（《本经》中品）
【释名】腐肠（《本经》）、空肠（《别录》）、内虚（《别录》）、妒妇（《吴普》）、经芩
（《别录》）、黄文（《别录》）、印头（《吴普》）、苦督邮（《记事》），内实者名子芩（弘景）
、条芩（《纲目》）、 尾芩（《唐本》）、鼠尾芩。弘景曰∶圆者，名子芩；破者，名宿芩，
其腹中皆烂，故名腐肠。时珍曰∶芩，《说文》作 ，谓其色黄也。或云芩者，黔也，黔乃
黄黑之色也。宿芩乃旧根，多中空，外黄内黑，即今所谓片芩，故又有腐肠、妒妇诸名。妒
妇心黯，故以比之。子芩乃新根，多内实，即今所谓条芩。或云西芩多中空而色黔，北芩多
内实而深黄。
【集解】《别录》曰∶黄芩，生秭归川谷及冤句。三月三日采根，阴干。
弘景曰∶秭归，属建平郡。今第一出彭城，郁州亦有之，惟深色坚实者好。俗方多用，
道家不须。恭曰∶今出宜州、 州、泾州者，佳。兖州大实亦好，名 尾芩。
颂曰∶今川蜀、河东、陕西近郡，皆有之。苗长尺余，茎干粗如箸，叶从地四面作丛生，
类紫草，高一尺许。亦有独茎者，叶细长，青色，两两相对。六月开紫花，根如知母粗细，
长四、五寸，二月、八月采根，曝干。
《吴普本草》云∶二月生赤黄叶，两两四四相值。其茎空中，或方圆，高三、四尺。四
月花紫红赤，五月实黑、根黄。二月至九月采，与今所说有小异也。
根
【气味】苦，平，无毒。《别录》曰∶大寒。普曰∶神农、桐君、雷公∶苦，无毒
；李当之∶小温。杲曰∶可升可降，阴也。好古曰∶气寒，味微苦而甘，阴中微阳，入手太
阴血分。元素曰∶气凉，味苦、甘，气浓味薄，浮而升，阳中阴也，入手少阳、阳明经。酒
炒则上行。之才曰∶山茱萸、龙骨为之使，恶葱实，畏丹砂、牡丹、藜芦。得浓朴、黄连，
止腹痛；得五味子、牡蒙、牡蛎，令人有子；得黄 、白蔹、赤小豆，疗鼠 。
时珍曰∶得酒，上行；得猪胆汁，除肝胆火；得柴胡，退寒热；得芍药，治下痢；得桑
白皮，泻肺火；得白术，安胎。
【主治】诸热黄胆，肠 泄痢，逐水，下血闭，恶疮疽蚀火疡（《本经》）。疗痰热胃中
热，小腹绞痛，消谷，利小肠，女子血闭，淋露下血，小儿腹痛（《别录》）。治热毒骨蒸，
寒热往来，肠胃不利，破拥气，治五淋，令人宣畅，去关节烦闷，解热渴（甄权）。下气，
主天行热疾，疔疮排脓，治乳痈发背（大明）。凉心，治肺中湿热，泻肺火上逆，疗上热，
目中肿赤，瘀血壅盛，上部积血，补膀胱寒水，安胎，养阴退阳（元素）。治风热湿热头疼，
奔豚热痛，火咳肺痿喉腥，诸失血（时珍）。
【发明】杲曰∶黄芩之中枯而飘者，泻肺火，利气，消痰，除风热，清肌表之热；细实
而坚者，泻大肠火，养阴退阳，补膀胱寒水，滋其化源。高下之分与枳实、枳壳同例。
元素曰∶黄芩之用有九∶泻肺热，一也；上焦皮肤风热风湿，二也；去诸热，三也；利
胸中气，四也；消痰膈，五也；除脾经诸湿，六也；夏月须用，七也；妇人产后养阴退阳，
八也；安胎，九也。酒炒上行，主上部积血，非此不能除。下痢脓血，腹痛后重，身热久不
能止者，与芍药、甘草同用之。凡诸疮痛不可忍者，宜芩、连苦寒之药，详上下，分身、
梢及引经药用之。
震亨曰∶黄芩降痰，假其降火也。凡去上焦湿热，须以酒洗过用。片芩泻肺火，须用桑
白皮佐之。若肺虚者，多用则伤肺，必先以天门冬保定肺气而后用之。黄芩、白术乃安胎圣
药，俗以黄芩为寒而不敢用，盖不知胎孕宜清热凉血，血不妄行，乃能养胎。黄芩乃上、中
二焦药，能降火下行，白术能补脾也。
罗天益曰∶肺主气，热伤气，故身体麻木。又五臭入肺为腥，故黄芩之苦寒，能泻火、
补气而利肺，治喉中腥臭。颂曰∶张仲景治伤寒心下痞满，泻心汤。凡四方皆用黄芩，以其
主诸热、利小肠故也。又太阳病下之利不止，喘而汗出者，有葛根黄芩黄连汤，及主妊娠安
胎散，亦多用之。
时珍曰∶洁古张氏言∶黄芩泻肺火，治脾湿；东垣李氏言∶片芩治肺火，条芩治大肠火；
丹溪朱氏言∶黄芩治上中二焦火；而张仲景治少阳证小柴胡汤，太阳少阳合病下利黄芩汤，
少阳证下后心下满而不痛泻心汤，并用之；成无己言黄芩苦而入心，泄痞热。是黄芩能入手
少阴阳明、手足太阴少阳六经矣。盖黄芩气寒味苦，色黄带绿，苦入心，寒胜热，泻心火，
治脾之湿热，一则金不受刑，一则胃火不流入肺，即所以救肺也。肺虚不宜者，苦寒伤脾胃，
损其母也。少阳之证，寒热胸胁痞满，默默不欲饮食，心烦呕，或渴或痞，或小便不利。虽
曰病在半表半里，而胸胁痞满，实兼心肺上焦之邪。心烦喜呕，默默不欲饮食，又兼脾胃中
