\r细辛一\pd90.bmp\r
\r细辛二\pd91.bmp\r
味辛，温，无毒。主咳逆，头痛脑动，百节拘挛，风湿痹痛，死肌，温中下气，破痰
，利水道，开胸中，除喉痹， （音瓮）鼻，风痫，癫疾，下乳结，汗不出，血不行，安五
脏
，益肝胆，通精气。久服明目，利九窍，轻身长年。一名小辛。生华阴山谷。二月、八月采
根，阴干。曾青、枣根为之使，得当归、芍药、白芷、芎 、牡丹、 本、甘草共疗妇人，
得决明、鲤鱼胆，青羊肝共疗目痛。恶野狼毒、山茱萸、黄 ，畏硝石、滑石，反藜芦。
陶隐居云∶今用东阳临海者，形段乃好，而辛烈不及华阴、高丽者。用之去其头节。人
患口
臭者，含之多效，最能除痰，明目也。臣禹锡等谨按范子云∶细辛出华阴，色白者善。吴
氏
云∶细辛，一名细草。神农、黄帝、雷公、桐君∶辛，小温。歧伯∶无毒。季氏∶小寒。如
葵叶赤黑，一根一叶相连。药性论云∶细辛，臣，忌生菜，味苦、辛。治咳逆上气，恶风风
头，手足拘急，安五脏六腑，添胆气，去皮风湿痒，能止眼风泪下，明目，开胸中滞，除齿
痛，主血闭，妇人血沥腰痛。日华子云∶治嗽，消死肌疮肉，胸中结聚。忌狸肉。
图经曰∶细辛，生华山山谷，今处处有之，然它处所出者，不及华州者真。其根细而其
味极
辛
，故名之曰细辛。二月、八月采根，阴干用。今人多以杜衡当之。杜衡吐人，用时须细辨耳
。杜衡春初于宿根上生苗，叶似马蹄形状，高三、二寸，茎如麦 粗细，每窠上有五、七叶
，或八、九叶，别无枝蔓。又于叶、茎间罅内，芦头上贴地生紫花，其花似见不见，暗结实
如豆大，窠内有碎子似天仙子。苗、叶俱青，经霜即枯。其根成窠，有似饭帚密闹，细长
四、五寸，微黄白色，味辛。江淮俗呼为马蹄香，以人多误用，故此详述之。
雷公云∶凡使，一一拣去双叶，服之害人。须去头土了，用瓜水浸一宿，至明漉出，曝
干用
之
。圣惠方∶治口臭及 齿肿痛。细辛煮取浓汁，熟含冷吐，瘥。外台秘要∶治卒客忤，停尸
不
能言。细辛、桂心等分纳口中。别说云∶谨按细辛非华阴者，不得为细辛用。若杜衡之类
，自
应根据本性于用尔。又细辛若单用末，不可过半钱匕，多即气闷塞不通者死。虽死无伤，近年
关中或用此毒人者，闻平凉狱中尝治此，故不可不记，非本有毒，但以不识多寡之用，因以
有此。
衍义曰∶细辛，用根，今唯华州者佳，柔韧，极细直，深紫色，味极辛，嚼之习习如椒。
治
头
面风痛不可缺也。叶如葵叶，赤黑，非此则杜衡也。杜衡叶，形如马蹄下，故俗云马蹄香。
盖根似白前，又似细辛。襄、汉间一种细辛，极细而直，色黄白，乃是鬼督邮，不可用。
Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin, 细辛) I [Image: pd90.bmp]
Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin, 细辛) II [Image: pd91.bmp]
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi (Ke Ni, 咳逆), headache with a sensation of throbbing in the brain, spasms and contractures of all joints, bi-syndrome pain caused by wind-dampness, necrosis of muscle tissue, warms the middle Jiao (Middle Burner) and directs Qi downward, breaks up phlegm, promotes urination, opens stagnation in the chest, eliminates Bi syndrome of the throat (Hou Bi, 喉痹), treats nasal congestion (Nong Bi, 𪔂鼻), wind-epilepsy, mania, resolves breast lumps, induces sweating, invigorates blood circulation, calms the Five Zang organs (Wu Zang, 五脏), benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, and unifies Jing-Qi essence. Long-term use brightens the eyes, unblocks the Nine Orifices (Jiu Qiao, 九窍), lightens the body, and prolongs life. An alternative name is Xiao Xin (Small Pungent). It grows in the valleys of Huayin. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the shade. Zeng Qing (Chalcocite) and Zao Gen (Ziziphus jujuba root) serve as guiding herbs (Shi, 使). When combined with Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Shao Yao (Paeonia lactiflora), Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica), Xiong Duan (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Gao Ben (Ligusticum wallichii), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), it jointly treats gynecological disorders. When combined with Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen), Li Yu Dan (Carpus gallbladder), and Qing Yang Gan (Blue Sheep liver), it jointly treats eye pain. It is incompatible with Ye Lang Du (Stellera chamaejasme), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis), and Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis); it fears Xiao Shi (Niter) and Hua Shi (Talcum); it is chemically antagonistic to Li Lu (Veratrum nigrum).
