气微寒，味酸而苦。气薄味浓，阴也，降也。阴中之阳。有小毒。
入手、足太阴经。
《象》云∶补中焦之药，得炙甘草为佐，治腹中痛。夏月腹痛少加黄芩，如恶寒腹痛，
加肉桂一钱，白芍药三钱，炙甘草一钱半，此仲景神方也。如冬月大寒腹痛，加桂二钱半，
水二盏，煎一半。去皮用。
《心》云∶脾经之药，收阴气，能除腹痛，酸以收之，扶阳而收阴气，泄邪气，扶阴。
与生姜同用，温经散湿通塞，利腹中痛，胃气不通，肺燥气热。酸收甘缓，下利必用之药。
《珍》云∶白补、赤散，泻肝、补脾胃。酒浸，行经，止中部腹痛。
《本草》云∶主邪气腹痛，除血痹，破坚积，寒热疝瘕；止痛，利小便；益气，通顺血
脉；缓中，散恶血，逐贼血；去水气，利膀胱。
《衍义》云∶芍药，全用根，其品亦多。须用花红而单叶者，山中者佳，花叶多则根虚
。然其根多赤色，其味涩。有色白粗肥者，亦好，余如经。然血虚寒人禁此一物，古人有言
∶减芍药以避中寒。诚不可忽。今见花赤者，为赤芍药；花白者，为白芍药。俗云白补而赤
泻。
东垣云∶但涩者为上。或问∶古今方论中多以涩为收，今《本经》有利小便一句者，何
也？东垣云∶芍药能停诸湿而益津液，使小便自行，本非通行之药，所当知之。又问∶有缓
中一句，何谓缓中？东垣云∶损其肝者缓其中。又问当用何药以治之？东垣云∶当用四物汤，
以其内有芍药故也。赤者，利小便、下气；白者，止痛、散气血。入手、足太阴经。大抵酸
涩者为上，为收敛停湿之剂，故主手、足太阴经。收降之体，故又能至血海而入于九地之下
，后至厥阴经也。后人用赤泻白补者，以其色在西方故补，色在南方故泄也。
《本草》云∶能利小便。非能利之也，以其肾主大小二便，既用此以益阴滋湿，故小便
得通也。
《难经》云∶损其肝者缓其中。即调血也。没药、乌药、雷丸为之使。
《本草》又云∶恶石斛、芒硝。畏硝石、鳖甲、小蓟。反藜芦。
《液》云∶腹中虚痛，脾经也，非芍药不除。补津液停湿之剂。
芍药的药性微寒，味道酸且苦。其气轻薄而味浓厚，属于阴，主降，是阴中之阳。有小毒。
归入手太阴肺经和足太阴脾经。
李杲（号东垣，此处引文标为《象》，实指王好古或相关医家观点，依原文翻译）说：芍药是补益中焦的药物，如果配合炙甘草作为佐使，可以治疗腹中疼痛。夏季出现腹痛时，可少量加入黄芩；如果是因恶寒引起的腹痛，加入一钱肉桂、三钱白芍药、一钱半炙甘草，这是张仲景的神效方剂。如果是冬季大寒引起的腹痛，加入二钱半桂枝，加水两盏，煎至一半水量。使用时需去皮。
张元素（号洁古，此处引文标为《心》）说：芍药是入脾经的药物，能收敛阴气，能够消除腹痛。用酸味来收敛，扶持阳气并收敛阴气，泄除邪气，扶持阴分。与生姜同用，可以温通经络、散除湿气、疏通闭塞，治疗腹中疼痛、胃气不通以及肺燥气热。酸收与甘缓结合，是治疗下利（腹泻）必须使用的药物。
雷斅（此处引文标为《珍》）说：白芍药偏于补益，赤芍药偏于发散，能泻肝火、补脾胃。用酒浸泡后，能通行经络，停止中部腹痛。
《神农本草经》说：主治邪气引起的腹痛，去除血痹，破除坚硬的积块，治疗寒热疝瘕；止痛，通利小便；益气，通畅血脉；缓和拘急，消散恶血，驱逐贼血；去除水气，通利膀胱。
寇宗奭（号异卿，此处引文标为《衍义》）说：芍药全株根部入药，品种也很多。必须选用花朵红色且为单叶的品种，山中的更好，如果花叶过多则根部空虚。然而它的根多呈赤色，味道涩。也有颜色白且粗壮的，也很好，其余情况如经文所述。但是，血虚且有寒的人禁止使用这一味药，古人有话说：“减少芍药用量以避开中焦之寒。”这确实不可忽视。现在看到花红色的，称为赤芍药；花白色的，称为白芍药。民间说法是白芍药补益而赤芍药泻实。
李杲（东垣）说：只有味道涩的才是上品。有人问：古今方论中多以“涩”来表示收敛，但如今《本经》中有“利小便”一句，这是什么意思呢？李杲说：芍药能停止各种湿气并增加津液，使小便自然通畅，它本身并不是通利排泄的药物，这一点应当知晓。又问：文中有一句“缓中”，是什么意思？李杲说：损伤肝脏的要缓和其中的急迫。又问：应当用什么药来治疗呢？李杲说：应当使用四物汤，因为它里面含有芍药的缘故。赤芍药的作用是利小便、降气；白芍药的作用是止痛、散气血。归入手太阴肺经和足太阴脾经。大体上，酸涩味的为上品，属于收敛和停止湿气的药剂，所以主要作用于手、足太阴经。具有收敛下降的特性，所以又能到达血海并深入九地之下，最后进入厥阴经。后人用赤芍药泻实、白芍药补虚，是因为白色对应西方故能补，红色对应南方故能泄。
《神农本草经》说：能利小便。这并不是它能直接利小便，而是因为肾主管大小便，既然用它来益阴滋湿，所以小便得以通畅。
《难经》说：损伤肝脏的要缓和其中的急迫。这就是调血的意思。没药、乌药、雷丸作为它的引经药（使药）。
《神农本草经》又说：畏忌石斛、芒硝。害怕硝石、鳖甲、小蓟。反藜芦。
《汤液本草》（此处引文标为《液》，指本书作者观点或引用）说：腹中虚痛，属于脾经疾病，不用芍药不能消除。它是补益津液、停止湿气的药剂。
Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao) has a slightly cold nature and an acid and bitter taste. Its qi is thin while its flavor is strong, belonging to Yin, governing descent, representing Yang within Yin. It possesses slight toxicity.