焦之证。故用黄芩以治手足少阳相火，黄芩亦少阳本经药也。成无己《注伤寒论》，但云柴
胡、黄芩之苦，以发传邪之热；芍药、黄芩之苦，以坚敛肠胃之气，殊昧其治火之妙。杨士
瀛《直指方》云∶柴胡退热，不及黄芩。盖亦不知柴胡之退热，乃苦以发之，散火之标也；
黄芩之退热，乃寒能胜热，折火之本也。仲景又云∶少阳证腹中痛者，去黄芩，加芍药。心
下悸，小便不利者，去黄芩，加茯苓。似与《别录》治少腹绞痛、利小肠之文不合。成氏言
黄芩寒中，苦能坚肾，故去之，盖亦不然。至此当以意逆之，辨以脉证可也。若因饮寒受寒
，腹中痛，及饮水心下悸，小便不利，而脉不数者，是里无热证，则黄芩不可用也。若热厥
腹痛，肺热而小便不利者，黄芩其可不用乎？故善观书者，先求之理，毋徒泥其文。昔有人
素多酒欲，病少腹绞痛不可忍，小便如淋，诸药不效。偶用黄芩、木通、甘草三味煎服，遂
止。王海藏言有人因虚服附子药多，病小便秘，服芩、连药而愈。此皆热厥之痛也，学人其
可拘乎？予年二十时，因感冒咳嗽既久，且犯戒，遂病骨蒸发热，肤如火燎，每日吐痰碗许
，暑月烦渴，寝食几废，六脉浮洪。遍服柴胡、麦门冬、荆沥诸药，月余益剧，皆以为必死
矣。先君偶思李东垣治肺热如火燎，烦躁引饮而昼盛者，气分热也。宜一味黄芩汤，以泻肺
经气分之火。遂按方用片芩一两，水二钟，煎一钟，顿服。次日身热尽退，而痰嗽皆愈。药
中肯綮，如鼓应桴，医中之妙，有如此哉。
【附方】旧三，新一十四。
三黄丸∶孙思邈《千金方》云∶巴郡太守奏∶加减三黄丸∶疗男子五痨七伤，消渴不生
肌肉，妇人带下，手足寒热，泻五脏火。春三月，黄芩四两，大黄三两，黄连四两；夏三月，
黄芩六两，大黄一两，黄连七两；秋三月，黄芩六两，大黄二两，黄连三两；冬三月，黄芩
三两，大黄五两，黄连二两。三物随时合捣下筛，蜜丸乌豆大。米饮每服五丸，日三。不知
，增至七丸，服一月病愈。久服走及奔马，人用有验。禁食猪肉。（《图经本草》）
三补丸∶治上焦积热，泻五脏火。黄芩、黄连、黄柏等分，为末，蒸饼丸梧子大。每白
汤下二、三十丸。（《丹溪纂要》）肺中有火∶清金丸∶用片芩（炒）为末，水丸梧子大。每
服二、三十丸，白汤下。（同上）肤热如燎∶方见发明下。小儿惊啼∶黄芩、人参等分，为
末。每服一字，水饮下。（《普济方》）肝热生翳，不拘大人小儿。黄芩一两，淡豉三两。为
末。每服三钱，以熟猪肝裹吃，温汤送下，日二服。忌酒、面。（《卫生家宝方》）少阳头痛，
亦治太阳头痛，不拘偏正。小清空膏∶用片黄芩（酒浸透，晒干）为末。每服一钱，茶、酒
任下。（东垣《兰室秘藏》）眉眶作痛，风热有痰。黄芩（酒浸）、白芷等分。为末。每服二
钱，茶下。（《洁古家珍》）吐血衄血，或发或止，积热所致。黄芩一两（去中心黑朽者），为
末。每服三钱，水一盏，煎六分，和滓温服。（《圣惠方》）
吐衄下血∶黄芩三两。水三升，煎一升半，每温服一盏。亦治妇人漏下血。（庞安时《总
病论》）
血淋热痛∶黄芩一两。水煎热服。（《千金方》）
经水不断∶芩心丸∶治妇人四十九岁以后，天癸当住，每月却行，或过多不止。用条芩
心二两（米醋浸七日，炙干又浸，如此七次）。为末，醋糊丸梧子大。每服七十丸，空心温
酒下，日二次。（《瑞竹堂方》）
崩中下血∶黄芩为细末。每服一钱，霹雳酒下，以秤锤烧赤，淬酒中也。
许学士云∶崩中，多用止血及补血药。此方乃治阳乘于阴，所谓天暑地热，经水沸溢者
也。（《本事方》）
安胎清热∶条芩、白术等分。炒为末，米饮和丸梧子大。每服五十丸，白汤下。或加神
曲。凡妊娠调理，以四物去地黄，加白术、黄芩为末，常服甚良。（《丹溪纂要》）产后血渴，
饮水不止。黄芩、麦门冬等分。水煎温服，无时。（《杨氏家藏方》）
灸疮血出∶一人灸火至五壮，血出不止如尿，手冷欲绝。以酒炒黄芩二钱为末，酒服即
止
老小火丹∶黄芩末，水调涂之。（《梅师方》）
子
【主治】肠 脓血（《别录》）。
（收录于《神农本草经》中品）
【释名】腐肠（出自《神农本草经》）、空肠（出自《名医别录》）、内虚（出自《名医别录》）、妒妇（出自《吴普本草》）、经芩（出自《名医别录》）、黄文（出自《名医别录》）、印头（出自《吴普本草》）、苦督邮（出自《雷公炮炙论》或相关记事书籍）。内部充实的称为子芩（陶弘景语）、条芩（《本草纲目》）、尾芩（《新修本草》）、鼠尾芩。陶弘景说：圆形的，叫子芩；剖开的，叫宿芩，其腹部都已腐烂，所以名叫腐肠。李时珍说：芩字，《说文解字》写作“芩”，是指它的颜色发黄。有人说“芩”通“黔”，黔是黄黑色的意思。宿芩是陈旧的根，大多中空，外表黄里面黑，就是现在所说的片芩，所以又有腐肠、妒妇等名字。妒妇心阴暗，所以用它来比喻。子芩是新生的根，大多内部充实，就是现在所说的条芩。有人说西部的黄芩多中空且色黑，北部的黄芩多内部充实且深黄色。
