五月开白花。七八月结子。其根紫色。
大辛而苦气温。温能通。苦能泄。大辛则善散。气浓则上升。阳也。足太阳本经药。气
力雄壮。通行手足太阳经。并治督脉为病。脊强而厥。主太阳头痛巅顶痛。大寒犯脑。痛连
齿颊。除风头痛。头面身体皮肤风湿。（东垣曰。治风通用。）治妇人疝瘕。阴中寒肿。能化
小便通血。疗痈疽排脓内塞。与白芷功用相符。宣发藏阴。精明形色。洁齐生物者也。如一
阳之上。气浊及血浊而致风头痛。一阴之下。血浊及气浊而致疝瘕阴中寒肿痛腹中急者。咸
可齐之以洁也。（之颐）与白芷同作面脂。既治风又治湿。与木香同用治雾露之清邪中于上
焦。（洁古）泄病风客于胃。作虚治不效。用 本半两。苍术一两。分二服。煎饮即止。以
本能去风湿故耳。（ 本为太阳经药。何以入胃去风。盖心肺胃统主上焦元气。东垣曰。
心与小肠。乃脾胃之根蒂。故此味入小肠。即用以治胃风耳。非更入阳明经也。）大实心痛。
已用利
服。水煎温服。（味此则手太阳达心火之气化。上会于督。下合于胃者。不止谓其祛风。义
固可参）调养老人方。生熟地黄各五两。雌雄何首乌各十两。川椒十两。牛膝五两。干山药
五两。肉苁蓉五两。枸杞子五两。大黑豆一升。 本十两。法制丸服。（此方多滋阴药。而
必用 本。其义可参。）一妇冬受寒。至春而巅顶并左后脑痛。此原病于足太阳寒水。寒久
化热。郁而上行。以病于手太阳。因风升之化不达。而病亦在足厥阴也。经所谓过在巨阳厥
阴者。诚然。诊其脉手太阳热甚于风。足厥阴热胜于湿。心有微热。脾肺亦有郁热。用酒片
芩二分半。酒枯芩分半。蔓荆子二分半。防风分半。萸连二分半。柴胡三分。 本三分。升
麻二分。川芎二分。酒黄柏三分。归身三分。木通四分。牛膝三分。水煎一服愈。（此止治
手太阳而微兼肺。以肺固主气。而上焦合而营诸阳。则归于手太阳之气化也。并治足厥阴者。
以风升之
去。不必多治他经也。详此以明巅顶之病。不尽从乎寒者温治耳。）凡阳虚而易受风邪以致
头痛者。一受风邪则阳气益郁而化热。因阳气之郁而营气遂不得流畅。甚者血分亦以伏热。
论有郁邪。则补阳不可矣。然欲清热。则固病于阳之虚也。其热愈清而愈郁。即阴血愈不畅。
不得已以
本。则一举而三善备。一阳虚者。似补而非补也。一阳之郁者。即阴之滞者。清之皆可达也。
一热可
葛三分半。姜连分半。酒炒黑栀子二分半。酒丹皮三分。防风三分。橘红三分半。半夏三分。
赤苓
四枝。
〔论〕羌活 本。通行手足太阳经。而各有专用。夫手足少阴之脏。各有太阳为之府。
所以达水火之气也。虽曰水中有火。火中有水。然水火之主。固有攸分。（羌活是于水中达
阳。 本乃于火中化阴。所谓阳者。水中之火也。所谓阴者。火中之水也。） 本入手太阳。
能
经秉风穴为手三阳足少阳之会。是诸阳之在天者在手太阳。本君火之主。亦司气化之权也。）
治在火中之元气。与羌活治在水中元气者不同。虽皆治寒湿为病。但羌活本于水气以达之。
本则本于火气以化之。（本经故首主疝瘕及阴中寒肿痛腹中急。而甄权又谓其能化小便通
血也。）缪氏所以致慎于温热诸证也。其除风头痛。乃阳虚而风邪乘之。或阳虚而化风。以
此味能于阳中宣其气化。（观好古所治督脉为病。脊强而厥。可见。）非阴虚而风实者。所可
投也。其治风湿。亦本阳虚。盖阳虚化风者。气之浮而不守也。阴不得阳则不能化。因亦化
湿。所谓卫气虚致营气不化者是。若夫由热化湿者。未可投也。（此味治阳虚之风。非能补
阳也。但使阳之虚者。不致郁而不达以为风耳。大抵阳虚则阴实。非阴之正气实。乃阳中不
化之浊气归于阴也。故未着于有形则化风。着于有形。则如女子疝瘕等证。斯义最宜熟审。
）至于寒郁本经而头痛。 本固不可少。但亦有别处。如寒自上受而郁于此经。则宜散以此
味之辛温。若寒自下受郁久而化热。郁热上行以致巅顶痛者。则宜辛凉以清气分之火。更佐
风药而入兹味为引经。若由上焦心肺胃诸热归于手太阳气化之腑以为头痛者。其可混投乎哉
。就 羌气味以为区别。羌活先苦后辛。苦多辛少。是苦先至地而辛少者。次合气之温以升
。其用本在足也。 本先辛后苦。辛多而苦不敌。是辛先至天。苦更合于气之温而不即降。
其用本在手也。惟上焦之阳气得化。则自导阴而下。故能主疝瘕阴肿诸证。况 本先极其
辛。辛极而徐散。乃见苦味。苦味亦重。是即自上达下之验也。
