（芍音杓，又音勺。《本经》中品）
【释名】将离（《纲目》）、犁食（《别录》）、白术（《别录》）、余容（《别录》）、
铤（《别录》），白者名金芍药（《图经》），
时珍曰∶芍药，犹 约也。 约，美好貌。此草花容 约，
雅翼言》∶制食之毒，莫良于芍，故得药名，亦通。郑风诗云∶伊芳其相谑，赠之以芍药
。《韩诗外传》云∶芍药，离草也。董子云∶芍药一名将离，故将别赠之。俗呼其花之
千叶者，为小牡丹；赤者为木芍药，与牡丹同名也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶芍药生中岳川谷及丘陵，二月、八月采根，曝干。
弘景曰∶今出白山、蒋山、茅山最好，白而长尺许。余处亦有而多赤，赤者小利。
志曰∶此有赤白两种，其花亦有赤白二色。
颂曰∶今处处有之，淮南者胜。春生红芽作丛，茎上三枝五叶，似牡丹而狭长，高一、
二尺。夏初开花，有红白紫数种，结子似牡丹子而小。秋时采根。崔豹《古今注》云∶芍药
有二种∶有草芍药、木芍药。木者花大而色深，俗呼为牡丹，非矣。《安期生服炼法》∶芍药
有金芍药，色白多脂肉；木芍药，色紫瘦多脉。
承曰∶《本经》芍药生丘陵。今世多用人家种植者，乃欲其花叶肥大，必加粪壤。每岁
八、九月取根分削，因利以为药。今淮南真阳尤多，根虽肥大而香味不佳，入药少效。
时珍曰∶昔人言洛阳牡丹、扬州芍药甲天下。今药中所用，亦多取扬州者。十月生芽，
至春乃长，三月开花。其品凡三十余种，有千叶、单叶、楼子之异。入药宜单叶之根，气味
全浓。根之赤白，随花之色也。
根
【修治】 曰∶凡采得，竹刀刮去皮并头土，锉细，以蜜水拌蒸，从巳至未，晒干用。
时珍曰∶今人多生用，惟避中寒者以酒炒，入女人血药以醋炒耳。
【气味】苦，平，无毒。《别录》曰∶酸，微寒，有小毒。普曰∶神农∶苦；桐君∶甘，
无毒；岐伯∶咸；雷公∶酸。李当之∶小寒。
元素曰∶性寒，味酸，气浓味薄，升而微降，阳中阴也。
杲曰∶白芍药酸，平，有小毒，可升可降，阴也。
好古曰∶味酸而苦，气薄味浓，阴也，降也，为手足太阴行经药，入肝脾血分。
之才曰∶须丸为之使，恶石斛、芒硝，畏硝石、鳖甲、小蓟，反藜芦。
禹锡曰∶别本须丸作雷丸。时珍∶同白术补脾，同芎 泻肝，同人参补气，同当归补血，
以酒炒补阴，同甘草止腹痛，同黄连
【主治】邪气腹痛，除血痹，破坚积，寒热疝瘕，止痛，利小便，益气（《本经》）。通
顺血脉，缓中，散恶血，逐贼血，去水气，利膀胱大小肠，消痈肿，时行寒热，中恶腹痛腰
痛（《别录》）。治脏腑壅气，强五脏，补肾气，治时疾骨热，妇人血闭不通，能蚀脓（甄权）。
女人一切病，胎前产后诸疾，治风补劳，退热除烦
，发背疮疥（大明）。泻肝，安脾肺，收胃气，止泻利，固腠理，和血脉，收阴气，敛逆
气（元素）。理中气，治脾虚中满，心下痞，胁下痛，善噫，肺急胀逆喘咳，太阳鼽衄目涩，
肝血不足，阳维病苦寒热，带脉病苦腹痛满，腰溶溶如坐水中（好古）。止下痢腹痛后重（时
珍）。
【发明】志曰∶赤者，利小便下气；白者，止痛散血。
大明曰∶赤者补气，白者补血。
弘景曰∶赤者小利，俗方以止痛不减当归。白者道家亦服食之，及煮石用。
成无己曰∶白补而赤泻，白收而赤散。酸以收之，甘以缓之，故酸甘相合，用补阴血。
收逆气而除肺燥。又云∶芍药之酸，敛津液而益营血，收阴气而泄邪热。
元素曰∶白补赤散，泻肝补脾胃。酒浸行经，止中部腹痛；与姜同用，温经散湿通塞，
利腹中痛，胃气不通。白芍入脾经补中焦，乃下利必用之药。盖泻利皆太阴病，故不可缺此。
得炙甘草为佐，治腹中痛，夏月少加黄芩，恶寒加桂，此仲景神方也。其用凡六∶安脾经，
一也；治腹痛，二也；收胃气，三也；止泻痢，四也；和血脉，五也；固腠理，六也。
宗 曰∶芍药须用单叶红花者为佳，然血虚寒人禁之。古人云∶减芍药以避中寒。诚不
可忽。
震亨曰∶芍药泻脾火，性味酸寒，冬月必以酒炒。凡腹痛多是血脉凝涩，亦必酒炒用。