【集解】《名医别录》说：黄芩，生长在秭归的山谷及冤句等地。三月三日采集根部，阴干。
陶弘景说：秭归属建平郡。现在第一产地是彭城，郁州也有出产，只有颜色深且质地坚实的才好。世俗医方多用，道家不需要。苏恭说：现在宜州、泾州出产的好。兖州的大而实的也好，名叫尾芩。
苏颂说：现在川蜀、河东、陕西邻近郡县都有出产。苗高一尺多，茎干粗如筷子，叶子从地面四面丛生，类似紫草，高一尺左右。也有单茎的，叶子细长，青色，两两相对。六月开紫花，根粗细像知母，长四、五寸，二月、八月采根，晒干。
《吴普本草》说：二月生出赤黄色的叶子，两两或四四相对。茎中空，有的方有的圆，高三、四尺。四月开紫红赤色的花，五月结黑色的果实，根是黄色的。二月至九月采收，与现在的说法略有不同。
根
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。《名医别录》说：大寒。吴普说：神农、桐君、雷公认为：味苦，无毒；李当之认为：小温。张元素说：可升可降，属阴。李杲说：气寒，味微苦而甘，阴中微阳，入足太阴肺经血分。王好古说：气凉，味苦、甘，气浓味薄，浮而升，阳中阴也，入手少阳、阳明经。酒炒则药力上行。徐之才说：山茱萸、龙骨作为引经药，厌恶葱实，畏惧丹砂、牡丹、藜芦。配合厚朴、黄连，能止腹痛；配合五味子、牡蒙、牡蛎，能助人受孕；配合黄芪、白蔹、赤小豆，能治疗鼠瘘（淋巴结核）。
李时珍说：配合酒，药力上行；配合猪胆汁，能清除肝胆之火；配合柴胡，能退寒热往来；配合芍药，能治疗痢疾；配合桑白皮，能泻肺火；配合白术，能安胎。
【主治】各种热症引起的黄疸，肠道泄泻痢疾，逐水饮，通下血闭，恶疮疽蚀火疡（《神农本草经》）。治疗痰热胃中热，小腹绞痛，消食，利小肠，女子月经闭止，淋沥下血，小儿腹痛（《名医别录》）。治疗热毒骨蒸，寒热往来，肠胃不利，破滞气，治疗五种淋证，使人宣畅，去除关节烦闷，解除热渴（甄权）。降气，主治流行性热病，疔疮排脓，治疗乳痈发背（孟诜）。清心，治疗肺中湿热，泻肺火上逆，治疗上焦热，眼睛红肿，瘀血壅盛，上部积血，补膀胱寒水，安胎，养阴退阳（张元素）。治疗风热湿热头痛，奔豚热痛，火咳肺痿喉腥，各种失血（李时珍）。
【发明】李杲说：黄芩中枯而轻飘的，能泻肺火，利气，消痰，除风热，清肌表之热；细实而坚硬的，能泻大肠火，养阴退阳，补膀胱寒水，滋其化源。高下的区分与枳实、枳壳同理。
张元素说：黄芩的作用有九种：泻肺热，是一；上焦皮肤风热风湿，是二；去诸热，是三；利胸中气，是四；消痰膈，是五；除脾经诸湿，是六；夏季必须使用，是七；妇人产后养阴退阳，是八；安胎，是九。酒炒后上行，主治上部积血，不用此药不能清除。下痢脓血，腹痛后重，身热久不能止的，与芍药、甘草同用。凡是各种疮痛不可忍受的，宜用芩、连这类苦寒药，根据上下部位，分辨身、梢及引经药使用。
朱震亨说：黄芩降痰，是借助其降火的作用。凡是去除上焦湿热，必须以酒洗过后使用。片芩泻肺火，必须用桑白皮辅助。如果肺虚的人，多用则伤肺，必须先以天门冬固护肺气然后再用。黄芩、白术是安胎圣药，世俗之人因为黄芩性寒而不敢用，大概不知道胎孕适宜清热凉血，血不妄行，才能养胎。黄芩是上、中二焦的药，能降火下行，白术能补脾。
罗天益说：肺主气，热伤气，所以身体麻木。又五臭入肺为腥，所以黄芩的苦寒，能泻火、补气而利肺，治疗喉中腥臭。苏颂说：张仲景治疗伤寒心下痞满，用泻心汤。四方中都使用黄芩，因为它主治各种热症、利小肠的缘故。还有太阳病误下导致利不止，喘而汗出的，用葛根黄芩黄连汤，以及主治妊娠安胎散，也多使用它。
