《纲目》名川芎
辛温，无毒。蜀产者味辛而甘为上，他处产者气味辛烈为下
。反藜芦。叶名蘼芜。
《本经》主中风入脑，头痛寒痹，筋挛缓急，金疮，妇人血闭无子。
发明 芎 辛温，上升入肝经，行冲脉，血中理气药也。故《本经》治中风入脑，头
痛等证，取其辛散血分诸邪也。好古言∶搜肝气，补肝血，润肝燥，补风虚。又治一切风气
、血气及面上游风，目疾多泪，上行头目，下行血海，故四物汤用之者，皆搜肝经之风。治
少阳、厥阴头痛，及血虚头痛之圣药。助清阳之气，去湿气在头，头痛必用之药。血痢已通
而痛不止，乃阴亏气郁，药中加芎 ，气行血调，其痛立止。《灵苑方》验胎法∶以生芎
末、艾汤服一钱匕，腹中微动者为胎。《千金方》治子死腹中，以芎 末酒调方寸匙，须
臾二三服，立出。凡骨蒸盗汗，阴虚火炎，咳嗽吐逆及气弱之人不可服。其性辛散，令真气
走泄而阴愈虚也。
辛温，无毒。产江左抚州，中心有孔者是。
发明 抚芎升散，专于开郁宽胸，通行经络。郁在中焦，则胸膈痞满作痛，须抚芎开提
其气以升之，气升则郁自降，故抚芎总解诸郁，直达三焦，为通阴阳气血之使。然久服耗
气，令人暴亡。
苦辛温，无毒。
《本经》主男子阴痿湿痒，妇人阴中肿痛，除痹气，利关节，癫痫恶疮。
发明 蛇床辛香性温，专入右肾命门、少阳三焦气分。《本经》列之上品，不独助男子
壮火，且能散妇人郁抑非妙达《本经》精义，不能得从治之法也。但肾火易动，阳强精不固
者勿服。
《本草纲目》中称为川芎。
味辛、性温，无毒。四川出产的川芎味道辛中带甘为上乘，其他地方出产的气味辛辣猛烈则为下品。
与藜芦相反。其叶子名为蘼芜。
《神农本草经》记载主治中风邪气侵入脑部，头痛及寒性痹证，筋脉拘挛或弛缓急迫，金创（金属利器造成的创伤），妇女血闭不通导致的不孕。
【发明】
川芎味辛、性温，药性上升，入肝经，运行于冲脉，是调理血分中气机的药物。因此《神农本草经》治疗中风入脑、头痛等病症，是利用其辛散之性来驱散血分中的各种邪气。李好古说：能搜剔肝气，补益肝血，滋润肝燥，补益因风邪导致的虚损。又治疗一切风气、气血病以及面部游风（游走性的皮肤风疹）、眼疾多泪。其药性上行至头目，下行至血海（胞宫），所以四物汤中使用它，都是为了搜剔肝经的风邪。它是治疗少阳经、厥阴经头痛，以及血虚头痛的神圣药物。它能助长清阳之气，去除头部湿气，是治疗头痛必用的药物。血痢通畅后疼痛仍不止，这是因为阴液亏损、气机郁滞，在药方中加入川芎，使气行则血调，疼痛立即停止。《灵苑方》验胎法：用生川芎粉末，配合艾叶汤服用一钱匕（古代量词，约2-3克），若腹中有轻微动者为怀孕。《千金方》治疗胎死腹中，用川芎粉末以酒调服方寸匙（古代量词，约5毫升左右），片刻后分二三次服用，胎儿即可立刻排出。凡是骨蒸盗汗（阴虚内热引起的夜间出汗）、阴虚火旺、咳嗽呕吐以及气弱之人不可服用。因为其性质辛散，会使真气泄漏而阴液更加虚弱。
味辛、性温，无毒。产于江东抚州，中心有孔的是正品。
【发明】
抚芎升散之力强，专门用于开郁结、宽胸膈，通行经络。如果郁结在中焦，导致胸膈痞闷胀满作痛，需要用抚芎提升气机使其上升，气机上升则郁结自然下降，所以抚芎能总解各种郁结，直达三焦，是沟通阴阳气血的使者。然而久服会耗伤正气，令人突然死亡。
味苦、辛、性温，无毒。
《神农本草经》记载主治男子阳痿湿痒，妇女外阴肿痛，祛除痹气，利关节，癫痫恶疮。
【发明】
蛇床气味辛香，性质温，专门入右肾命门、少阳三焦的气分。《神农本草经》将其列为上品，不仅能帮助男子壮火，还能疏散妇人郁抑之气，如果不妙达《神农本草经》的精义，就不能得到“从治”（顺从病势而治）的方法。但是肾火容易妄动，阳强精关不固者不要服用。
*Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) names it *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* (Chuanxiong).
