（《本经》中品）
【释名】木通（士良）、附支（《本经》）、
时珍曰∶有细细孔，两头皆通，故名通草，即今所谓木通也。今之通草，乃古之通脱木
也。宋本草混注为一，名实相乱，今分出之。
【集解】《别录》曰∶通草，生石城山谷及山阳。正月、二月采枝，阴干。
弘景曰∶今出近道。绕树藤生，汁白。茎有细孔，两头皆通。含一头吹之，则气出彼头
者良。或云即 藤茎也。
恭曰∶此物大者径三寸，每节有二、三枝，枝头有五叶。子长三、四寸，核黑瓤白，食
之甘美。南人谓为燕覆子，或名乌覆子。遇七、八月采之。
藏器曰∶江东人呼为蓄 子，江西人呼为拿子，如 袋，瓤黄子黑，食之去皮。苏云色
白者，乃猴 也。
颂曰∶今泽、潞、汉中、江淮、湖南州郡亦有之。藤生，蔓大如指，其茎干大者径三寸。
一枝五叶，颇类石苇，又似芍药，三叶相对。夏秋开紫花，亦有白花者。结实如小木瓜，食
之甘美，即陈士良本草所谓桴 子也。其枝，今人
古方所用通草，皆今之木通，其通脱木稀有用者。或以木通为葡萄苗者，非矣。按∶张氏《燕
吴行纪》载∶扬州甘泉东院两廊前有通草，其形如椿
不同，或别一物也。
时珍曰∶今之木通，有紫、白二色∶紫者皮浓味辛；白者皮薄味淡。《本经》言味辛，《别
录》言味甘，是二者皆能通利也。
【气味】辛，平，无毒。《别录》曰∶甘。权曰∶微寒。
普曰∶神农、黄帝∶辛；雷公∶苦。
杲曰∶味甘而淡，气平味薄。降也，阳中阴也。
【主治】除脾胃寒热，通利九窍血脉关节，令人不忘，去恶虫（《本经》）。
疗脾疸，常欲眠，心烦哕，出音声，治耳聋，散痈肿诸结不消，及金疮恶疮，鼠
折， 鼻息肉，堕胎，去三虫（《别录》）。治五淋，利小便，开关格，治人多睡，主
水肿浮大（甄权）。
利诸经脉寒热不通之气（孟诜）。理风热，小便数急疼，小腹虚满，宜煎汤并葱食之
，有效（士良）。安心除烦，止渴退热，明耳目，治鼻塞，通小肠，下水，破积聚血块，排
脓，
治疮疖，止痛，催生下胞，女人血闭，月候不匀，天行时疾，头痛目眩，羸劣乳结，及下乳
（大明）。利大小便，令人心宽，下气（藏器）。主诸 疮，喉痹咽痛，浓煎含咽（
）。通经利窍，导小肠火（杲）。
【发明】杲曰∶本草十剂∶通可去滞，通草、防己之属是也。夫防己大苦寒，能泻血中
湿热之滞，又通大便。通草甘淡，能助西方秋气下降，利小便，专泻气滞也。肺受热邪，津
液气化之原绝，则寒水断流，膀胱受湿热，癃闭约缩，小便不通，宜此治之。其症胸中烦热，
口燥舌干，咽干，大渴引饮，小便淋沥，或闭塞不通，胫酸脚热，并宜通草主之。凡气味与
之同者，茯苓、泽泻、灯草、猪苓、琥珀、瞿麦、车前子之类，皆可以渗湿利小便，泄其滞
气也。又曰∶木通下行，泄小肠火，利小便，与琥珀同功，无他药可比。
时珍曰∶木通手厥阴心包络、手足太阳小肠、膀胱之药也。故上能通心清肺，治头痛，
利九窍；下能泄湿热，利小便，通大肠，治遍身拘痛。《本经》及《别录》皆不言及利
小便治淋之功，甄权、日华子辈始发扬之。盖其能泄丙丁之火，则肺不受邪，能通水道。水
源既清，则津液自化，而诸经之湿与热，皆由小便泄去。故古方导赤散用之，亦泻南补北、
扶西抑东之意。杨仁斋《直指方》言∶人遍身胸腹隐热，疼痛拘急，足冷，皆是伏热伤血。
血属于心，宜木通以通心窍，则经络流行也。
【附方】旧三，新一。心热尿赤，面赤唇干，切牙口渴∶导赤散∶用木通、生地黄、炙
甘草等分，为末。每服三钱，入竹叶七片，水煎服。
（钱氏方）
金疮 折∶通草，煮汁酿酒，日饮。
鼠 不消∶方同上。
根
【主治】项下瘿瘤（甄权）。
子
【气味】甘，寒，无毒。
诜曰∶平，南人多食之，北人不知其功。
【主治】浓肠胃，令人能食，下三焦恶气，续五脏断绝气，使语声足气，通十二经脉。
和核食之（孟诜）。除三焦客热，胃口热闭，反胃不下食（士良）。止渴，利小便（时珍）。
（收录于《神农本草经》中品）
【释名】木通（士良）、附支（《本经》）。
李时珍说：这种植物有细细的孔，两头都相通，所以叫通草，就是现在所说的木通。现在的通草，其实是古代的通脱木。宋代的本草著作将它们混淆注释为一物，导致名称和实物混乱，现在将其区分开来。
【集解】《名医别录》说：通草，生长在石城山谷及山阳地区。正月、二月采集枝条，阴干。
陶弘景说：现在出产于附近道路沿线。它是缠绕树木生长的藤本植物，汁液白色。茎上有细孔，两头都通。含住一头吹气，如果气从另一头出来的就是好药。有人说它就是某种藤茎。
苏恭说：这种植物粗的直径有三寸，每节有两三枝，枝头有五片叶子。果实长三四寸，核黑瓤白，吃起来甘美。南方人叫它燕覆子，或者叫乌覆子。在七月、八月采集。
藏器说：江东人叫它蓄子，江西人叫它拿子，形状像袋子，瓤黄子黑，吃的时候要去皮。苏颂说颜色白的是猴什么（原文缺字，推测为猴狖或类似动物相关称呼，此处依原文保留语境）。
苏颂说：现在泽州、潞州、汉中、江淮、湖南各州郡也有生长。它是藤本植物，藤蔓大如手指，其茎干粗的直径有三寸。一枝五叶，很像石苇，又有点像芍药，三片叶子相对。夏秋季节开紫花，也有白花。结的果实像小木瓜，吃起来甘美，就是陈士良本草中所说的桴子。它的枝条，现在人用的古方中的通草，都是现在的木通，而通脱木很少有用到的。有人把木通当作葡萄苗，这是不对的。按：张氏《燕吴行纪》记载：扬州甘泉东院两廊前有通草，其形状像椿树……（原文此处有缺失或错乱，意指形态不同），或许是另一种东西。
李时珍说：现在的木通，有紫、白两种颜色：紫色的皮厚味辛；白色的皮薄味淡。《本经》说味辛，《别录》说味甘，这说明两者都能通利。
【气味】辛，平，无毒。《别录》说：甘。李权说：微寒。
李普说：神农、黄帝认为：辛；雷公认为：苦。
张杲说：味甘而淡，气平味薄。属于降性，是阳中之阴。
【主治】去除脾胃的寒热邪气，通利九窍血脉关节，让人不忘事，去除恶虫（《本经》）。
治疗脾疸，经常想睡觉，心烦呃逆，发出声音，治疗耳聋，消散痈肿各种结节不消的情况，以及金疮恶疮、鼠瘘骨折、鼻息肉、堕胎、去除三虫（《别录》）。治疗五淋，通利小便，开通关格症，治疗人多睡，主司水肿浮大（甄权）。
