（本经下品）
虚中者，转能善开茅塞；茅塞者，当号毒鱼。
【气味】辛温，有小毒。
【主治】主咳逆上气，喉鸣喘，咽肿，短气，蛊毒，鬼疟，疝瘕，痈肿，杀虫鱼。
【核】曰∶出邯郸，及绛州，所在亦有。茎干不全类木，亦非草本，草中木，木中草也。
本高二三尺，正二月旧枝抽苗作花，有紫、赤、黄、白四种。紫赤者多，白色者时有，黄色
者，绛州所产也。三月花落尽，叶乃生，叶似白前，及柳叶而青，渐加浓，则转黑矣。根似
桑，三月采花，五月采叶，八、九月采根。有争斗者，以叶 擦皮肤，辄作赤肿，和盐擦卵，
则染外若赭色也。修事，取陈久者佳，用米醋煮十余沸，去醋，水浸一宿。晒干，则毒减。
决明为之使。反甘草。
【 】曰∶芫谐元，元，首也。山海经云∶首山多芫，亦苗首出，萼即随之，花落尽，
叶乃茁也。形色气味，具火大虚中之体，从内而外，以张横遍之用者也。是主蛊毒、鬼疟、
疝瘕，为阴凝之属，满实在中，致令气短，用失横遍，遂上逆而咳气喉鸣喘，及咽肿者，对
待治之。若痈肿，亦中气不达，不能横遍肉理故也。若杀虫鱼，以功能彻水，则鱼失所夫矣。
故一名去水，一名毒鱼，行水之功，于此可见。
（本经下品）
【气味】苦寒，无毒。
【主治】主下瘀血，血闭，寒热，破症瘕积聚，留饮宿食，荡涤肠胃，推陈致新，通利
水谷
【核】曰∶出河西山谷，及陇西者为胜。益州北部汶山、西山者次之。二月卷生黄赤，
放叶时，四四相当，宛似羊蹄叶，粗长而浓。茎高三尺许，味酸而脆，颇堪啖也。三月花黄，
五月实黑，八月采根。根形亦似羊蹄根，大者如碗，长二尺许。切片阴干，理文如锦，质色
深紫。修事，切作薄片，以文如 纹，紧浓者佳。锉细蒸之从巳至未，取出晒干，又以腊水
润透，蒸之从未至亥，凡七遍。晒干，更以淡蜜水拌蒸一伏时，色如乌膏为度，乃晒干收用
。黄芩为之使。
先人云∶大黄称将军，将军者，所以行君令，戡祸乱，拓土地者也。味大苦，气大寒，
似得寒水正化，而炎上作苦，苦性走下，不与炎上者反乎。 同云∶五行相克，更为父母，
素问云∶承乃制，制则生化，是故五行之体以克为用，其润下者正炎上之用乎。则凡心用有
所不行，变生 难者，舍同类之苦巽以入之，不能彰其用矣。盖心主夏，主热火，主神，主
血脉，主病在五脏，主心腹部位，若肠胃之间，心腹之分，夏气热火之郁，神情血脉之结，
瘀闭宿留，致成症瘕积聚，变生寒热胀满者，皆心用不行。大黄能荡涤之，是谓推陈；推陈
者，正所以行君之令，辟土地，安民众，阜生物，是谓致新。致新者，即所以调中化食，安
和五脏者也。客曰∶开土地，涤肠胃，利水谷，皆脾所司。何为行火用也？曰∶火有用而灵，
正
【 】曰∶大黄称将军，转危为安，亡为存故也。具地体用，大其用，黄其体，故其动
也辟，应地无疆，含弘光大也。其为方也，为大方，为急方；其为剂也，为通剂，为泻剂。
积着留碍者，极物之情，通乎理而已。
【本草经·下品】
对于中气虚弱的人，芫花反而能善于开通闭塞；而原本闭塞不通的人，则应当称它为毒鱼。
【气味】辛，温，有小毒。
【主治】主要治疗咳嗽气逆、喉间鸣响气喘、咽喉肿痛、呼吸短促、蛊毒、鬼疟（一种疟疾）、疝气及腹内结块、痈肿，并能杀虫灭鱼。
【考证】卢之颐说：芫花产于邯郸以及绛州，各地也有出产。它的茎干不完全像树木，也不是普通的草本植物，可以说是“草中的木，木中的草”。植株高度约二三尺，正二月时旧枝抽出新苗开花，花色有紫、赤、黄、白四种。紫色和红色的较多，白色的偶尔出现，黄色的则是绛州所产的。三月花落尽后，叶子才长出来，叶子形状像白前和柳叶，颜色青翠，随着生长逐渐变浓，最后转为黑色。根部形状像桑树根，三月采花，五月采叶，八月、九月采根。如果有争斗的情况，用叶子擦拭皮肤，就会引起红肿；如果用叶子擦睾丸并加盐，染在外面的颜色就像赭石色一样。炮制方法，选用陈久的药材为佳，用米醋煮十余次沸腾，去掉醋，用水浸泡一夜。晒干后，毒性降低。决明子作为它的引经药。它与甘草相反。
【释义】卢之颐说：“芫”谐“元”音，“元”即首也。《山海经》记载：首山多生芫花，也是幼苗先出头，花萼随即跟随，花落尽后，叶子才茁长。芫花的形色气味，具备火大虚中之体的特性，作用是从内向外，发挥横向遍布的功效。因此它主治蛊毒、鬼疟、疝瘕等阴凝阻滞的病症，这些病导致中焦满实，致使气短；或者因为失去了横向遍布的作用，气机上逆而出现咳嗽、喉鸣气喘、咽喉肿痛等症状，芫花对此进行针对性治疗。如果是痈肿，也是因为中气不达，不能横向遍布肌肉纹理的缘故。至于杀虫鱼，是因为它能彻通水气，使鱼失去生存环境。所以它又名“去水”，又名“毒鱼”，其行水之功，由此可见一斑。
【本草经·下品】
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗瘀血下行、血闭不通、寒热往来，破除癥瘕积聚，清除停留的饮邪和宿食，荡涤肠胃，推陈出新，通利水谷通道。
【考证】卢之颐说：大黄产于河西山谷，以及陇西产的质量最好。益州北部汶山、西山产的次之。二月时卷曲生出黄红色的嫩芽，展开叶子时，四片相对，宛然像羊蹄叶，粗长而厚实。茎高三尺左右，味道酸脆，很值得食用。三月开黄花，五月结黑籽，八月采根。根部形状也像羊蹄根，大的如碗口，长约二尺。切片后阴干，纹理如锦缎，质地颜色深紫。炮制方法，切成薄片，以纹理清晰、紧实浓密者为佳。锉碎后蒸制，从巳时到未时，取出晒干；再用腊水湿润透彻，蒸制从未时到亥时，共七遍。晒干后，再用淡蜜水拌蒸一个时辰（两小时），颜色像乌膏为止，然后晒干收存使用。黄芩作为它的引经药。