李时珍说：洁古张氏说：黄芩泻肺火，治脾湿；东垣李氏说：片芩治肺火，条芩治大肠火；丹溪朱氏说：黄芩治上中二焦火；而张仲景治疗少阳证的小柴胡汤，太阳少阳合病下利的黄芩汤，少阳证下后心下满而不痛的泻心汤，都使用它；成无己说黄芩苦而入心，泄痞热。这说明黄芩能入手少阳、阳明、手足太阴、少阳六经。大概黄芩气寒味苦，色黄带绿，苦入心，寒胜热，泻心火，治脾之湿热，一方面使金不受刑（肝木不克肺金），一方面使胃火不流入肺，这就是救肺的方法。肺虚不宜用的，是因为苦寒伤脾胃，损其母（脾土生肺金）。少阳的证候，寒热胸胁痞满，默默不欲饮食，心烦呕，或渴或痞，或小便不利。虽然说病在半表半里，但胸胁痞满，实在兼有心肺上焦之邪。心烦喜呕，默默不欲饮食，又兼有脾胃中焦之证。所以用黄芩来治疗手足少阳相火，黄芩也是少阳本经的药。成无己《注解伤寒论》，只说柴胡、黄芩之苦，以发散传变之邪的热；芍药、黄芩之苦，以坚固收敛肠胃之气，这很不明白它治火的奥妙。杨士瀛《直指方》说：柴胡退热，不如黄芩。大概也不知道柴胡退热，是苦以发之，散火之标；黄芩退热，是寒能胜热，折火之本。仲景又说：少阳证腹中痛的，去黄芩，加芍药。心下悸，小便不利的，去黄芩，加茯苓。似乎与《名医别录》治疗少腹绞痛、利小肠的文字不合。成氏说黄芩寒中，苦能坚肾，所以去掉它，这也不对。到这里应当以意逆之，通过脉证来辨别即可。如果是因饮冷受寒，腹中痛，及饮水心下悸，小便不利，而脉不数的，这是里没有热证，那么黄芩不可用。如果是热厥腹痛，肺热而小便不利的，黄芩难道可以不用吗？所以善于读书的人，先求之于理，不要仅仅拘泥于文字。过去有人素来多酒欲，患少腹绞痛不可忍，小便如淋，诸药无效。偶然用黄芩、木通、甘草三味煎服，于是停止。王海藏说有人因虚服附子药多，患小便秘，服芩、连药而愈。这都是热厥之痛，学人怎么可以拘泥呢？我二十岁时，因感冒咳嗽已久，且犯戒色，于是患骨蒸发热，肤如火燎，每天吐痰约一碗，暑月烦渴，寝食几废，六脉浮洪。遍服柴胡、麦门冬、荆沥诸药，月余病情加重，大家都以为必死无疑。先父偶然想起李东垣治疗肺热如火燎，烦躁引饮而昼盛的，是气分热。宜用一味黄芩汤，以泻肺经气分之火。于是按方用片芩一两，水二钟，煎成一钟，顿服。次日身热尽退，而痰嗽皆愈。药中肯綮，如鼓应桴，医中之妙，有如此啊。
【附方】旧方三个，新方十四个。
三黄丸：孙思邈《千金方》说：巴郡太守奏言：加减三黄丸：治疗男子五劳七伤，消渴不生肌肉，妇人带下，手足寒热，泻五脏火。春三月，黄芩四两，大黄三两，黄连四两；夏三月，黄芩六两，大黄一两，黄连七两；秋三月，黄芩六两，大黄二两，黄连三两；冬三月，黄芩三两，大黄五两，黄连二两。三物随季节合捣筛末，蜜丸如乌豆大。米饮送服每服五丸，日三次。无效，增至七丸，服一月病愈。久服跑得快如奔马，人用有效。禁食猪肉。（《图经本草》）
三补丸：治疗上焦积热，泻五脏火。黄芩、黄连、黄柏等分，为末，蒸饼丸梧子大。每白开水送下二、三十丸。（《丹溪纂要》）肺中有火：清金丸：用片芩（炒）为末，水丸梧子大。每服二、三十丸，白开水送下。（同上）肤热如燎：方见发明下。小儿惊啼：黄芩、人参等分，为末。每服一字，水饮送下。（《普济方》）肝热生翳，不拘大人小儿。黄芩一两，淡豉三两。为末。每服三钱，以熟猪肝裹吃，温汤送下，日二服。忌酒、面。（《卫生家宝方》）少阳头痛，亦治太阳头痛，不拘偏正。小清空膏：用片黄芩（酒浸透，晒干）为末。每服一钱，茶、酒任下。（东垣《兰室秘藏》）眉眶作痛，风热有痰。黄芩（酒浸）、白芷等分。为末。每服二钱，茶下。（《洁古家珍》）吐血衄血，或发或止，积热所致。黄芩一两（去中心黑朽者），为末。每服三钱，水一盏，煎六分，和滓温服。（《圣惠方》）
吐衄下血：黄芩三两。水三升，煎一升半，每温服一盏。亦治妇人漏下血。（庞安时《总病论》）
血淋热痛：黄芩一两。水煎热服。（《千金方》）
经水不断：芩心丸：治疗妇人四十九岁以后，天癸当住，每月却行，或过多不止。用条芩心二两（米醋浸七日，炙干又浸，如此七次）。为末，醋糊丸梧子大。每服七十丸，空心温酒下，日二次。（《瑞竹堂方》）
崩中下血：黄芩为细末。每服一钱，霹雳酒下，以秤锤烧赤，淬酒中也。
许学士说：崩中，多用止血及补血药。此方乃治阳乘于阴，所谓天暑地热，经水沸溢者也。（《本事方》）
安胎清热：条芩、白术等分。炒为末，米饮和丸梧子大。每服五十丸，白汤下。或加神曲。凡妊娠调理，以四物去地黄，加白术、黄芩为末，常服甚良。（《丹溪纂要》）产后血渴，饮水不止。黄芩、麦门冬等分。水煎温服，无时。（《杨氏家藏方》）
灸疮血出：一人灸火至五壮，血出不止如尿，手冷欲绝。以酒炒黄芩二钱为末，酒服即止。
老小火丹：黄芩末，水调涂之。（《梅师方》）
子
【主治】肠中脓血（《名医别录》）。
