（本经上品）
合腑脏为中，内筋骨，外肌肉为四。
【气味】甘、平，无毒。
【主治】主五脏六腑寒热邪气，坚筋骨，长肌肉，倍气力，金疮 ，解毒。久服轻身延
年。
【核】曰∶甘草，一名 草、灵通、国老、美草。
出陕西河东州郡，及汶山诸夷处。春生苗，高五六尺，叶如槐，七月开花，紫赤如奈冬，
结实作角如毕豆，根长三四尺，粗细不定，皮亦赤，上有横梁，梁下皆细根也。以坚实断理
者佳，轻虚纵理，细韧者不堪用。凡使去头尾，及赤皮，切作三寸长，劈为六七片，入瓷器
中，好酒浸蒸，从巳至午，取出曝干，锉细入药。苦参、干漆为之使。恶远志。反大戟、芫
花、甘遂、海藻。忌猪肉。
先人云∶甘具生成，路通能所，草从柔化，和协众情。又云∶和具四义，一合，二纯，
三分明，四接续，甘草四德备焉。又云∶青苗紫花，白毛槐叶，咸出于黄中通理之 ，土具
四行，不言而喻矣。又云∶土贯四旁，通身该治，是以土生万物，而为万物所归。
【 】曰∶尚书云∶土爰稼穑，稼穑作甘，言土以能生为性，而所生草木，唯稼穑最得
土气之和，即拈以征土性，及土味耳。有云∶土位乎中。又云∶土贯四旁。难者曰∶设标竿
于中，东观则西，南观成北，中亦难定，予谓中当竖论，四当横论。内经云∶地何凭乎，大
气举之也。固知上下唯气，而土独居其中，四即在中之土，横贯四旁，离四无中。统言之也，
甘草色味性情，含章土德，为五味之长，故治居中之腑脏。为邪所薄，而寒热外见，与在内
之筋骨，在外之肌肉，悉以横贯之力，坚固长养，气聚于形，形全则力倍，形败则气亡，金
疮成 ，如掘土剥地，以致腠理断绝，此属九土之精，行土之用，接续地脉，仍相连合，毒
性杀厉即以幽静平和之土缓解之，毒自降心而退舍焉。形全则身轻，形固则延年。中央内外，
左右四旁，皆土贯之。若因土致病，因病及土者宜用，设四行借用，另须体会。
（土爰稼穑，金曰从革等语，直指五行真性，若能生之能所生之所，又指五行体用。）
（《神农本草经》列为上品）
甘草能调和五脏六腑，使其归于中道；内能滋养筋骨，外能充实肌肉，涵盖四方。
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗五脏六腑的寒热邪气，坚固筋骨，促进肌肉生长，倍增气力，治疗金创（金属利器造成的创伤），解除毒素。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延年益寿。
【考证】曰：甘草，又名 草、灵通、国老、美草。
产于陕西河东州郡，以及汶山等地的少数民族聚居区。春季生苗，高五六尺，叶子像槐树叶，七月开花，紫色赤色如同奈冬花，结成果实呈角状如毕豆，根长三四尺，粗细不定，表皮也是红色的，上面有横向的主干，主干下面都是细小的侧根。以质地坚实、纹理清晰者为佳，质地轻虚、纵纹明显且细韧者不堪使用。凡入药需去掉头尾及红色外皮，切成三寸长的段，劈成六七片，放入瓷器中，用优质酒浸泡后蒸制，从巳时到午时，取出晒干，锉碎入药。苦参、干漆作为其辅佐药物。厌恶远志。与大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻相反。忌食猪肉。
先父说：甘草具备生成之理，道路通畅能所之分，草本顺应柔和的变化，和谐协调各种情感。又说：和包含四层含义，一是融合，二是纯粹，三是分明，四是连续，甘草具备了这四种德行。又说：青色的苗、紫色的花、白色的毛、槐叶般的形状，都出自黄中通理的内在机理，土具备四行的特性，不言而喻。又说：土贯通于四周，全身皆可治理，因此土能生养万物，并为万物所归依。
【论述】曰：尚书说：土适宜种植庄稼，庄稼成熟产生甘味，是说土以能够生养为本性，而生长的草木中，只有庄稼最得土气的和谐，以此选取来验证土的本性和土的味道罢了。有人说：土位居中央。又有人说：土贯通于四周。质疑者说：如果在中间树立标杆，向东看则西边显现，向南看则北边显现，中间也难以确定，我认为“中”应当纵向讨论，“四”应当横向讨论。内经说：大地依靠什么？靠大气托举它。所以知道上下唯有气，而土独自居于其中，四即在中间的土，横向贯通四周，离开四周就没有所谓的“中”。统而言之，甘草的颜色、味道、性质、情态，蕴含了土的德性，是五味的长者，所以治疗居于中央的脏腑。被邪气侵薄，而寒热症状外在显现，与内部的筋骨、外部的肌肉，全部凭借横向贯通的力量，坚固并滋养它们，气聚集在形体上，形体完整则力量倍增，形体败坏则气消散，金创形成，如同挖掘土地剥开地面，导致腠理断绝，这属于九土的精粹，行使土的功能，接续地脉，仍然连接合并，毒性的猛烈即刻以幽静平和的土来缓解，毒性自然从心中退去。形体完整则身体轻盈，形体坚固则延年益寿。中央内外，左右四周，都由土贯通。如果是因土致病，或因病影响土的，适宜使用；如果借用四行（其他元素）的原理，则需要另外体会。
（“土爰稼穑，金曰从革”等话语，直指五行真正的本性，若能生之能与所生之所，又指代五行的体用关系。）
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
It harmonizes the five zang and six fu organs, bringing them to the center; internally it strengthens the sinews and bones, externally it nourishes the muscles, encompassing the four directions.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the five zang and six fu organs, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, doubles physical strength, treats metal wounds (trauma caused by metal weapons), and detoxifies. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life.