然止能治血虚腹痛，余并不治。为其酸寒收敛，无温散之功也。下痢腹痛必炒用，后重者不
炒。产后不可用者，以其酸寒伐生发之气也。必不得已，亦酒炒用之。
时珍曰∶白芍药益脾，能于土中泻木。赤芍药散邪，能行血中之滞。《日华子》言∶赤
补气，白治血，欠审矣。产后肝血已虚，不可更泻，故禁之。酸寒之药多矣，何独避芍药耶？
以此
杲曰∶或言古人以酸涩为收，《本经》何以言利小便？曰∶芍药能益阴滋湿而停津液，
故小便自行，非因通利也。曰∶又言缓中何也？曰∶损其肝者缓其中，即调血也，故四物汤
用芍药。大抵酸涩者为收敛停湿之剂，故主手足太阴经收敛之体，又能治血海而入于九地之
下，后至厥阴经。白者色在西方，故补；赤者色在南方，故泻。
【附方】旧六，新一十。
服食法∶颂曰∶安期生服炼芍药法云∶芍药有二种∶救病用金芍药，色白多脂肉；其木
芍药，色紫瘦多脉。若取审看，勿令差错。凡采得，净洗去皮，以东流水煮百沸，阴干。停
三日，又于木甑内蒸之，上覆以净黄土，一日夜熟，出阴干，捣末。以麦饮或酒服三钱匕，
日三。服满三百日，可以登岭绝谷不饥。（《图经本草》）
腹中虚痛∶白芍药三钱，炙甘草一钱。夏月，加黄芩五分；恶寒，加肉桂一钱；冬月大
寒，再加桂一钱。水二盏，煎一半，温服。（《洁古用药法象》）风毒骨痛在髓中。芍药二分，
虎骨一两（炙），为末，夹绢袋盛，酒三升，渍五日。每服三合，日三服。（《经验后方》）
香港脚肿痛∶白芍药六两，甘草一两。为末，白汤点服。（《事林广记》）
消渴引饮∶白芍药、甘草等分。为末。每用一钱，水煎服，日三服。鄂渚辛 之患此九
年，服药止而复作。苏朴授此方，服之七日顿愈。古人处方，殆不可晓，不可以平易而忽之
也。（陈日华《经验方》）
小便五淋∶赤芍药一两，槟榔一个（面裹煨）。为末。每服一钱，水一盏，煎七分，空
心服。（《博济方》）
衄血不止∶赤芍药为末，水服二钱匕。（《事林广记》）
衄血咯血∶白芍药一两，犀角末二钱半。为末。新水服一钱匕，血止为限。（《古今录
验》）
煎六合，入酒五合，再煎七合，空心分为两服。亦可为末，酒服二钱。（《圣惠方》）
经水不止∶白芍药、香附子、熟艾叶各一钱半。水煎服之。（《熊氏补遗》）
血崩带下∶赤芍药、香附子等分。为末。每服二钱，盐一捻，水一盏，煎七分，温服，
日二服。十服见效，名如神散。（《良方》）赤白带下，年深月久不瘥者。取白芍药三两，并
干姜半两。锉熬令黄，捣末。空心水饮服二钱匕，日再服。《广济方》∶只用芍药炒黑，研末，
酒服之。（《贞元广利方》）
金疮血出∶白芍药一两。熬黄为末。酒或米饮服二钱，渐加之。仍以末敷疮上即止，良
验。（《广利方》）
痘疮胀痛∶白芍药为末，酒服半钱匕。（《痘疹方》）木舌肿满，塞口杀人。红芍药、甘
草煎水热漱。（《圣济总录》）
鱼骨哽咽∶白芍药嚼细咽汁。（《事林广记》）
（芍药的“芍”音同“杓”，又音同“勺”。收录于《神农本草经》中品。）
【释名】将离（出自《本草纲目》）、犁食（出自《名医别录》）、白术（出自《名医别录》）、余容（出自《名医别录》）、铤（出自《名医别录》）。白色的称为金芍药（出自《本草图经》）。
李时珍说：芍药，意思近似于“约”。约，是美好的样子。这种草的花容美好。《雅翼》中说：制约食物的毒性，没有比芍药更好的了，所以得名“药”，这也讲得通。《郑风·溱洧》诗中说：“伊其相谑，赠之以芍药。”《韩诗外传》说：芍药，是离别之草。董仲舒说：芍药又名将离，所以在分别时赠送它。民间称呼花瓣重瓣的品种为小牡丹；红色的称为木芍药，与牡丹同名。
【集解】《名医别录》说：芍药生长在中岳的川谷及丘陵地带，二月、八月采集根部，晒干。
陶弘景说：现在出产于白山、蒋山、茅山的最好，白色且长约一尺。其他地方也有但多为红色，红色的药效稍差。