凡温病头疼。（发热口渴或骨疼）及春夏阳证头疼。并产后血虚火炎头痛。皆不宜服。（仲
淳）
〔修治〕去芦。水洗切。
五月开白花。七八月结子。其根紫色。
五月开出白色的花，七月八月结成种子。它的根部呈紫色。
大辛而苦气温。温能通。苦能泄。大辛则善散。气浓则上升。阳也。足太阳本经药。气力雄壮。通行手足太阳经。并治督脉为病。脊强而厥。主太阳头痛巅顶痛。大寒犯脑。痛连齿颊。除风头痛。头面身体皮肤风湿。（东垣曰。治风通用。）治妇人疝瘕。阴中寒肿。能化小便通血。疗痈疽排脓内塞。与白芷功用相符。宣发藏阴。精明形色。洁齐生物者也。如
一阳之上。气浊及血浊而致风头痛。一阴之下。血浊及气浊而致疝瘕阴中寒肿痛腹中急者。咸可齐之以洁也。（之颐）
性味大辛、苦，气属温。温性能够疏通，苦性能够泄降。大辛善于发散。气味浓厚则向上运行，属于阳。是足太阳膀胱经的本经药物。药力雄壮，通行手太阳小肠经和足太阳膀胱经，并且治疗督脉的病变。症状包括脊柱僵硬强直和四肢厥冷。主治太阳经头痛、头顶痛。由大寒侵袭脑部引起的疼痛，牵连牙齿和面颊。祛除风邪引起的头痛，以及头面、身体、皮肤的风湿病。（李东垣说：治疗风病通用。）治疗妇女的疝气和癥瘕（腹部肿块），外阴寒冷肿胀。能够气化小便，通畅血脉。治疗痈疽，排出脓液，消除内部壅塞。功效与白芷相符合。宣发潜藏的阴气，使神色清明，形体端正，洁净整齐地化生万物。就像在“一阳”之上，因气浊和血浊导致风邪头痛；在“一阴”之下，因血浊和气浊导致疝瘕、外阴寒冷肿胀、腹痛拘急的情况，都可以用藁本来使其洁净整齐。（张元素/李杲弟子或相关医家之颐注）
与白芷同作面脂。既治风又治湿。与木香同用治雾露之清邪中于上焦。（洁古）
与白芷一起制作成面部护肤膏脂，既能治疗风病又能治疗湿病。与木香一同使用，治疗雾露等清邪侵犯上焦的疾病。（张洁古注）
泄病风客于胃。作虚治不效。用 本半两。苍术一两。分二服。煎饮即止。以本能去风湿故耳。（ 本为太阳经药。何以入胃去风。盖心肺胃统主上焦元气。东垣曰。心与小肠。乃脾胃之根蒂。故此味入小肠。即用以治胃风耳。非更入阳明经也。）
对于风邪客居于胃导致的泄泻，如果按照虚证治疗无效。使用藁本半两，苍术一两，分为两次服用，煎汤饮用即可停止。因为藁本能去除风湿的缘故。（藁本是太阳经的药物，为什么能入胃祛风？大概是因为心、肺、胃共同主宰上焦的元气。李东垣说：心与小肠，是脾胃的根本。所以此药进入小肠，就用来治疗胃风罢了，并不是再进入阳明经。）
大实心痛。已用利服。水煎温服。（味此则手太阳达心火之气化。上会于督。下合于胃者。不止谓其祛风。义固可参）
对于实证引起的心痛，已经使用了泻下法服药后，用水煎煮，温服。（品味此处含义，则是手太阳小肠经通达心火的气化功能，向上汇聚于督脉，向下合于胃，不仅仅只是说它能祛风，其中的道理固然可以参详）
调养老人方。生熟地黄各五两。雌雄何首乌各十两。川椒十两。牛膝五两。干山药五两。肉苁蓉五两。枸杞子五两。大黑豆一升。 本十两。法制丸服。（此方多滋阴药。而必用 本。其义可参。）
调养老人的方剂。生地黄、熟地黄各五两。雌何首乌、雄何首乌各十两。川椒十两。牛膝五两。干山药五两。肉苁蓉五两。枸杞子五两。大黑豆一升。藁本十两。依法制成丸药服用。（这个方剂多用滋阴药，但必须使用藁本，其中的意义可以参详。）
一妇冬受寒。至春而巅顶并左后脑痛。此原病于足太阳寒水。寒久化热。郁而上行。以病于手太阳。因风升之化不达。而病亦在足厥阴也。经所谓过在巨阳厥阴者。诚然。诊其脉手太阳热甚于风。足厥阴热胜于湿。心有微热。脾肺亦有郁热。用酒片芩二分半。酒枯芩分半。蔓荆子二分半。防风分半。萸连二分半。柴胡三分。 本三分。升麻二分。川芎二分。酒黄柏三分。归身三分。木通四分。牛膝三分。水煎一服愈。（此止治手太阳而微兼肺。以肺固主气。而上焦合而营诸阳。则归于手太阳之气化也。并治足厥阴者。以风升之去。不必多治他经也。详此以明巅顶之病。不尽从乎寒者温治耳。）
