\r前胡\pd156.bmp\r
味苦，微寒，无毒。主疗痰满，胸胁中痞，心腹结气，风头痛，去痰实，下气。治伤
寒寒热，推陈致新，明目，益精。二月、八月采根，曝干。（半夏为之使，恶皂荚，畏藜芦
。）
陶隐居云∶前胡，似茈胡而柔软，为疗殆欲同，而《本经》上品有茈胡而无此，晚来医
乃用
之。亦有畏恶，明畏恶非尽出《本经》也。此近道皆有，生下湿地，出吴兴者为胜。臣禹锡
等谨按药性论云∶前胡，使，味甘、辛。能去热实，下气。主时气内外俱热。单煮服佳。
日
华子云∶治一切劳，下一切气，止嗽，破症结，开胃下食，通五脏，主霍乱转筋，骨节烦闷
，反胃呕逆，气喘，安胎，小儿一切疳气。越、衢、婺、睦等处皆好。七、八月采。外黑里
白。
图经曰∶前胡，旧不着所出州土，今陕西、梁、汉、江淮、荆襄州郡及相州、孟州皆有
之。
春
生苗，青白色，似斜蒿。初出时有白芽，长三、四寸，味甚香美，又似芸蒿。七月内开白花
，与葱花相类。八月结实。根细，青紫色。二月、八月采，曝干。今 延将来者，大与柴胡
相似。但柴胡赤色而脆，前胡黄而软不同耳。一说，今诸方所用前胡皆不同。京师北地者，
色黄白，枯脆，绝无气味。江东乃有三、四种，一种类当归，皮斑黑，肌黄而脂润，气味浓
烈。一种色理黄白，似人参而细短，香味都微。又有如草乌头，肤黑而坚，有两、三歧为一
本者，食之亦戟人咽喉。中破以姜汁渍，捣服之，甚下膈，解痰实。然皆非前胡也。今最上
者出吴中。又寿春生者，皆类柴胡而大。气芳烈，味亦浓苦，疗痰下气最要，都胜诸道者。
雷公云∶凡使，勿用野蒿根，缘真似前胡，只是味粗酸。若误用，令人胃反不受食。若
是前
胡
，味甘、微苦。凡修事，先用刀刮上苍黑皮并髭土了，细锉，用甜竹沥浸令润，于日中晒干
用之。外台秘要∶治小儿夜啼。前胡捣筛，蜜丸如小豆。日服一丸，熟水下，至五、六丸，
以瘥为度。
Radix Peucedani (Qianhu)
Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats phlegm-fullness (Tan Man), chest and hypochondriac stagnation (Xiong Xie Zhong Pi), epigastric and abdominal qi binding (Xin Fu Jie Qi), wind-induced headache (Feng Tou Tong); eliminates phlegm-solidity (Tan Shi), directs qi downward (Xia Qi). Treats chills and fever from Cold Damage (Shang Han), pushes out the old to generate the new (Tui Chen Zhi Xin), brightens the eyes (Ming Mu), benefits essence (Yi Jing). Harvest roots in February and August, dry in the sun. (Pinelliae Rhizoma Banxia serves as its guiding herb; incompatible with Saposhnikoviae Radix Baidoufu [Zao Jia]; fears Veratrum Root Li Lu.)
Tao Hongjing stated: Radix Peucedani resembles Radix Bupleuri (Chai Hu) but is softer; its therapeutic effects are nearly identical. However, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists Radix Bupleuri in the Superior Grade but not Radix Peucedani; it was only later that physicians began using it. Radix Peucedani also has incompatibilities and antagonistic herbs, indicating that such contraindications do not all originate from the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. This herb is available near major roads, grows in low and damp areas, and the variety from Wuxing is considered superior. Minister Yuxi and others noted according to *Yao Xing Lun*: When used as an envoy herb, Radix Peucedani is sweet and acrid. It can clear heat-solidities and direct qi downward. It primarily treats seasonal epidemics with internal and external heat. Boiling it alone yields good results.
Ri Huazi stated: It treats all forms of consumptive diseases (Lao), directs all qi downward, stops coughing, breaks up mass formations (Zheng Jie), opens the stomach and promotes appetite, unblocks the five zang organs, treats cholera with muscle cramps (Huo Luan Zhuan Jin), bone and joint restlessness (Gu Jie Fan Men), regurgitation and vomiting (Fan Wei Ou Ni), asthma (Qi Chuan), calms the fetus, and treats all types of childhood malnutrition/accumulation disorders (Gan Qi). Varieties from Yue, Qu, Wu, and Mu regions are excellent. Harvest in July and August. The exterior is black, the interior is white.
*Tujing* stated: Radix Peucedani's place of origin was not recorded in older texts. Currently, it is found in Shaanxi, Liangzhou, Hanzhong, Jianghuai, Jingxiang prefectures, as well as Xiangzhou and Mengzhou. Sprouts appear in spring, greenish-white, resembling Artemisia species (Xie Hao). Initially, white buds emerge, three to four cun long, with a very fragrant and pleasant taste, somewhat resembling Brassica vegetables (Yun Hao). White flowers bloom within July, resembling scallion flowers. Seeds mature in August. The root is slender, greenish-purple. Harvest in February and August, dry in the sun. The Radix Peucedani brought from Yanlai closely resembles Radix Bupleuri. However, Radix Bupleuri is reddish and brittle, whereas Radix Peucedani is yellowish and soft. Another view states that the Radix Peucedani used in various prescriptions today differs significantly. Those from the northern regions of the capital are yellowish-white, dry and brittle, with no distinct odor. In Jiangdong, there are three or four varieties: one resembles Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui), with black mottled skin, yellow flesh, oily texture, and strong odor; another is yellowish-white, similar to Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) but thinner and shorter, with very faint fragrance and flavor; yet another resembles Aconitum Kusnezoffii Radix (Caowutou), with black, hard skin, having two or three branches per root; consuming it irritates the throat. If broken open and soaked in Ginger Juice (Jiang Zhi), then pounded and taken, it effectively descends phlegm from the diaphragm and resolves phlegm-solidities. However, none of these are true Radix Peucedani. The highest quality comes from the Wu region. Those from Shouchun resemble Radix Bupleuri but are larger. They have a strong aromatic odor and bitter taste, being most effective for treating phlegm and directing qi downward, surpassing varieties from other regions.
Lei Gong stated: When processing, do not use wild mugwort roots, as they resemble true Radix Peucedani but have a coarse, sour taste. Misuse may cause gastric reflux preventing food intake. True Radix Peucedani is sweet and slightly bitter. For preparation, first scrape off the dark outer bark and soil with a knife, finely chop, soak in Sweet Bamboo Juice (Tian Zhu Li) until moist, then dry in the sun. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats infant night crying. Pound Radix Peucedani into powder, form pills like small beans with honey. Administer one pill daily, washed down with cooked water, up to five or six pills, until recovery.