甘微苦，无毒。去节用。
发明 木贼与麻黄同形同性，故能发汗解肌，升散火郁风湿，专主眼目风热暴翳止泪，
取发散肝肺风邪也。多用令人目肿，若久翳及血虚者非所宜。而伤暑或暴怒赤肿亦勿用之。
一名龙须，即席草
苦微寒，无毒。
《本经》主心腹邪气，小便不利，淋闭，风湿，鬼疰。
发明 龙刍生水中，性专利水。《本经》所主心腹邪气，亦是因水湿潴积所致，其败席
治淋及小便不通。昔人用以煮服，莫若烧灰酒服更良。
甘寒，无毒。欲入丸剂，粳米粉浆磨之。
发明 灯心轻虚甘淡，故能泄肺利水。治急喉痹，烧灰吹之。又烧灰涂乳上饲小儿止夜
啼。烧灰入轻粉、麝香治阴疳。
《本经》名地髓，又名 ，音户
甘苦寒，无毒。禁犯铁，忌莱菔、诸血。
采得鲜者即用为生地黄，炙焙干收者为干地黄，以法制过者为熟地黄。
《本经》主伤中，逐血痹，填骨髓，长肌肉，作汤除寒热积聚，疗折跌伤筋，久服轻身
不老。生者尤良。
发明 生地黄性禀至阴，功专散血，入手足少阴、厥阴，兼行足太阴、手太阳。钱仲阳
导赤散与木通同用，泻丙丁之火。《别录》治妇人崩中血不止，及产后血上薄心，胎动下血
，鼻衄吐血，皆捣汁饮之，以其能散血消瘀解烦也。其治跌扑损伤，面目青肿，以生地黄捣
烂罨之即消。此即《本经》治伤中血痹、折跌筋伤等证之义。盖肝藏血而主筋，肝无留滞则
营血调，而伤中自愈，筋无邪着则三气通，而血痹自除。作汤除寒热积聚者，血和则结散，
而诸证平矣。其曰填骨髓、长肌肉者，邪无着而形神自复也。昔人治心痛，以生地黄汁作冷
淘，食之取吐，不吐则利出长虫，如辟宫而安，此即《本经》除寒热积聚之验。其于服食方
中用之，取以辅助诸药，辟除三虫，使从幽门化出也。因思《千金》灵飞散中生地黄急不可
得鲜者，咸取干者应用，乃知《本经》末后续出生者尤良一语，见古圣之苦心，无所不用其
极也。愚按∶生地黄与干地黄功用不同，岂可混论。按∶徐之才《别录》云∶生地黄乃新掘
之鲜者，为散血之专药。观《本经》主治皆指鲜者而言，只缘诸家《本草》从未明言，且产
处辽远，药肆仅有干者，鲜者绝不可得，是不能无混用之失。曷知干地黄既经炙焙，力能止
血，安有伤中血痹，折跌筋伤等治乎。至于伤中日久，积聚内形，寒热外显，并宜鲜者作汤
统领他药，共襄破宿生新之功。设混用干者则瘀伤愈结，安望其有髓充肉长之绩乎。予尝综
览诸方，凡药之未经火者，性皆行散，已经炙焙，性皆守中，不独地黄为然也。
味甘微苦，性质无毒。使用时需去除节部。
【发明】木贼的形态和药性与麻黄相似，因此能够发汗解肌，升散火郁及风湿之邪，专门主治眼目因风热引起的突然生翳、流泪等症状，这是取其发散肝肺风邪的作用。但使用过多会导致眼睛肿胀，如果是久治不愈的眼翳或血虚患者则不宜使用。此外，伤暑或因暴怒导致的眼部赤肿也不宜使用。
又名龙须，即席草。
味苦微寒，性质无毒。
《神农本草经》记载其主治心腹部的邪气，小便不利，淋证闭阻，风湿病，以及鬼疰（一种传染性痨病）。
【发明】龙刍生长在水中，药性善于通利水道。《本经》所说的主治心腹邪气，也是由于水湿停滞积聚所致，它能治疗败席（指陈旧的草席，此处借指其功效）引发的淋证及小便不通。古人用来煮服，不如烧成灰后用酒送服效果更好。
味甘寒，性质无毒。如果要入丸剂，需用粳米粉浆研磨。
【发明】灯心草质地轻虚，味甘淡，因此能泄肺热、利小便。治疗急性的喉痹，可将其烧成灰吹入患处。又可将灯心草烧成灰涂抹在乳汁上喂养小儿，以止夜啼。将灯心草烧成灰，配合轻粉、麝香使用，可治疗阴疳。
《神农本草经》称其为地髓，又名 ，读音为“户”。
味甘苦，性寒，性质无毒。禁忌接触铁器，忌与莱菔（萝卜）、各种血液类食物同用。
采得的新鲜者直接使用即为生地黄，经过炙烤焙干收藏的为干地黄，经过特殊炮制加工的为熟地黄。
《神农本草经》记载其主治内伤中气，驱逐血痹，填补骨髓，促进肌肉生长，煎汤服用可消除寒热积聚，治疗跌打损伤筋脉，长期服用可使身体轻盈、延缓衰老。鲜品效果更佳。
