甘菊花，味甘、微苦，性微寒，可升可降，阴中阳也，无毒。入胃、肝二经。能除大热，
止
头痛晕眩，收眼泪翳膜，明目有神，黑须鬓颇验，亦散湿去瘅，除烦解燥。但气味轻清，功
亦甚缓，必宜久服始效，不可责以近功。惟目痛骤用之，成功甚速，余则俱迂缓始能取效也
。近人多种菊而不知滋补方，间有用之者，又只取作茶茗之需以为明目也。然而，甘菊花不
但明目，可以大用之者，全在退阳明之胃火。盖阳明内热，必宜阴寒之药以泻之，如石膏、
知母之类。然石膏过于太峻，未免太寒，以损胃气。不若用甘菊花至一二两，同元参、麦冬
共济之，既能平胃中之火，而不伤胃中之气也。（〔批〕甘菊花退胃火，而不损胃气，实有
奇功。）
或问甘菊花治目最效，似乎肝经之专药，而吾子独云可退阳明之胃火，不识退阳明何等
之火
病耶？夫甘菊花，凡有胃火，俱可清之，而尤相宜者，痿病也。痿病，责在阳明，然而治阳
明者，多用白虎汤，而石膏过于寒凉，恐伤胃气。而痿病又多是阳明之虚热，白虎汤又泻实
火之汤也，尤为不宜。不若用甘菊花一、二两，煎汤以代茶饮，既退阳明之火，而又补阳明
之气，久服而痿病自痊。甘菊花退阳明之火病。其在斯乎。（〔批〕痿病，乃阳明之虚火作
祟也，甘菊花正治阳明之虚火，所以相宜。）
或问甘菊花，人服之延龄益算，至百岁外仙去者，有之乎？抑好事者之言也？吾子既遇
异人传
异术，必有所闻，幸勿自秘。曰∶予实未闻也。或人固请，乃喟然叹曰∶吾今而后，不敢以
异术为一人延龄益算之资也，敢不罄传，与天下共之乎。夫菊得天地至清之气，又后群卉而
自芳，傲霜而香，挹露而葩，而花又最耐久，是草木之种，而欲与松柏同为后凋也，岂非长
生之物乎。但世人不知服食之法，徒作茶饮之需，又不识何以修合，是弃神丹于草莽，可惜
也。我今将异人所传，备书于后，原人依方服食，入仙不难。岂独延龄益算已哉。方名菊英
仙丹。采家园黄菊花三斤，晒干，入人参三两、白术六两、黄 十两、干桑椹十两、熟地一
斤、生地三两、茯苓六两、当归一斤、远志四两、巴戟天一斤、枸杞子一斤、花椒三两、山
药四两、茯神四两、菟丝子八两、杜仲八两，各为细末，蜜为丸，白滚水每日服五钱。三月
之后，自然颜色光润，精神健强，返老还童。可以久服，既无火盛之虞，又有添精之益，实
可为娱老之方也，勿以铎之轻传，而易视之为无能。盖菊英为仙人所采，实有服之而仙去者
，非好事者之谈，乃成仙之实录也。
或疑甘菊花药味平常，未必服之可以延龄。古人采食而仙去者，徒虚语耳。嗟乎。采菊
英而
仙去，吾不敢谓古必有是人。然菊英仙丹，实异人授铎。吾睹其方中之配合得宜，既无燥热
之忌，实多滋益之良。服之即不能成仙，未必不可借以难老也。
或疑甘菊花治目，杭人多半作茶饮，而目疾未见少者，是菊花非明目之药，而菊英仙丹
亦不
可信之方矣。嗟乎。菊花明目，明虚人之目，而非明有病患之目也。有病之目，即可用菊花
治，亦必与发散之药同治，而不可单恃之以去风去火也。夫人之疾病不常，而人之慎疾各异
。菊花之有益于人目者甚多，岂可因一二病目成于外感，而即疑菊花之非明目也。亦太拘
矣
。若菊英仙丹，纯是生气生精之神药，非止明目已也。又乌可因杭城之病目，疑菊而并疑仙
丹哉。
或疑真菊益龄，野菊泄人，有之乎？曰∶有之。或曰有之，而子何以不载也？夫菊有野
种、家
种之分，其实皆感金水之精英而生者也。但家种味甘，补多于泻；野菊味苦，泻多于补。欲
益精以平肝，可用家菊。欲息风以制火，当用野菊。人因《本草》之书有泄人之语，竟弃野
菊不用，亦未知野菊之妙。除阳明之焰，正不可用家菊也。
甘菊花，味甘、微苦，性微寒，既能上升又能下降，属于阴中寓阳的药物，无毒。归胃、肝二经。能清除大热，止住头痛和头晕目眩，收敛眼泪和眼翳，使眼睛明亮有神，对黑发鬓角也颇为有效，还能散除湿气、去除黄疸，消除烦躁、解除燥热。但是气味轻清，功效也很缓慢，必须长期服用才能见效，不能指望它迅速奏效。只有对于眼痛突然使用它，成功非常迅速，其余情况都是迂回缓慢才能取效。近来人们多种植菊花却不懂得用于滋补方剂中，偶尔有人使用它，也只是拿来作为茶饮需求以明目罢了。然而，甘菊花不但能明目，可以大用的原因，全在于退除阳明经的胃火。因为阳明内热，必须用阴寒性质的药物来泻火，如石膏、知母之类。但是石膏过于峻猛，未免太寒，会损伤胃气。不如使用甘菊花一至二两，同玄参、麦冬共同配合使用，既能平抑胃中之火，又不损伤胃中之气。（批注：甘菊花退胃火而不损胃气，确实有奇功。）
有人问甘菊花治疗眼睛最为有效，似乎是肝经的专用药，而你唯独说它可以退除阳明经的胃火，不知道是退除阳明经什么样的火病呢？甘菊花凡是有胃火的，都可以清解，而尤其适宜的是痿病（肢体萎软无力之病）。痿病的责任在阳明经，然而治疗阳明经的病，多用白虎汤，而石膏过于寒凉，恐怕损伤胃气。而且痿病又多是阳明经的虚热，白虎汤又是泻实火的方剂，尤为不适宜。不如使用甘菊花一两至二两，煎汤代替茶饮，既退除阳明经的火，又补益阳明经的气，长期服用而痿病自然痊愈。甘菊花退除阳明经的火病，就在这里了。（批注：痿病，是阳明经的虚火作祟，甘菊花正治阳明经的虚火，所以相宜。）