(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**[Names]** Fuchang (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Kongchang (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Neixu (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Dufu (from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Jingqin (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Huangwen (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Yintou (from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Kuduyou (from historical records). Those with solid interiors are named Ziqin (Taohongjing), Tiaojin (*Bencao Gangmu*), Weijin (*Xinxiu Bencao*), Shuweijin. Taohongjing said: The round ones are called Ziqin; the split ones are called Suqin, and since their interiors are rotten, they are named Fuchang. Li Shizhen said: The character Qin is written as "Qin" in *Shuowen Jiezi*, referring to its yellow color. Some say "Qin" is synonymous with "Qian," which means yellow-black. Suqin refers to old roots, mostly hollow inside, yellow outside and black inside, which is what is now called Pianqin, hence the names Fuchang and Dufu. Dufu implies a jealous woman's dark heart, used as a metaphor. Ziqin refers to new roots, mostly solid inside, which is what is now called Tiaojin. It is said that Western Huangqin is mostly hollow and blackish, while Northern Huangqin is mostly solid and deep yellow.
**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Huangqin grows in the valleys of Zigui and Yuanju. The roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade.
Taohongjing said: Zigui belongs to Jianping Commandery. Currently, the best source is Pengcheng, and Yuzhou also produces it; only those with deep color and solid texture are good. They are widely used in secular prescriptions but not required by Daoists. Sugong said: Those from Yizhou and Jingzhou are excellent. Large and solid ones from Yanzhou are also good, named Weijin.