一位妇女冬天感受寒邪，到了春天出现头顶和左侧后脑勺疼痛。这原本是由于足太阳膀胱经受寒水之邪所致。寒气久了化为热邪，郁结而上行，从而波及手太阳小肠经。因为风气升发的变化不能通达，所以病也在足厥阴肝经。医经所说的过错在于巨阳（太阳）和厥阴，确实如此。诊察她的脉象，手太阳经的热象重于风邪，足厥阴经的热象胜于湿邪。心脏有轻微发热，脾脏和肺脏也有郁热。使用酒制黄芩片二分半，酒制枯黄芩一分半，蔓荆子二分半，防风一分半，吴茱萸制黄连二分半，柴胡三分，藁本三分，升麻二分，川芎二分，酒制黄柏三分，当归身三分，木通四分，牛膝三分。用水煎煮，服用一次痊愈。（这里只治疗手太阳经，稍微兼治肺经，因为肺确实主管气，而上焦汇聚并护卫诸阳经，所以归结到手太阳经的气化功能。同时治疗足厥阴经，是因为风升发之气得以去除，不需要过多治疗其他经络。详细分析这一点是为了说明头顶部的疾病，并不完全都是从寒证用温法治愈的。）
凡阳虚而易受风邪以致头痛者。一受风邪则阳气益郁而化热。因阳气之郁而营气遂不得流畅。甚者血分亦以伏热。论有郁邪。则补阳不可矣。然欲清热。则固病于阳之虚也。其热愈清而愈郁。即阴血愈不畅。不得已以 本。则一举而三善备。一阳虚者。似补而非补也。一阳之郁者。即阴之滞者。清之皆可达也。一热可
凡是阳气虚弱容易受到风邪侵袭而导致头痛的人。一旦受到风邪，阳气就更加郁结而化热。因为阳气郁结，营气就不能流畅运行。严重的情况下，血分中也潜伏着热邪。论述中有郁结邪气的情况，那么补阳就不可以了。然而想要清热，那本来就是阳气虚弱的病症。热邪越被清除，郁结就越严重，阴血就越不畅通。不得已使用藁本，就能一举三得。一是对于阳气虚弱的人，看似在补，其实不是在直接补。二是对于阳气郁结的人，也就是阴气停滞的人，通过清解都能达到通达的效果。三是热邪可以……（原文此处似乎有缺漏或排版错误，接下一句葛根等）
葛三分半。姜连分半。酒炒黑栀子二分半。酒丹皮三分。防风三分。橘红三分半。半夏三分。赤苓四枝。
[接上文] 葛根三分半，姜制黄连一分半，酒炒黑栀子二分半，酒丹皮三分，防风三分，橘红三分半，半夏三分，赤茯苓四枝。
〔论〕羌活 本。通行手足太阳经。而各有专用。夫手足少阴之脏。各有太阳为之府。所以达水火之气也。虽曰水中有火。火中有水。然水火之主。固有攸分。（羌活是于水中达阳。 本乃于火中化阴。所谓阳者。水中之火也。所谓阴者。火中之水也。） 本入手太阳。能
[论] 羌活和藁本。通行手太阳小肠经和足太阳膀胱经，但各有专门用途。手少阴心经和足少阴肾经这两个脏腑，各自都有太阳经作为它们的腑，以此来通达水火之气。虽然常说水中有火，火中有水，但是水和火的根本主宰，自然是有区别的。（羌活是在水中通达阳气，藁本则是在火中化生阴气。所谓的阳，是水中之火；所谓的阴，是火中之水。）藁本入手太阳小肠经，能够……（原文此处似乎有缺漏，接下文秉风穴）
经秉风穴为手三阳足少阳之会。是诸阳之在天者在手太阳。本君火之主。亦司气化之权也。）治在火中之元气。与羌活治在水中元气者不同。虽皆治寒湿为病。但羌活本于水气以达之。本则本于火气以化之。（本经故首主疝瘕及阴中寒肿痛腹中急。而甄权又谓其能化小便通血也。）缪氏所以致慎于温热诸证也。其除风头痛。乃阳虚而风邪乘之。或阳虚而化风。以此味能于阳中宣其气化。（观好古所治督脉为病。脊强而厥。可见。）非阴虚而风实者。所可投也。其治风湿。亦本阳虚。盖阳虚化风者。气之浮而不守也。阴不得阳则不能化。因亦化湿。所谓卫气虚致营气不化者是。若夫由热化湿者。未可投也。（此味治阳虚之风。非能补阳也。但使阳之虚者。不致郁而不达以为风耳。大抵阳虚则阴实。非阴之正气实。乃阳中不化之浊气归于阴也。故未着于有形则化风。着于有形。则如女子疝瘕等证。斯义最宜熟审。）至于寒郁本经而头痛。 本固不可少。但亦有别处。如寒自上受而郁于此经。则宜散以此味之辛温。若寒自下受郁久而化热。郁热上行以致巅顶痛者。则宜辛凉以清气分之火。更佐风药而入兹味为引经。若由上焦心肺胃诸热归于手太阳气化之腑以为头痛者。其可混投乎哉。就 羌气味以为区别。羌活先苦后辛。苦多辛少。是苦先至地而辛少者。次合气之温以升。其用本在足也。 本先辛后苦。辛多而苦不敌。是辛先至天。苦更合于气之温而不即降。其用本在手也。惟上焦之阳气得化。则自导阴而下。故能主疝瘕阴肿诸证。况 本先极其辛。辛极而徐散。乃见苦味。苦味亦重。是即自上达下之验也。
