（《本经》上品）
【释名】陵游（《本经》）。志曰∶叶如龙葵，味苦如胆，因以为名。
【集解】《别录》曰∶龙胆生齐朐山谷及冤句，二月、八月、十一月、十二月采根阴干。
弘景曰∶今出近道，以吴兴者为胜。根状似牛膝，其味甚苦。
颂曰∶宿根黄白色，下抽根十余条，类牛膝而短。直上生苗，高尺余。四月生叶如嫩蒜
，细茎如小竹枝。七月开花，如牵牛花，作铃铎状，青碧色。冬后结子，苗便枯。俗呼草龙
胆。又有山龙胆，味苦涩，其叶经霜雪不凋。山人用治四肢疼痛，与此同类而别种也。采无
时。
根
【修治】 曰∶采得阴干。用时，铜刀切去须，土，头了，锉细，甘草汤浸一宿，
漉出，曝干用。
【气味】苦、涩，大寒，无毒。
曰∶空腹饵之，令人溺不禁。
之才曰∶贯众、小豆为之使，恶地黄、防葵。
【主治】骨间寒热，惊痫邪气，续绝伤，定五脏，杀蛊毒（《本经》）。除胃中伏热，时
气温热，热泄下痢，去肠中小虫，益肝胆气，止惊惕，久服益智不忘，轻身耐老（《别录》）
。治小儿壮热骨热，惊痫入心，时疾热黄，痈肿口疮（甄权）。客忤疳气，热病狂语，明目
止烦，治疮疥（大明）。去目中黄及睛赤肿胀，瘀肉高起，痛不可忍（元素）。退肝经邪热，
除下焦湿热之肿，泻膀胱火（李杲）。疗咽喉痛，风热盗汗（时珍）。
【发明】元素曰∶龙胆味苦性寒，气味俱浓，沉而降，阴也，足厥阴、少阳经气分药也
。其用有四∶除下部风湿，一也；及湿热，二也；脐下至足肿痛，三也；寒湿香港脚，四也。
下行之功与防己同，酒浸则能上行，外行以柴胡为主，龙胆为使治眼中疾必用之药。好古曰
∶益肝胆之气而泄火。时珍曰∶相火寄在肝胆，有泻无补，故龙胆之益肝胆之气，正以其能
泻肝胆之邪热也。但大苦大寒，过服恐伤胃中生发之气，反助火邪，亦久服黄连反从火化之
义。《别录》久服轻身之说，恐不足信。
【附方】旧四，新六。
伤寒发狂∶草龙胆为末，入鸡子清、白蜜，化凉水服二钱。（《伤寒蕴要》）
四肢疼痛∶山龙胆根，细切，用生姜自然汁浸一宿，去其性，焙干捣末，水煎一钱匕，
温
谷疸劳疸∶谷疸，因食而得；劳疸，因劳而得。用龙胆一两，苦参三两。为末，牛胆汁
和丸梧子大。先食以麦饮服五丸，日三服，不愈稍增。劳疸，加龙胆一两，栀子仁三七枚，
以猪胆和丸。（《删繁方》）
一切盗汗∶妇人、小儿一切盗汗，又治伤寒后盗汗不止。龙胆草研末，每服一钱，猪胆
汁三两，点入温酒少许调服。（《杨氏家藏方》）小儿盗汗身热。龙胆草、防风各等分。为末。
每服一钱，米饮调下。亦可丸服，及水煎
咽喉热痛∶龙胆，擂水服之。（《集简方》）
暑行目涩∶生龙胆（捣汁）一合，黄连（二寸切烂浸汁）一匙，和点之。（危氏《得效
方》）
眼中漏脓
龙胆草、当归等分。为末。每服二钱，温水下。（《鸿飞集》）蛔虫攻心刺痛，吐
清水。龙胆一两，去头锉，水二盏，煮一盏，隔宿勿食，平旦顿服之。（《圣惠方》）猝然下
血不止。龙胆一虎口，水五升，煮取二升半，分为五服。（姚僧坦《集验方》）
（被列为《神农本草经》上品）
【释名】陵游（出自《神农本草经》）。李当之说：叶子像龙葵，味道苦得像胆，因此得名。
【集解】《名医别录》说：龙胆生长在齐朐山谷及冤句等地，在二月、八月、十一月、十二月采集根部，阴干。
陶弘景说：现在出产于邻近道路的地方，以吴兴出产的质量最好。根状类似牛膝，味道非常苦。
苏颂说：宿根呈黄白色，下面抽出十余条根，类似牛膝但较短。直上生长茎苗，高一尺多。四月长出嫩叶，细茎像小竹枝。七月开花，像牵牛花，呈铃铛状，青碧色。冬后结籽，茎苗随即枯死。俗称为草龙胆。又有山龙胆，味道苦涩，其叶子经过霜雪不凋谢。山民用它治疗四肢疼痛，与草龙胆同类但是不同种。采集没有固定时间。
根
【修治】雷敩说：采得后阴干。使用时，用铜刀切去须根和泥土，去掉头部，锉细，用甘草汤浸泡一夜，滤出，晒干使用。
【气味】味苦、涩，性大寒，无毒。
雷敩说：空腹服用，会导致小便失禁。
【主治】骨骼间的寒热往来，惊痫邪气，接续断裂损伤，安定五脏，杀灭蛊毒（出自《神农本草经》）。清除胃中潜伏的热邪，时行温病发热，热性泄泻下痢，去除肠道中的小虫，补益肝胆之气，止住惊惕，长期服用能益智不忘，身体轻健耐老（出自《名医别录》）。治疗小儿壮热骨蒸，惊痫入心，时行疾病引起的热黄，痈肿口疮（甄权）。客忤疳气，热病狂言乱语，明目止烦，治疗疮疥（大明）。去除眼中黄膜及眼睛红赤肿胀，瘀肉高起，痛不可忍（张元素）。退除肝经邪热，清除下焦湿热引起的肿胀，泻膀胱火（李杲）。治疗咽喉痛，风热盗汗（李时珍）。
【发明】张元素说：龙胆味苦性寒，气味浓厚，沉降下行，属阴，是足厥阴肝经、足少阳胆经气分的药物。它的作用有四个方面：一是清除下部风湿；二是清除湿热；三是治疗脐下到足部的肿痛；四是治疗寒湿脚气。其下行的功效与防己相同，酒浸则能上行，外用以柴胡为主药，龙胆为使药，是治疗眼疾必用的药物。王好古说：补益肝胆之气而泄火。李时珍说：相火寄居在肝胆，只有泄火没有补益，所以龙胆补益肝胆之气，正是因为它能泻肝胆的邪热。但是大苦大寒，过量服用恐怕会损伤胃中生发之气，反而助长火邪，这也是久服黄连反从火化的道理。《名医别录》中说长期服用能轻身，恐怕不足信。
【附方】旧方四首，新方六首。
伤寒发狂：将草龙胆研为末，加入鸡蛋清、白蜜，化开凉水服用二钱。（《伤寒蕴要》）
四肢疼痛：取山龙胆根，细细切碎，用生姜自然汁浸泡一夜，以去除其烈性，焙干捣成末，用水煎服一钱匕，温服。
