陶隐居云∶是马精落地所生，后有此种则蔓延者也。味甘，微温。主五劳七伤，补
中，补诸精虚之证。除茎中寒、热痛，茎中者，精之道路也。精虚，则有此痛，补精则其病
自已矣。养五脏，强阴益精气，多子，五脏各有精，精足则阴足，而肾者又藏精之所也，精
足则多子矣。妇人症瘕。精充则邪气消，咸能软坚也。久服，轻身。精足之功。
此以形质为治也，苁蓉象人之阴，而滋润粘腻，故能治前阴诸疾，而补精气。如地黄色
质象
味甘温。主大风，头眩痛恶风，风邪风病无不治也。目盲无所见，风在上窍也。风行
周身，风在偏体也。骨节疼痛，风在筋骨也。烦满，风在上焦也。久服，轻身。风气除则有
此效。
凡药之质轻而气盛者，皆属风药，以风即天地之气也。但风之中人，各有经络，而药之
受气于天地，亦各有专能，故所治各不同。于形质气味细察而详分之，必有一定之理也。防
风治周身之风，乃风药之统领也。
味苦微温。主伤寒，苦温能散寒。补不足，补伤损之不足。金疮痈伤，折跌，续筋骨
，肌肉筋骨有伤，皆能治之。妇人乳难。通滞之功。久服，益气力。强筋骨也。
此以形为治。续断有肉有筋，如人筋在肉中之象，而色带紫黑，为肝肾之色，故能补续
筋骨。又其性直下，故亦能降气以达下焦也。
陶弘景说：这是马精落地所生，后来有这种植物则是蔓延生长的。味道甘，性微温。主治五劳七伤，补益中气，补益各种精气虚损的证候。去除尿道中的寒热疼痛，尿道是精气通行的道路。精气虚损，就会产生这种疼痛，补充精气则疾病自然痊愈。滋养五脏，强壮阴气，增益精气，多子嗣，五脏各有精气，精气充足则阴气充足，而肾又是藏精的地方，精气充足就能多子嗣。治疗妇人腹部结块（症瘕）。精气充盛则邪气消除，咸味能软化坚硬之物。长期服用，身体轻健。这是精气充足的功效。
这是以形质来治疗的，肉苁蓉象人的外阴，且滋润粘腻，所以能治疗前阴的各种疾病，并补益精气。就像地黄一样，其质地和形态相似。
味道甘温。主治大风（严重的风邪病），头眩痛，恶风，风邪和风病没有不能治疗的。眼睛失明看不见东西，是因为风邪在上部孔窍。风邪流行于周身，风邪在身体偏侧。骨节疼痛，风邪在筋骨。烦闷胀满，风邪在上焦。长期服用，身体轻健。风邪除去就有这种效果。
凡是药物质地轻而气味盛的，都属于风药，因为风就是天地之气。但是风邪侵袭人体，各有特定的经络，而药物受天地之气，也各有专长，所以治疗的病症各不相同。仔细考察其形质气味并详细区分，必定有一定的道理。防风治疗周身的风邪，是风药中的统领。
味道苦，性微温。主治伤寒，苦温能散寒。补益不足，补益损伤造成的不足。金疮痈伤，骨折跌打，肌肉筋骨有损伤，都能治疗。妇人乳汁不通。这是通滞的功效。长期服用，益气力。这是强壮筋骨的作用。
这是以形质来治疗的。续断有肉有筋，像人筋在肉中的样子，而且颜色带紫黑，是肝肾的颜色，所以能补续筋骨。又因为它的性质直下，所以也能降气以到达下焦。
Tao Hongjing said: This is generated from horse essence falling to the ground; later, this species spreads and grows. It tastes sweet and is slightly warm in nature. It primarily treats five exhaustions (Wu Lao) and seven injuries (Qi Shang), tonifies the Middle Jiao, and addresses various conditions of deficiency in essence and Qi. It eliminates cold and painful heat in the urethra; the urethra is the pathway for essence. When essence is deficient, such pain occurs; tonifying essence causes the disease to resolve spontaneously. It nourishes the Five Zang Organs, strengthens Yin, benefits essence and Qi, and promotes fertility. Each of the Five Zang Organs possesses essence; when essence is sufficient, Yin is sufficient, and since the Kidney is the storehouse of essence, sufficient essence leads to increased fertility. It treats abdominal masses (Zheng Jia) in women. When essence is充盈 (full), pathogenic factors dissipate; salty flavors can soften hardness. Long-term consumption results in a light body. This is the effect of sufficient essence.
This treatment utilizes the physical form and substance. Cistanche resembles human external genitalia and is moist and sticky; thus, it treats diseases of the anterior yin and tonifies essence and Qi. Similar to Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Di Huang) in its quality and morphology.
It tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It primarily treats severe wind pathogens (Da Feng), dizziness with headache, aversion to wind, and all wind-related disorders. Blindness or inability to see indicates wind affecting the upper orifices. Wind circulating throughout the body indicates wind in the lateral aspects. Pain in bone joints indicates wind in the sinews and bones. Irritation and fullness indicate wind in the Upper Jiao. Long-term consumption results in a light body. This efficacy arises from the elimination of wind pathogens.
Any medicinal material that is light in texture and potent in aroma belongs to wind-dispelling herbs, as wind is the Qi of Heaven and Earth. However, wind pathogens invade specific meridians, and medicines absorb Qi from Heaven and Earth with specific efficacies; therefore, their therapeutic targets differ. By carefully examining and distinguishing their forms, substances, aromas, and flavors, there must be a definite principle. Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) treats wind throughout the body and serves as the commander among wind-dispelling herbs.
It tastes bitter and is slightly warm in nature. It primarily treats Cold Damage (Shang Han); bitter-warm properties can disperse cold. It tonifies deficiencies, specifically addressing insufficiency caused by trauma. It treats wounds from metal weapons, sores, fractures, and dislocations; any injury to muscles, sinews, and bones can be treated. It treats difficulty in lactation in women. This is due to its ability to unblock stagnation. Long-term consumption boosts Qi and strength. This is because it strengthens sinews and bones.
This treatment utilizes the physical form. Dipsaci Radix (Xuduan) contains both fleshy parts and fibrous strands, resembling the image of human sinews embedded in flesh. Its color is purplish-black, corresponding to the colors of the Liver and Kidneys; thus, it tonifies and reconnects sinews and bones. Furthermore, its nature descends directly, allowing it to direct Qi downward to reach the Lower Jiao.