[接上文] ……经过秉风穴，这是手三阳经和足少阳胆经的交会穴。所有在天的阳经中，手太阳小肠经最为重要。藁本归属于君火的主宰，也掌管气化的权力。（藁本治疗火中的元气，与羌活治疗水中的元气不同。虽然都治疗寒湿引起的疾病，但羌活是基于水气来通达它，藁本则是基于火气来化解它。）《本经》因此首先主治疝瘕以及外阴寒冷肿胀、腹痛拘急，而甄权又说它能气化小便、通畅血脉。这就是缪希雍对温热诸证之所以谨慎的原因。藁本祛除风邪引起的头痛，是因为阳气虚弱而风邪趁虚而入，或者因为阳气虚弱而化生风邪。凭借此药能在阳气中宣通气化功能。（观察李好古治疗的督脉病变，脊柱僵硬强直和四肢厥冷，就可以看出。）这不是阴虚而风邪实证的患者可以使用的。它治疗风湿，也是基于阳气虚弱。所谓阳气虚弱化生风邪，是气浮散而不能固守。阴气得不到阳气的帮助就不能化生，因此也会化生湿气。这就是所说的卫气虚弱导致营气不能化生的情况。如果是由于热邪化生湿气的，则不可以使用。（此药治疗阳气虚弱引起的风邪，并不是能补阳。只是使阳气虚弱的人，不至于因为郁结不通而产生风邪。大抵阳气虚弱则阴气显得充实，这并不是阴的正气充实，而是阳气中未能化生的浊气归于阴分。所以还没有附着于有形物质时就会化生风邪，如果附着于有形物质，就会出现如妇女疝瘕等症状。这个道理最需要仔细审察。）至于寒邪郁结在本经而引起的头痛，藁本固然不可缺少。但也有不同的情况。比如寒邪从上部感受而郁结在此经，则适宜用此药的辛温来发散。如果寒邪从下部感受，郁结久了化热，郁热上行导致头顶痛，则适宜用辛凉药来清气分的火热，再辅以风药，并将此药作为引经药。如果是由于上焦心、肺、胃的各种热邪归结到手太阳气化之腑而引起的头痛，怎么可以混合投用呢？根据羌活和藁本的气味来加以区别。羌活先苦后辛，苦味多辛味少，这是苦味先到地，辛味较少，其次结合气的温性而上升，它的作用根本在于足部。藁本先辛后苦，辛味多而苦味不敌，这是辛味先到天，苦味更结合气的温性而不立即下降，它的作用根本在于手部。只有上焦的阳气得到化生，才能自然引导阴气下行，所以能主治疝瘕、阴肿等各种证候。况且藁本先极度辛散，辛散至极然后缓慢散发，才显现出苦味，苦味也很重，这就是从上达下的验证。
凡温病头疼。（发热口渴或骨疼）及春夏阳证头疼。并产后血虚火炎头痛。皆不宜服。（仲淳）
凡是温病引起的头痛（伴有发热、口渴或骨痛），以及春夏季节阳证引起的头痛，还有产后血虚火炎引起的头痛，都不宜服用。（陈仲淳注）
〔修治〕去芦。水洗切。
[修治] 去掉芦头，用水洗净，切片。
Baihua Translation Content
</translation>
<english>
In May, it produces white flowers. In July and August, it bears seeds. Its root is purple in color.
It is extremely pungent and bitter, with a warm nature. Warmth can promote circulation; bitterness can drain and descend. Extreme pungency facilitates dispersion. A dense aroma causes the qi to ascend, which aligns with Yang. It is a primary herb for the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder) channel. Its medicinal force is vigorous, circulating through both the Hand-Taiyang (Small Intestine) and Foot-Taiyang channels, and treating diseases of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), characterized by spinal stiffness and cold extremities. It primarily treats Taiyang headaches, vertex pain, pain involving the teeth and cheeks caused by