种莳者根形块大。实而多脂。山生者细瘦辛苦。蜀产。名川芎。形块坚重圆实。色黄
不油。如雀脑。嚼之甘辛（其味甘辛。于用方合。）者上也。治血虚胎产病俱优。焦枯者不
用。西芎产关中。色微青。专疗偏头痛。如产后血虚与气虚者。俱不可服。其实大坚重。内
外俱白。锉之成片者。亦西芎也。不入药。台芎产浙江台州。止以散风驱湿。抚芎产江西抚
州。小而中虚。惟开郁散气宽胸走经络之痛。皆非血虚所宜用。
根味辛苦。性温。气浓味薄。浮而升。阳也。少阳本经引经药。入手足厥阴气分。生温
熟寒。（李当之）白芷为之使。畏黄连。主中风入脑。头痛血虚。头痛面上游风。胁风痛。
疗诸寒冷气。心腹坚痛。寒痹筋挛缓急。破症结宿血。养新血。搜肝气。补肝血。润肝燥。
补风虚。开郁气。行滞气。燥湿止泻痢。蜜丸治风痰。并一切痈疽诸疮肿痛。长肉排脓。更
治妇人血气诸病。（诸本草）方书治目疾及耳鼻唇齿喉舌髭发。中风眩晕。中寒。伤湿伤劳
倦郁。往来寒热疟。破伤风螈 。振颤痫痉。颈项强痛。虚劳自汗。盗汗虚烦。循衣撮空。
谵妄惊悸。健忘不得卧。不能食。喘厥咳嗽呕吐。喑。鼻衄耳衄。吐血蓄血。溲血下血诸见
血证。心痛胃脘痛腰痛。香港脚鹤膝风。着痹痛痹行痹。消瘅黄胆。痰饮水肿。胀满泄泻。滞
下脱肛。大便不通。淋疝。上行头目。下行血海。助清阳之气。去湿气在头。故治诸经头痛。
（洁古）头痛必用川芎。如不愈加各引经药。太阳羌活。阳明白芷。少阳柴胡。太阴苍术。
厥阴吴萸。少阴细辛。（东垣）又头痛甚者。加蔓荆子。顶与脑痛。用川芎。头顶痛加 本。
若有热者不能治。别有清空之剂。（此二条专治风寒头痛）芎 血中气药。扁鹊言。酸以其
入肝也。（仲淳）肝苦急。以辛补之。故血虚者宜之。以辛散之。故气郁者宜之。（濒湖）味
辛气温。但能升散。而不能下守。血贵宁静。不贵燥动。四物用川芎以畅血中之气。使血自
生。非谓其能养血也。即痈疽及诸疮肿痛药中多用之者。以其入心而能散火邪耳。（丹溪）
又郁在中焦。须抚芎开提其气以升之。气升则郁自降。故抚芎总解诸郁。直达三焦。为通阴
阳气血之使。治湿泻药中。每加麦曲芎 。其应如响。（即左传治河鱼腹疾意）血痢已通。
而痛不止者。乃阴亏气郁。加芎为佐。气行血调。其病立止。合四物。加荆芥白芷白术甘草。
治破伤风。冬月加桂枝。同当归地黄芍药干漆延胡五灵脂京三棱牡蛎粉。治血瘕。同白芷茜
根黄 银花生地。能排脓消瘀血。同甘菊当归地黄天冬白芍炙草。专主血虚头痛。火盛者加
童便服。同归尾桂心牛膝。治子死腹中。同续断熟地白胶杜仲山萸五味人参黄 枣仁。治血
崩久不止。风热头痛。川芎一钱。茶叶二钱。水一钟。煎五分。食前热服。风热上冲。头目
眩晕。或胸中不利。川芎槐子各一两。为末。每服三钱。用茶清调下。胸中不利。以水煎服。
首风旋晕。及偏正头疼。多汗恶风。胸膈痰饮。川芎一斤。天麻四两。为末。炼蜜丸如弹子
大。每嚼一丸。茶清下。崩中下血。昼夜不止。千金用川芎一两。清酒一大盏。煎取五分。
徐徐进之。圣惠加生地汁二合。
〔论〕芎 三月生苗。禀春气已深。故温。至八月始于根下结芎 。而以九十月采之。
后时则虚恶。是又得金气之全者。故其味由甘而辛。辛胜甘劣也。夫气禀于温以生。而味结
于根下者。又辛甘之阳。所以气浓升浮。合于人身天地之肺而至于极上。故兹物能畅真气。
亦即过用能散真气也。遍阅方书主治。大抵能达阳于阴中。即能贯阴于阳中。始终在血分畅
其气者。故海藏专以益肝为言。而曰搜肝风。补肝血。润肝燥。却又言补风虚者。以血脏原
属风脏。惟能达阴中之阳。则风化斯行而诸寒冷气自散也。明于阴中之阳不化。可以悟诸血
证之治悉本风虚。明于风虚之义。又可以悟肝风并肝血虚肝气燥之故矣。抑何以并入手厥阴
气分。盖肝之上行而媾于肺。肺即媾于肝而下行。其下行者乃合于足厥阴同气之心包络以生
血焉。总以全肝之用而已。人身清阳能升。浊阴能降。此气化血生之原也。芎 上至巅顶。
下至血海。不惟握升降清浊之枢以为化原。实能由风脏血脏之化机以为生育。故治血虚头痛
为圣药。至于调众脉。破症结宿血。养新血。以及吐衄溺血。皆可推风虚之义以治之。惟风
淫者不任受耳。总之。阳陷阴中及阳不能畅阴之证。此味乃所宜投。如下之阴虚不守而阳僭
于上。及上之阳盛而阴不能为之主者。妄投适以滋害。宁止于久服乃散真气哉。（用川芎止