谷疸劳疸：谷疸，因饮食不当而得；劳疸，因劳累而得。用龙胆一两，苦参三两。研为末，用牛胆汁和丸如梧子大。饭前用麦饮送服五丸，每日三次，如果不愈稍加剂量。劳疸，加龙胆一两，栀子仁三七枚，用猪胆汁和丸。（《删繁方》）
一切盗汗：妇人、小儿各种盗汗，又治疗伤寒后盗汗不止。龙胆草研末，每次服用一钱，加入猪胆汁三两，滴入少许温酒调服。（《杨氏家藏方》）小儿盗汗身热。龙胆草、防风各等分。研为末。每次服用一钱，米饮调下。也可以制成丸剂，或水煎服。
咽喉热痛：龙胆，研磨成水服用。（《集简方》）
暑行目涩：生龙胆（捣汁）一合，黄连（二寸切烂浸汁）一匙，混合点眼。（危氏《得效方》）
眼中漏脓：龙胆草、当归等分。研为末。每次服用二钱，温水送下。（《鸿飞集》）蛔虫攻心刺痛，吐清水。龙胆一两，去掉头部锉碎，加水两盏，煮取一盏，隔夜不吃东西，清晨一次性服用。（《圣惠方》）突然下血不止。龙胆一把（虎口量），加水五升，煮取二升半，分为五次服用。（姚僧坦《集验方》）
(Registered as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])
**[Names]** Lingyou (from the *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Li Dang stated: The leaves resemble those of *Solanum nigrum* (Longkui), and the taste is bitter like gall, hence the name.
**[Collection and Explanation]** The *Bielu* [Recorded by Famous Physicians] states: Longdan grows in the valleys of Qiju and Yuanju. The roots should be collected in February, August, November, and December, and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is now produced in areas near main roads, with those from Wuxing being of superior quality. The root resembles that of *Achyranthes bidentata* (Niuxi) and has a very bitter taste.
Su Song stated: The perennial root is yellowish-white, with more than ten roots sprouting downwards, resembling *Achyranthes bidentata* but shorter. The stem grows straight upwards, over one chi high. In April, tender leaves appear, with thin stems resembling small bamboo twigs. Flowers bloom in July, resembling *Ipomoea nil* (Qian niuhua), bell-shaped, greenish-blue. Seeds form after winter, and the stem withers. Commonly called Caolongdan. There is also Shanlongdan, which tastes bitter and astringent; its leaves do not wither after frost and snow. Mountain people use it to treat pain in the four limbs; it is of the same category but a different species. Collection time is unrestricted.
Root
**[Processing]** Lei Xiao stated: Dry in the shade after collection. When used, cut off the fibrous roots and soil with a copper knife, remove the head, chop finely, soak in Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) overnight, drain, sun-dry, and use.
**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, astringent, extremely cold, non-toxic.
Lei Xiao stated: Taking it on an empty stomach causes urinary incontinence.
