《本经》名百枝
苦平微温，无毒。酒浸，炒去毛用。
《本经》主腰背强，关机缓急，周痹寒湿膝痛，颇利老人。
发明 狗脊为强筋骨要药，故《本经》主腰背强周痹寒湿等疾。颇利老人者，补益肾气
而坚强筋骨也。其性味形类与萆 相似，而功用亦不甚相远。四宝丹用金毛狗脊去毛，盐泥
固济， 红，苏木，萆 ，川乌头生用，等分为末，醋和丸，温酒盐汤下二十丸，治男妇毒
风脚软，肾气虚弱。又病后足肿煎汤洗效。
《别录》名草鸱头
苦微寒，有毒。
《本经》主腹中邪热气诸毒，杀三虫。
发明 贯众苦寒而降，辟时行疫疠不正之气。疫发之时，以此药置水，食之则不传染，
且能解毒软坚，治妇人血气。《本经》治腹中邪热气诸毒，以其性专散结积诸毒。而虫积皆
由湿热所生，苦寒能除湿热，故亦主之。王海藏治夏月痘出不快，快斑散用之。云贯众有毒
而能解腹中邪热，杀三虫，病从内发者多效。王 《百一选方》言，食鲤鱼羹为肋骨所鲠，
百药不效，或令以贯众煎浓汁连进，一咯而出。可见软坚之功，不但治疮治血而已。病患虚
寒无实热者勿服。
辛甘微温，无毒。酒浸去心，焙用。川产者良。
《本经》主大风邪气，阴痿不起，强筋骨，安五脏，补中，增志，益气。
发明 巴戟天严冬不凋，肾经血分及冲脉药也。故守真地黄饮子用之，即《本经》治大
风邪气之谓，以其性补元阳而兼散邪，真元得补，邪安所留，是以可愈大风邪气也。主阴痿
不起，强筋骨，安五脏，补中、增志、益气者，脾胃二经得所养，而诸虚自瘥矣。又治香港脚
，补血海，病患虚寒加用之。有人嗜酒患香港脚甚危，或教以巴戟半两、糯米同炒，去米，大
黄一两炒为末，熟蜜丸，温水下七十丸，仍禁酒遂愈。惟阴虚相火炽盛者禁用。
《神农本草经》称其为“百枝”。
味苦，性平而微温，无毒。用酒浸泡后，炒制并去除表面的绒毛入药。
《神农本草经》记载其主治腰背僵硬、关节弛缓无力、周身痹证（寒湿阻滞经络引起的肢体疼痛麻木）、膝部疼痛，对老年人尤为适宜。
【发明】狗脊是强健筋骨的重要药物，因此《神农本草经》记载其主治腰背僵硬、周身痹证、寒湿等病症。说它“颇利老人”，是因为它能补益肾气从而坚固筋骨。它的性味和形态与萆薢相似，功效也不相上下。四宝丹使用金毛狗脊（去毛），用盐泥密封固济，煅烧至红透，加入苏木、萆薢、生川乌头，各等分研为细末，用醋调和制成丸剂，每次服用二十丸，以温酒或淡盐水送服，治疗男女毒风引起的脚部软弱无力、肾气虚弱。此外，病后足部肿胀者，煎汤外洗也有效。
《名医别录》称其为“草鸱头”。
味苦，性微寒，有毒。
《神农本草经》记载其主治腹中邪热及各类毒素，能杀灭三虫（寄生虫）。
【发明】贯众味苦性寒，具有沉降之性，能驱散时行疫疠不正之气。在疫病流行之时，将此药放入水中，食用饮水则不会被传染，且能解毒软坚，治疗妇人血气病。《神农本草经》治疗腹中邪热及各类毒素，是因为其性质专于消散结聚积滞的各类毒素。而虫积多由湿热滋生，苦寒之性能清除湿热，所以也能治疗虫积。王海藏治疗夏季痘疹发出不畅，使用快斑散（方剂名）配合此药。他说贯众虽有毒但能解除腹中邪热，杀灭三虫，对于病从内发的情况多有效。王璆的《百一选方》记载，有人吃鲤鱼羹被鱼刺卡住，各种药物无效，有人建议用贯众煎煮浓汁连续服用，一次咳出即愈。可见其软坚的功效，不仅限于治疗疮疡和血证。身体虚寒而无实热的患者禁止服用。
味辛甘，性微温，无毒。用酒浸泡去心，焙干后使用。四川产的质量较好。
《神农本草经》记载其主治大风邪气（严重的风邪致病），阳痿不起，强健筋骨，安定五脏，补益中气，增加意志，益气。
【发明】巴戟天在严冬不凋谢，是入肾经血分及冲脉的药物。因此朱守真在地黄饮子中使用它，这就是《神农本草经》所说的治疗大风邪气的道理，因为巴戟天性味能补元阳兼散邪气，真元得到补益，邪气无处留存，因此大风邪气得以痊愈。主治阳痿不起、强健筋骨、安定五脏、补中气、增加意志、益气，是因为脾胃二经得到滋养，各种虚损自然痊愈。又用于治疗香港脚（脚气病），补血海，对于身体虚寒的患者可加用。有人因嗜酒患严重的脚气病，有人教他用巴戟天半两与糯米同炒，去掉糯米，取大黄一两炒后研为细末，用熟蜜制成丸剂，温水送服七十丸，同时禁酒，于是痊愈。只有阴虚且相火炽盛的患者禁止使用。
*Benjing* (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) names it "Baizhi".