Tao Hongjing stated: The Asari currently used from Linhai, Dongyang, has good segmental form, but its pungency is not as strong as that from Huayin or Korea. When used, the head nodes should be removed. For patients suffering from halitosis, holding Asari in the mouth is often effective; it is best at resolving phlegm and brightening the eyes. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to Fanzi, noted: Asari comes from Huayin; the white-colored variety is superior. Wu stated: Asari, also known as Xi Cao (Fine Grass). Shen Nong, the Yellow Emperor, Lei Gong, and Tong Jun considered it pungent and slightly warm. Qibo considered it non-toxic. Ji considered it slightly cold. Its leaves resemble those of mallow, are dark red-black, with one leaf connected to one root. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Asari is a minister herb, incompatible with raw vegetables; it tastes bitter and pungent. It treats cough with rebellious Qi, aversion to wind and wind-headache, spasms of hands and feet, calms the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, strengthens Gallbladder Qi, removes skin wind-dampness itching, stops wind-induced lacrimation, brightens the eyes, opens chest stagnation, relieves toothache, treats blood obstruction, and addresses lower back pain due to blood stasis in women. Ri Huazi stated: It treats cough, dissolves necrotic tissue in sores, and resolves chest accumulation. It is incompatible with fox meat.
*TU JING BEN CAO* states: Asari grows in the valleys of Mount Hua and is now found everywhere, yet varieties from other regions are not as authentic as those from Huazhou. Its roots are slender and extremely pungent, hence the name "Slender Pungent" (Xi Xin). Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the shade. Nowadays, many people substitute it with Du Heng (Duheng, 杜衡). Du Heng is toxic and must be carefully distinguished when used. Du Heng sprouts from perennial roots in early spring; leaves are horse-hoof shaped, three to two inches high; stems are as thick as wheat stalks; each clump has five to seven or eight to nine leaves, without other branches. Purple flowers grow贴地 (close to the ground) on the reed heads between leaves and stems; flowers are faint, forming fruit like beans, with seeds inside resembling Hyoscyamus niger seeds. Seedlings and leaves are green wither after frost. Roots form clumps, dense like a rice brush, slender four to five inches long, pale yellow-white, pungent in taste. In the Jianghuai region, it is commonly called Ma Ti Xiang (Horse Hoof Fragrance); because people often misuse it, it is described in detail here.
Lei Gong said: When processing, remove all double-leaved specimens, as ingestion harms humans. Remove soil from the head, soak in melon water overnight, drain the next morning, and dry in the sun for use. *Sheng Hui Fang*: Treats halitosis and swollen painful teeth. Boil Asari to obtain a concentrated decoction, hold warm in the mouth, spit out when cool; the disease heals. *Wai Tai Mi Yao*: Treats sudden Ke Wu (Guest Evil) or corpse-like coma where speech is lost. Place equal parts of Asari and Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart) in the mouth. *Bie Shuo* states: Strictly speaking, Asari not from Huayin cannot be used as true Asari. If it is Du Heng or similar, it should be used according to its own nature. Furthermore, if Asari powder is used alone, the dose must not exceed half a Qian Bi (a small measuring spoon); excessive amounts cause Qi blockage leading to death. Although death occurs, there is no harm done. Recently, some in Guanzhong have used this to poison others. It was reported that the Pingliang prison once handled such cases, so this must be recorded. It is not that Asari itself is toxic, but rather that ignorance of dosage limits leads to such outcomes.
*YAN YI* states: Asari uses the root. Currently, only Huazhou's is excellent: soft, tough, extremely slender and straight, deep purple, extremely pungent, tasting numbing like Sichuan pepper when chewed. It is indispensable for treating wind-pain of the head and face. Leaves resemble mallow leaves, dark red-black; otherwise, it is Du Heng. Du Heng leaves are shaped like the underside of a horse hoof, hence the common name Horse Hoof Fragrance. Its root resembles Bai Qian (Cynanchum stauntonii) and looks like Asari. In the Xiangyang and Han River regions, there is a type of Asari that is extremely slender and straight, yellowish-white; this is Gui Du You (Aristolochia debilis), which must not be used.