (Ligusticum Wallichii / Ligusticum Sinense)]
Taste: Pungent, Bitter. Nature: Warm, Slightly Warm, Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats hernia and masses (Shan Jia) in women, cold painful swelling in the yin region, abdominal urgency, dispels wind-induced headaches, promotes skin growth, and enhances complexion. It wards off dampness and mist, treats conditions caused by wind pathogens such as dragging sensations, metallic wounds, and can be used to make bathing preparations and facial creams. The fruit mainly treats wind disorders of the four limbs. Also known as Gui Qing, also known as Di Xin, also known as Wei Jing. Grows in the valleys of Chongshan. Roots are harvested in January and February, sun-dried, and processed over thirty days. It is incompatible with Ru Cao. In common practice, the rootlets of Chuanxiong are used, which resemble Ben in shape and qi/flavor. However, Tong Jun Yao Lu states that Chuanxiao's seedlings resemble Ben, yet their flowers and fruits differ, and they grow in different places. Currently, there is another Ben in Dongshan, very similar in shape and qi/flavor, except that it grows larger. (Da Guan Vol. 8, Zhenghe p. 212)