Bitter, neutral in nature with slight warmth, non-toxic. Soak in wine, stir-fry, and remove the hairs before use.
*Benjing* states it mainly treats stiffness of the waist and back, laxity and tension of the joints (Guanji), generalized Bi syndrome (pain and numbness caused by cold-dampness blocking collaterals), knee pain, and is particularly beneficial for the elderly.
[Invention] Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma) is an essential herb for strengthening sinews and bones; hence *Benjing* records its treatment of stiffness of the waist and back, generalized Bi syndrome, and cold-dampness. Saying it is "particularly beneficial for the elderly" refers to its ability to tonify Kidney Qi thereby strengthening sinews and bones. Its nature, flavor, and morphology are similar to Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma), and its functions are not far apart. Sibao Dan uses Jinmao Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma with hairs removed), sealed with salt mud, calcined until red-hot, combined with Sumu (Sappan Lignum), Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma), and Chuan Wutou (Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata used raw). These are ground into powder in equal parts, mixed with vinegar to form pills. Take 20 pills with warm wine or salted water to treat toxic wind causing softness of the legs and Kidney Qi deficiency in men and women. Additionally, decocting it as a wash is effective for post-illness foot swelling.
*Bielu* (Recorded Names of Famous Physicians) names it "Caochitou".
Bitter, slightly cold, toxic.
*Benjing* states it mainly treats evil heat and various toxins in the abdomen, and kills three types of parasites (San Chong).
[Invention] Guanzhong (Cyrtomii Rhizoma) is bitter and cold with a descending property, capable of repelling the abnormal qi of seasonal epidemics. During an epidemic outbreak, placing this herb in water and consuming it prevents infection. It can also detoxify and soften hardness, treating gynecological blood disorders. *Benjing* treats evil heat and various toxins in the abdomen because its nature specializes in dissipating accumulated nodules and toxins. Parasitic accumulation arises from damp-heat; since bitter-cold herbs can drain damp-heat, it also treats parasitic accumulation. Wang Haizang treated slow eruption of smallpox in summer using Kuai Ban San (Fast Rash Powder) combined with this herb. He stated that although Guanzhong is toxic, it can resolve abdominal evil heat and kill parasites, proving effective for diseases originating internally. Wang Qiu's *Baiyi Xuanfang* (Selected Prescriptions for One Hundred Concerns) records that someone choked on a fish bone while eating carp soup, and all medicines failed. Someone suggested drinking concentrated decoction of Guanzhong continuously, resulting in immediate expulsion after one cough. This shows its softening power applies not only to sores and blood disorders. Patients with deficiency-cold and no excess heat should not take it.
Pungent, sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. Soak in wine, remove the heart, and bake before use. Those produced in Sichuan are superior.
*Benjing* states it mainly treats severe wind-pathogen (Da Feng Xieqi), impotence, strengthens sinews and bones, calms the five Zang organs, tonifies the Middle Jiao, enhances willpower, and benefits Qi.
[Invention] Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix) does not wither in severe winter; it enters the Blood aspect of the Kidney meridian and the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). Therefore, Zhu Shouzhen used it in Dihuang Yinzi (Rehmannia Decoction), which corresponds to *Benjing*'s statement on treating severe wind-pathogen. Because its nature tonifies Primordial Yang while dispersing pathogens, once the True Yuan is replenished, where can the pathogen remain? Thus, severe wind-pathogen can be cured. Treating impotence, strengthening sinews and bones, calming the five Zang organs, tonifying the Middle, enhancing willpower, and benefiting Qi works because the Spleen and Stomach meridians receive nourishment, and all deficiencies naturally heal. It also treats Hongxiangjiao (Hong Kong Foot / Tinea Pedis), nourishes the Blood Sea, and can be added for patients with deficiency-cold. A person suffering severely from Hongxiangjiao due to alcoholism was taught to stir-fry half liang of Bajitian with glutinous rice, remove the rice, mix with one liang of stir-fried Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) powder, form pills with mature honey, and take 70 pills with warm water. Abstinence from alcohol led to recovery. It is contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and blazing Minister Fire.