苏颂说：现在到处都有，淮南产的胜过其他地方。春天生出红芽成丛，茎上有三枝五叶，像牡丹但更狭长，高一二尺。夏初开花，有红、白、紫几种颜色，结的种子像牡丹子但较小。秋天采集根部。崔豹《古今注》说：芍药有两种：有草芍药、木芍药。木质的花大色深，民间误称为牡丹，这是不对的。《安期生服炼法》说：芍药有金芍药，色白多脂肉；木芍药，色紫瘦多脉纹。
寇宗奭说：《神农本草经》记载芍药生于丘陵。现在世人多用人家种植的，为了使其花叶肥大，必须施加粪肥。每年八、九月取根分株切片，借此作为药材。现在淮南真阳产的最多，根虽然肥大但香味不佳，入药疗效较少。
李时珍说：古人说洛阳牡丹、扬州芍药天下第一。现在药用所取的，也多取自扬州。十月生芽，到春天才生长，三月开花。其品种共有三十多种，有千叶、单叶、楼子的不同。入药宜用单叶的根，气味完全浓郁。根的赤白，随花的颜色而定。
根
【修治】雷敩说：凡是采得的，用竹刀刮去外皮和头部的泥土，锉细，用蜜水拌蒸，从巳时到未时，晒干后使用。
李时珍说：现在人多生用，只有避免中寒者用酒炒，入女性血分药时用醋炒罢了。
【气味】苦，平，无毒。《名医别录》说：酸，微寒，有小毒。雷公说：神农认为苦；桐君认为甘，无毒；岐伯认为咸；雷公认为酸。李当之认为小寒。
张元素说：性寒，味酸，气浓味薄，升而微降，属于阳中之阴。
王好古说：白芍药酸，平，有小毒，可升可降，属阴。
李杲说：味酸而苦，气薄味浓，属阴，主降，为手足太阴经引经药，入肝脾血分。
徐之才说：须丸为其使药，恶石斛、芒硝，畏硝石、鳖甲、小蓟，反藜芦。
孟禹锡说：别本中的“须丸”作“雷丸”。李时珍说：同白术一起能补脾，同川芎一起能泻肝，同人参一起能补气，同当归一起能补血，以酒炒能补阴，同甘草一起能止腹痛，同黄连一起……
【主治】邪气引起的腹痛，去除血痹，破除坚积，治疗寒热疝瘕，止痛，利小便，益气（出自《神农本草经》）。通顺血脉，缓急，散除恶血，驱逐贼血，去除水气，利膀胱大小肠，消痈肿，治疗时行寒热，中恶腹痛腰痛（出自《名医别录》）。治疗脏腑壅滞之气，强五脏，补肾气，治疗时疾骨热，妇人血闭不通，能蚀脓（甄权）。治疗女人一切病，胎前产后诸疾，治风补劳，退热除烦，发背疮疥（大明）。泻肝，安脾肺，收胃气，止泻利，固腠理，和血脉，收阴气，敛逆气（张元素）。理中气，治疗脾虚中满，心下痞，胁下痛，善噫，肺急胀逆喘咳，太阳鼽衄目涩，肝血不足，阳维病苦寒热，带脉病苦腹痛满，腰溶溶如坐水中（李杲）。止下痢腹痛后重（李时珍）。
【发明】苏颂说：赤色的，利小便下气；白色的，止痛散血。
马志说：赤色的补气，白色的补血。
陶弘景说：赤色的药效稍差，俗方中以止痛效果不亚于当归。白色的道家也服用，以及煮石时使用。
成无己说：白芍补而赤芍泻，白芍收敛而赤芍发散。酸以收之，甘以缓之，所以酸甘相合，用于补阴血。收敛逆气而除肺燥。又说：芍药的酸味，收敛津液而益营血，收阴气而泄邪热。
张元素说：白补赤散，泻肝补脾胃。酒浸能行经，止中部腹痛；与姜同用，温经散湿通塞，利腹中痛，胃气不通。白芍入脾经补中焦，乃是下利必用的药。大概泻利都是太阴病，所以不可缺此。得到炙甘草为佐，治疗腹中痛，夏季月少加黄芩，恶寒加桂枝，这是张仲景的神方。其作用凡六种：安脾经，一也；治腹痛，二也；收胃气，三也；止泻痢，四也；和血脉，五也；固腠理，六也。
陈承说：芍药须用单叶红花者为佳，然而血虚寒人禁用。古人说：减芍药以避中寒。确实不可忽视。
朱震亨说：芍药泻脾火，性味酸寒，冬月必须以酒炒。凡是腹痛多是血脉凝涩，也必须酒炒使用。然而只能治疗血虚腹痛，其余都不治。因为其酸寒收敛，没有温散之功。下痢腹痛必须炒用，后重者不炒。产后不可用，因为其酸寒伐伤生发之气。如果不得已，也应用酒炒。
李时珍说：白芍药益脾，能在土中泻木。赤芍药散邪，能行血中之滞。《日华子》说：赤补气，白治血，欠考虑了。产后肝血已虚，不可再泻，所以禁用。酸寒的药多了，为何独独避开芍药呢？以此……
