味甘温。主咳逆上气。温疟寒热。癣在皮肤中。妇人漏下绝子。诸恶创疡金创。煮饮
之。一名干归。生川谷。
各有攸归。身其余几。细摘蚕头。肥收马尾。望远迟迟。相招 。血海增光。地仙是
韪。
陈承曰。能使气血各有所归。当归之名出此。李时珍曰。治上用头。治下用尾。治中用
身。
左传。身其余几。苏恭曰。似细叶芎 者。名蚕头。不堪用。似大叶芎 者。名马尾。
古谚
。远望可以当归。孟郊诗。意恐迟迟归。古今注。古人相招以文无当归也。挚虞赋。气
而愈新。云仙杂记。窦淝以当归为地仙。圆曰。使血海增光。
味苦温。主中风伤寒头痛。温疟发表出汗。去邪热气。止咳逆上气。除寒热破症坚
积聚。一名龙沙。
雄雌类办。根杂赤黄。暖无积雪。轻自浮阳。护营通卫。减热含凉。推行尼止。理妙难
量。
苏颂曰。麻黄有二种。雄者不结子。雌者结子。僧继洪曰。中牟有麻黄之地。冬不积雪。
泄
内阳也。张元素曰。气味俱薄。轻清而浮阳也。李时珍曰。其根皮色黄赤。内护于营。外通
于卫。为发散火郁之药。孟浩然诗。绪风初减热。傅咸赋。气泠泠以含凉。易。推而行之谓
之通。孟子。止或尼之。李时珍曰。麻黄发汗。根节止汗。物理之妙。不可测度。
[Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)]
The flavor is sweet, and the nature is warm. It primarily treats cough with rebellious qi ascending (Ke Ni Shang Qi). It treats the alternating chills and fever of Warm Malaria (Wen Nue). It eliminates tinea in the skin. It treats leukorrhea with continuous bleeding and barrenness in women. It treats various malignant sores and ulcers, as well as injuries caused by metal weapons (Jin Chuang). Boil it to drink. It is also known as Gan Gui. It grows in mountains and valleys.
Each part has its specific application; how much remains for the main body? Carefully harvest the fine roots resembling a silkworm's head, and collect the plump parts which resemble a horse's tail. Gazing from afar reminds one that it is time to return, calling each other back. It enhances the luster of the Blood Sea (Xue Hai), praised as worthy by the Earth Immortals.
Chen Cheng stated: "It enables qi and blood to have their proper归宿 (guī), hence the name Danggui." Li Shizhen stated: "For treating the upper body, use the head; for the lower body, use the tail; for the middle body, use the body."
The *Zuo Zhuan* mentions: "How much of the body remains?" Su Gong said: Those resembling the small-leaf *Xiongqiong* are named Can Tou (Silkworm Head) and are unsuitable for use; those resembling the large-leaf *Xiongqiong* are named Ma Wei (Horse Tail). An ancient proverb says: "From afar, one may think of returning." Meng Jiao's poem says: "Fearing a late return." The *Gu Jin Zhu* states: In ancient times, people used Wen Wu and Danggui to summon each other. Zhi Yu's fu says: "The breath becomes fresher." The *Yun Xian Za Ji* states: Dou Fei referred to Danggui as the Earth Immortal. Yuan said: "It makes the Blood Sea shine brighter."
[Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae)]
The flavor is bitter, and the nature is warm. It primarily treats headache caused by Wind Stroke (Zhong Feng) and Cold Damage (Shang Han). It treats Warm Malaria, having the effect of releasing the exterior and inducing sweating. It removes pathogenic heat qi. It stops cough with rebellious qi ascending. It eliminates chills and fever, breaks up masses and accumulations (Zheng Jian Ji Ju). It is also known as Long Sha.
Males and females are easily distinguished; the roots are mixed red and yellow. In warm areas, there is no snow accumulation; its nature is light, clear, and naturally floating upward. It protects Ying (Nutritive Qi) and unblocks Wei (Defensive Qi), reducing heat and containing coolness. It promotes circulation and stops stagnation; its principles are subtle and hard to measure.
Su Song said: There are two types of Mahuang; the male type does not produce seeds, while the female type produces seeds. Monk Jihong said: In Zhongmu, where Mahuang grows, there is no snow in winter because it drains internal Yang. Zhang Yuansu said: Its flavor and aroma are both thin; it is light, clear, and floats upward. Li Shizhen said: Its root bark is yellowish-red; internally it protects Ying, externally it unblocks Wei. It is a herb for dispersing fire depression. Meng Haoran's poem says: "The lingering wind initially reduces heat." Fu Xian's fu says: "The air is crisp and contains coolness." The *I Ching* says: "To push and move it is called Tong (Unobstructed)." Mencius says: "Stopping or hindering it." Li Shizhen said: Mahuang induces sweating, while its root and nodes stop sweating. The subtlety of physical laws is immeasurable.