（《本经》上品）
【释名】丑宝。
【集解】《别录》曰∶牛黄生陇西及晋地，特牛胆中得之，即阴干百日使燥，无令见日
月光。普曰∶牛死则黄入胆中，如鸡子黄也。弘景曰∶旧云神牛出入鸣吼者有之，夜视有光
走入牛角中，以盆水承而吐之，即堕落水中。今人多就胆中得之。一子大如鸡子黄，相重叠。
药中之贵，莫复过此。一子及三二分，好者值五六千至一万也。多出梁州、益州。恭曰∶牛
黄今出莱州、密州、淄州、青州、 州、戎州。牛有黄者，必多吼唤，喝迫而得者，谓之生
黄，最佳。黄有三种∶散黄粒如麻、豆；漫黄若鸡卵中黄糊，在肝胆间；圆黄为块，形有大
小，并在肝胆中。多生于 特牛，其 牛未闻有黄也。颂曰∶今出登、莱州。他处或有，不
甚佳。凡牛有黄者，身上夜有光，眼如血色，时复鸣吼，恐惧人。又好照水，人以盆水承之，
伺其吐出，乃喝迫，即堕下水中，取得阴干百日。一子如鸡子黄大，重叠可揭折，轻虚而气
香者佳。然人多伪之，试法但揩摩手甲上，透甲黄者为真。雷曰∶此有四种∶喝迫而得者，
名生神黄；杀死在角中得者，名角中黄；牛病死后心中剥得者，名心黄，初在心中如黄浆汁，
取得便投水中，沾水乃硬，如碎蒺藜及豆与帝珠子者是也；肝胆中得者，名肝黄，大抵皆不
及生黄为胜。宗 曰∶牛黄轻松，自然微香。西戎有 牛黄，坚而不香。又有骆驼黄，极易
得，亦能相乱，不可不审之。
【修治】 曰∶凡用，单捣细研如尘，绢裹定，以黄嫩牛皮裹，悬井中一宿，去水三四
尺，明早取之。
【气味】苦，平，有小毒。《日华》曰∶甘，凉。普曰∶无毒。之才曰∶人参为之使。
得牡丹、菖蒲，利耳目。恶龙骨、龙胆、地黄、常山、蜚蠊，畏牛膝、干漆。时珍曰∶《别
录》言牛黄恶龙胆，而钱乙治小儿急惊疳病，凉惊丸、麝香丸皆两用之，何哉？龙胆治惊痫
解热杀虫，与牛黄主治相近，亦肝经药也，不应相恶如此。
【主治】惊痫寒热，热盛狂 ，除邪逐鬼（《本经》）。疗小儿百病，诸痫热，口不开，
大人狂癫，又堕胎。久服，轻身增年，令人不忘（《别录》）。主中风失音口噤，妇人血噤惊
悸，天行时疾，健忘虚乏（《日华》）。安魂定魄，辟邪魅，猝中恶，小儿夜啼（甄权）。益肝
胆，定精神，除热，止惊痢，辟恶气，除百病（思邈）。清心化热，利痰凉惊（宁源）。痘疮
紫色，发狂谵语者可用（时珍。出王氏方）。
【发明】李杲曰∶牛黄入肝，治筋病。凡中风入脏者，必用牛、雄、脑、麝之剂，入骨
髓，透肌肤，以引风出。若风中腑及血脉者用之，恐引风邪流入于骨髓，如油入面，莫之能
出也。
然。因其病在心及肝胆之间，凝结成黄，故还能治心及肝胆之病。正如人之淋石，复能治淋
也。按《宋史》云∶宗泽知莱州，使者取牛黄。泽云∶方春疫疠，牛饮其毒则结为黄。今
和气流行，牛无黄矣。观此，则黄为牛病，尤可征矣。
【附方】旧四，新四。初生三日去惊邪，辟恶气∶以牛黄一豆许，以赤蜜如酸枣许，研
匀，绵蘸令儿吮之，一日令尽。（姚和众方）
七日口噤∶牛黄为末，以淡竹沥化一字，灌之。更以猪乳滴之。（《圣惠方》）初生胎热
或身体黄者∶以真牛黄一豆大，入蜜调膏，乳汁化开，时时滴儿口中。形色不实者，勿多服。
（《钱氏小儿方》）
惊痫嚼舌，迷闷仰目∶牛黄一豆许研，和蜜水灌之。（《广利方》）小儿惊候∶小儿积热毛焦，
睡中狂语，欲发惊者。牛黄六分，朱砂五钱，同研。以犀角磨汁，调服一钱。（《总微论》）
腹痛夜啼∶牛黄一小豆许，乳汁化服。仍书田字于脐下。（《圣惠方》）痘疮黑陷∶牛黄二粒，
朱砂一分，研末。蜜浸胭脂，取汁调搽，一日一上。（王氏《痘疹方
（被列为《神农本草经》上品）
【释名】丑宝。
