味甘，平无毒。入心脾二经，生则分身梢而泻火，炙则健脾胃而和中，解百毒，和诸
药。甘能缓急，尊称国老，白芷、干漆，苦参为使，恶远志，反甘遂、海藻、大戟、芫花，
忌猪肉、菘菜。
按∶味甘入脾，为九土之精，安和七十二种金石，一千二百种草木，有调摄之功，故名
国老。然性缓不可多用，一恐甘能作胀，一恐药饵无功，惟虚人多热及诸疮毒者，宜倍用，
中满及初痢者忌之，所谓脾病患毋多食甘也。
雷公云∶凡使须去头尾尖处，其头尾吐人，每斤切长三寸，余劈破作六七。凡使用器中，
盛酒浸蒸，从巳至午出，曝干细割，使一斤用酥七两涂上，炙三尽为度，先炮令内外赤黄用
良。
味甘辛，性温无毒，入心肝肺三经。头，止血而上行。身，养血而中守。梢破血而下
流。全活血而不走。气血昏乱，服之而定，各归所当归，故名。酒浸用，恶 茹，畏菖蒲、
海藻、牡蒙。
按∶当归，血药也，心主血，肝藏血，脾裹血，故均入之。用分为四，亦亲上亲下之道
也。
雷公云凡∶一齐用，不如不使，服亦无效，未可尽信，性泥滞风，邪初旺及气郁者，宜
少用之。
雷公云∶使先去尘，并头尖硬处一分以来，酒浸一宿，若要破血，即使尾。若要止痛止
血
味辛甘，性温无毒，入肝经，上行头角，引清阳之气而止痛；下行血海，养新生之血以
调经。久服令人暴亡。白芷为使，畏黄连，小者名抚芎，主开郁。
按∶川芎入肝经，能补血矣，何云暴亡？以其气升阳，其味辛散，善提清气，于上部有
功，然宜中病即已。若久用，则虚逆且耗，故有此患，凡气升痰喘火剧中满等证，不宜用之。
The flavor is sweet, the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. When used raw, it distributes to the extremities and clears heat/fire; when honey-fried, it strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and harmonizes the Middle Jiao. It resolves hundred toxins and harmonizes various herbs. Sweetness can relieve urgency. It is respectfully called "Guolao" (State Elder). Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi), Drynaria Rhizome (Gan Xi), and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Ku Shen) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Polygalae Radix (Yuan Zhi), and opposes Kansui Radix (Gan Sui), Sargassum Thallus (Hai Zao), Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Da Ji), and Genkwa Flos (Yuan Hua). Pork and Brassica rapa var. pekinensis (Song Cai) should be avoided.
Commentary: Sweet flavor enters the Spleen. It is the essence of the Nine Earths, capable of stabilizing seventy-two types of minerals and one thousand two hundred types of herbs, possessing regulating functions, hence named "Guolao". However, its nature is slow, so it should not be used in large doses. One fear is that sweetness may cause bloating; another is that it may render other medicines ineffective. Only patients with deficiency-heat and those suffering from various sores and toxins should use it in doubled doses. Patients with fullness in the middle jiao and those with initial dysentery should avoid it. This refers to the principle that patients with Spleen disorders should not consume excessive sweet foods.
Lei Gong said: Whenever using this herb, remove the head, tail, and tips. The head and tail induce vomiting. Cut each jin into three-cun lengths, and split the remainder into six or seven pieces. When preparing in a vessel, soak in wine and steam from Si hour to Wu hour, then dry in the sun and cut finely. For every jin used, apply seven liang of butter/marrow on top, roast until fully absorbed. It is best if first processed until both inside and outside are reddish-yellow.
The flavor is sweet and acrid, the nature is warm, non-toxic. It enters the Heart, Liver, and Lung meridians. The head stops bleeding and moves upward. The body nourishes blood and remains central. The tip breaks blood stasis and moves downward. The whole herb invigorates blood without dispersing aimlessly. In cases of chaotic Qi and Blood, administration stabilizes them, allowing each part to return to where it belongs, hence the name "Danggui" (Return to the Proper Place). Use after soaking in wine. It dislikes Ru grass, and fears Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Chang Pu), Sargassum Thallus (Hai Zai), and Mumen.
Commentary: Danggui is a blood-nourishing herb. The Heart governs blood, the Liver stores blood, and the Spleen envelops blood, thus it enters these organs. Dividing the usage into four parts also reflects the principle of favoring upper and lower aspects.
Lei Gong said: Using the whole root together is worse than not using it at all; taking it would be ineffective. This cannot be entirely believed. Its nature is cloying and stagnant regarding wind pathogens. Those with newly abundant pathogenic factors or Qi stagnation should use it sparingly.
Lei Gong said: Before use, remove dust and about one fen of the hard tip. Soak in wine overnight. If breaking blood stasis is desired, use the tip. If stopping pain and bleeding is desired...
The flavor is acrid and sweet, the nature is warm, non-toxic. It enters the Liver meridian. Moving upward to the temples, it guides clear Yang Qi to stop pain; moving downward to the Blood Sea, it nourishes newly generated blood to regulate menstruation. Long-term use causes sudden death. Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi) serves as a guiding herb. It fears Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian). The smaller variety is named Fuxiong, primarily opening depression.
Commentary: Chuanxiong enters the Liver meridian and can nourish blood. Why does it say it causes sudden death? Because its Qi ascends Yang, and its acrid flavor disperses. It excels at raising clear Qi and benefits the upper body. However, it should be discontinued once the disease is cured. If used for a long time, it leads to deficiency, rebellion, and consumption, hence this danger. It is not suitable for conditions such as ascending Qi, phlegm-wheezing, fire-fullness, and middle jiao fullness.