通利各经脉寒热不通的气机（孟诜）。调理风热，小便频数急痛，小腹虚满，适宜煎汤并加葱食用，有效（士良）。安心除烦，止渴退热，使耳目聪明，治疗鼻塞，通利小肠，下水气，破除积聚血块，排脓，治疗疮疖，止痛，催生下胞衣，治疗女人血闭，月经不调，流行时疾，头痛目眩，身体瘦弱乳汁郁结，以及下乳（大明）。通利大小便，让人心胸宽畅，下气（藏器）。主治各种疮疡，喉痹咽痛，浓煎后含咽（原文缺作者名）。通经利窍，引导小肠火（杲）。
【发明】张杲说：本草十剂理论：通可去滞，通草、防己这类药物就是。防己大苦寒，能泻血中湿热之滞，又能通大便。通草甘淡，能助西方秋气下降，利小便，专门泻气滞。肺受热邪，津液气化之源断绝，则寒水断流，膀胱受湿热，癃闭约缩，小便不通，适宜用此药治疗。症状表现为胸中烦热，口燥舌干，咽干，大渴引饮，小便淋沥，或闭塞不通，小腿酸脚热，都适宜用通草主治。凡是气味与它相同的，茯苓、泽泻、灯草、猪苓、琥珀、瞿麦、车前子之类，都可以渗湿利小便，泄其滞气。又说：木通下行，泄小肠火，利小便，功效与琥珀相同，没有其他药可以比拟。
李时珍说：木通是手厥阴心包络、手足太阳小肠、膀胱的药物。所以上能通心清肺，治疗头痛，利九窍；下能泄湿热，利小便，通大肠，治疗全身拘挛疼痛。《本经》及《别录》都没有提到利小便治淋的功效，甄权、日华子等人开始发扬这一作用。大概因为它能泄丙丁之火（心火），则肺不受邪，能通水道。水源既清，则津液自然化生，而各经的湿与热，都通过小便泄去。所以古方导赤散中使用它，也有泻南补北、扶西抑东的意思。杨仁斋《直指方》说：人遍身胸腹隐热，疼痛拘急，脚冷，都是伏热伤血。血属于心，适宜用木通来通心窍，则经络气血就能流通。
【附方】旧方三个，新方一个。心热尿赤，面赤唇干，切牙口渴：导赤散：用木通、生地黄、炙甘草等分，研为末。每次服用三钱，加入竹叶七片，水煎服。
（钱乙方）
金疮骨折：通草，煮汁酿酒，每日饮用。
鼠瘘不消：方同上。
根
【主治】颈下瘿瘤（甄权）。
子
【气味】甘，寒，无毒。
孟诜说：平，南方人多食用，北方人不知道它的功效。
【主治】充实肠胃，让人能进食，下三焦恶气，续接五脏断绝之气，使语声足气，通十二经脉。和核一起食用（孟诜）。去除三焦客热，胃口热闭，反胃不下食（士良）。止渴，利小便（时珍）。
(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names] Mutong (Shiliang), Fuzhi (*Bencao Jing*).
Li Shizhen said: This plant has fine pores and is open at both ends, hence named Tongcao (Herba Tetrapanacis), which is what is now called Mutong (Akebiae Caulis). The current Tongcao is actually the ancient Tongtuomu (Akebiae Caulis or Tetrapanacis Medulla, contextually referring to Akebia). Song dynasty materia medica confused them into one entry, causing confusion between names and substances; they are now distinguished.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Tongcao grows in the valleys of Shicheng and Shanyang. Branches are harvested in the first and second lunar months and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now produced near main roads. It is a vine that winds around trees, with white juice. The stem has fine pores open at both ends. If one end is held in the mouth and blown into, air coming out from the other end indicates good quality. Some say it is the stem of a certain vine.
Su Gong said: This plant can have a diameter of three cun for thicker stems. Each node has two or three branches, with five leaves at the branch tips. The fruit is three to four cun long, with black seeds and white pulp, tasting sweet and delicious. Southerners call it Yanfuzi or Wufuzi. It is harvested in the seventh and eighth lunar months.