有人问甘菊花，人服用它能延年益寿，活到百岁以外像仙人一样去世的，有这样的吗？还是好事者的言论呢？你既然遇到异人传授异术，必定有所听闻，希望不要自我保密。我说：我实际上没有听说过。那人坚持请求，于是感叹道：我从今以后，不敢把异术作为给一个人延年益寿的资本了，岂敢不全部传授，与天下人共享呢。菊花得天地最清之气，又在百花之后独自芬芳，傲霜而香，汲取露水而开花，而且花又最耐久，是草木的种类，想要与松柏同为最后凋零的，难道不是长生的物体吗。只是世人不知道服食的方法，徒然作为茶饮的需求，又不懂得如何修合炮制，这是把神丹抛弃在草莽之中，可惜啊。我现在将异人所传的，详细记录在后面，原让人依照方子服食，成仙不难。岂止是延年益寿而已。方名菊英仙丹。采摘家园黄菊花三斤，晒干，加入人参三两、白术六两、黄芪十两、干桑椹十两、熟地黄一斤、生地黄三两、茯苓六两、当归一斤、远志四两、巴戟天一斤、枸杞子一斤、花椒三两、山药四两、茯神四两、菟丝子八两、杜仲八两，各研为细末，蜂蜜制成丸药，白开水每日服用五钱。三个月之后，自然脸色光润，精神健强，返老还童。可以长期服用，既没有火盛的忧虑，又有添精的益处，实在可以作为娱养老年的方子，不要因为我陈士铎轻易传授，就轻视它认为无能。因为菊英是仙人所采，确实有服用后成仙去世的，不是好事者的谈论，而是成仙的真实记录。
有人怀疑甘菊花药味平常，未必服用它能延年益寿。古人采集食用而成仙去世的，只是空话罢了。唉。采集菊英而成仙去世，我不敢说古代一定有这样的人。然而菊英仙丹，确实是异人传授给我的。我看到方中的配合得当，既没有燥热的禁忌，实在多有滋益的好处。服用它即使不能成仙，未必不可以借此达到难老的地步。
有人怀疑甘菊花治疗眼睛，杭州人多半作为茶饮，而眼疾并没有减少，这说明菊花不是明目的药，而菊英仙丹也是不可信的方子了。唉。菊花明目，是使虚弱人的眼睛明亮，而不是使有病患的眼睛明亮。有病的眼睛，可以用菊花治疗，也必须与发散的药物一同治疗，而不能单靠它来去风去火。人的疾病不固定，而人谨慎对待疾病的方式各异。菊花对人眼睛有益的地方很多，怎么能因为一两个眼病是由于外感造成的，就怀疑菊花不是明目的药呢。这也太拘泥了。如果菊英仙丹，纯粹是生气生精的神药，不只是明目而已。又怎么能因为杭州城的眼病，怀疑菊花进而怀疑仙丹呢。
有人怀疑真菊有益寿命，野菊泄人元气，有这样的吗？我说：有这样的。有人说有这样的，那你为什么不记载呢？菊花有野种、家种之分，其实都感受金水之精英而生长的。但是家种味甘，补多于泻；野菊味苦，泻多于补。想要益精以平肝，可以使用家菊。想要息风以制火，应当使用野菊。人因为《本草》书中有泄人之语，竟然抛弃野菊不用，也不知道野菊的妙处。要除阳明经的火焰，正不可用家菊啊。
Chrysanthemi Flos (Ganjuhua, 甘菊花), sweet and slightly bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, capable of ascending and descending, belonging to the category of yin containing yang, non-toxic. Enters the Stomach and Liver meridians. It can eliminate severe heat, stop headache and dizziness, resolve tearing and corneal opacity (翳膜), brighten the eyes with spirit, darken beard and temples effectively, also disperse dampness and remove jaundice, relieve irritability and dryness. However, its aroma is light and clear, its efficacy is very slow, requiring long-term administration to take effect; it cannot be expected to produce rapid results. Only for sudden eye pain does its use yield quick success; otherwise, effects are achieved only through gradual and