Xu Zhicai stated: Guanzhong (*Cyathula officinalis*) and Xiaodou (Adzuki bean) act as guiding herbs; it is incompatible with Dihuang (*Rehmannia glutinosa*) and Fangkui (*Adenophora stricta*).
**[Indications]** Cold and heat alternating in the bones, fright epilepsy and pathogenic qi, healing fractures and injuries, stabilizing the five Zang organs, killing gu poison (from the *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Eliminating latent heat in the stomach, seasonal warm fevers, heat-type diarrhea and dysentery, removing small intestinal parasites, benefiting Liver and Gallbladder Qi, stopping fright and tremors, long-term use enhances memory and prevents forgetfulness, lightens the body, and promotes longevity (from the *Bielu*). Treating severe fever and bone-steaming heat in children, fright epilepsy affecting the Heart, epidemic diseases causing heat jaundice, carbuncles, sores, and mouth ulcers (Zhen Quan). Guest shock and childhood malnutrition due to heat, manic speech during febrile diseases, brightening the eyes, relieving irritability, treating scabies and tinea (Daming). Removing yellow membranes from the eyes, redness and swelling, protruding pterygium, unbearable pain (Zhang Yuansu). Clearing pathogenic heat from the Liver channel, eliminating damp-heat swelling in the Lower Jiao, draining Bladder fire (Li Gao). Treating sore throat, wind-heat night sweats (Li Shizhen).
**[Elucidation]** Zhang Yuansu stated: Longdan is bitter and cold, with strong flavor and properties, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. It is a herb for the Qi level of the Foot Jueyin Liver and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder channels. Its functions are fourfold: first, clearing damp-wind in the lower part of the body; second, clearing damp-heat; third, treating swelling and pain from the umbilicus down to the feet; fourth, treating cold-damp jiaogix (foot disease). Its downward action is similar to that of Fangji (*Stephania tetrandra*); when soaked in wine, it can ascend. Externally, using Chaihu (*Bupleurum*) as the chief herb and Longdan as the assistant is essential for treating eye diseases. Wang Haogu stated: It benefits Liver and Gallbladder Qi while draining fire. Li Shizhen stated: Ministerial Fire resides in the Liver and Gallbladder; there is draining but no tonifying. Thus, Longdan's benefit to Liver and Gallbladder Qi lies precisely in its ability to drain pathogenic heat from them. However, being extremely bitter and cold, excessive use may damage the generating Qi of the Stomach, potentially exacerbating fire pathogens. This aligns with the principle that long-term use of Huanglian (*Coptidis Rhizoma*) may transform into fire. The claim in the *Bielu* that long-term use lightens the body is likely untrustworthy.
**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four old prescriptions, six new prescriptions.
Typhoid fever with mania: Powder Caolongdan, mix with egg white and white honey, dissolve in cool water, and take 2 qian (from *Shanghan Yunyao*).
Pain in the four limbs: Fine-cut Shanlongdan root, soak overnight in fresh ginger juice to mitigate its harsh nature, bake dry, powder, decoct in water, take 1 qian bi, warm administration.
Gu Dan (Grain Jaundice) and Lao Dan (Labor Jaundice): Gu Dan arises from dietary indiscretion; Lao Dan arises from overexertion. Use 1 liang of Longdan and 3 liang of Kushen (*Sophorae Flavescentis Radix*). Powder them, pillify with ox bile into pills the size of wutzu seeds. Take 5 pills before meals with wheat drink, three times daily; increase dosage slightly if ineffective. For Lao Dan, add 1 liang of Longdan and 37 seeds of Zhizi (*Gardeniae Fructus*), pillify with pig bile (from *Shanfan Fang*).
All types of night sweats: For women and children with all types of night sweats, and for persistent night sweats after typhoid fever. Powder Longdancao, take 1 qian per dose, mix with 3 liang of pig bile, add a little warm wine, and take (from *Yangshi Jiancang Fang*). For children with night sweats and fever: Equal parts Longdancao and Fangfeng (*Saposhnikoviae Radix*). Powder them. Take 1 qian per dose, mixed with rice drink. Can also be taken as pills or decocted.
Hot and painful sore throat: Grind Longdan with water and ingest (from *Jijian Fang*).
Dry eyes during summer travel: 1 he of fresh Longdan (pressed juice), 1 spoon of Huanglian (*Coptidis Rhizoma*, two cun long, crushed and steeped for juice), mix and apply to eyes (Wei Shi's *Defang Fang*).
Ocular discharge/pus: Equal parts Longdancao and Danggui (*Angelicae Sinensis Radix*). Powder them. Take 2 qian per dose, washed down with warm water (from *Hongfei Ji*). Pinworms attacking the heart causing stabbing pain, vomiting clear fluid: 1 liang of Longdan, remove head, chop, add two zhan of water, boil to one zhan. Fast overnight, take all at once at dawn (from *Shenghui Fang*). Sudden continuous rectal bleeding: A handful (tiger's mouth measure) of Longdan, five sheng of water, boil to obtain 2.5 sheng, divide into five doses (Yao Sengtan's *Jiyan Fang*).