（《开宝》）
【释名】独茅（《开宝》）、茅爪子（《开宝》）、婆罗门参。
曰∶其叶似茅，久服轻身，故名仙茅。梵音呼为阿输干陀。
颂曰∶其根独生。始因西域婆罗门僧献方于唐玄宗，故今江南呼为婆罗门参，言其功补
如人参也。
【集解】 曰∶仙茅生西域。叶似茅。其根粗细有筋，或如笔管，有节纹理。其花黄色
多涎。自武城来，蜀中诸州亦皆有之。
颂曰∶今大庾岭、蜀川、江湖、两浙诸州亦有之。叶青如茅而软，且略阔，面有纵纹。
又似初生棕榈秧，高尺许。至冬尽枯，春初乃生。三月有花如栀子花，黄色，不结实。其根
独茎而直，大如小指，下有短细肉根相附，外皮稍粗褐色，内肉黄白色。二月、八月采根，
曝干用。衡山出者，花碧，五月结黑子。
时珍曰∶苏颂所说详尽得之。但四、五月中抽茎四、五寸，开小花深黄色六出。不似栀
子，处处大山中有之。人惟取梅岭者用，而《会典》成都岁贡仙茅二十一斤。
根
【修治】 曰∶采得，以清水洗，刮去皮，于槐砧上用铜刀切豆许大，以生稀布袋
盛，于乌豆水中浸一宿，取出，用酒拌湿蒸之，从巳至亥，取出曝干。勿犯铁器及牛乳，斑
人鬓须。大明曰∶彭祖单服法∶以竹刀刮切，糯米泔浸去赤汁出毒，后无妨损。
【气味】辛，温，有毒。 曰∶甘，微温，有小毒。又曰∶辛，平，宣而复补，无大毒
，有小热、小毒。
【主治】心腹冷气不能食，腰脚风冷挛痹不能行，丈夫虚劳，老人失溺无子，益阳道。
久服通神强记，助筋骨，益肌肤，长精神，明目（《开宝》）。治一切风气，补暖腰脚，清安
五脏。久服轻身，益颜色。丈夫五劳七伤，明耳目，填骨髓（李 ）。开胃消食下气，益房
事
【发明】颂曰∶五代伪唐筠州刺史王颜着《续传信方》，因国书编录西域婆罗门僧服仙
茅方，当时盛行。云五劳七伤，明目益筋力，宣而复补。云十斤乳石，不及一斤仙茅，表其
功力也。本西域道人所传。开元元年婆罗门僧进此药，明皇服之有效，当时禁方不传。天宝
之乱，方书流散，上都僧不空三藏始得此方，传与司徒李勉、尚书路嗣恭、给事齐杭、仆射
张建封服之，皆得力。路公久服金石无效，得此药，其益百倍。齐给事守缙云日，少气力，
风疹继作，服之遂愈。八、九月采得，竹刀刮去黑皮，切如豆粒，米泔浸两宿，阴干捣筛，
熟蜜丸梧子大。每旦空心酒饮任便下二十丸。忌铁器，禁食牛乳及黑牛肉，大减药力。机曰∶
五台山有仙茅，患大风者，服之多瘥。
时珍曰∶按∶《许真君书》云∶仙茅久服长生。其味甘能养肉，辛能养肺，苦能养气，
咸能养骨，滑能养肤，酸能养筋，宜和苦酒服之，必效也。又范成《大虞衡志》云∶广西英
州多仙茅，其羊食之，举体悉化为筋，不复有血肉，食之补人，名乳羊。沈括《笔谈》云∶
夏文庄公禀赋异于人，但睡则身冷如逝者，既觉须令人温之，良久乃能动。常服仙茅、钟乳
、硫黄，莫知纪极。观此则仙茅盖亦性热，补三焦命门之药也。惟阳弱精寒，禀赋素怯者宜
之。若体壮相火炽盛者服之，反能动火。按∶张杲《医说》云∶一人中仙茅毒，舌胀退场门，
渐大与肩齐。因以小刀 之，随破随合， 至百数，始有血一点出，曰可救矣。煮大黄、
朴硝与服，以药掺之，应时消缩。此皆火盛性淫之人过服之害也。弘治间东海张弼梅岭仙茅
诗，“有使君昨日才持去，今日人来乞墓铭”之句。皆不知服食之理，惟借药纵恣以速其生
者，于仙茅何尤？
【附方】新二。
仙茅丸∶壮筋骨，益精神，明目，黑髭须。仙茅二斤（糯米泔浸五日，去赤水，夏月浸
三