Zang Qi said: People in Jiangdong call it Zizi, people in Jiangxi call it Nazizi. It is bag-shaped, with yellow pulp and black seeds; the skin must be removed before eating. Su Song stated that the white-colored ones are [text missing/unclear].
Su Song said: It is also found in Zezhou, Luzhou, Hanzhong, Jianghuai, and Hunan prefectures. It is a vine, with tendrils as thick as a finger; the thicker stems have a diameter of three cun. One branch has five leaves, resembling Shiwei (Pyrrhosiae Herba) and somewhat like Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), with three leaves opposite each other. It blooms purple flowers in summer and autumn, and some have white flowers. The fruit resembles a small papaya, tastes sweet and delicious, and is the Fuzi mentioned in Chen Shiliang's materia medica. Its branches... In ancient prescriptions, the "Tongcao" used was actually the current Mutong; Tongtuomu is rarely used. Some mistake Mutong for grape seedlings, which is incorrect. According to Zhang's *Yan Wu Xingji*: There is Tongcao in front of the two corridors of the East Courtyard of Ganquan Temple in Yangzhou, its shape resembling Toona... [text fragment], perhaps it is a different substance.
Li Shizhen said: Current Mutong comes in two colors: purple and white. The purple variety has thick skin and a pungent taste; the white variety has thin skin and a bland taste. *Bencao Jing* states it is pungent, while *Bielu* states it is sweet; this indicates both types possess unblocking and promoting properties.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Sweet. Li Quan stated: Slightly cold.
Li Pu stated: Shennong and Huangdi considered it pungent; Lei Gong considered it bitter.
Zhang Gao stated: Flavor is sweet and bland, qi is neutral and flavor light. It descends, representing yin within yang.
[Indications] Eliminates cold and heat in the spleen and stomach, unblocks the nine orifices, blood vessels, and joints, prevents forgetfulness, and expels harmful parasites (*Bencao Jing*).
Treats Pi Dan (Spleen Jaundice), frequent drowsiness, mental restlessness, hiccups, voice production issues, deafness, dissipates abscesses and various unresolved nodules, treats traumatic injuries and malignant sores, Shu Lou (scrofula) and fractures, nasal polyps, induces abortion, and removes three types of parasites (*Bielu*). Treats Wu Lin (Five Types of Strangury), promotes urination, resolves Guan Ge (obstruction syndrome), treats excessive sleepiness, and manages edema with floating and large pulses (Zhen Quan).