[Verification] It is said: Licorice Root (Gancao), also known as Cao, Lingtong, Guolao, Meicao.
It grows in the provinces of Hedong in Shaanxi, and in various barbarian areas such as Wenshan. Sprouts emerge in spring, reaching a height of five or six chi, leaves resemble those of the locust tree, flowers bloom in July, purple-red like Naidong flowers, fruits form pods resembling broad beans. The root is three to four chi long, varying in thickness, with reddish skin, featuring horizontal main stems above and fine lateral roots below. Those that are solid and have clear grain are superior; those that are light, hollow, vertically grained, and finely tough are unsuitable for use. When preparing for medicinal use, remove the head and tail, as well as the red skin, cut into three-cun lengths, split into six or seven pieces, place in porcelain vessels, soak in good wine, steam from Si hour to Wu hour, take out, dry in the sun, grind finely for decoction. Sophora Root (Kushen, 苦参) and Dried Tree Bark (Ganqi, 干漆) act as its assistants. It opposes Polygala Root (Yuanzhi, 远志). It is incompatible with Euphorbia Ferox Root (Daji, 大戟), Genkwa Flower (Yanhua, 芫花), Kansui Root (Gansui, 甘遂), and Sargassum Thallus (Haizao, 海藻). Pork is contraindicated.
My late father said: Licorice embodies the principle of generation and completion, its pathways connect ability and object, the herb follows soft transformation, harmonizing diverse sentiments. He further stated: "Harmony" has four meanings: one is integration, two is purity, three is clarity, four is continuity; Licorice possesses all four virtues. He also said: Green shoots, purple flowers, white hairs, and locust-like leaves all originate from the yellow center penetrating the grain, indicating that Earth possesses the characteristics of the Four Elements, which goes without saying. He added: Earth penetrates the four sides, governing the whole body; thus Earth generates all things and becomes their refuge.
[Discussion] It is said: The Book of Documents states, "Earth is suited for sowing and reaping; sowing and reaping produce sweetness." This means Earth's nature is to generate, and among the plants it produces, only crops best obtain the harmony of Earth's Qi. Thus, selecting these verifies the nature and flavor of Earth. Some say: Earth resides in the center. Others say: Earth penetrates the four sides. A skeptic asks: If a pole is set in the center, looking east reveals west, looking south reveals north; the center is hard to define. I propose that "center" should be discussed longitudinally, and "four" horizontally. The Neijing states: "What does the earth rely on? The Great Qi supports it." Thus we know that above and below there is only Qi, while Earth alone resides in the middle. The "four" refers to this central Earth, penetrating horizontally to the four sides; without the four, there is no center. In summary, Licorice's color, flavor, nature, and temperament contain the virtue of Earth, serving as the leader of the five flavors; therefore, it treats the organs residing in the center. When attacked by pathogens, causing external manifestations of cold and heat, along with internal sinews/bones and external muscles, it uses its horizontal penetrating power to strengthen and nourish them. Qi gathers in the form; when the form is complete, strength doubles; when the form decays, Qi perishes. Metal wounds, like digging earth or stripping land, cause the interruption of Couli (pores/skin texture). This belongs to the essence of the Nine Earths, exercising the function of Earth, connecting the Earth's veins, maintaining connection and union. The fierce toxicity is immediately alleviated by the quiet, peaceful nature of Earth, causing the toxin to retreat from the Heart. Complete form leads to a light body; solid form leads to longevity. The center inside and out, left and right, all sides, are penetrated by Earth. If disease arises from Earth or affects Earth, it is suitable to use Licorice; if borrowing the principles of the Four Elements, further contemplation is required.
(The phrases "Earth is suited for sowing and reaping," "Metal is suited for changing," etc., point directly to the true nature of the Five Elements; the concepts of "able to generate" and "that which is generated" refer to the substance and function of the Five Elements.)