车前子十二两，白茯苓（去皮）、茴香（炒）、柏子仁（去壳）各八两，生地黄（焙）、熟地
黄（焙）各四两。为末，酒煮糊丸如梧子大。每服五十丸，食前温酒下，日二服。（《圣济总
录》）定喘下气，补心肾。神秘散∶用白仙茅半两（米泔浸三宿，晒炒），团参二钱半，阿
胶一两半（炒），鸡 一两（烧）。为末。每服二钱，糯米饮空心下，日二服。（《三因方》）
（出自《开宝本草》）
【释名】独茅（《开宝本草》）、茅爪子（《开宝本草》）、婆罗门参。
李时珍说：它的叶子像茅草，长期服用能轻身延年，所以名叫仙茅。梵语称它为阿输干陀。
苏颂说：它的根单独生长。起初是因为西域的婆罗门僧人向唐玄宗进献药方，所以现在江南地区叫它婆罗门参，意思是它的补益功效如同人参一样。
【集解】
李时珍说：仙茅产于西域。叶子像茅草。它的根部粗细不一，有筋络，有的像笔管，有节和纹理。花朵黄色，花蜜多。从武城传来，蜀地各州也都有出产。
苏颂说：现在大庾岭、蜀川、江湖、两浙各州也有出产。叶子青绿像茅草但较软，且略宽，叶面有纵向纹路。又有点像初生的棕榈幼苗，高约一尺。到冬天完全枯萎，春天初才重新生长。三月开花，像栀子花，黄色，不结果实。它的根茎单生而直立，大小如小手指，下面附着短细的肉根，外皮稍粗糙呈褐色，内部肉质黄白色。二月、八月采挖根部，晒干后使用。衡山出产的，花是碧色的，五月结黑色种子。
李时珍说：苏颂所说的详尽且准确。只是四、五月中抽出茎秆四、五寸长，开出深黄色的六瓣小花。不像栀子花，各地大山中都有。人们只取梅岭产的来使用，而《会典》记载成都每年进贡仙茅二十一斤。
【修治】
雷敩说：采得后，用清水清洗，刮去外皮，在槐木砧板上用铜刀切成豆粒大小，装入生稀布袋中，在黑豆水中浸泡一夜，取出，用酒拌湿蒸制，从巳时到亥时（共十二小时），取出晒干。不要接触铁器及牛乳，否则会使人的鬓发胡须脱落变白。
陈藏器说：彭祖单方服用法：用竹刀刮切，用糯米淘米水浸泡以去除红色汁液从而解毒，之后就没有妨害了。
【气味】辛，温，有毒。
雷敩说：甘，微温，有小毒。又说：辛，平，先宣散后补益，没有大毒，有小热、小毒。
【主治】心腹冷气导致不能进食，腰脚风冷引起的痉挛麻痹导致不能行走，男子虚劳，老人遗尿无子，补益阳气之道。长期服用能通神强记，辅助筋骨，滋补肌肤，增长精神，明目（《开宝本草》）。治疗各种风气，补暖腰脚，清安五脏。长期服用轻身，改善面色。男子五劳七伤，使耳目明亮，填补骨髓（李 ）。开胃消食下气，补益房事。
【发明】
苏颂说：五代伪唐筠州刺史王颜撰写《续传信方》，因为国书编录了西域婆罗门僧人服用仙茅的药方，当时盛行。书中说治疗五劳七伤，明目益筋力，先宣散后补益。书中说十斤乳石，不及一斤仙茅，以此彰显其功力。这原本是西域道人传授的。开元元年，婆罗门僧人进献此药，明皇服用有效，当时作为禁方不流传。天宝之乱时，方书流散，上都僧人不空三藏才得到此方，传给司徒李勉、尚书路嗣恭、给事中齐杭、仆射张建封服用，都取得了疗效。路公长期服用金石类药物无效，得到此药，益处百倍。齐给事守缙云时，气力不足，风疹接连发作，服用此药便痊愈了。八、九月采得，用竹刀刮去黑皮，切成豆粒大小，米泔水浸泡两个晚上，阴干捣碎过筛，用熟蜜制成梧桐子大小的丸药。每天早晨空腹，用酒送服任意二十丸。忌用铁器，禁食牛乳及黑牛肉，否则会大大减弱药效。
机曰：五台山有仙茅，患大风病的人，服用后大多痊愈。