欲其畅阴。不可用之虚阴。畅阴虚阴之异。粗工多不致察。）芎 之治。在目为最。即头痛
犹次之。以肝开窍于目。而人身六气之首。惟风司之。肝固风脏。又即血脏也。本此风升之
元气。以达阴中之阳而上行。（此经所谓通天者生之本也）即俾阳中之阴皆畅。而血和于气
以化。是所谓目得血而能视者也。（玩此则于补风虚之义更畅）更取消瘅之肾沥散以为肾气
虚损者。用磁石为君。却以芎 及麦冬为臣。其他益阴气滋阴血之味止为佐。可知元气为阴
中之阳。而芎 之与麦冬为臣者。固就阴中透阳之义也。是则在下行者。必裕阴而乃透其阳
以上。在上
凡病上盛下虚。火炎咳呕。咽干口燥。发热渴烦。及自汗易汗盗汗者。法咸忌之。（仲
淳）骨
Cultivated Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) has large, solid, and oily root tubers. Wild-grown ones are slender, thin, and pungent-bitter in taste. Those produced in Sichuan are named Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome); their root tubers are hard, heavy, round, and solid, with a yellow color that is not oily, resembling sparrow brains. When chewed, they taste sweet and pungent (their sweet and pungent flavor makes them most suitable for clinical application), which represents the superior grade. They are excellent for treating blood deficiency and disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth; those that are scorched or dried out should not be used.
Xi Xiong (Western Lovage) is produced in the Guanzhong region, has a slightly greenish color, and is specifically used to treat hemi-cephalgia (migraine). However, it should not be administered to patients with postpartum blood deficiency or qi deficiency. Another type of Xi Xiong is large, hard, and heavy, white inside and out, and slices into pieces when chopped; this also belongs to Xi Xiong but is not used in medicine. Tai Xiong is produced in Taizhou, Zhejiang, and is only used to dispel wind and drive away dampness. Fu Xiong is produced in Fuzhou, Jiangxi; it is small and hollow in the center, capable only of resolving stagnation, dispersing qi, relaxing the chest, and moving through meridians to relieve pain; these are not suitable for use in cases of blood deficiency.