severe cold invading the brain, wind-induced headaches, and wind-dampness affecting the head, face, body, and skin. (Li Dongyuan stated: It is generally used for treating wind conditions.) It treats women's hernias and abdominal masses (zhijia), cold swelling in the yin region. It can transform urine and unblock blood flow. It treats carbuncles and sores, expels pus, and resolves internal obstruction. Its efficacy is similar to that of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi). It disseminates hidden Yin, clarifies the spirit and complexion, and ensures purity and order in generation. Just as above "One Yang," turbid Qi and blood cause wind headaches; below "One Yin," turbid blood and Qi cause hernias, cold swelling in the yin region, and acute abdominal pain—all can be purified and regulated by this herb. (Zhiyi)
When combined with Baizhi to make facial cream, it treats both wind and dampness. When used together with Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang), it treats clear pathogens from fog and dew attacking the Upper Jiao. (Jiegu)
For diarrhea caused by wind pathogens lodging in the Stomach, if treated as deficiency without effect, use Gaoben (Ligusticum sinense Rhizome) 1.5g and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Cangzhu) 3g, divided into two doses, decocted and drunk to stop the diarrhea. This is because Gaoben can remove wind-dampness. (Gaoben is a Taiyang channel herb; why does it enter the Stomach to dispel wind? The Heart, Lung, and Stomach collectively govern the Yuan Qi of the Upper Jiao. Li Dongyuan said: The Heart and Small Intestine are the roots of the Spleen and Stomach. Thus, entering the Small Intestine allows it to treat stomach wind, not necessarily entering the Yangming channel.)