李时珍说：按：《许真君书》说：仙茅长期服用可长生。它的味甘能养肉，味辛能养肺，味苦能养气，味咸能养骨，滑性能养肤，酸性能养筋，适宜与苦酒调和服用，必定有效。又范成大《大虞衡志》说：广西英州多产仙茅，那里的羊吃了它，全身都化为筋，不再有血肉，人吃了能补益身体，名叫乳羊。沈括《笔谈》说：夏文庄公禀赋异于常人，睡觉时身体冷得像死者一样，醒来后必须让人温暖他，很久才能活动。常服用仙茅、钟乳、硫黄，不知节制。看这些情况，仙茅大概是性热，补益三焦命门的药物。只有阳气虚弱、精寒、禀赋素来怯弱的人才适宜服用。如果身体壮实、相火炽盛的人服用，反而会动火。按：张杲《医说》说：有一人中仙茅毒，舌头肿胀伸出嘴外，逐渐变大与肩膀齐平。于是用小刀刺破它，随破随合，刺了一百多次，才有一点血出来，医生说可以救了。煮大黄、朴硝给他服用，并用药物敷贴患处，立刻消肿缩小。这都是火盛性欲放纵的人过度服用的害处。弘治年间，东海张弼写梅岭仙茅诗，“有使君昨日才持去，今日人来乞墓铭”的诗句。都是不知道服药饮食的道理，只借药物纵欲以加速死亡的人，对仙茅有什么怨恨呢？
【附方】新收录二首。
仙茅丸：强壮筋骨，益精神，明目，使胡须变黑。仙茅二斤（用糯米淘米水浸泡五天，去掉赤水），车前子十二两，白茯苓（去皮）、茴香（炒）、柏子仁（去壳）各八两，生地黄（焙）、熟地黄（焙）各四两。研为末，用酒煮糊制成梧桐子大小的丸药。每次服用五十丸，饭前温酒送下，每日两次。（《圣济总录》）定喘下气，补心肾。
神秘散：用白仙茅半两（米泔水浸泡三个晚上，晒干炒制），团参二钱半，阿胶一两半（炒），鸡内金一两（烧焦）。研为末。每次服用二钱，空腹用糯米饮送下，每日两次。（《三因方》）
(From *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Names] Duma (from *Kaibao Bencao*), Maozhuazi (from *Kaibao Bencao*), Boluomen Shen (Brahman Ginseng).
Li Shizhen stated: Its leaves resemble those of cogon grass (*Imperata cylindrica*). Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life, hence the name Xianmao (Immortal Mound Herb). It is called Ashuganda in Sanskrit.
Su Song stated: Its root grows singly. Initially, because Brahman monks from the Western Regions presented this prescription to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, it is now called Boluomen Shen in the Jiangnan region, implying its tonic efficacy is comparable to that of Renshen (Ginseng).