李杲说：有人说古人以酸涩为收敛，《神农本草经》为何说利小便？回答说：芍药能益阴滋湿而停津液，所以小便自行，并非因为通利。问：又说缓中是什么意思？回答说：损其肝者缓其中，即是调血，所以四物汤用芍药。大抵酸涩者为收敛停湿之剂，所以主手足太阴经收敛之体，又能治血海而入于九地之下，后至厥阴经。白色的色在西方，所以补；赤色的色在南方，所以泻。
【附方】旧方六首，新方十首。
服食法：苏颂说：安期生服炼芍药法说：芍药有两种：救病用金芍药，色白多脂肉；其木芍药，色紫瘦多脉纹。如果选取务必仔细看，不要弄错。凡是采得的，洗净去皮，以东流水煮一百沸，阴干。停放三天，又在木甑内蒸之，上面覆盖以净黄土，一日一夜熟透，取出阴干，捣末。以麦饮或酒服三钱匕，每日三次。服满三百日，可以登岭绝谷不饥。（《图经本草》）
腹中虚痛：白芍药三钱，炙甘草一钱。夏季月，加黄芩五分；恶寒，加肉桂一钱；冬季大寒，再加桂一钱。水二盏，煎至一半，温服。（《洁古用药法象》）风毒骨痛在髓中。芍药二分，虎骨一两（炙），为末，夹绢袋盛，酒三升，渍五日。每服三合，每日三次服。（《经验后方》）
香港脚肿痛：白芍药六两，甘草一两。为末，白汤点服。（《事林广记》）
消渴引饮：白芍药、甘草等分。为末。每用一钱，水煎服，每日三次服。鄂渚辛某患此九年，服药止而复作。苏朴传授此方，服之七日顿愈。古人处方，大概不可知晓，不可以平易而忽视它。（陈日华《经验方》）
小便五淋：赤芍药一两，槟榔一个（面裹煨）。为末。每服一钱，水一盏，煎七分，空心服。（《博济方》）
衄血不止：赤芍药为末，水服二钱匕。（《事林广记》）
衄血咯血：白芍药一两，犀角末二钱半。为末。新水服一钱匕，血止为限。（《古今录验》）
煎六合，入酒五合，再煎七合，空心分为两服。亦可为末，酒服二钱。（《圣惠方》）
经水不止：白芍药、香附子、熟艾叶各一钱半。水煎服之。（《熊氏补遗》）
血崩带下：赤芍药、香附子等分。为末。每服二钱，盐一捻，水一盏，煎七分，温服，每日二次服。十服见效，名如神散。（《良方》）赤白带下，年深月久不瘥者。取白芍药三两，并干姜半两。锉熬令黄，捣末。空心水饮服二钱匕，每日再服。《广济方》：只用芍药炒黑，研末，酒服之。（《贞元广利方》）
金疮血出：白芍药一两。熬黄为末。酒或米饮服二钱，渐加之。仍以末敷疮上即止，良验。（《广利方》）
痘疮胀痛：白芍药为末，酒服半钱匕。（《痘疹方》）木舌肿满，塞口杀人。红芍药、甘草煎水热漱。（《圣济总录》）
鱼骨哽咽：白芍药嚼细咽汁。（《事林广记》）
(Suoyao, "Suoy" sounds like "Biao", also sounds like "Shao". Listed in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*.)
[Names] Jiangli (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Lishi (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Baizhu (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Yurong (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Ting (from *Mingyi Bielu*). The white variety is named Jin Suoyao (Golden Peony Root) (from *Bencao Tujing*).
