禀土之甘味，天之温气，故味甘辛温无毒。甘以缓之，辛以收之、润之，温以通
之、畅之。入手少阴、足厥阴，亦入足太阴，活血补血之要药。宜去芦，切片。若入
破血药，宜梢尾生用。若入养血和血药，或全或生，用酒拌炒。
当归，治跌打血凝作胀，热痢肠刮肛涌，温疟寒热。舒筋润肠，妇人胎前产后，
男子五劳七伤。温中止心腹之痛，养营疗肢节之痛，中风拘挛崩中带下，气血分皆可
用。能补能攻，并眼疾齿疾疼痛，痈疮金疮肌肉不长，一切燥涩焦枯，风药中俱用。味
辛而甘，气温而浓。甘以缓中，辛以散润，温以通畅。入肝。心、脾三经。血结滞而能
散，血不足而能补，血枯燥而能润，血散乱而能归，诚血门之要药。凡血受病诸病夜
甚，不可少也。但肠胃滑泻，及心气耗散，咳血吐血并宜禁之。
主治（痘疹合参） 宜酒炒用，养血行血，治痘内血虚，不光润红活者宜之。如血
热血虚，同酒炒生地并用。若大便滑者禁之。
按∶当归为血分要药。辛温而散，血中气药也。头止血而上行，梢破血而下流，身
养血而中守，全活血而不定。气血昏乱服之而定，能领诸血，各归其所当归之经，故名
当归。若人吐衄崩下药中，须醋炒过，稍稍用之，多能动血，以其气辛温耳。泄泻者禁
与，以其味滑润耳。
当归禀受土的甘味和天的温气，所以味道甘甜、辛香，性温，无毒。甘味能缓和药性，辛味能收敛和滋润，温性能疏通和畅达气血。它主要归入手少阴心经和足厥阴肝经，也进入足太阴脾经，是活血和补血的重要药物。使用时应当去除芦头，切成薄片。如果用于破血类药物中，宜取梢尾部分生用；如果用于养血和血类药物中，可以使用全草或生品，并用酒拌炒。
当归，用于治疗跌打损伤导致的血凝肿胀，热痢引起的肠道刮擦感和肛门坠胀，以及寒热往来的温疟。它能舒筋活络、润肠通便，适用于妇女产前产后诸疾，以及男子五劳七伤等症。它能温暖中焦，缓解心腹疼痛；滋养营血，治疗肢体关节疼痛；对于中风引起的拘挛、崩漏（非经期大量出血）及带下病，在气血分证中均可使用。它既能补益又能攻邪，并可用于眼疾和齿痛，以及痈疮、金创（金属利器造成的伤口）导致肌肉生长缓慢，以及一切干燥涩滞、焦枯的症状，在风药中常配合使用。其味辛而甘，气温而浓厚。甘味能缓和其中焦之气，辛味能发散并滋润，温性能使气血通畅。它入肝、心、脾三经。对于血结滞者能消散，血不足者能补益，血枯燥者能滋润，血散乱者能使血液回归正道，确实是血分病中的关键药物。凡是血液受病导致的疾病，夜间往往加重，此药不可或缺。但是，对于肠胃滑泻（腹泻不止），以及心气耗散、咳血、吐血者，应当禁用。
主治（痘疹合参）：宜用酒炒后使用，以养血行血，治疗痘疹因血虚导致的不光润、不红活的状况。如果是血热兼血虚，可与酒炒的生地黄同用。如果大便滑泄者禁用。
按语：当归是血分病的关键药物。味辛性温而具有发散作用，是血中的气药。当归头止血且药势上行，当归梢破血且药势下行，当归身养血且守中，全当归活血且药势不定。气血昏乱时服用可使气血安定，它能引领各种血液，使其各自回归到应当归属的经脉，因此命名为“当归”。如果人在吐血、衄血（鼻出血）、崩漏、便血等出血病症中使用，必须经过醋炒，少量使用，因为用量过多容易动血，这是因为它气味辛温的缘故。泄泻患者禁用，因为它的味道滑润。
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) inherits the sweet flavor of Earth and the warm Qi of Heaven; thus, its taste is sweet and acrid, its nature is warm, and it is non-toxic. The sweet flavor moderates, the acrid flavor astringes and moistens, and the warm nature unblocks and promotes circulation. It enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and also enters the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It is an essential herb for invigorating blood and nourishing blood. The rhizome should be removed, and the root sliced. When used in formulas for breaking up blood stasis, the tail ends should be used raw. When used in formulas for nourishing and harmonizing blood, either the whole root or raw slices may be used, stir-fried with wine.
Danggui treats swelling due to blood coagulation from trauma, intestinal scraping and anal prolapse from heat-dysentery, and alternating chills and fever from warm malaria. It relaxes tendons and moistens the intestines. It is indicated for women’s conditions before and after childbirth, and for men’s five exhaustion and seven injuries. It warms the middle jiao and alleviates heart and abdominal pain; it nourishes Ying (nutritive) blood and treats pain in the limbs and joints. It is applicable in both Qi and Blood patterns for wind-stroke with spasms, metrorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding), and leukorrhea. It possesses both tonifying and purgative properties. It is also used for eye diseases, toothache, ulcers, traumatic wounds where muscle growth is slow, and all conditions characterized by dryness, astringency, scorching, and withering. It is commonly included in formulas containing wind-dispelling herbs. Its taste is acrid and sweet, and its Qi is warm and dense. The sweet flavor moderates the middle, the acrid flavor disperses and moistens, and the warm nature ensures smooth circulation. It enters the Liver, Heart, and Spleen meridians. For blood stagnation, it can disperse; for blood deficiency, it can tonify; for blood dryness, it can moisten; for scattered blood, it can guide it back to its proper course. Indeed, it is a crucial herb in the category of blood disorders. In any disease caused by blood pathology that worsens at night, this herb is indispensable. However, it is contraindicated in cases of loose stools/diarrhea, consumption of Heart Qi, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and hematemesis (vomiting blood).
Indications (Integration with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Should be stir-fried with wine to nourish and move blood. It is suitable for smallpox/rashes caused by blood deficiency, presenting as dull, lacking luster, and not red and vibrant. If there is simultaneous blood heat and blood deficiency, it can be used together with Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) stir-fried with wine. Contraindicated in patients with loose stools.
Commentary: Danggui is an essential herb for blood disorders. Acrid and warm, it has a dispersing action, making it a Qi-moving herb within the blood. The head (top part) stops bleeding and directs action upward; the tail (bottom part) breaks blood stasis and directs action downward; the body (middle part) nourishes blood and maintains stability in the center; the whole root invigorates blood without fixed direction. When Qi and Blood are chaotic, taking this herb stabilizes them; it leads various types of blood to return to their respective meridians, hence the name "Danggui" (Returning to the Proper Place). In cases of epistaxis, vomiting blood, metrorrhagia, or bloody stool, if used in prescriptions, it must be stir-fried with vinegar and used in small amounts, as excessive use may disturb the blood due to its acrid and warm nature. It is contraindicated in diarrhea because of its slippery and moistening quality.