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The Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) produced in Shu (Sichuan) is of the best quality. The root resembles Artemisia, with numerous fine, purplish-black, and slender fibrous roots; it is extremely hard. After peeling off the skin, those that are bluish-green are called "Chicken Bone Shengma" (Cimicifugae Rhizoma cum Radice), which possesses superior efficacy. Those that are hollow, yellowish-white, and large are unsuitable for use. There is a variety that is black on the outside and white on the inside; although firm, it is called "Ghost Face Shengma". Another variety is purely green and also hard, but both have inferior efficacy. Among those produced in Sichuan, the bluish-green ones are best.

The root tastes slightly bitter and sweet, has a neutral qi and warm nature. Its scent and taste are both faint; its action floats and ascends, belonging to Yang. It serves as a guiding herb for the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. When combined with Congbai (Scallion White) and Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), it also enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It raises clear Yang, nourishes vital Qi, treats vertigo caused by sinking of Yang, lifts middle Qi to treat chronic diarrhea and tenesmus following dysentery, treats spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, and metrorrhagia, treats hematuria and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Simultaneously, it disperses wind pathogens from these meridians, resolves wind-heat at the muscle level, eliminates macules/rash and migratory wind-swelling/toxins, wards off seasonal epidemic toxins and pestilential evils, and induces vomiting when gu poison enters the mouth. It treats sore throat, oral ulcers, and putrid, rotting gums. It also treats infantile convulsions due to heat obstruction. (From *Zhu Bencao*) Its functions are fourfold: first, it acts as a guiding herb for the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians; second, it raises Yang Qi from below the Supreme Yin; third, it removes wind pathogens from the highest regions and the skin; fourth, it treats Yangming headaches. Tonifying spleen and stomach formulas are ineffective without this herb as a guide. To treat Pi Bi (Spleen Obstruction), one must not use anything other than its tip. (From Zhang Jiegu) It guides Renshen (Ginseng Root) upward, supplements the dispersion of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and solidifies the exterior. It also relieves the contraction and urgency of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel). Furthermore, in cases of Stomach deficiency with cold injury, where Yang Qi is constrained within the Spleen Earth, it is appropriate to use Shengma Gegen Tang (Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction) to raise and disperse Fire Depression. (From Li Dongyuan) In cases of drunkenness, overeating, or sexual exhaustion causing Yang Qi to sink to the lowest region, or excessive vomiting and diarrhea damaging the body, resulting in acute pain in the lower abdomen, difficulty in urination and defecation with waist stagnation, and severe tenesmus, or carbuncles/swellings that sink and turn dark purple, or dampness-heavy Pi Bi, only this herb can lift and disperse, support righteousness, and expel evil. (From Wang Haogu)

Shengma Gegen Tang (Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction) was originally a formula to disperse Wind-Cold of the Yangming channel. It is used to treat various diseases of constrained Yang Qi and sinking Yuan Qi (Primal Qi); it is particularly effective for epidemic red eyes. A patient who suffered cold exposure while mourning his mother in winter developed "Han Zhong" (Cold Middle Syndrome), unable to consume even ginger or garlic. In the summer heat, he drank much water and harbored depression, leading to a disease characterized by a painful swelling point in the right lumbar region radiating to the right hypochondrium and chest, requiring him to lie down. He experienced tenesmus, frequent urges to defecate, long and frequent urination, acid regurgitation, vomiting of water, or diarrhea. He presented with cold limbs (Jue Ni) and impotence. Symptoms subsided slightly with wine or heat but flared immediately upon cold exposure, cold food, sexual activity, labor, anger, or hunger. Each episode lasted briefly before all symptoms vanished. Severe cases occurred several times daily. Treatments with herbs to warm the spleen, overcome dampness, tonify, or aid digestion provided only temporary relief. This was due to internal injury to Yuan Qi from irregular diet and labor, causing Clear Yang to sink and be constrained, unable to ascend. Thus, Shengma Gegen Tang was combined with Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), adding Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), decocted and taken. The patient was advised to drink one or two cups of wine to assist the medicine. Upon ingestion, he felt clear Qi ascending, chest and diaphragm becoming comfortable, hands and feet warming, head and eyes becoming bright, and all symptoms swept away. One dose stopped each flare. Reducing Shengma and Gegen, or omitting wine, delayed efficacy. Generally, after age fifty, people have more consumption than growth, more descent than ascent, and more of autumn/winter qualities than spring/summer. Those with weak constitution presenting such symptoms should be treated with this flexible approach. Combined with Yujin (Curcumae Radix), it treats Gu Poison; if it does not induce vomiting, it causes downward expulsion. (If Gu poison is upper, use Shengma to induce vomiting; if abdominal, use Yujin to purge; or combine both.) With Renshen and Lianrou (Lotus Seed Endosperm), using vinegar-fried green Shengma, it treats Jin Kou Li (Anorectic Dysentery) with miraculous effect. With Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Zhuye (Phyllostachys Folium), it treats macules due to extreme Yangming Heat, headache, and thirst. With Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Huangqin, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Baizhi, it removes skin wind pathogens. With Gegen, Jingjie, Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos), and Gancao, it resolves muscle-level wind-heat and induces slight sweating. With Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Maidong, Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Gancao, and Gegen, it treats floating, rotting, and foul-smelling gums. With Shengdi, Maidong, Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and Puhuang (Typhae Pollen), it treats pediatric hematuria. With Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Hongqu (Red Yeast Rice), Huashi (Kaolin), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Lianrou, and Gancao, it is a key drug for all types of Li Xia (Dysentery). Shengma Gegen Tang disperses Stomach meridian heat pathogens, brings out macules/rash, and treats epidemic pea pox. (Decoct in water, soak cotton, and apply.) Guiding Congbai disperses Hand-Yangming wind pathogens. Guiding Shigao stops Yangming toothache. Adding Shengdi, Maidong, Zhimu, Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Lianqiao, and Yuanshen improves efficacy. Added to Shengyang Sanhuo Tang (Raise Yang and Disperse Fire Decoction), it treats constrained Yang Qi, insufficient Yuan Qi, and sinking Yang Qi; it is a sacred medicine for pediatric macules/rash and smallpox. It can be used before spots appear, but not after they manifest.

[Discussion] Shengma grows by inheriting Spring Yang Qi, flowers in Summer (April), and fruits in late Summer (June). This indicates its Qi flows freely through Fire and resides in Earth. Its fruit is black, and its root is purplish-black, indicating it flows through Fire, resides in Earth, and returns to Supreme Yin Water. It establishes itself on earth through the virtue of Water and Earth combining, then meets heaven through the virtue of Fire and Earth combining. From its faint scent and taste, starting bitter and ending sweet, does it not demonstrate its ascending and floating function from below to above? Why does raising Yang Qi from below Supreme Yin relate to Central Earth? Because the Yang of the Stomach is rooted in the Yin of the Spleen, and the Spleen converges with the Liver and Kidneys at Guan Yuan (Guanyuan CV4). (The Classic states: Three cun below the navel is Guan Yuan. The "Three Intersections" refer to the Yangming and Taiyin meridians.) Shengma directly enters the origin of the Yangming and Taiyin meridians, guiding Clear Qi upward. As Mu Xi said: For conditions such as hematemesis, epistaxis, cough, Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity, rebellious Qi with vomiting, as well as palpitations, fright, mania, etc., it is strictly contraindicated.

[Differentiation and Treatment] Light and firm texture, black color is best. Use raw for dispersing; wine-fry for tonifying the middle; honey-fry for stopping cough and sweat; vinegar-stir-fry for treating dysentery.