Li Shizhen says: Suoyao implies "Yue" (restraint/beauty). Yue means beautiful. This herb's floral appearance is elegant. *Ya Yi* states: To counteract food toxicity, nothing is better than Suoyao, hence its name as a medicinal herb, which is also plausible. The poem in *Zheng Feng* says: "They joked with each other, gifting Suoyao." *Han Shi Waizhuan* states: Suoyao is the grass of parting. Dong Zhongshu says: Suoyao is also called Jiangli, hence it is gifted upon parting. The folk call the multi-petaled flower variety "Small Peony"; the red one is called Mu Suoyao (Wood Peony), sharing the same name as Mudan (Tree Peony).
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Suoyao grows in the valleys and hills of Central Yue. The roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried.
Tao Hongjing says: Those from Baishan, Jiangshan, and Maoshan are currently considered the best, white and about one chi long. Other places produce them but mostly red; the red ones have slightly lesser efficacy.
Su Song says: They are now found everywhere, with those from Huainan being superior. In spring, red shoots emerge in clumps; the stems have three branches and five leaves, resembling Mudan but narrower and longer, growing one to two chi high. Flowers bloom in early summer, in red, white, and purple varieties, producing seeds similar to but smaller than Mudan seeds. Roots are harvested in autumn. Cui Bao's *Gujin Zhu* states: There are two types of Suoyao: Cao Suoyao (Herbaceous Peony) and Mu Suoyao (Tree Peony). The woody type has large, deep-colored flowers; the folk mistakenly call this Mudan, which is incorrect. *An Qisheng Fuliian Fa* states: There is Jin Suoyao, white with fleshy pith; and Mu Suoyao, purple, thin, and veiny.