For severe excess-type heart pain, after using purgatives, decoct in water and take warm. (Understanding this implies that the Hand-Taiyang reaches the Qi transformation of Heart Fire, converges upward with the Du Mai, and combines downward with the Stomach; its meaning extends beyond merely dispelling wind.)
Formula for nourishing the elderly: Raw and Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng/Di Huang) 15g each, Male and Female Polygoni Multiflori Caulis et Radix (Heshouwu) 30g each, Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (Chuanjiao) 30g, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) 15g, Dioscoreae Rhizoma Dryum (Ganshan Yao) 15g, Cistanches Herba (Roucongrong) 15g, Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi) 15g, large black soybeans 240ml, Gaoben 30g. Process into pills according to method. (This formula contains many Yin-nourishing herbs, yet must include Gaoben; its rationale is worth considering.)
A woman contracted cold in winter. By spring, she experienced pain at the vertex and left posterior occiput. This originated from Cold-Water pathogen in the Foot-Taiyang. Prolonged cold transformed into heat, stagnating and ascending, affecting the Hand-Taiyang. Due to the failure of wind-ascending transformation, the disease also involved the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) channel. As the classics state, the fault lies in Juyang (Taiyang) and Jueyin, which is true. Pulse diagnosis showed Heat exceeding Wind in Hand-Taiyang, and Heat exceeding Dampness in Foot-Jueyin. There was slight Heat in the Heart, and stagnant Heat in the Spleen and Lungs. Use Wine-sliced Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) 0.75g, Wine-withered Huangqin 0.3g, Viticis Fructus (Manjingzi) 0.75g, Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) 0.3g, Evodia-treated Coptidis Rhizoma (Yulian) 0.75g, Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) 0.9g, Gaoben 0.9g, Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma) 0.6g, Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) 0.6g, Wine-processed Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai) 0.9g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Guishen) 0.9g, Akebiae Caulis (Mutong) 1.2g, Niuxi 0.9g. Decoct in water; one dose cured it. (This treats mainly Hand-Taiyang with slight involvement of the Lung, as the Lung governs Qi, and the Upper Jiao coordinates to nourish all Yang channels, returning to the Qi transformation of Hand-Taiyang. Treating Foot-Jueyin simultaneously works because removing the wind-ascending factor obviates the need to treat other channels extensively. This clarifies that vertex pain is not always treated solely with warming methods for cold.)
For those with Yang deficiency prone to wind-pathogen headache: once wind-pathogen invades, Yang Qi becomes more stagnant and transforms into heat. Due to Yang stagnation, Ying (Nutritive) Qi cannot flow smoothly. Severe cases involve latent heat in the Blood level. If there is stagnant pathogen, tonifying Yang is contraindicated. However, clearing heat would exacerbate the underlying Yang deficiency. The more heat is cleared, the more stagnation occurs, and the less smooth Yin-Blood becomes. Reluctantly using Gaoben achieves three benefits: 1. For Yang deficiency, it appears to tonify but does not directly tonify. 2. For Yang stagnation (which is Yin stasis), clearing/stagnation resolution can reach unblocking. 3. Heat can be... [Text fragment continues] ...Puerariae Radix (Gegen) 1.05g, Ginger-processed Coptidis Rhizoma (Jianglian) 0.3g, Wine-fried black Gardenia Fructus (Zhizi) 0.75g, Wine-Moutan Cortex (Danpi) 0.9g, Fangfeng 0.9g, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Juhong) 1.05g, Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) 0.9g, Red Poria (Chiling) four branches.