Su Song said: They are now found in Sichuan, Hedong, and counties near Shaanxi. The seedlings grow over a chi tall, stems as thick as chopsticks, leaves growing densely from four directions at ground level, resembling *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* (Zicao), about one chi high. Some have single stems, with slender, green leaves opposite each other. Purple flowers bloom in June. Roots are as thick as *Anemarrhenae Rhizoma* (Zhimu), four or five cun long. Roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried.
*Wu Pu Bencao* says: In February, reddish-yellow leaves emerge, arranged two by two or four by four. Stems are hollow, square or round, three to four chi high. Purple-red flowers bloom in April, black fruits mature in May, and roots are yellow. Harvested from February to September, slightly differing from current descriptions.
**Root**
**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Greatly cold. Wu Pu said: Shennong, Tongjun, Leigong considered it bitter and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it slightly warm. Zhang Yuansu said: Can ascend and descend, Yin nature. Li Gao said: Qi is cold, flavor slightly bitter and sweet, Yin with slight Yang, enters the Blood aspect of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Wang Haogu said: Qi is cool, flavor bitter and sweet, strong Qi and thin flavor, floating and ascending, Yang within Yin, enters the Hand Shaoyang and Yangming meridians. Wine-fried, it ascends. Xu Zhicai said: *Cornus officinalis* (Shanzhuyu) and *Os Draconis* (Longgu) act as guides; dislikes *Allii fistulosi Fructus* (Congshi); fears *Cinnabaris* (Dansha), *Paeoniae suffruticosae Cortex* (Mudanpi), and *Veratrum nigrum* (Lilu). Combined with *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo) and *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian), it stops abdominal pain; combined with *Schisandrae Fructus* (Wuweizi), *Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma* (Mumeng), and *Concha Ostreae* (Muli), it aids conception; combined with *Astragali Radix* (Huangqi), *Ampelopsis Radix* (Bailian), and *Phaseoli Semen Rubrum* (Chixiaodou), it treats scrofula (Shulou).
Li Shizhen said: Combined with wine, it ascends; combined with *Porci Fel* (Zhudanchi), it clears Liver and Gallbladder fire; combined with *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu), it resolves chills and fever; combined with *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Shaoyao), it treats dysentery; combined with *Morus Alba Cortex* (Sangbaipi), it drains Lung fire; combined with *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu), it calms the fetus.
**[Indications]** Various heat-induced jaundice, intestinal diarrhea and dysentery, draining water retention, unblocking blood obstruction, malignant sores, carbuncles, ulcers, and burns (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats phlegm-heat and stomach heat, severe lower abdominal colic, promotes digestion, benefits the small intestine, amenorrhea in women, dripping vaginal bleeding, and pediatric abdominal pain (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats heat-toxin bone-steaming fever, alternating chills and fever, gastrointestinal discomfort, breaks stagnation, treats five types of strangury, promotes free flow, relieves joint irritability, and quenches heat-thirst (Zhen Quan). Directs Qi downward, treats epidemic febrile diseases, expels pus from carbuncles, treats mastitis and back abscesses (Meng Shen). Clears the Heart, treats damp-heat in the Lungs, drains rebellious Lung fire, treats upper jiao heat, red and swollen eyes, blood stasis congestion, upper body blood accumulation, tonifies Bladder cold-water, calms the fetus, nourishes Yin and subdues Yang (Zhang Yuansu). Treats headache due to wind-heat and damp-heat, burning pain of running piglet qi, fiery cough and lung abscess with foul throat odor, and various hemorrhages (Li Shizhen).
**[Elucidation]** Li Gao said: The hollow and light parts of Huangqin drain Lung fire, benefit Qi, resolve phlegm, dispel wind-heat, and clear heat from the muscle surface; the fine, solid, and hard parts drain Large Intestine fire, nourish Yin, subdue Yang, tonify Bladder cold-water, and nourish the source of transformation. The distinction between upper and lower is similar to that of *Immature Bitter Orange* (Zhishi) and *Ripe Bitter Orange* (Zhike).
Zhang Yuansu said: There are nine uses for Huangqin: 1. Draining Lung heat; 2. Resolving wind-heat and damp-heat in the skin of the Upper Jiao; 3. Removing various heats; 4. Benefiting Qi in the chest; 5. Resolving phlegm in the diaphragm; 6. Removing dampness in the Spleen meridian; 7. Essential use in summer; 8. Nourishing Yin and subduing Yang postpartum in women; 9. Calming the fetus. Wine-fried, it ascends and treats upper body blood accumulation, which cannot be cleared without this herb. For dysentery with pus and blood, tenesmus, and prolonged fever, use with *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Shaoyao) and *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao). For unbearable pain from any sore, use bitter-cold herbs like Huangqin and Huanglian, distinguishing upper/lower positions, root/stalk parts, and guiding herbs.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Huangqin descends phlegm by virtue of its ability to descend fire. To remove damp-heat from the Upper Jiao, it must be washed with wine before use. Pianqin drains Lung fire and requires *Morus Alba Cortex* (Sangbaipi) as an assistant. If the Lung is deficient, excessive use damages the Lung; one must first secure Lung Qi with *Asparagi Radix* (Tianmendong) before using it. Huangqin and *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu) are the sacred herbs for calming the fetus. Secular people dare not use Huangqin because it is cold, not realizing that pregnancy requires clearing heat and cooling blood so that blood does not move recklessly, thereby nourishing the fetus. Huangqin acts on the Upper and Middle Jiao, descending fire, while Baizhu tonifies the Spleen.