Acrid and warm, non-toxic. Those produced in Shu (Sichuan) with an acrid yet sweet taste are superior; those from other regions with a pungent and fierce odor are inferior.
Incompatible with *Veratrum nigrum* (Lilu, 藜芦). The leaves are named *Miwu* (Miwu, 蘼芜).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it treats wind-stroke invading the brain, headache, cold-bi syndrome, tendon spasms or flaccidity, metallic wounds, and women's blood obstruction leading to infertility.
[Invention/Analysis]
*Chuanxiong Rhizoma* is acrid and warm, ascending and entering the Liver Meridian, circulating through the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and is a herb that regulates Qi within the Blood aspect. Therefore, *Shennong Bencao Jing* uses it for wind-stroke invading the brain and headaches, utilizing its acrid dispersing nature to scatter various pathogens in the Blood aspect. Li Haogu stated: It searches out Liver Qi, supplements Liver Blood, moistens Liver dryness, and supplements deficiency caused by Wind. It also treats all types of Wind pathogens, Qi and Blood disorders, wandering Wind on the face (migratory skin rashes), eye diseases with excessive tearing. Its action ascends to the head and eyes and descends to the Xuehai (Sea of Blood/Uterus). Thus, it is used in *Siwu Tang* (Four Substances Decoction) to search out Wind in the Liver Meridian. It is a sacred medicine for treating Shaoyang and Jueyin headaches, as well as headaches due to Blood deficiency. It assists Clear Yang Qi, removes Dampness from the head, and is a mandatory herb for treating headaches. For bloody dysentery where pain persists after evacuation, this is due to Yin deficiency and Qi stagnation; adding *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* moves Qi and harmonizes Blood, stopping the pain immediately. The "Fetal Verification Method" from *Lingyuan Fang*: Take raw *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* powder, taken with Mugwort decoction, one qianbi (approx. 2-3g); slight movement in the abdomen indicates pregnancy. *Qianjin Fang* treats retained dead fetus in the uterus: take *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* powder mixed with wine, one fangcunchi (approx. 5ml), taken in two to three doses shortly after, resulting in immediate expulsion. It must not be taken by those with bone-stealing night sweats, Yin deficiency with flaming fire, coughing and vomiting, or those with weak Qi. Its acrid and dispersing nature causes leakage of True Qi and further depletes Yin.
Acrid and warm, non-toxic. Produced in Fuzhou, Jiangzuo (East of the River); the authentic product has a hole in the center.
[Invention/Analysis]
*Fuxiong* (Fuzhou-produced Chuanxiong) is ascending and dispersing, specifically opening depression and widening the chest, unblocking meridians. If depression is in the Middle Jiao, causing chest and diaphragm fullness and pain, *Fuxiong* must be used to lift Qi; when Qi ascends, depression naturally descends. Thus, *Fuxiong* resolves all types of depression, reaches the Sanjiao directly, and acts as an envoy to connect Yin and Yang Qi and Blood. However, long-term use consumes Qi and can cause sudden death.
Bitter, acrid, and warm, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats male impotence and damp itching, female external genital swelling and pain, removes Bi Qi (obstructive pathogenic factors), benefits joints, epilepsy, and malignant sores.
[Invention/Analysis]
*Cnidium Fruit* (Shechuangzi) has an acrid fragrance and warm nature, specifically entering the Right Kidney Mingmen (Gate of Life) and the Qi aspect of the Shaoyang Sanjiao. Listed as a Superior grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, it not only strengthens Fire in men but also dissipates depression in women. Without a profound understanding of the essence of *Shennong Bencao Jing*, one cannot master the method of "treating according to the disease trend" (Congzhi). However, Kidney Fire is prone to agitation; those with hyperactive Yang and insecure Essence should not take it.