Kou Zongshi says: *Shennong Bencao Jing* records Suoyao growing in hills. Nowadays, people mostly use cultivated varieties. To make flowers and leaves large and fat, manure must be added. Every year in August or September, roots are taken, divided, and sliced for medicinal use. Zhenyang in Huainan produces the most now; although the roots are large and fat, their fragrance is poor, resulting in less efficacy when used medicinally.
Li Shizhen says: Ancients said Luoyang Mudan and Yangzhou Suoyao were the best under heaven. Medicinal Suoyao is now often sourced from Yangzhou. Buds emerge in October, grow until spring, and flower in March. There are over thirty varieties, differing in having double petals, single petals, or layered structures. For medicinal use, the roots of single-petal varieties are preferred, as they possess complete and strong aroma and flavor. The root color (red or white) follows the flower color.
Root
[Processing] Lei Xiao says: Upon harvesting, scrape off the skin and soil from the head using a bamboo knife, mince finely, mix with honey water, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, then sun-dry for use.
Li Shizhen says: Nowadays, people mostly use it raw. Only when avoiding middle-jiao cold is it stir-fried with wine; when entering female blood-formulas, it is stir-fried with vinegar.
[Favor and Toxicity] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sour, slightly cold, slightly toxic. Lei Gong says: Shenneng considers it bitter; Tongjun considers it sweet and non-toxic; Qibo considers it salty; Lei Gong considers it sour. Li Dangzhi considers it slightly cold.
Zhang Yuansu says: Nature is cold, flavor is sour, qi is strong while flavor is thin, ascending and slightly descending, belonging to Yin within Yang.
Wang Haogu says: Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root) is sour, neutral, slightly toxic, capable of ascending and descending, belonging to Yin.
Li Gao says: Flavor is sour and bitter, qi is thin while flavor is strong, belonging to Yin, directing downward, serving as a guiding herb for the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, entering the Liver and Spleen blood levels.
Xu Zhicai says: Xuwan is its guiding herb; it dislikes Shihu and Mangxiao; it fears Xiaoshi, Biejia, and Xiaoji; it is inversely compatible with Lilu.
Meng Yuxi says: In another edition, "Xuwan" is written as "Leiluan". Li Shizhen says: Combined with Baizhu, it tonifies the Spleen; combined with Xiongqiong, it drains the Liver; combined with Renshen, it tonifies Qi; combined with Danggui, it tonifies Blood; stir-fried with wine, it tonifies Yin; combined with Gancao, it stops abdominal pain; combined with Huanglian...
[Indications] Abdominal pain caused by pathogenic factors, removing Blood Bi (Blood Stasis obstruction), breaking firm accumulations, treating Han Re Shan Jia (Cold-Heat Hernia masses), stopping pain, promoting urination, tonifying Qi (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Unblocking and smoothing blood vessels, moderating tension, dispersing evil blood, driving out thief blood, removing Water Qi, benefiting the bladder and large/small intestines, reducing carbuncles and swellings, treating epidemic cold-heat, abdominal and lower back pain from Zhong E (Poisoning by Evil Qi) (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treating stagnation of Qi in Zang-Fu organs, strengthening the Five Viscera, tonifying Kidney Qi, treating bone heat from epidemic diseases, uterine blood closure and blockage in women, able to erode pus (Zhen Quan). Treating all diseases in women, various disorders before and after childbirth, treating Wind and tonifying exhaustion, reducing fever and removing irritability, treating Back Carbuncle and Scabies (Da Ming). Draining the Liver, calming the Spleen and Lungs, gathering Stomach Qi, stopping diarrhea and dysentery, consolidating Cou Li (skin and pores), harmonizing blood vessels, gathering Yin Qi, restraining rebellious Qi (Zhang Yuansu). Regulating Middle Qi, treating Spleen deficiency with fullness in the middle, epigastric stuffiness, hypochondriac pain, frequent belching, lung urgency with distension, rebellion, wheezing, and coughing, Taiyang Biu Nu (nosebleed) and dry eyes, Liver Blood deficiency, Yangwei disease suffering from cold and heat, Daimai disease suffering from abdominal fullness and pain, waist feeling loose as if sitting in water (Li Gao). Stopping dysentery with abdominal pain and tenesmus (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Su Song says: Red ones benefit urination and direct Qi downward; white ones stop pain and disperse blood.