Luo Tianyi said: The Lung governs Qi; heat damages Qi, causing numbness. Also, the five odors enter the Lung becoming fishy; thus, the bitter-cold nature of Huangqin can drain fire, tonify Qi, and benefit the Lung, treating foul odor in the throat. Su Song said: Zhang Zhongjing treated epigastric fullness from Cold Damage with Xiexin Tang. All four formulas use Huangqin because it treats various heats and benefits the small intestine. Also, for Sunyang disease where purgation caused persistent diarrhea, wheezing, and sweating, Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang is used, as well as AnTai San for pregnancy, both frequently using it.
Li Shizhen said: Jiegu Zhang Shi said: Huangqin drains Lung fire and treats Spleen dampness; Dongyuan Li Shi said: Pianqin treats Lung fire, Tiaojin treats Large Intestine fire; Danxi Zhu Shi said: Huangqin treats fire in the Upper and Middle Jiao. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Xiaochaihu Tang for Shaoyang syndrome, Huangqin Tang for Sun-Yang combined disease with diarrhea, and Xiexin Tang for fullness below the heart after purgation in Shaoyang syndrome. Cheng Wuji stated Huangqin is bitter and enters the Heart to drain fullness-heat. This shows Huangqin enters the Hand Shaoyang, Yangming, Hand Taiyin, Foot Taiyin, and Foot Shaoyang meridians. Huangqin is cold in Qi and bitter in flavor, yellow-green in color. Bitter enters the Heart, cold overcomes heat, drains Heart fire, and treats Spleen damp-heat. This prevents Metal from being punished (Liver Wood not overcoming Lung Metal) and prevents Stomach fire from flowing into the Lung, thus saving the Lung. It is unsuitable for Lung deficiency because bitter-cold damages the Spleen-Stomach, harming the Mother (Earth generates Metal). Shaoyang symptoms include chills/fever, hypochondriac fullness, silence, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, thirst, fullness, or difficult urination. Although the disease is half-exterior/half-interior, hypochondriac fullness involves Upper Jiao pathogens of Heart/Lung. Irritability, vomiting, silence, and loss of appetite involve Middle Jiao Spleen/Stomach symptoms. Thus, Huangqin treats Hand/Foot Shaoyang Ministerial Fire; it is also a primary herb for the Shaoyang channel. Cheng Wuji’s *Commentary on Shanghan Lun* only mentions that the bitterness of Chaihu and Huangqin disperses transmitted heat, and the bitterness of Shaoyao and Huangqin consolidates intestinal Qi, missing the subtlety of treating fire. Yang Shiying’s *Zhizhi Fang* said: Chaihu’s heat-resolving effect is inferior to Huangqin. One must understand that Chaihu resolves heat by bitter dispersion (treating the branch), while Huangqin resolves heat by cold overcoming heat (treating the root). Zhongjing also said: For Shaoyang syndrome with abdominal pain, remove Huangqin and add Shaoyao. For palpitations and difficult urination, remove Huangqin and add Poria (Fuling). This seems inconsistent with *Mingyi Bielu*'s treatment of lower abdominal colic and benefiting the small intestine. Cheng Shi said Huangqin is cold in the middle, and bitterness strengthens the Kidney, hence removal; this is incorrect. Here, one should infer by reasoning and distinguish by pulse and symptoms. If abdominal pain, palpitations upon drinking, and difficult urination occur due to cold/drink intake with a non-rapid pulse, there is no interior heat, so Huangqin is contraindicated. If abdominal pain is due to heat-jue, or difficult urination due to Lung heat, can Huangqin be omitted? Therefore, good readers seek principles first, not just literal text. Once, a person with excessive alcohol desire suffered unbearable lower abdominal colic and stranguria-like urination, unresponsive to other drugs. Accidentally taking Huangqin, *Akebiae Caulis* (Mutong), and *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao) stopped it. Wang Haicang said someone who took too much *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata* (Fuzi) for deficiency developed urinary retention, cured by Huangqin and Huanglian. These are all heat-jue pains; students should not be rigid. At age twenty, I suffered from prolonged cold-induced cough and sexual indiscretion, leading to bone-steaming fever, skin burning like fire, expectorating a bowl of sputum daily, irritability and thirst in summer, nearly unable to sleep or eat, with floating and flooding pulses everywhere. Taking Chaihu, *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong), and *Bambusae Succus* (Jingli) for over a month worsened the condition; everyone thought I would die. My father recalled Li Dongyuan’s treatment for Lung heat burning like fire, irritability, thirst, and worse during the day, which is Qi-level heat. Use Yiwu Huangqin Tang to drain Lung Qi-level fire. I followed the prescription: Pianqin 1 liang, water 2 zhong, decoct to 1 zhong, taken in one dose. Next day, fever completely resolved, and cough/sputum ceased. The medicine hit the mark precisely, like a drum answering a beat. The wonder of medicine is indeed such!