前人曾说：大黄被称为将军，将军的作用是执行君王的命令，平定祸乱，开拓疆土。大黄味极苦，气极寒，似乎得到了寒水的正宗化育，但炎上之气表现为苦味，苦性趋向于下行，这与炎上的特性不是相反吗？张景岳（或指其他医家，原文此处缺字，通常指对五行生克的解释）同云：五行相克，互为父母，《素问》说：承袭制约，制约才能生化，所以五行的本体以克制为用，那些润下的特性，正是炎上特性的应用呢。因此，凡是心火功能有所不行，变生疑难杂症的情况，如果不借助同类之苦味顺势而入，就不能彰显其功效。大概心主夏季，主热火，主神志，主血脉，病在五脏，病在心腹部位，若是在肠胃之间、心腹之分，因夏季热火之气郁结，神情血脉之凝结，瘀血闭阻宿留，导致形成癥瘕积聚，变生寒热胀满等症状，这都是心火功能不行的表现。大黄能荡涤这些积滞，这叫做“推陈”；所谓“推陈”，正是为了执行君王的命令，开辟土地，安定民众，丰富生物，这叫做“致新”。“致新”，就是用来调和脾胃、消化食物，安和五脏的方法。客人问：开拓土地、荡涤肠胃、利水谷，都是脾脏所主管的，为什么说是行使心火的功能呢？回答说：火具有功用且灵验，正当……
【释义】卢之颐说：大黄被称为将军，能够转危为安，化亡为存。它具有地的体用，扩大其用，黄色为其体，所以它的运动是开辟性的，应合大地无边无际，包容弘大光明。它制成的方剂，是大方、急方；它制成的药剂，是通剂、泻剂。对于积滞附着、留连阻碍的病证，穷尽事物的情状，疏通其理罢了。
(Ben Jing, Lower Category)
For those with deficiency in the middle (Jiao), it can effectively open up blockages; for those who are already blocked, it should be called "Poisonous Fish."
[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, Warm, Slightly Toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi, wheezing sounds in the throat, swelling of the throat, shortness of breath, Gu poison (parasitic disease), Gui Nue (a type of malaria), hernia and abdominal masses, carbuncles and swellings, and kills insects and fish.
[Verification] Lu Zhiyi states: Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flos) is produced in Handan and Jiangzhou, and is also found elsewhere. Its stem and trunk do not fully resemble trees, nor are they ordinary herbs; it is a "wood within grass, grass within wood." The plant is about two to three chi tall. In the second lunar month, old branches sprout new shoots that flower. There are four colors: purple, red, yellow, and white. Purple and red varieties are common, while white ones appear occasionally; yellow ones are produced in Jiangzhou. After the flowers fall completely in the third month, leaves emerge. The leaves resemble those of Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) and willow leaves, initially green, gradually becoming darker until turning black. The root resembles mulberry roots. Flowers are harvested in the third month, leaves in the fifth month, and roots in the eighth and ninth months. If one rubs the skin with its leaves during conflicts, red swelling occurs; if rubbed on the scrotum with salt, the external dye turns ochre-like. For processing, aged material is preferred. Boil in rice vinegar for more than ten boils, discard the vinegar, soak in water overnight, and dry in the sun to reduce toxicity. Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).