【发明】生地黄禀受至阴之性，功效专于散血，归入手少阴心经、足少阴肾经、手厥阴心包经、足厥阴肝经，兼行足太阴脾经、手太阳小肠经。钱乙的导赤散中与木通同用，以泻丙丁之火（心与小肠之火）。《名医别录》记载其治疗妇人崩中出血不止，以及产后血气上冲心胸、胎动下血、鼻衄吐血等症，都是捣汁饮用，因为它能散血消瘀、解除烦热。它治疗跌扑损伤导致的面目青肿，将生地黄捣烂外敷即可消散。这正符合《本经》治疗内伤血痹、跌折筋伤等证候的原理。因为肝藏血而主筋，肝中无血滞则营血调和，内伤自愈；筋脉无邪气附着则三气通畅，血痹自除。所谓煎汤消除寒热积聚，是因为血液调和则结聚消散，各种病症得以平复。所谓填补骨髓、生长肌肉，是因为邪气无所依附，形体和精神自然恢复。古人治疗心痛，用生地黄汁制作冷淘面食用，取吐法，若不能吐出则通过腹泻排出长虫，如同辟宫安胎一般，这就是《本经》所述消除寒热积聚的验证。其在服食方中使用，是取其辅助诸药，驱除三虫，使其从幽门化出。由此想到《千金方》灵飞散中生地黄若急不可得鲜品，常取干品应用，才知《本经》末尾后续说“生者尤良”这句话，体现了古圣先贤苦心孤诣，无所不用其极。我认为：生地黄与干地黄功用不同，岂可混淆讨论。按：徐之才在《名医别录》中说：生地黄是新挖掘的鲜品，是散血的专用药物。观察《本经》的主治描述都是针对鲜品而言，只因为各家《本草》从未明确说明，且产地遥远，药肆中仅有干品，鲜品绝难获得，所以难免有混用的失误。怎知干地黄既然经过炙烤焙干，力量在于止血，哪里还有治疗内伤血痹、跌折筋伤等功效呢？至于内伤日久，积聚成形，寒热外显，都适宜用鲜品煎汤统领其他药物，共同襄助破除宿瘀、生成新血的功效。如果混用干品，则瘀伤会更加凝结，怎能期望有充髓长肉的功效呢？我曾综合浏览各方书，凡是未经过火制的药物，药性皆行散；已经过炙烤焙干的，药性皆守中，不仅仅地黄是这样。
Sweet and slightly bitter, non-toxic. Use after removing the nodes.
[Invention] Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba) has similar morphology and properties to Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), thus it can induce sweating and release the muscle layer, ascend and disperse fire stagnation and wind-dampness. It specifically treats sudden cataracts and tearing of the eyes caused by wind-heat, taking advantage of its ability to disperse wind-pathogens from the Liver and Lungs. However, excessive use causes eye swelling; it is not suitable for patients with chronic cataracts or blood deficiency. Furthermore, it should not be used for redness and swelling caused by heatstroke or sudden anger.
Also known as Long Xu (Dragon's Beard), which is Xi Cao (Imperatae Rhizoma).
Bitter and slightly cold, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, difficulty in urination, strangury and retention, wind-dampness, and Guizhu (ghostly consumption/tuberculosis).
[Invention] Long Chu (a variant name for Xi Cao) grows in water and its nature is particularly effective at promoting diuresis. The "evil qi in the heart and abdomen" mentioned in the *Bencao Jing* is also caused by the accumulation of damp-water. It treats strangury and urinary obstruction. Ancients boiled it for administration, but burning it to ash and taking it with wine is more effective.
