\r白头翁\pd259.bmp\r
味苦，温，无毒、有毒。主温疟狂易（音羊）寒热，症瘕积聚，瘿气，逐血止痛，疗
金疮。鼻衄。一名野丈人，一名胡王使者，一名奈何草。生高山山谷及田野，四月采。
陶隐居云∶处处有，近根处有白茸，状似人白头，故以为名。方用亦疗毒痢。唐本注云∶
其
叶似芍药而大，抽一茎，茎头一花，紫色，似木堇花，实大者如鸡子，白毛汁余皆披下，似
纛头，正似白头老翁，故名焉。今言近根有白茸，陶似不识。太常所贮蔓生者，乃是女萎。
其白头翁根，甚疗毒痢，似续断而遍。今按别本注云∶今处处有。其苗有风则静，无风而摇
。与赤箭、独活同也。又云验此草丛生，状如白薇，而柔细稍长。叶生茎头如杏叶，上有细
白毛。近根者有白茸，旧经陶注则未述其茎、叶，唐注又云∶叶似芍药，实大如鸡子，白毛
寸余，此皆误矣。臣禹锡等谨按蜀本图经云∶有细毛，不滑泽，花蕊黄。今所在有之，二
月
采花，四月采实，八月采根，皆日干。药性论云∶白头翁，使，味甘、苦，有小毒。止腹痛
及赤毒痢，治齿痛，主项下瘤 。又云∶胡王使者，味苦，有毒。主百骨节痛，豚实为使。
日华子云∶得酒良。治一切风气，及暖腰膝，明目，消赘子。功用同上，茎、叶同用。
图经曰∶白头翁，生嵩山山谷，今近京州郡皆有之。正月生苗作丛，状如白薇，而柔细
稍长
。
叶生茎端，上有细白毛，而不滑泽。近根有白茸，正似白头老翁，故名焉。根紫色，深如蔓
菁。二月、三月开紫花，黄蕊，五月、六月结实。其苗有风则静，无风而摇。与赤箭、独活
同。七月、八月采根，阴干用。今俗医用合补下药，服之大验，亦冲人。
外台秘要∶治阴 。白头翁根，生者不限多少，捣之。随偏肿处以敷之，一宿当作疮，
二十
日愈。肘后方∶小儿秃。取白头翁根，捣敷一宿，或作疮，二十日愈。
衍义曰∶白头翁，生河南洛阳界及新安土山中。性温。止腹痛，暖腰膝，《唐本》注及
《药
性
论》甚详。陶隐居失于不审，宜其排叱也。新安县界兼山野中，屡尝见之，正如《唐本》注
所说。至今本处山中人卖白头翁丸，言服之寿考，又失古人命名之意。
Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla chinensis)
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic; some records indicate it is toxic. Indications: Primarily treats Wen Nue (Warm Malaria, a type of malaria characterized by high fever and alternating chills), mania with restlessness, and cold-heat symptoms; also treats Zheng Jia Ji Ju (abdominal masses and accumulations), Ying Qi (goiter or neck masses), expels blood stasis, alleviates pain, and treats Jin Chuang (traumatic wounds caused by metal weapons) and Bi Nu (epistaxis). Alternative names: Ye Zhang Ren (Wild Old Man), Hu Wang Shi Zhe (Hu King's Envoy), Nai He Cao (Despair Grass). Habitat: Grows in high mountains, valleys, and fields. Harvest time: April.
Tao Hongjing stated: It grows everywhere. Near the root, there are white downy hairs, resembling a person's white hair, hence the name. In prescriptions, it is also used to treat Du Li (toxic dysentery). The annotation in *Xin Ben Cao* (New Materia Medica) states: Its leaves resemble those of Shaoyao (Peony) but are larger. It produces a single stem with one flower at the tip, purple in color, resembling the flower of Mu Jin (Hibiscus mutabilis). The fruit can be as large as a chicken egg. The white hairs and juice hang down loosely, resembling the tassel of a banner, looking exactly like an old man with white hair, thus the name. Currently, it is said that there are white downy hairs near the root; Tao Hongjing seemed unfamiliar with this. The creeping plant stored by the Taichang Temple is actually Nu Wei (Akebia quinata). The root of Bai Tou Weng is highly effective for treating toxic dysentery; its texture resembles Xuduan (Dipsacus) but is tougher. According to other versions of the annotations: It grows everywhere now. Its seedlings remain still when there is wind and shake when there is no wind. This is similar to Chi Jian (Gastrodia elata) and Du Huo (Angelica pubescens). It is further verified that this grass grows in clusters, resembling Bai Wei (Cynanchum atratum), but is softer, finer, and slightly longer. The leaves grow at the top of the stem like apricot leaves, covered with fine white hairs. There are white downy hairs near the root. The old classics' annotations by Tao did not describe its stems and leaves. The *Tang Ben* annotation again states: "Leaves resemble Shaoyao, fruits as large as eggs, white hairs over one inch long." These are all errors. Minister Yu Xi and others carefully noted according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*: It has fine hairs, is not smooth or glossy, and has yellow stamens. It is present in various locations now. Flowers are harvested in February, fruits in April, and roots in August; all are dried in the sun. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Bai Tou Weng serves as a guiding herb. Taste: Sweet and bitter. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Indications: Stops abdominal pain and red toxic dysentery, treats toothache, and primarily manages tumors under the neck. It further states: Hu Wang Shi Zhe tastes bitter and is toxic. Indications: Treats pain in all bone joints; it serves as the guiding herb in veterinary preparations for pigs. Ri Hua Zi stated: It is effective when taken with wine. Indications: Treats all types of wind-pathogens, warms the waist and knees, brightens the eyes, and eliminates warts. The efficacy is the same as the root; stems and leaves can be used together. *Tu Jing* states: Bai Tou Weng grows in the valleys of Mount Song. It is now found in prefectures near the capital. Seedlings emerge in clusters in January, resembling Bai Wei but softer, finer, and slightly longer. Leaves grow at the stem tips, covered with fine white hairs, and are not smooth or glossy. White downy hairs are present near the root, resembling an old man with white hair, hence the name. The root is purple, deep-rooted like turnip. Purple flowers with yellow stamens bloom in February and March; fruits develop in May and June. Its seedlings remain still in wind and shake without wind, similar to Chi Jian and Du Huo. Roots are harvested in July and August, dried in the shade, and used. Currently, folk physicians combine it with tonifying medicines; administration yields significant effects but may also deplete healthy qi.
*Wai Tai Mi Yao*: Treats Yin swelling/pain. Fresh Bai Tou Weng root, quantity unlimited, is crushed and applied to the swollen area. After one night, it will form a sore, healing completely in twenty days. *Zhou Hou Fang*: For pediatric alopecia. Take Bai Tou Weng root, crush and apply overnight. It may form a sore, healing in twenty days.
*Yan Yi* states: Bai Tou Weng grows in the borders of Luoyang and the mountains of Xin'an, Henan. Nature: Warm. Indications: Stops abdominal pain, warms the waist and knees. The annotations in *Tang Ben* and *Yao Xing Lun* are very detailed. Tao Hongjing was negligent in his scrutiny and deserved criticism. I have frequently seen it in the wild areas of Xin'an County, exactly as described in the *Tang Ben* annotation. To this day, locals sell Bai Tou Weng Pills, claiming they promote longevity, which misses the original intent of the ancients in naming it.