prolonged application. Recently, people cultivate chrysanthemum but do not know how to use it in tonifying formulas. Occasionally used, it is merely taken as tea for the purpose of brightening the eyes. Yet, Chrysanthemi Flos not only brightens the eyes; its major utility lies in clearing stomach fire from the Yangming channel. Since internal heat in the Yangming requires yin-cold herbs to drain it, such as Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). However, Shigao is too harsh and excessively cold, potentially damaging Stomach Qi. It is better to use Chrysanthemi Flos in amounts of one to two liang, combined with Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), which can level the fire in the Stomach without injuring Stomach Qi. (Comment: Chrysanthemi Flos clears stomach fire without damaging Stomach Qi, truly possessing miraculous efficacy.)
One asks: Chrysanthemi Flos is most effective for treating the eyes, seemingly a specific herb for the Liver meridian, yet you alone claim it can clear Yangming stomach fire. I do not understand what kind of fire disease in the Yangming it clears? For any stomach fire, Chrysanthemi Flos can clear it, and it is particularly suitable for Wei Bing (Flaccidity Syndrome, characterized by limb weakness). Wei Bing is attributed to the Yangming, yet treatments for Yangming often employ Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), where Shigao is too cold and may damage Stomach Qi. Moreover, Wei Bing is mostly due to deficiency-heat in the Yangming, whereas Baihu Tang drains excess fire, making it highly unsuitable. Instead, using Chrysanthemi Flos in amounts of one or two liang, decocted as tea, clears Yangming fire while supplementing Yangming Qi. Long-term consumption will naturally cure Wei Bing. The ability of Chrysanthemi Flos to clear Yangming fire diseases lies here. (Comment: Wei Bing is caused by deficiency-fire in the Yangming; Chrysanthemi Flos precisely treats Yangming deficiency-fire, hence its suitability.)