Ma Zhi says: Red ones tonify Qi, white ones tonify Blood.
Tao Hongjing says: Red ones have slight benefits; common formulas use them for pain relief, not inferior to Danggui. White ones are also consumed by Daoists and used in stone-boiling practices.
Cheng Wuji says: White tonifies, Red drains; White gathers, Red disperses. Sour gathers, Sweet moderates; thus, combining Sour and Sweet is used to tonify Yin Blood. It gathers rebellious Qi and removes Lung dryness. He also states: The sourness of Suoyao gathers fluids and benefits Ying Blood, gathers Yin Qi, and drains pathogenic Heat.
Zhang Yuansu says: White tonifies, Red disperses; drains Liver, tonifies Spleen and Stomach. Wine-soaked to move meridians, stops mid-abdominal pain; used with Ginger, warms meridians, disperses dampness, unblocks obstructions, benefits abdominal pain, and unblocks Stomach Qi. Bai Shao enters the Spleen meridian to tonify the Middle Jiao, making it an essential herb for diarrhea. Generally, diarrhea involves Taiyin disease, so this herb cannot be omitted. With Zhi Gancao as an assistant, it treats abdominal pain; adding Huangqin in small amounts during summer, or adding Guizhi for aversion to cold, constitutes Zhang Zhongjing's divine formula. Its uses are sixfold: calming the Spleen meridian, one; treating abdominal pain, two; gathering Stomach Qi, three; stopping dysentery, four; harmonizing blood vessels, five; consolidating Cou Li, six.
Cheng Cong says: Single-petal red-flowered Suoyao is best, but it is contraindicated for those with Blood deficiency and Cold. The ancients said: Reduce Suoyao to avoid Middle Cold. This should indeed not be ignored.
Zhu Zhenheng says: Suoyao drains Spleen Fire; its nature and flavor are sour and cold. In winter, it must be stir-fried with wine. Most abdominal pains are due to coagulation and stagnation of blood vessels, requiring wine-stir-frying. However, it only treats Blood deficiency abdominal pain; it does not treat others. Because its sour and cold nature gathers and restricts, lacking warming and dispersing functions. For dysentery with abdominal pain, it must be stir-fried; for tenesmus, do not stir-fry. It is contraindicated postpartum because its sour and cold nature attacks the generating Qi. If absolutely necessary, use wine-stir-fried.
Li Shizhen says: Bai Shao Yao benefits the Spleen, draining Wood within Earth. Chi Shao Yao disperses pathogens, moving stasis in the blood. *Rihua Zi* stated: Red tonifies Qi, White treats Blood, which was imprecise. Postpartum, Liver Blood is already deficient; further draining is forbidden, hence the contraindication. There are many sour and cold herbs; why single out Suoyao? Based on this...
Li Gao says: Some say ancients viewed sour and astringent as gathering; why does *Shennong Bencao Jing* mention benefiting urination? Answer: Suoyao benefits Yin, moistens dampness, and retains fluids, so urination occurs naturally, not through diuresis. Question: What does "moderate the middle" mean? Answer: When the Liver is damaged, moderate the middle, which is regulating blood; hence, Siwu Tang uses Shao Yao. Generally, sour and astringent herbs are agents for gathering and retaining dampness, thus governing the gathering nature of the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, and can treat the Blood Sea entering below the Nine Earths, finally reaching the Jueyin meridian. White belongs to the West, hence tonifying; Red belongs to the South, hence draining.
[Attached Formulas] Six old formulas, ten new formulas.