[Interpretation] Lu Zhiyi explains: "Yuan" harmonizes with "Yuan," meaning head or origin. The Shan Hai Jing states: Shou Mountain has much Yuan Hua; the seedling emerges first, followed by the calyx, and after the flowers fall, the leaves sprout. Its color, shape, and properties embody the nature of Fire with a hollow/vacuous center, acting from the inside out to exert a horizontal, pervasive influence. Therefore, it treats Yin coagulation conditions such as Gu poison, Gui Nue, and hernia/abdominal masses, which cause fullness and excess in the middle, leading to shortness of breath. When the horizontal pervasiveness fails, Qi rebels upward, causing cough, wheezing, and throat swelling; Yuan Hua treats these specifically. For carbuncles and swellings, it addresses the failure of Middle Qi to pervade the muscle layers. Regarding killing insects and fish, it works by penetrating water systems, depriving fish of their habitat. Hence, it is also named "Qu Shui" (Removing Water) and "Du Yu" (Poisonous Fish), demonstrating its power to promote water metabolism.
(Ben Jing, Lower Category)
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats downward expulsion of blood stasis, blood obstruction, alternating chills and fever, breaking of masses and accumulations, clearing retained fluid and undigested food, purging the intestines and stomach, pushing out the old to bring forth the new, and promoting the free flow of water and grain.
[Verification] Lu Zhiyi states: Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) produced in the valleys of Hexi and Longxi is superior. Those from Wenshan and West Mountain in northern Yizhou are secondary. In the second lunar month, it emerges curled with yellow-red hues. When leaves expand, four leaflets correspond oppositely, resembling sheep's foot leaves, thick and long. Stems are about three chi high, sour and crisp, quite edible. Yellow flowers appear in the third month, black seeds in the fifth, and roots are harvested in the eighth month. Roots resemble sheep's foot roots, large ones bowl-sized, about two chi long. Sliced and dried in shade, the texture resembles brocade, with deep purple color. For processing, cut into thin slices; those with clear patterns and dense quality are best. Finely chop and steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Wei hour (1-3 PM), then dry. Moisten thoroughly with winter water, steam again from Wei hour (1-3 PM) to Hai hour (9-11 PM), repeating seven times. Dry, then mix with light honey water and steam for one shichen (2 hours) until the color resembles dark paste. Finally, dry and store. Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) serves as its guiding herb.
Ancestors said: Da Huang is called the General. A General executes the ruler's orders, quells chaos, and expands territory. Its flavor is extremely bitter, and its qi is extremely cold, seemingly obtaining the true transformation of Cold Water. However, fire rises and manifests as bitterness; bitterness tends to descend, which seems contrary to rising fire. [Missing Name] stated: Five Elements overcome each other, serving as parents to one another. Su Wen says: "Inheritance leads to control; control leads to generation." Thus, the essence of the Five Elements lies in overcoming; the property of descending (like water) is actually the application of rising (fire). Therefore, whenever Heart Fire function fails and difficult diseases arise, without using similar bitter flavors to enter smoothly, its efficacy cannot be manifested. The Heart governs Summer, Hot-Fire, Spirit, Blood Vessels, diseases of the Five Zang Organs, and the Heart-Abdomen region. In the intestines and stomach, or between heart and abdomen, depression of Summer Hot-Fire Qi, knotting of spirit and blood vessels, and retention of blood stasis lead to masses, accumulations, and alternating chills, fever, distension, and fullness. These are all failures of Heart Fire function. Da Huang can purge them, which is called "Pushing Out the Old." Pushing out the old is precisely executing the ruler's order, opening land, pacifying people, and enriching life, which is called "Bringing Forth the New." Bringing forth the new means regulating the middle, transforming food, and harmonizing the Five Zang Organs. A guest asked: Opening land, purging intestines, and benefiting water/grain are governed by the Spleen. Why is this considered exercising Heart Fire function? The answer is: Fire has utility and spirituality...
[Interpretation] Lu Zhiyi states: Da Huang is called the General because it turns danger into safety and death into life. It possesses the substance and function of Earth, expanding its use, with Yellow as its substance. Thus, its movement is pioneering, corresponding to the boundless earth, containing greatness and brilliance. As a formula, it is a Large Formula or Urgent Formula; as a preparation, it is a Unblocking Agent or Purgative. For conditions of accumulation, attachment, stagnation, and obstruction, it exhausts the nature of matter to unblock the physiological pathways.