Unblocks qi stagnation due to cold and heat in various meridians (Meng Shen). Regulates wind-heat, painful and urgent frequent urination, and lower abdominal distension; suitable for decoction with green onion for consumption, effective (Shiliang). Calms the mind, eliminates irritability, quenches thirst, reduces fever, brightens eyes and ears, treats nasal congestion, unblocks the Small Intestine, promotes water metabolism, breaks up accumulations and blood stasis, discharges pus, treats carbuncles and furuncles, relieves pain, facilitates childbirth and expulsion of the placenta, treats blood obstruction in women, irregular menstruation, epidemic febrile diseases, headache and vertigo, emaciation with milk stasis, and promotes lactation (Daming). Promotes urination and defecation, relaxes the chest, and directs qi downward (Zang Qi). Treats various sores, throat bi (sore throat) with pain; decoct strongly and gargle/swallow (Author missing). Unblocks meridians and orifices, guides fire from the Small Intestine (Gao).
[Elucidation] Zhang Gao stated: In the Ten Categories of Materia Medica, "Tong" (Unblocking) removes stagnation; examples include Tongcao and Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix). Fangji is greatly bitter and cold, able to drain damp-heat stagnation in the blood and promote bowel movements. Tongcao is sweet and bland, assisting the descending energy of Western Autumn, promoting urination, and specifically draining qi stagnation. When the Lung is affected by heat pathogens, the source of fluid transformation and qi mechanism is cut off, leading to stagnant cold water; if the Bladder is affected by damp-heat, resulting in strangury, constriction, and urinary obstruction, this herb is suitable. Symptoms include vexation and heat in the chest, dry mouth and tongue, dry throat, intense thirst with desire to drink, dribbling urine, or complete urinary retention, soreness in the shins, and hot feet; all are treated primarily with Tongcao. Substances with similar flavors/actions, such as Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Dengcao (Junci Medulla), Zhuling (Polyporus), Hupo (Fossilia Os Mastodi), Qumai (Polygoni Herba), and Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), can all leach out dampness and promote urination to drain stagnation. Furthermore: Mutong descends, drains fire from the Small Intestine, and promotes urination; its efficacy is comparable to Hupo (Fossilia Os Mastodi), with no other herb matching it.
Li Shizhen said: Mutong enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, and the Small Intestine and Bladder Meridians of Foot-Taiyang and Hand-Taiyang. Therefore, it can ascend to clear the Heart and Lung, treat headaches, and benefit the nine orifices; descend to drain damp-heat, promote urination, unblock the Large Intestine, and treat generalized stiffness and pain. Neither *Bencao Jing* nor *Bielu* mentions its ability to promote urination and treat strangury; these benefits were elucidated by Zhen Quan and Ri Hua Zi. Essentially, because it drains Bing-Ding Fire (Heart Fire), the Lung is not invaded, and the water pathways are unblocked. Once the source of water is clear, fluids transform naturally, and dampness and heat in all meridians are excreted via urine. Thus, in the ancient formula Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder), it is used to embody the principle of draining South (Fire) and tonifying North (Water), supporting West (Metal) and suppressing East (Wood). Yang Renzhai's *Zhizhi Fang* states: Generalized hidden heat in the chest and abdomen, painful stiffness, and cold feet are caused by latent heat damaging blood. Since blood belongs to the Heart, Mutong should be used to unblock the Heart orifices, allowing meridian circulation to resume.
[Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, one new prescription. For Heart Heat with red urine, red face, dry lips, teeth grinding, and thirst: Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder): Use equal parts of Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Zhi Gancao (Prepared Licorice Root), grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, add seven leaves of Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf), decoct with water, and take orally.
(Qian Yi's Prescription)
For traumatic injuries and fractures: Decoct Tongcao, brew wine with the juice, and drink daily.
For persistent Shu Lou (Scrofula): Same prescription as above.
Root
[Indications] Goiter under the neck (Zhen Quan).
Seed
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
Meng Shen stated: Neutral. Southerners consume it frequently; Northerners do not know its efficacy.
[Indications] Strengthens the intestines and stomach, improves appetite, descends evil qi from the Triple Burner, reconnects the severed qi of the Five Zang Organs, strengthens voice and qi, and unblocks the Twelve Meridians. Consume with the seed (Meng Shen). Clears guest-heat from the Triple Burner, treats heat closure in the stomach causing regurgitation and inability to eat (Shiliang). Quenches thirst, promotes urination (Shizhen).