[Discussion] Qianghuo and Gaoben circulate through the Hand-Taiyang and Foot-Taiyang channels but have specific uses. The Zang organs of Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) each have a Taiyang Fu organ to facilitate the transmission of Water and Fire Qi. Although it is said that Fire exists in Water and Water exists in Fire, the masters of Water and Fire are distinct. (Qianghuo reaches Yang within Water; Gaoben transforms Yin within Fire. What is called Yang is Fire within Water; what is called Yin is Water within Fire.) Gaoben enters the Hand-Taiyang and passes through the Bingfeng (SI12) acupoint, which is the meeting point of the Three Hand-Yang and Foot-Shaoyang channels. Among all Yang channels in the heavens, Hand-Taiyang is paramount. Gaoben belongs to the master of Jun Fire and also controls the authority of Qi transformation. It treats Yuan Qi within Fire, differing from Qianghuo which treats Yuan Qi within Water. Both treat Cold-Damp diseases, but Qianghuo acts based on Water Qi to reach it, while Gaoben acts based on Fire Qi to transform it. The Classic states it primarily treats hernias and cold swelling/pain in the yin region with acute abdomen, and Zhenquan added that it transforms urine and unblocks blood. This explains Miao’s caution regarding warm-heat conditions. Its removal of wind-headache is due to Yang deficiency allowing wind-pathogen invasion, or Yang deficiency generating wind. This herb can disseminate Qi transformation within Yang. (Observing Haogu’s treatment of Du Mai disease—spinal stiffness and cold extremities—confirms this.) It is not suitable for patients with Yin deficiency and excess wind. Its treatment of wind-dampness is also based on Yang deficiency. Yang deficiency generating wind means Qi floats and fails to hold. Yin cannot transform without Yang, thus transforming dampness. This refers to Wei (Defensive) Qi deficiency causing Ying (Nutritive) Qi non-transformation. If dampness arises from heat, it should not be used. (This herb treats wind due to Yang deficiency, not by tonifying Yang, but by preventing Yang deficiency from stagnating and generating wind. Generally, Yang deficiency leads to apparent Yin excess, which is not righteous Yin but turbid Qi from untransformed Yang returning to Yin. Thus, before manifesting as tangible forms, it generates wind; when manifesting tangibly, it presents as hernias in women. This principle requires careful consideration.) Regarding headache from Cold stagnation in the primary channel, Gaoben is essential. However, distinctions exist. If Cold is acquired from above and stagnates here, its pungent-warm nature should be used to disperse. If Cold is acquired from below, stagnates long-term, transforms into heat, and ascends to cause vertex pain, pungent-cool herbs should clear Qi-level fire, assisted by wind-dispelling herbs with Gaoben as a guiding herb. If headache arises from various heats in the Upper Jiao (Heart, Lung, Stomach) converging in the Hand-Taiyang Fu organ, mixing them indiscriminately is inappropriate. Differentiate based on taste: Qianghuo is bitter first, then pungent, with more bitter than pungent. Bitter reaches earth first, pungent is secondary, combining with warm Qi to ascend; its action is primarily in the Foot. Gaoben is pungent first, then bitter, with more pungent than bitter. Pungent reaches heaven first, bitter combines with warm Qi without immediate descent; its action is primarily in the Hand. Only when Upper Jiao Yang Qi is transformed can it guide Yin downward, thus treating hernias and yin swelling. Moreover, Gaoben is extremely pungent initially; extreme pungency disperses slowly, revealing bitterness, which is also heavy. This verifies its action from top to bottom.
For all warm disease headaches (with fever, thirst, or bone pain), and Yang syndrome headaches in Spring/Summer, as well as postpartum headaches due to Blood deficiency and flaming fire, it is unsuitable. (Zhongchun)
[Processing] Remove the rhizome base (Lu), wash with water, and slice.