[Collection and Description]
Li Shizhen stated: Xianmao originates from the Western Regions. The leaves resemble cogon grass. The roots vary in thickness, possess fibrous strands, and some resemble pen tubes with nodes and textures. The flowers are yellow and produce abundant nectar. It was introduced from Wucheng, and is also found in various prefectures of Shu.
Su Song stated: It is now found in Dayu Ridge, Shu River regions, Jianghu, and Liangzhe prefectures. The leaves are green like cogon grass but softer and slightly broader, with longitudinal veins on the surface. They also resemble young palm seedlings, growing about one chi tall. They wither completely by winter and sprout again in early spring. Flowers appear in March, resembling Gardenia flowers, yellow in color, and do not bear fruit. The root stem is solitary and erect, as thick as a little finger, with short, fine fleshy roots attached below. The outer skin is slightly rough and brownish, while the inner flesh is yellowish-white. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun for use. Those from Hengshan have greenish-blue flowers and bear black seeds in May.
Li Shizhen stated: Su Song’s description is detailed and accurate. However, in April and May, stems four to five cun long emerge, bearing small, deep-yellow, six-petaled flowers. They do not resemble Gardenia flowers and are found in mountains everywhere. People only use those from Meiling, yet the *Huidian* records that Chengdu annually tributes twenty-one jin of Xianmao.
[Processing]
Lei Xiao stated: After harvesting, wash with clear water, scrape off the skin, and cut into bean-sized pieces using a copper knife on a locust wood cutting board. Place in a raw linen bag and soak overnight in black soybean water. Remove, mix with wine until moist, and steam from Si hour to Hai hour (twelve hours). Remove and dry in the sun. Do not contact iron vessels or cow's milk, as this will cause hair loss in the eyebrows and beard.
Chen Zangqi stated: Peng Zu’s single-herb method: Scrape and cut with a bamboo knife, soak in rice washing water to remove red juice and detoxify, after which there will be no harm.
[Flavor and Toxicity]
Pungent, warm, toxic.
Lei Xiao stated: Sweet, slightly warm, slightly toxic. Also stated: Pungent, neutral, first dispersing then tonifying, not highly toxic, possessing slight heat and slight toxicity.
[Indications]
Cold qi in the heart and abdomen causing inability to eat; wind-cold in the waist and legs causing spasms and bi-syndrome leading to inability to walk; deficiency exhaustion in men; urinary incontinence and infertility in the elderly; tonifies the Yang pathway. Long-term consumption enhances spiritual clarity and memory, supports sinews and bones, nourishes skin and flesh, increases vitality, and brightens the eyes (*Kaibao Bencao*). Treats all types of wind-pathogens, warms and tonifies the waist and legs, clears and calms the Five Viscera. Long-term consumption lightens the body and improves complexion. Treats the five labors and seven injuries in men, brightens ears and eyes, fills the marrow (*Li*). Opens the stomach, aids digestion, directs Qi downward, and benefits sexual function.
[Elucidation]
Su Song stated: Wang Yan, Prefect of Yunzhou during the Later Tang regime of the Five Dynasties, wrote *Xu Chuanxin Fang*. Because state documents recorded the prescription of Brahman monks from the Western Regions consuming Xianmao, it became prevalent at the time. It states that it treats the five labors and seven injuries, brightens the eyes, strengthens sinews and muscles, and is first dispersing then tonifying. It claims that ten jin of Rushi (Milk Stone) cannot compare to one jin of Xianmao, highlighting its efficacy. This was originally transmitted by Daoist practitioners from the Western Regions. In the first year of Kaiyuan, a Brahman monk presented this medicine, and Emperor Minghuang found it effective. It was then kept as a secret prescription. During the An Lushan Rebellion, medical texts scattered, and the monk Bukong in the capital eventually obtained this prescription, transmitting it to Situ Li Mian, Shangshu Lu Sigong, Jishi Qi Hang, and Puye Zhang Jianfeng, who all benefited. Lord Lu had taken mineral drugs for years without effect, but upon taking this herb, his benefits increased a hundredfold. When Jishi Qi governed Jinyun, he lacked energy and suffered recurrent wind-rashes; taking this herb cured him. Harvested in August and September, scrape off the black skin with a bamboo knife, cut into bean-sized pieces, soak in rice washing water for two nights, dry in the shade, grind, and sieve. Make pills the size of wutong seeds with cooked honey. Take twenty pills each morning on an empty stomach with wine as desired. Avoid iron vessels, and forbid consumption of cow's milk and black beef, as these greatly reduce the drug's power.