【集解】《名医别录》记载：牛黄产于陇西及晋地，是从特牛的胆囊中取得的，需阴干一百天使其干燥，不要让它见到日光和月光。雷敩说：牛死后胆汁变黄进入胆中，像鸡蛋黄一样。陶弘景说：过去传说有神牛出入鸣吼，夜晚看有光走入牛角中，用盆水承接并吐出，就会堕落水中。现在人们多直接从胆中获得。一颗如鸡蛋黄大小，层层重叠。药物中的贵重者，没有超过这个的。一颗或二三分的优质牛黄，价值五六千至一万钱。多出产于梁州、益州。苏恭说：现在的牛黄出产于莱州、密州、淄州、青州、某州、戎州。有牛黄的牛，一定经常吼叫，通过喝迫（惊吓逼迫）而得到的，称为生黄，品质最佳。牛黄有三种：散黄颗粒如麻子、豆子；漫黄像鸡蛋黄糊状，在肝胆之间；圆黄成块，形状有大小的区别，都在肝胆中。多生于特牛，未曾听说公牛有牛黄。苏颂说：现在出产于登州、莱州。其他地方虽有，但品质不很好。凡是长有牛黄的牛，身上夜间有光，眼睛像血色，时常鸣吼，使人恐惧。又喜欢照水，人们用盆水承接，等待它吐出，然后喝迫逼迫，它就堕入水中，取得后阴干一百天。一颗如鸡蛋黄大，重叠可揭开折断，轻虚且气香的为佳。然而很多人造假，测试方法只是摩擦在手甲上，透甲呈黄色的为真品。雷敩说：这有四种：喝迫而得到的，名叫生神黄；杀死后在角中得到的，名叫角中黄；牛病死后从心中剥得的，名叫心黄，起初在心中像黄浆汁，取得后立即投入水中，沾水后变硬，像碎蒺藜及豆与帝珠子那样；在肝胆中得到的，名叫肝黄，大体都不如生黄好。陈承说：牛黄轻松，自然微香。西戎有某种牛黄，坚硬而不香。又有骆驼黄，极易得到，也容易混淆，不可不仔细辨别。
【修治】雷敩说：凡是用时，单独捣细研成灰尘状，用绢包裹固定，再用嫩牛皮包裹，悬挂在井中一夜，离水面三四尺，第二天早晨取出。
【气味】苦，平，有小毒。《日华子本草》说：甘，凉。雷敩说：无毒。徐之才说：人参是它的使药。得到牡丹、石菖蒲，能利耳目。厌恶龙骨、龙胆草、地黄、常山、蜚蠊，畏惧牛膝、干漆。李时珍说：《名医别录》说牛黄恶龙胆，但钱乙治疗小儿急惊疳病，凉惊丸、麝香丸都同时使用这两种药，为什么呢？龙胆治疗惊痫、解热、杀虫，与牛黄的主治相近，也是肝经药，不应该相互厌恶到这种程度。
【主治】惊痫寒热，热盛狂乱，除邪逐鬼（《神农本草经》）。治疗小儿百病，各种痫证热症，口不开，大人狂癫，又能堕胎。长期服用，身体轻便增加寿命，让人不忘事（《名医别录》）。主治中风失音口噤，妇人血噤惊悸，天行时疾，健忘虚乏（《日华子本草》）。安魂定魄，辟邪魅，猝中恶气，小儿夜啼（甄权）。益肝胆，定精神，除热，止惊痢，辟恶气，除百病（孙思邈）。清心化热，利痰凉惊（宁源）。痘疮紫色，发狂谵语者可用（李时珍。出自王氏方）。
【发明】李杲说：牛黄入肝，治疗筋病。凡是中风入脏的，必须用牛黄、雄黄、脑麝之类的药剂，入骨髓，透肌肤，以引出风邪。如果风中腑及血脉者使用它，恐怕会引风邪流入骨髓，像油渗入面粉，无法再出来。
然而，因为病在心及肝胆之间，凝结成黄，所以还能治疗心及肝胆的疾病。正如人的淋石，反过来又能治疗淋病。按《宋史》记载：宗泽任莱州知州时，使者索取牛黄。宗泽说：正值春季疫病，牛饮用毒水则凝结为黄。现在和气流行，牛就没有黄了。看这一点，那么黄是牛的病症，尤其可以证实了。
【附方】旧方四首，新方四首。初生三日去惊邪，辟恶气：取牛黄一豆大小，赤蜜如酸枣大小，研匀，用棉蘸取让婴儿吮吸，一天内服完。（姚和众方）
七日口噤：牛黄研末，用淡竹沥化开一字量，灌服。再用猪乳滴入。（《太平圣惠方》）初生胎热或身体发黄者：取真牛黄一豆大，入蜜调成膏，乳汁化开，时时滴入婴儿口中。形色不实者，不要多服。（《钱氏小儿方》）
惊痫嚼舌，迷闷仰目：牛黄一豆大小研碎，和蜜水灌服。（《广利方》）小儿惊候：小儿积热毛焦，睡中狂语，欲发惊者。牛黄六分，朱砂五钱，同研。用犀角磨汁，调服一钱。（《总微论》）
腹痛夜啼：牛黄一小豆许，乳汁化服。仍在脐下写田字。（《太平圣惠方》）痘疮黑陷：牛黄二粒，朱砂一分，研末。蜜浸胭脂，取汁调搽，一日一次。（王氏《痘疹方》）
(Registered as a Superior Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])