It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian.
Li Gao (cited as *Xiang*) states: Paeoniae Radix is a herb that tonifies the Middle Jiao. When used with Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) as an assistant, it treats abdominal pain. In summer, for abdominal pain, add a small amount of Huangqin (Scutellaria Root); if abdominal pain is accompanied by aversion to cold, add 1 qian of Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), 3 qian of Bai Shaoyao (White Peony Root), and 1.5 qian of Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root). This is a divine prescription from Zhang Zhongjing. For severe cold-induced abdominal pain in winter, add 2.5 qian of Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), two cups of water, and decoct until half remains. Use the peeled root.
Zhang Yuansu (cited as *Xin*) states: Paeoniae Radix is a herb for the Spleen Meridian; it collects Yin Qi and can relieve abdominal pain. The acid flavor collects and secures, supporting Yang while collecting Yin Qi, draining pathogenic factors, and supporting Yin. Used together with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), it warms the meridians, disperses dampness, unblocks obstruction, relieves abdominal pain, regulates Stomach Qi stagnation, and addresses Lung dryness and heat. The combination of acid astringency and sweet moderation makes it an essential herb for treating diarrhea (Xiali).
Lei Xiao (cited as *Zhen*) states: White Paeoniae Radix tonifies, while Red Paeoniae Radix disperses; it drains Liver Fire and tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Soaked in wine, it promotes circulation in the meridians and stops pain in the middle abdomen.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states: It primarily treats abdominal pain caused by pathogenic factors, removes blood bi (obstruction), breaks down hard accumulations, and treats cold-heat hernia and jia masses; it stops pain, promotes urination, benefits Qi, unblocks blood vessels, moderates tension, dissipates evil blood, and drives out thief blood; it removes fluid retention and promotes bladder function.
Kou Zongshi (cited as *Yanyi*) states: Paeoniae Radix uses the whole root, which comes in many varieties. One must select those with red flowers and single leaves; those from mountains are superior, as excessive foliage results in hollow roots. However, its roots are mostly reddish and have an astringent taste. Those that are white, thick, and plump are also good, with other details as described in the classics. However, individuals with Blood deficiency and Cold constitution should avoid this herb. As the ancients said: "Reduce Shaoyao to avoid Middle Jiao Cold." This cannot be ignored. Currently, those with red flowers are called Chishao (Red Peony Root); those with white flowers are called Baishao (White Peony Root). Folk saying holds that White Shaoyao tonifies and Red Shaoyao drains.
Li Dongyuan (Dongyuan) states: Only those with an astringent taste are considered superior. Someone asked: Ancient and modern formulas often use 'astringent' to mean collecting/securing, but why does *Benjing* mention 'promoting urination'? Li Dongyuan replied: Paeoniae Radix can stop various dampnesses and benefit body fluids, allowing urine to flow naturally on its own; it is not inherently a diuretic drug, so this point should be understood. Another asked: What does 'moderating the center' (Huanzhong) mean? Li Dongyuan replied: When the Liver is damaged, one must moderate its interior tension. Asked what herb to use for treatment, Li Dongyuan said: Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) should be used because it contains Paeoniae Radix. Red Paeoniae Radix promotes urination and directs Qi downward; White Paeoniae Radix stops pain and disperses Blood and Qi. It enters the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians. Generally, those with sour and astringent properties are superior, acting as agents that collect and stop dampness, thus governing the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians. Being of a collecting and descending nature, it can reach the Sea of Blood and enter deep below, finally entering the Jueyin Meridian. Later generations used Red Shaoyao to drain and White Shaoyao to tonify because white corresponds to the West (Metal/Lungs) hence tonifying, and red corresponds to the South (Fire/Heart) hence draining.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It can promote urination. This does not mean it directly promotes urination, but because the Kidney governs both large and small bowel movements, using this herb to benefit Yin and moisten allows urine to flow freely.
*Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: "When the Liver is damaged, moderate its interior." This refers to regulating Blood. Myrrh (Moyao), Xingyao (Lindera Root), and Leiwan (Omphalia Lapponica) serve as its guiding herbs (Shi).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* further states: It is incompatible with Shihu (Dendrobium Stem) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). It fears Xiaoshi (Nitratum), Biejia (Testudo Carapax), and Xiaoji (Cirsii Herba). It is antagonistic to Lilu (Veratrum Root).
*Shanghan Lun* commentary (cited as *Ye*, referring to the author's context or specific text) states: Deficiency-cold pain in the abdomen belongs to the Spleen Meridian disease; without Paeoniae Radix, it cannot be eliminated. It is an agent that tonifies body fluids and stops dampness.