**[Attached Prescriptions]** 3 old, 14 new.
Sanhuang Wan: Sun Simiao’s *Qianjin Fang* states: Prefect of Bahu memorialized: Modified Sanhuang Wan treats men’s five labors and seven injuries, wasting-thirst with lack of muscle growth, women’s leukorrhea, alternating cold/heat in limbs, and drains Five Viscera fire. Spring: Huangqin 4 liang, Dahuang 3 liang, Huanglian 4 liang. Summer: Huangqin 6 liang, Dahuang 1 liang, Huanglian 7 liang. Autumn: Huangqin 6 liang, Dahuang 2 liang, Huanglian 3 liang. Winter: Huangqin 3 liang, Dahuang 5 liang, Huanglian 2 liang. Pound the three ingredients according to season, sieve, make honey pills size of black beans. Take 5 pills with rice drink, 3 times daily. If ineffective, increase to 7 pills. Cure in one month. Long-term use enables running as fast as a galloping horse; proven effective. Avoid pork. (*Tujing Bencao*)
Sanbu Wan: Treats Upper Jiao accumulated heat, drains Five Viscera fire. Huangqin, Huanglian, Huangbai equal parts, powder, steamed biscuit pills size of wutong seeds. Take 20-30 pills with plain water. (*Danxi Zuanyao*)
Fire in Lungs: Qingjin Wan: Powder fried Pianqin, water pills size of wutong seeds. Take 20-30 pills with plain water. (Same)
Skin heat like burning: See Elucidation below.
Pediatric fright crying: Huangqin, Renshen equal parts, powder. Take one "zi" dose with water. (*Puji Fang*)
Liver heat causing corneal opacity, adults/children alike. Huangqin 1 liang, Danshi 3 liang. Powder. Take 3 qian, wrapped in cooked liver, swallowed with warm water, twice daily. Avoid alcohol/wheat. (*Weisheng Jiabao Fang*)
Shaoyang headache, also Sunyang headache, lateral or central. Xiaoqingkong Gao: Powder wine-soaked, dried Pian Huangqin. Take 1 qian, with tea or wine. (Dongyuan *Lanshi Micang*)
Eyebrow/orbital pain, wind-heat with phlegm. Huangqin (wine-soaked), Baizhi equal parts. Powder. Take 2 qian with tea. (*Jiegu Jiazhen*)
Hematemesis and epistaxis, intermittent, due to accumulated heat. Huangqin 1 liang (remove black rotten center), powder. Take 3 qian, water 1 zhan, decoct to 6 fen, take warm with dregs. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Hematemesis, epistaxis, lower bleeding: Huangqin 3 liang. Water 3 sheng, decoct to 1.5 sheng. Take 1 zhan warm. Also treats women’s metrorrhagia. (Pang Anshi *Zongbing Lun*)
Blood strangury with hot pain: Huangqin 1 liang. Decoct in water, take hot. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Menstruation continuous: Qinxin Wan: Treats women after 49, when Tian Gui should stop, yet monthly flow continues or is excessive. Use Tiaojin Xin 2 liang (soak in rice vinegar 7 days, roast dry, soak again, repeat 7 times). Powder, vinegar paste pills size of wutong seeds. Take 70 pills on empty stomach with warm wine, twice daily. (*Ruizhutang Fang*)
Metrorrhagia with bleeding: Powder Huangqin finely. Take 1 qian with Pili Jiu (lightning wine, made by quenching hot hammer in wine).
Xu Xueshi said: Metrorrhagia usually uses hemostatic and blood-tonifying herbs. This formula treats Yang invading Yin, described as heaven heat and earth heat causing menstrual boiling over. (*Benshi Fang*)
Calming fetus and clearing heat: Tiaojin, Baizhu equal parts. Stir-fry, powder, mix with rice drink for wutong-sized pills. Take 50 pills with plain water. Or add Shenqu. For pregnancy regulation, remove Rehmannia from Siwu Tang, add Baizhu and Huangqin as powder, daily use is excellent. (*Danxi Zuanyao*)
Postpartum blood-thirst, endless drinking: Huangqin, Maidong equal parts. Decoct in water, take warm anytime. (*Yangshi Jiacang Fang*)
Moxibustion sore bleeding: A person moxibusted 5 zhuang, bleeding continuously like urine, hands cold near death. Wine-fried Huangqin 2 qian, powder, taken with wine stops bleeding immediately.
Old/young fire blisters: Huangqin powder, mixed with water, apply. (*Meishi Fang*)
**Seed**
**[Indications]** Intestinal pus and blood (*Mingyi Bielu*).