Ji stated: There is Xianmao on Mount Wutai; patients suffering from severe wind disease often recover after taking it.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Xu Zhunjun Shu*: Long-term consumption of Xianmao leads to longevity. Its sweet flavor nourishes flesh, pungent flavor nourishes the Lung, bitter flavor nourishes Qi, salty flavor nourishes bone, slippery texture nourishes skin, and sour flavor nourishes sinews. It is suitable to take mixed with vinegar for maximum effect. Fan Chengda’s *Dayuheng Zhi* states: Yinzhou in Guangxi produces much Xianmao. Sheep that eat it transform their entire bodies into sinews, losing flesh and blood. Humans eating them gain benefit, hence the name "Ru Yang" (Milk Sheep). Shen Kuo’s *Bitan* states: Xia Wenzhuang Gong had a constitution different from others; when sleeping, his body became cold as a corpse, and upon waking, required warming by others before he could move for a long time. He frequently consumed Xianmao, Zhongru (Stalactite), and Liuhuang (Sulfur) without limit. Observing this, Xianmao appears to be hot-natured, a medicine tonifying the Sanjiao and Mingmen. It is suitable only for those with weak Yang, cold essence, and naturally timid constitutions. If taken by those with robust bodies and flourishing Ministerial Fire, it will instead stir up fire. According to Zhang Gao’s *Yi Shuo*: One person poisoned by Xianmao had a tongue swollen out of the mouth, gradually enlarging to shoulder width. A small knife was used to lacerate it; it healed instantly after each cut. After over a hundred cuts, a drop of blood appeared, and the doctor said it could be saved. Boiled Dahuang (Rhubarb) and Pumiao (Mirabilite) were given orally, and herbs applied topically, resulting in immediate reduction. These are harms caused by individuals with excessive fire and unrestrained libido taking it excessively. During the Hongzhi era, Zhang Bi of Donghai wrote a poem about Meiling Xianmao: "Yesterday the Prefect just took it away, today people come begging for tomb inscriptions." These individuals did not understand the principles of ingestion, relying on drugs to indulge desires and hasten death. What fault can be attributed to Xianmao?
[Attached Prescriptions] Two new prescriptions.
Xianmao Wan: Strengthens sinews and bones, benefits spirit, brightens eyes, darkens beard and mustache. Xianmao two jin (soaked in rice washing water for five days, discard red water), Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed) twelve liang, Baifuling (Poria with Hostwood removed), Huixiang (Fennel, stir-fried), Baiziren (Biota Seed, shell removed) each eight liang, Sheng Dihuang (Rehmannia Root, fresh), Shu Dihuang (Rehmannia Root, prepared) each four liang. Grind into powder, make pills with wine paste the size of wutong seeds. Take fifty pills each time before meals with warm wine, twice daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*) Calms asthma, directs Qi downward, tonifies Heart and Kidney.
Shenmi San: Use Baixianmao (White Xianmao) half liang (soaked in rice washing water for three nights, sun-dried and stir-fried), Tuanshen (Codonopsis) two qian half, Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin, stir-fried) one liang half, Jinijia (Chicken Gizzard Membrane, burnt) one liang. Grind into powder. Take two qian each time on an empty stomach with rice gruel, twice daily. (*Sanyin Fang*)