The root tastes bitter and pungent, is warm in nature, has a strong aroma but weak flavor, and its action is floating and ascending, belonging to Yang. It is the guiding herb for the Shaoyang channel, entering the Qi aspect of the Hand and Foot Jueyin channels. Raw usage is warm, while cooked usage is cold. (Note by Li Dangzhi) Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi, 白芷) serves as its assistant herb; it fears Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian, 黄连). It primarily treats wind-stroke invading the brain, cephalgia due to blood deficiency, wandering wind on the face causing headache, and wind-pain in the hypochondrium. It treats various cold pathogens causing hardness and pain in the heart and abdomen, cold bi-syndrome with tendon spasms and stiffness. It breaks up masses and old blood stasis, nourishes new blood, searches out liver qi, tonifies liver blood, moistens liver dryness, tonifies wind-deficiency, opens stagnant qi, moves stagnant qi, dries dampness, and stops diarrhea and dysentery. Honey pills can treat wind-phlegm and all types of carbuncles, sores, ulcers, swelling, and pain, promoting flesh growth and expelling pus. It further treats various blood and qi disorders in women. (Recorded in Various Materia Medica) Medical texts also indicate its use for eye diseases and disorders of the nose, ears, lips, teeth, throat, tongue, beard, and hair; wind-stroke with vertigo; cold invasion; injury from dampness, fatigue, and stagnation; alternating chills and fever malaria; traumatic tetanus with convulsions; tremors, epilepsy, and spasms; stiffness and pain in the neck and nape; consumptive disease with spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and vexation; picking at clothes and empty grasping; delirium and palpitations; forgetfulness and insomnia; inability to eat; wheezing, vomiting, cough, and syncope; aphonia; epistaxis and auricular hemorrhage; hematemesis and blood retention; hematuria and hematochezia, and other bleeding manifestations; heart pain, epigastric pain, and lower back pain; gout and knee deformity; fixed bi, painful bi, and wandering bi; diabetes mellitus and jaundice; phlegm-fluid retention and edema; distension, fullness, diarrhea, and rectal prolapse; constipation; strangury and hernia. It ascends to the head and eyes and descends to the Blood Sea, assisting clear Yang qi and removing dampness from the head, thus treating headaches of all channels. (Note by Zhang Congzheng/Jiegu) Cephalgia must use Chuanxiong; if ineffective, add channel-guiding herbs: Taiyang channel uses Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qiang Huo, 羌活), Yangming channel uses Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi, 白芷), Shaoyang channel uses Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu, 柴胡), Taiyin channel uses Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu, 苍术), Jueyin channel uses Evodiae Fructus (Wu Zhu Yu, 吴茱萸), Shaoyin channel uses Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xi Xin, 细辛). (Note by Li Dongyuan/Dongyuan) Additionally, for severe headaches, add Viticis Fructus (Man Jing Zi, 蔓荆子); for vertex and brain pain, use Chuanxiong; for vertex pain, add Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix (Gao Ben, 藁本). If there is heat, Chuanxiong alone cannot treat it; there are other formulas like Qingkong Gao (Clear Empty Paste). (These two points specifically treat wind-cold cephalgia) Xiong is a qi-moving herb within the blood. Bian Que stated that its sour taste indicates its entry into the Liver. (Note by Chen Zhongchun/Zhongchun) The Liver suffers from tension; pungency tonifies it, so it is suitable for blood deficiency. Pungency disperses, so it is suitable for qi stagnation. (Note by Li Shizhen/Binqu) Its flavor is pungent and warm, but it can only ascend and disperse, not descend and retain. Blood values tranquility, not agitation. In Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), Chuanxiong is used to circulate qi within the blood, allowing blood to generate itself; it is not claimed to directly nourish blood. Even in formulas for carbuncles and sores