Sweet and cold, non-toxic. For pill formulations, grind it using rice starch paste.
[Invention] Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla) is light, void, sweet, and bland, thus it can drain Lung heat and promote urination. It treats acute throat bi (obstruction); burn it to ash and insufflate into the affected area. Burn it to ash, apply to breast milk, and feed to infants to stop night crying. Burn it to ash, combine with Qing Fen (Calamina) and Shexiang (Moschus) to treat Yin Gan (childhood malnutrition with genital involvement).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* names it Di Sui (Earth Marrow), also known as [Character missing/variant], pronounced "Hu".
Sweet and bitter, cold, non-toxic. Avoid contact with iron; avoid Radish (Lai Fu Zi) and various blood products.
Fresh roots harvested are used directly as Sheng Dihuang (Raw Rehmanniae Radix); dried by roasting and baking for storage is Gan Dihuang (Dried Rehmanniae Radix); processed by specific methods is Shu Dihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats internal injury to the middle jiao, expels blood bi (stagnation), fills the marrow, promotes muscle growth, and decoctions remove cold-heat accumulations. It treats fractures and tendon injuries. Long-term use makes the body light and prevents aging. Fresh material is especially good.
[Invention] Sheng Dihuang possesses extreme yin nature and its function specializes in dispersing blood. It enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and also acts on the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Qian Zhongyang's Dao Chi San uses it together with Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) to clear Bing-Ding fire (Heart and Small Intestine fire). The *Bielu* records it treating women with Bengzhong (metrorrhagia) and continuous bleeding, postpartum blood rushing to the heart, fetal movement with lower bleeding, epistaxis, and hematemesis; all are treated by drinking the crushed juice, because it can disperse blood, resolve stasis, and relieve vexation. For treating contusions causing facial and ocular bruising and swelling, crushing Sheng Dihuang and applying it externally resolves the swelling immediately. This aligns with the meaning of the *Bencao Jing* treating internal injury, blood bi, and fracture-tendon damage. Since the Liver stores blood and governs tendons, if there is no stagnation in the Liver, Ying-Blood harmonizes, and internal injury heals spontaneously; if tendons have no pathogen attachment, the three Qi flow freely, and blood bi is removed. Decoctions removing cold-heat accumulations work because when blood harmonizes, knots dissipate, and various symptoms calm down. Filling marrow and growing muscles occurs because when pathogens have no attachment, form and spirit naturally recover. Ancients treated heart pain by making cold noodles with Sheng Dihuang juice and eating them to induce vomiting; if vomiting did not occur, long worms were expelled via diarrhea, akin to stabilizing the uterus. This is a verification of the *Bencao Jing*'s statement on removing cold-heat accumulations. In dietary prescriptions, it is used to assist other herbs, expel the three parasites, and facilitate their exit through Youmen. Reflecting on this, in *Qianjin Fang*'s Lingfei San, if fresh Sheng Dihuang is urgently unavailable, dried ones are often used. Thus, I realize that the phrase "fresh is better" added later in the *Bencao Jing* reveals the painstaking effort of ancient sages, leaving nothing to chance. I observe: Sheng Dihuang and Gan Dihuang have different functions and cannot be discussed interchangeably. According to Xu Zhicai's *Bielu*: Sheng Dihuang refers to newly dug fresh roots and is a specialized herb for dispersing blood. Observing that the indications in the *Bencao Jing* refer to fresh material, the reason various pharmacopoeias never explicitly stated this is due to distant origins and the fact that only dried roots are available in pharmacies, while fresh ones are extremely rare, leading to inevitable misuse. How could one know that since Gan Dihuang has been roasted and dried, its power lies in stopping bleeding, how could it possibly treat internal injury, blood bi, or fracture-tendon damage? As for prolonged internal injury with internal formation of accumulations and external manifestation of cold-heat, fresh material decocted to lead other herbs is appropriate to jointly assist in breaking old blood and generating new blood. If dried material is mixed in, blood stasis will become more consolidated, and one cannot hope for results of filling marrow and growing flesh. I have comprehensively reviewed various formulas: any herb not subjected to fire processing has a dispersing nature; those subjected to roasting and drying have a stabilizing nature in the center. This applies not only to Dihuang.