One asks: Does taking Chrysanthemi Flos extend life and increase longevity, allowing one to pass away like an immortal beyond a hundred years? Or is this mere talk by enthusiasts? Since you have met an extraordinary person who transmitted special arts, you must have heard something. Please do not keep it secret. I said: I have actually never heard of it. The person insisted, so I sighed and said: From now on, I dare not treat special arts as a means to extend life for one person. How could I dare not impart it fully and share it with the world? Chrysanthemum receives the purest qi of heaven and earth, blooms fragrant after other flowers, stands proud against frost, opens with dew, and its flowers last longest. Among plants, it wishes to wither last alongside pine and cypress. Is it not a substance of longevity? However, people do not know the method of ingestion, using it merely as tea, and fail to understand how to process it. This is discarding divine elixirs into the weeds, a pity. I will now record in detail the transmission from the extraordinary person below, hoping people follow the formula to ingest it. Becoming an immortal is not difficult. It is not merely about extending life. The formula is named Juying Xiandan (Chrysanthemum Immortal Elixir). Harvest three jin of yellow chrysanthemum from home gardens, sun-dry, add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 3 liang, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 6 liang, Huangqi (Astragali Radix) 10 liang, dried Mulberry Fruit (Sangshen) 10 liang, Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) 1 jin, Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix) 3 liang, Fuling (Poria) 6 liang, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1 jin, Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) 4 liang, Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix) 1 jin, Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus) 1 jin, Huajiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) 3 liang, Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 4 liang, Fushen (Poria cum Radix) 4 liang, Tussilaginis Semen (Cuscutae Semen) 8 liang, Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex) 8 liang. Grind each into fine powder, form pills with honey, take 5 qian daily with plain boiled water. After three months, complexion will naturally become lustrous, spirit robust, reversing aging. It can be taken long-term, without fear of excessive fire, and benefits essence replenishment. It is truly a formula for enjoying old age. Do not dismiss it as ineffective because I, Duo, transmit it lightly. Chrysanthemum essence was gathered by immortals; there are indeed records of those who became immortals after taking it. This is not enthusiast talk, but a true record of becoming immortal.
Some doubt that Chrysanthemi Flos has ordinary medicinal properties and may not extend life. The ancients who gathered and ingested it to become immortals were likely speaking falsely. Alas. Regarding becoming immortal by gathering chrysanthemum essence, I do not dare assert such people definitely existed in ancient times. However, Juying Xiandan was indeed taught to me by an extraordinary person. Observing the harmonious combination in the formula, it lacks contraindications of dryness and heat, offering many nourishing benefits. Even if taking it does not lead to immortality, it may certainly help achieve difficult-to-reach old age.
Some doubt that Chrysanthemi Flos treats eyes. People in Hangzhou mostly drink it as tea, yet eye diseases have not decreased. Thus, chrysanthemum is not an eye-brightening herb, and Juying Xiandan is an unreliable formula. Alas. Chrysanthemi Flos brightens the eyes of those with deficiency, not those with pathological conditions. If the eyes are diseased, chrysanthemum can be used, but must be combined with dispersing herbs; it cannot solely rely on it to dispel wind and clear fire. Diseases vary, and caution against illness differs among individuals. Chrysanthemi Flos benefits the eyes greatly. How can one doubt its eye-brightening property because some eye diseases result from external pathogens? This is too rigid. Juying Xiandan is purely a divine medicine generating qi and essence, not just for brightening eyes. How can one suspect chrysanthemum and consequently the immortal elixir because of eye diseases in Hangzhou city?
Some doubt whether true chrysanthemum benefits longevity while wild chrysanthemum depletes qi. I say: Yes. One asks: If so, why did you not record it? There are wild and cultivated varieties of chrysanthemum, both born from the essence of metal and water. However, cultivated chrysanthemum is sweet, with more tonification than draining; wild chrysanthemum is bitter, with more draining than tonification. To benefit essence and calm the liver, use cultivated chrysanthemum. To extinguish wind and control fire, use wild chrysanthemum. Because Bencao texts mention wild chrysanthemum depletes qi, people discard it, unaware of its subtleties. To quell the flames of the Yangming, one must not use cultivated chrysanthemum.