**[Names]** Choubao (Ugly Treasure).
**[Collection and Explanation]** The *Bielu* [Recorded by Famous Physicians] states: Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) is produced in Longxi and Jin regions, obtained specifically from the gallbladder of cattle. It should be dried in the shade for one hundred days until dry, avoiding exposure to sunlight or moonlight. Lei Xiao said: After a cow dies, the bile turns yellow and enters the gallbladder, resembling egg yolk. Tao Hongjing said: It was previously rumored that divine cows entering and exiting would roar; at night, they were seen glowing and walking into their horns. People would hold basins of water to catch them as they vomited, causing them to fall into the water. Nowadays, people mostly obtain it directly from the gallbladder. One piece is as large as an egg yolk, layered upon itself. Among medicinal substances, none is more precious than this. A single piece or one worth two or three fen of high quality is valued at five to ten thousand cash. It is mostly produced in Liangzhou and Yizhou. Su Gong said: Current Niu Huang comes from Laizhou, Mizhou, Zizhou, Qingzhou, [Certain] Zhou, and Rongzhou. Cattle possessing Niu Huang must frequently bellow; those obtained through intimidation and coercion are called "Sheng Huang" (Raw Yellow), which is of the best quality. There are three types of Niu Huang: San Huang (Scattered Yellow) granules like hemp seeds or beans; Man Huang (Spread Yellow) like egg yolk paste, located between the liver and gallbladder; Yuan Huang (Round Yellow) in lumps of various sizes, all within the liver and gallbladder. It mostly occurs in castrated bulls; it has not been heard that uncastrated bulls produce it. Su Song said: It is currently produced in Dengzhou and Laizhou. Although found elsewhere, it is not of good quality. Any cow with Niu Huang will glow at night, have blood-red eyes, and frequently roar, frightening people. It also likes to look at water; people hold basins of water to catch it, wait for it to vomit, then intimidate it so it falls into the water. It is then collected and dried in the shade for one hundred days. A single piece as large as an egg yolk, which can be peeled apart, is light and hollow with a fragrant aroma, which is considered excellent. However, many people counterfeit it. The test method is simply to rub it on fingernails; if the yellow color penetrates the nail, it is genuine. Lei Xiao said: There are four types: Those obtained through intimidation are named Shenshen Huang (Divine Spirit Yellow); those obtained after killing in the horn are named Jiaozhong Huang (Horn Yellow); those stripped from the heart after the cow dies of illness are named Xinhuang (Heart Yellow), initially like yellow slurry in the heart, becoming hard like broken Tribulus or beads when dipped in water; those obtained from the liver and gallbladder are named Ganhuang (Liver Yellow), generally inferior to Sheng Huang. Chen Cheng said: Niu Huang is light and naturally slightly fragrant. From the Western Regions comes a type of Niu Huang that is hard and not fragrant. There is also Camel Stone (Luotuo Huang), which is very easy to obtain and can cause confusion, so it must be carefully distinguished.
**[Processing]** Lei Xiao said: When used, it should be individually pounded and ground into dust, wrapped in silk, then further wrapped in tender cowhide, and suspended in a well overnight, about three to four chi above the water surface. Retrieve it early the next morning.