Administration Method: Su Song says: An Qisheng's method for preparing Suoyao states: There are two types: Jin Suoyao for curing illness, white with fleshy pith; Mu Suoyao, purple, thin, and veiny. Selection must be careful to avoid error. Upon harvesting, wash clean and peel, boil in flowing eastward water for one hundred boils, dry in shade. Let stand for three days, then steam in a wooden steamer, cover with clean yellow earth, cook thoroughly for one day and night, take out and dry in shade, grind into powder. Take three qianbi with wheat drink or wine, three times daily. After taking for three hundred days, one can climb mountains and fast without hunger (*Bencao Tujing*).
Abdominal Deficiency Pain: Bai Shao Yao 3 qian, Zhi Gancao 1 qian. In summer, add Huangqin 0.5 qian; for aversion to cold, add Rougui 1 qian; in severe winter cold, add another 1 qian of Gui. Two zhan of water, decoct to half, take warm (*Jieguo Yaoyong Faxiang*). Wind-Toxic Bone Pain in Marrow: Shao Yao 2 fen, Hugu 1 liang (roasted), grind to powder, place in silk bag, soak in three sheng of wine for five days. Take three he per dose, three times daily (*Jingyan Houfang*).
Gout Swelling and Pain: Bai Shao Yao 6 liang, Gancao 1 liang. Grind to powder, take with hot water (*Shilin Guangji*).
Xiaoke (Wasting-Thirst) with Thirst: Bai Shao Yao and Gancao in equal parts. Grind to powder. Take 1 qian, decoct in water, three times daily. Xin of Ezhu suffered from this for nine years; medicine stopped symptoms but they recurred. Su Pu taught this formula; cured in seven days (*Chen Rihua Jingyan Fang*). Ancient prescriptions are hard to understand; do not ignore them because they seem simple.
Five Lin Dysuria: Chi Shao Yao 1 liang, Binglang 1 piece (wrapped in flour and roasted). Grind to powder. Take 1 qian, decoct in one zhan of water to 0.7 portion, take on empty stomach (*Boji Fang*).
Unstopping Nosebleed: Chi Shao Yao ground to powder, take 2 qianbi with water (*Shilin Guangji*).
Nosebleed and Hemoptysis: Bai Shao Yao 1 liang, Xijiao powder 2.5 qian. Grind to powder. Take 1 qianbi with fresh water, limit until bleeding stops (*Gujin Luyan*).
Decoct to 6 he, add 5 he of wine, decoct again to 7 he, divide into two doses on empty stomach. Can also be ground to powder, take 2 qian with wine (*Shenghui Fang*).
Unstopping Menstruation: Bai Shao Yao, Xiangfu, Shu Aiyè each 1.5 qian. Decoct in water and take (*Xiongshi Buyi*).
Metrorrhagia and Leukorrhea: Chi Shao Yao and Xiangfu in equal parts. Grind to powder. Take 2 qian, pinch of salt, one zhan of water, decoct to 0.7 portion, take warm, twice daily. Effective after ten doses, named Rushen San (*Liangfang*). For chronic red and white leukorrhea not healing for years: Take Bai Shao Yao 3 liang and Ganjiang 0.5 liang. Cut and roast until yellow, grind to powder. Take 2 qianbi with water on empty stomach, twice daily. *Guangji Fang*: Just roast Shao Yao until black, grind to powder, take with wine (*Zhenyuan Guangli Fang*).
Metal Wound Bleeding: Bai Shao Yao 1 liang. Roast until yellow, grind to powder. Take 2 qian with wine or rice drink, increase gradually. Also apply powder directly to wound to stop bleeding, highly effective (*Guangli Fang*).
Smallpox Swelling and Pain: Bai Shao Yao ground to powder, take 0.5 qianbi with wine (*Douzhen Fang*). Wooden Tongue swelling filling the mouth, fatal. Hong Shao Yao and Gancao decocted in water for hot rinsing (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Fish Bone Stuck in Throat: Chew Bai Shao Yao finely and swallow juice (*Shilin Guangji*).