（音尸。《本经》上品）
【释名】时珍曰∶按班固《白虎通》载孔子云∶蓍之为言 也。老人历年多，更事久，
事能尽知也。陆佃《埤雅》云∶草之多寿者，故字从 。《博物志》言∶蓍千岁而三百茎，
其本已老，故知吉凶。
【集解】《别录》曰∶蓍实生少室山谷，八月、九月采实，日干。
恭曰∶此草所在有之，其茎可为筮。陶氏误以楮实为之。楮实味甘，此味苦，今正之。
颂曰∶今蔡州上蔡县白龟祠旁，其生如蒿作丛，高五六尺，一本一、二十茎，至多者
五十茎，生便条直，所以异于众蒿也。秋后有花，出于枝端，红紫色，形如菊花，结实如艾
实。《史记·龟策传》云∶龟千岁乃游于莲叶之上。蓍百茎共一根。所生之处，兽无虎野狼，
虫无毒螫。徐广注云∶刘向言龟千岁而灵，蓍百年而一本生百茎也。褚先生云∶蓍满百茎，
其下必有神龟守之，其上常有青云覆之。《传》云∶天下和平，王道得而蓍茎长丈，其丛生
满百茎。方今取蓍者，八十茎以上，长八尺者，即已难得。但得满六十茎以上，长六尺者，
即可用矣。今蔡州所上，皆不言如此。则此类亦神物，故不常有也。
时珍曰∶蓍乃蒿属，神草也。故《易》曰∶蓍之德，圆而神。天子蓍长九尺，诸侯七尺
，大夫五尺，士三尺。张华《博物志》言∶以末大于本者为主，次蒿，次荆，皆以月望浴之
。然则无蓍揲卦，亦可以荆、蒿代之矣。
实
【气味】苦、酸，平，无毒。
【主治】益气充肌肤，明目聪慧先知。久服不饥不老轻身（《本经》）。
叶
【主治】痞疾（时珍）。
【附方】新一。
腹中痞块∶蓍叶、独蒜、穿山甲（末）、食盐。同以好醋捣成饼，量痞大小贴之，两炷
香为度。其痞化为脓血，从大便出。（刘松石《保寿堂方》）
（读音为“尸”。《神农本草经》列为上品。）
【释名】李时珍说：据班固《白虎通义》记载孔子说：蓍的意思就是“筮”（占卜）。老年人经历年岁多，阅历久，对事情能完全知晓。陆佃《埤雅》说：这是草类中寿命长的，所以字形从“耆”（老）。《博物志》说：蓍草生长千年后会有三百根茎，它的根部已经老化，所以能预知吉凶。
【集解】《名医别录》说：蓍实生长在少室山的山谷中，八月、九月采集果实，晒干。
苏恭说：这种草到处都有，它的茎秆可以用来占卜。陶弘景错误地把楮实当作蓍实。楮实味道甘甜，而蓍实味道苦，现在纠正这一错误。
苏颂说：如今蔡州上蔡县白龟祠旁边，生长的蓍草像蒿草一样丛生，高五六尺，一株有一二十根茎，最多的有五十根茎，生来就枝条笔直，所以与众多的蒿草不同。秋天后有花，从枝端长出，呈红紫色，形状像菊花，结的果实像艾草的果实。《史记·龟策列传》说：神龟活到一千岁才在莲叶上游动。一百根蓍茎共用一根主根。它生长的地方，野兽中没有老虎和野狼，昆虫中没有有毒刺蜇的。徐广注释说：刘向说神龟活到一千岁而有灵性，蓍草长到一百年后一株生出一百根茎。褚先生说：蓍草长满一百根茎，下面一定有神龟守护它，上面常有青云覆盖它。《传》说：天下太平，王道得行，蓍茎能长到一丈高，丛生的茎满一百根。当今获取蓍草，八十根以上、长度八尺的，就已经很难得了。只要得到满六十根以上、长度六尺的，就可以使用了。如今蔡州进贡的蓍草，都不像上述那样。那么这类也是神物，所以不常出现。
李时珍说：蓍属于蒿属，是神草。所以《易经》说：蓍的德行，圆融而神妙。天子用的蓍长九尺，诸侯用的七尺，大夫用的五尺，士人用的三尺。张华《博物志》说：以末端大于根部的为主，其次是蒿，其次是荆条，都在月圆之夜清洗它们。既然这样，如果没有蓍草用来揲卦（占卜），也可以用荆条、蒿草代替。
蓍实
【气味】味苦、酸，性平，无毒。
【主治】益气充实肌肤，明目聪慧，具有先知的能力。长期服用不饥饿、不老迈、身体轻健（《神农本草经》）。
蓍叶
【主治】痞疾（李时珍）。
【附方】新方一则。
腹中痞块：蓍叶、独头蒜、穿山甲（研末）、食盐。一同用优质醋捣成饼状，根据痞块的大小贴敷在上面，燃烧两炷香的时间为限度。痞块化为脓血，从大便排出。（刘松石《保寿堂方》）
(Phonetically "Shi". Listed as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica].)