where it is often used, it is because it enters the Heart channel and can dissipate fire pathogens. (Note by Zhu Danxi/Danxi) Furthermore, for stagnation in the Middle Jiao, Fu Xiong is needed to lift the qi; when qi ascends, stagnation naturally descends. Thus, Fu Xiong resolves various stagnations, reaches the Triple Burner directly, and acts as an envoy to unblock Yin and Yang and blood and qi. In formulas treating damp-diarrhea, Mai Qu (Medicated Leaven) and Chuanxiong are often added, yielding immediate results (referencing the treatment of "river fish abdominal disease" in Zuo Zhuan). For bloody dysentery that has cleared but pain persists, it is due to Yin deficiency and qi stagnation; adding Chuanxiong as an assistant herb regulates qi and blood, stopping the pain immediately. Combined with Si Wu Tang, plus Schizonepetae Herba (Jing Jie, 荆芥), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi, 白芷), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu, 白术), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao, 甘草), it treats traumatic tetanus. In winter, add Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi, 桂枝). Combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui, 当归), Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang, 地黄), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao, 白芍), Drynariae Rhizoma? No, Gan Qi (Dry Lacquer? Likely typo for something else, keeping original name), Corydalis Rhizoma (Yan Hu Suo, 延胡索), Trogopterori Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi, 五灵脂), Curcumae Radix (Jing San Leng, 京三棱), and Ostreae Concha (Mu Li, 牡蛎), it treats blood masses. Combined with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi, 白芷), Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (Qian Cao, 茜根), Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin, 黄芩), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jin Yin Hua, 银花), and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Di Huang, 生地), it expels pus and eliminates blood stasis. Combined with Chrysanthemi Flos (Gan Ju, 甘菊), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui, 当归), Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang, 地黄), Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong, 天冬), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao, 白芍), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata (Zhi Gan Cao, 炙草), it specifically treats cephalgia due to blood deficiency. For excess fire, add child's urine. Combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail (Gui Wei, 归尾), Cinnamomi Cortex (Gui Xin, 桂心), and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niu Xi, 牛膝), it treats retained dead fetus. Combined with Dipsaci Radix (Xu Duan, 续断), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shu Di Huang, 熟地), Colla Corii Asini (E Jiao/Bai Jiao? Text says Bai Jiao, likely Colla Cornus or similar, keeping literal), Eucommiae Cortex (Du Zhong, 杜仲), Corni Fructus (Shan Yu Rou, 山萸), Schisandrae Fructus (Wu Wei Zi, 五味), Ginseng Radix (Ren Shen, 人参), Astragali Radix (Huang Qi, 黄芪), and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren, 枣仁), it treats prolonged metrorrhagia.
For wind-heat cephalgia: 1 qian of Chuanxiong and 2 qian of tea leaves, decocted in one zhong of water to five fen, taken hot before meals.
For wind-heat rushing upward causing vertigo and visual disturbances, or chest discomfort: 1 liang each of Chuanxiong and Sophorae Flos (Huai Zi, 槐子), powdered; take 3 qian per dose, mixed with tea infusion. For chest discomfort, decoct in water.
For initial wind-induced vertigo, regular or migratory headaches, excessive sweating, aversion to wind, and phlegm-fluid in the chest/diaphragm: 1 jin of Chuanxiong and 4 liang of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tian Ma, 天麻), powdered, honey-pilled like bullet sizes; chew one pill per dose, washed down with tea infusion.
For metrorrhagia with continuous bleeding day and night: Qian Jin Fang uses 1 liang of Chuanxiong and one large cup of clear wine, decocted to five fen, taken slowly. Sheng Hui Fang adds 2 he of fresh Rehmanniae Juice (Sheng Di Zhi, 生地汁).