**[Flavor and Toxicity]** Bitter, neutral, slightly toxic. The *Rihua Bencao* says: Sweet, cool. Lei Xiao said: Non-toxic. Xu Zhicai said: Ren Shen (Ginseng) acts as its guiding herb. Combined with Mudan (Tree Peony Root Bark) and Changpu (Acorus Rhizome), it benefits the ears and eyes. It is incompatible with Longgu (Fossilized Bones), Longdancao (Gentian Root), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), Changshan (Dichroa Root), and Feilian (Cockroach). It fears Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) and Ganqi (Dried Lacquer). Li Shizhen said: The *Bielu* states that Niu Huang is incompatible with Longdancao, yet Qian Yi used both in Liangjing Wan (Cooling Convulsion Pill) and Shexiang Wan (Musk Pill) to treat pediatric acute convulsive malnutrition. Why? Longdancao treats convulsions, clears heat, and kills parasites, sharing similar indications with Niu Huang, and both are herbs of the Liver meridian; they should not be mutually incompatible to this extent.
**[Indications]** Treats convulsions, epilepsy, cold-heat alternating syndromes, excessive heat with mania, expels evil spirits and pathogens (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats hundred diseases in children, various epileptic fevers, inability to open the mouth, adult mania and epilepsy, and can induce abortion. Long-term use makes the body light, increases longevity, and prevents forgetfulness (*Bielu*). Mainly treats wind-stroke with loss of voice and locked jaw, women's blood-lock with palpitations, epidemic febrile diseases, amnesia, and deficiency fatigue (*Rihua Bencao*). Calms the soul and stabilizes the spirit, dispels evil charms, sudden poisoning by malignant qi, and infantile nocturnal crying (Zhen Quan). Benefits the liver and gallbladder, stabilizes the spirit, clears heat, stops convulsive diarrhea, dispels malignant qi, and cures hundred diseases (Sun Simiao). Clears the heart and transforms heat, resolves phlegm and cools convulsions (Ning Yuan). Can be used for purple-colored smallpox lesions accompanied by mania and delirium (Li Shizhen. From Wang Shi's Formula).
**[Elucidation]** Li Gao said: Niu Huang enters the Liver meridian and treats tendon disorders. For cases where wind-stroke affects the zang organs, preparations containing Niu Huang, Xiong Huang (Realgar), Naona (Borneol), and Shexiang (Musk) must be used to enter the bone marrow and penetrate the skin to draw out the wind pathogen. If used for wind affecting the fu organs and vessels, it may draw the wind pathogen deeper into the bone marrow, like oil penetrating flour, from which it cannot be extracted.
However, because the pathology condenses into yellow stones between the heart and liver/gallbladder, it can consequently treat diseases of the heart and liver/gallbladder. Just as human urinary calculi can treat strangury. According to the *History of Song*, when Zong Ze served as Prefect of Laizhou, an envoy requested Niu Huang. Zong Ze said: In spring during epidemics, cattle drinking poisoned water form these stones. Now that harmonious qi prevails, cattle no longer produce them. This observation confirms that the stone is a disease product of the cattle.
**[Attached Formulas]** Four old formulas, four new formulas. To remove evil influences and dispel malignant qi three days after birth: Take a bean-sized amount of Niu Huang and a sour-jujube-sized amount of red honey, grind evenly, dip cotton in it, and let the infant suckle until finished within one day. (Yao Hezhong's Formula)
For locked jaw at seven days: Grind Niu Huang into powder, dissolve with Dan Zhuli (Light Bamboo Sap) equivalent to one zi, and administer. Also drip pig milk. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
For neonatal fetal heat or jaundice: Take a bean-sized amount of genuine Niu Huang, mix with honey to make a paste, dilute with breast milk, and drip into the infant's mouth occasionally. Do not administer excessively if the appearance and texture are insubstantial. (*Qian's Pediatric Formulas*)
For convulsions with tongue biting, confusion, and upward-gazing eyes: Grind a bean-sized amount of Niu Huang, mix with honey water, and administer. (*Guangli Fang*)
For pediatric convulsive conditions: For infants with accumulated heat, dry fur, talking wildly in sleep, and impending convulsions. Mix 6 fen of Niu Huang and 5 qian of Zhusha (Cinnabar), grind together. Grind Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn - *Note: Use substitutes in modern practice*), mix with the juice, and administer 1 qian. (*Zongwei Lun*)
For abdominal pain and nocturnal crying: Administer a small bean-sized amount of Niu Huang dissolved in breast milk. Also write the character "Tian" (Field) below the navel. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
For blackened and depressed smallpox lesions: Two grains of Niu Huang, 1 fen of Zhusha, grind into powder. Soak Zhiyan (Carthamus/Safflower) in honey, extract the juice, mix with the powder, and apply once daily. (Wang Shi's *Douzhen Fang*)