[Names] Li Shizhen says: According to Ban Gu's *Baihu Tongyi*, Confucius stated that the name "Shi" (Yarrow) is derived from "Shi" (Divination). The elderly have lived many years and have extensive experience, thus they can know things thoroughly. Lu Tuan's *Piya* states: This is a grass with a long lifespan, hence the character includes the component for "elderly" (Qi). The *Bowuzhi* [Insects and Animals] mentions: Yarrow grows three hundred stems after a thousand years; its root has become old, therefore it can predict fortune and misfortune.
[Collection and Explanation] The *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians] states: Yarrow fruit grows in the valleys of Mount Shaoshi. The fruits are harvested in the eighth and ninth lunar months and dried in the sun.
Su Gong says: This grass grows everywhere, and its stems can be used for divination. Tao Hongjing mistakenly identified Zhi fruit (Broussonetia papyrifera fruit) as Yarrow fruit. Zhi fruit tastes sweet, whereas Yarrow tastes bitter; this error is now corrected.
Su Song says: Currently, near the White Turtle Shrine in Shangcai County, Caizhou, the growing Yarrow resembles mugwort and grows in clumps. It is five or six chi tall, with one plant having ten to twenty stems, and up to fifty stems at most. The stems grow straight, distinguishing them from other mugworts. Flowers appear after autumn, emerging from the branch tips, reddish-purple in color, resembling chrysanthemums, bearing fruits similar to those of Artemisia argyi. The *Records of the Grand Historian: Chapter on Tortoise Divination* states: A divine turtle swims on lotus leaves only after living a thousand years. One hundred stems of Yarrow share a single root. In the place where it grows, there are no tigers or wild wolves among beasts, nor venomous stinging insects among bugs. Xu Guang's annotation notes: Liu Xiang said that a divine turtle becomes spiritual after a thousand years, and Yarrow produces one hundred stems from one plant after a hundred years. Mr. Chu states: When Yarrow reaches one hundred stems, there must be a divine turtle guarding it below, and green clouds often cover it above. The commentary says: When the world is peaceful and the King's Way prevails, Yarrow stems can grow to one zhang high, with clumps reaching one hundred stems. Today, obtaining Yarrow with eighty or more stems and eight chi in length is already difficult. Obtaining sixty or more stems and six chi in length is sufficient for use. However, the Yarrow submitted by Caizhou does not match these descriptions. Thus, this type is also a divine object and is not commonly found.
Li Shizhen says: Yarrow belongs to the Artemisia genus and is a divine grass. Therefore, the *I Ching* [Book of Changes] states: The virtue of Yarrow is round and spiritual. The Emperor uses Yarrow nine chi long, feudal lords seven chi, officials five chi, and scholars three chi. Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* states: Preference is given to those where the tip is larger than the base, followed by Mugwort, then Bramble. All are washed during the full moon. Thus, if Yarrow is unavailable for casting lots (She Gua), Bramble or Mugwort can be used as substitutes.
Yarrow Fruit
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, sour, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Tonifies Qi and nourishes the flesh and skin, brightens the eyes, enhances intelligence, and grants foresight. Long-term consumption prevents hunger, aging, and keeps the body light (from the *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Yarrow Leaves
[Indications] Treats Pi disease (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] New Prescription One.
Abdominal Pi Masses: Yarrow leaves, single-clove garlic, Pangolin scales (powdered), salt. These are pounded together with good vinegar into a paste. Apply according to the size of the mass. The duration is two incense sticks. The mass will transform into pus and blood and be expelled through the stool. (Liu Songshi, *Baoshou Tang Fang*)