[Discussion] Chuanxiong produces shoots in the third lunar month, having deeply absorbed Spring Qi, hence its warmth. By the eighth month, it begins forming tubers at the root base, harvested in the ninth and tenth months. Harvesting too late results in poor quality. This reflects the complete reception of Metal Qi, so its flavor shifts from sweet to pungent, with pungency surpassing sweetness. Qi is generated by warmth, and flavor concentrates in the root, representing Pungent-Sweet Yang; thus, its qi is strong, ascending, and floating, aligning with the Lung in humans and heaven/earth to reach the highest point. Therefore, this herb can unblock true qi, but overuse can scatter it. Reviewing medical texts, its main actions generally involve reaching Yang within Yin, or penetrating Yin within Yang, always circulating qi within the blood aspect. Hence, Hai Zang focuses on benefiting the Liver, stating it searches liver wind, tonifies liver blood, and moistens liver dryness, yet also mentions tonifying wind-deficiency. This is because the Blood organ is originally the Wind organ; only by reaching Yang within Yin can wind transformation occur, scattering cold pathogens. Understanding that non-transformation of Yang within Yin reveals that treatments for all blood disorders are based on wind-deficiency. Understanding wind-deficiency reveals the causes of liver wind, liver blood deficiency, and liver qi dryness. Why does it enter the Pericardium Qi aspect? The Liver ascends and connects with the Lung; the Lung descends and connects with the Liver. The descending aspect combines with the Foot Jueyin's same-energy Pericardium to generate blood, ultimately fulfilling the Liver's function. Human body Clear Yang ascends, Turbid Yin descends; this is the origin of qi transforming into blood. Chuanxiong reaches the vertex above and the Blood Sea below, not only grasping the pivot of ascending/descending and clear/turbid to form the source of transformation, but actually utilizing the transformation mechanism of the Wind and Blood organs for generation. Thus, it is a sacred herb for cephalgia due to blood deficiency. Regarding regulating pulses, breaking masses and old blood, nourishing new blood, and treating hematemesis, epistaxis, and hematuria, all can be treated by inferring the meaning of wind-deficiency. Only those with excessive wind pathogen cannot tolerate it. In summary, for conditions where Yang sinks into Yin or Yang cannot unblock Yin, this herb is appropriate. However, for Yin deficiency at the lower jiao failing to control Yang leading to Yang hyperactivity above, or excess Yang at the upper jiao unable to govern Yin, misusing it will only cause harm, let alone long-term use scattering true qi. (Using Chuanxiong aims to unblock Yin; it should not be used for deficient Yin. The difference between unblocking Yin and using it for deficient Yin is often overlooked by incompetent physicians.) Chuanxiong's treatment effect is best for the eyes, with cephalgia being secondary, because the Liver opens into the eyes, and among the six Qi of the human body, Wind leads. The Liver is indeed the Wind organ and also the Blood organ. Based on this wind-rising Yuan Qi, it reaches Yang within Yin and ascends. (As this classic states: "Connecting to heaven is the root of life") This allows Yin within Yang to be unblocked, and blood harmonizes with qi to transform, which is what is meant by "the eyes see when nourished by blood." (Understanding this clarifies the meaning of tonifying wind-deficiency further.) Taking Shen Li San (Kidney Filtering Powder) for wasting-thirst, for kidney qi deficiency, Magnetitum (Ci Shi, 磁石) is used as the sovereign herb, while Chuanxiong and Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong, 麦冬) serve as ministers. Other herbs benefiting Yin qi and nourishing Yin blood are merely assistants. This shows that Yuan Qi is Yang within Yin, and Chuanxiong and Mai Dong as ministers adhere to the principle of penetrating Yang within Yin. Thus, for downward movement, one must enrich Yin to penetrate Yang upward. For upward conditions, any disease with excess above and deficiency below, flaming fire causing cough and vomiting, dry throat and mouth, fever, thirst, vexation, spontaneous sweating, easy sweating, or night sweats, are all contraindicated. (Note by Chen Zhongchun/Zhongchun) Bone