\r狗脊\pd151.bmp\r
味苦、甘，平，微温，无毒。主腰背强，关机缓急，周痹寒湿膝痛，颇利老人，疗失
溺不节，男子脚弱腰痛，风邪淋露，少气，目暗，坚脊利俯仰，女子伤中，关节重。一名百
枝，一名强膂，主名扶盖，一名扶筋。生常山川谷，二月、八月采根，曝干。（萆 为之使
，恶败酱。）
陶隐居云∶今山野处处有，与菝 相似而小异。其茎、叶小肥，其节疏，其茎大直，上
有刺
，叶圆有赤脉。根凹（乌交切）凸（徒结切） 如羊角，细强者是。唐本注云∶此药，苗
似贯
众，根长多岐，状如狗脊骨，其肉作青绿色，今京下用者是。陶所说乃有刺萆 ，非狗脊也
，今江左俗犹用之。臣禹锡等谨按吴氏云∶狗脊，一名狗青，一名赤节。神农∶苦。桐君
、
黄帝、歧伯、雷公、扁鹊∶甘，无毒。季氏∶小温。如萆 ，茎节如竹，有刺，叶圆赤，根
黄白，亦如竹根，毛有刺。歧伯经云∶茎无节，叶端圆青赤，皮白，有赤脉。药性论云∶狗
脊，味苦、辛，微热。能治男子、女人毒风，软脚邪气湿痹，肾气虚弱，补益男子，续筋骨
。
图经曰∶狗脊，生常山川谷，今太行山、淄、温、眉州亦有。根黑色，长三、四寸，两
指许
大
，苗尖细碎，青色，高一尺以来，无花。其茎、叶似贯众而细，其根长而多歧，似狗脊骨，
故以名之。其肉青绿，春秋采根，曝干用。今方亦用金毛者。
雷公云∶凡使，勿用透山藤，其大 根与透山藤一般。只是入顶苦，不可饵之。凡修事，
细
锉了，酒拌，蒸，从巳至申，出，晒干用。
Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma)
Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Nature: Neutral, slightly warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats stiffness and soreness of the lower back, laxity or spasticity of joints (Guanjie, 关节), generalized Bi syndrome (Bi Zheng, 痹证) with knee pain due to cold-dampness, particularly beneficial for the elderly. Treats incontinence and lack of control over urination, weakness of the legs and lower back pain in men, lingering discharge and depletion of essence caused by wind-pathogens, shortness of breath, dim vision, strengthens the spine and facilitates flexion and extension, internal injury in women, and heaviness of the joints. Also known as Baizhi (Bai Zhi, 百枝), Qianglv (Qiang Lv, 强膂), Fugai (Fu Gai, 扶盖), and Fujin (Fu Jin, 扶筋). Grows in valleys of mountains and rivers. Harvest roots in February and August, dry in the sun. (Bixie [Bixie, 萆薢] is its assistant herb; avoid using with Baijiang [Bai Jiang, 败酱].)
Tao Hongjing states: It is found everywhere in mountains and wild areas now, resembling Bqie (Ba Qie, 菝葜) but with slight differences. Its stems and leaves are small and fleshy, nodes are sparse, stems are thick and straight with thorns on top, leaves are round with red veins. The root has concave (Wujiao qie, 乌交切) and convex (Tujie qie, 徒结切) parts, shaped like sheep horns; those that are thin and strong are authentic. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica) notes: This herb's seedling resembles Guanzhong (Guan Zhong, 贯众), roots are long and branched, shaped like a dog's spinal column, flesh is greenish-blue, which is what is used in the capital region. What Tao described was actually a thorny Bixie, not Gouji; however, it is still commonly used in the Jiangzuo region today. Minister Yuxi et al. carefully note according to Wu Shi: Gouji is also called Gouqing (Gou Qing, 狗青) and Chijie (Chi Jie, 赤节). Shennong records: Bitter. Tongjun, Huangdi, Qibo, Leigong, Bianque record: Sweet, non-toxic. Ji Shi records: Slightly warm. If it resembles Bixie, stems and nodes are like bamboo, with thorns, round red leaves, yellow-white roots like bamboo roots, hairy with thorns. *Qibo Jing* (Classic of Qibo) states: Stems have no nodes, leaf tips are round, greenish-red, skin is white with red veins. *Yaoxing Lun* (Discussion on Medicinal Properties) states: Gouji, taste bitter, pungent, nature slightly hot. Can treat toxic wind in men and women, soften leg qi damp-bi, tonify weak kidney qi, benefit men, reconnect sinews and bones.
*Tujing* (Illustrated Classic) states: Gouji grows in mountain valleys; it is also found in Taihang Mountain, Mizhou, Wenzhou, and Meizhou. Roots are black, three to four cun long, about two fingers wide, seedlings are fine and fragmented, green, about one chi high, without flowers. Stems and leaves resemble Guanzhong but are finer, roots are long and branched, resembling dog spinal columns, hence the name. Flesh is greenish-blue. Harvest roots in spring and autumn, dry in the sun for use. Current prescriptions also use the golden-haired variety.
Leigong states: When using, do not use Toushanteng (Toushanteng, 透山藤); its large root is similar in size to Toushanteng. It is merely bitter to the palate and should not be ingested. For processing, cut into fine pieces, mix with wine, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Shen hour (3-5 PM), take out, and dry in the sun for use.