（别录上品）
上行即将来之生之升；真气即成功之藏之入。
【气味】苦平，微寒，无毒。
【主治】主解百毒，杀百精老物殃鬼，辟瘟疫瘴气，邪气蛊毒，入口皆吐出，中恶腹痛，
时气毒疠，头痛寒热，风肿诸毒，喉痛口痛。久服不夭，轻身长年。
【核】曰∶出蜀汉、陕西、淮南州郡，蜀川者佳。春生苗，高三尺。叶似麻，并青色。
四月着花似粟，穗白色。六月结实黑色。根如蒿，多须，紫黑色。细小极坚，削去皮，青绿
色者，谓之鸡骨升麻，功力殊胜也。虚大黄白色者不堪用。一种外黑里白，质虽紧实，谓之
鬼脸升麻。嵩高一种纯青色，质亦坚，功力俱不如蜀川青绿色者为重也。一种落新妇根，形
似色非，今人呼为小升麻，亦能解毒，取其叶， 作小儿浴汤，主惊忤。其他用力则殊，大
小亦别，不可不辨也。修事，刮去粗皮，黄精自然汁浸一宿，曝干锉蒸，再曝用。
先人云∶人身气机，升出降入，谓之一周。能升则气机无不周矣。又云∶生阳之气发扬，
邪僻之阴自死。入口皆吐出，此其外征。又云∶长升即是长生，下者举之，此为要药。从混
浊散漫之中，拔其精微之妙，的是枢机之剂。但上行须有真气在，否则是煮没米粥矣。又云∶
雷公炮制，用黄精自然汁浸一宿，即炼已筑基，大裨体用，上行者有根可据矣。
【 】曰∶升即四气之先机，时令之首兆也。经云∶春三月，此谓发陈者是矣。设无成
功之藏之入，亦无将来之生之升矣。所谓柔以时升，积小以高硕，实非决骤之比。故十龠曰
升，登合之量也；大 曰麻，群阴之长也。是以允升，天地俱生，万物以荣。生勿杀，予勿
夺，赏勿罚，此春气之应，养生之道也。主治百疾，以及变迁，皆向晦入宴息而冥升。功能
用晦而明，仍利于不息之贞。
（世以顿为升，此以升为渐，顿渐殊途，各宜体认。升麻禀天地清阳之气以生，故能升
阳
（《名医别录》列为上品）
升麻的特性是向上运行，象征着即将发生的生机之上升；真气则象征着已经成功的收藏之下降。
【气味】味苦，性平，微寒，无毒。
【主治】主要解除各种毒素，杀灭百精、老物及殃鬼，辟除瘟疫和瘴气，驱散邪气、蛊毒，凡是有毒之物入口皆能吐出；治疗中恶腹痛、时行毒疠、头痛、寒热往来、风肿及各种毒症、喉痛、口痛。长期服用不会夭折，能使身体轻盈、延年益寿。
【考证】曰：升麻产于蜀汉、陕西、淮南各州郡，其中四川产的质量最佳。春天生苗，高三尺。叶子像大麻叶，呈青色。四月开花，花形像粟米，穗为白色。六月结出黑色的果实。根部像蒿草，须根多，呈紫黑色。细小且极其坚硬的，削去外皮后呈青绿色的，称为“鸡骨升麻”，其药效特别显著。虚大、颜色黄白的则不堪使用。还有一种外面黑里面白，质地虽然紧实，称为“鬼脸升麻”。嵩山地区有一种纯青色的，质地也坚硬，但其药效都不如四川产的青绿色升麻厚重。还有一种叫落新妇的根，形状相似但颜色不同，现在人称之为小升麻，也能解毒，取其叶子煮水给小儿洗澡，主治惊忤。其他药材用力道不同，大小也有区别，不可不加以辨别。炮制方法：刮去粗皮，用黄精的自然汁浸泡一夜，晒干后锉碎蒸制，再晒干使用。
先人说：人身的气机，上升出于外，下降入于内，这称为一个循环。能够正常上升，那么气机就没有不周流的了。又说：生发阳气发扬光大，邪恶的阴气自然消亡。“入口皆吐出”就是这一作用的外在表现。又说：持续上升即是长生之道，“下者举之”（对于下陷的病证用升提法），这是关键药物。从浑浊散漫之中，提取其精微的妙处，确实是调节枢机的药剂。但是上行必须有真气作为基础，否则就像煮没米的粥一样（徒劳无功）。又说：雷公的炮制方法，用黄精自然汁浸泡一夜，这就是炼己筑基，大大有助于本体与功用的发挥，使得上行的药力有了根基可以依托。
【论述】曰：升即四季气候变化的先机，时令的首要征兆。经书说：“春三个月，这叫做发陈（推陈出新）”，说的就是这个道理。如果没有成功收藏的下降，也就没有将来生发的上升了。所谓顺应时节柔顺地上升，积累微小以成就高大，确实不是突然骤变所能比拟的。所以“十龠”称为升，是登高的合量；“大”称为麻，是群阴之长。因此允许上升，天地共同生长，万物以此繁荣。生养而不杀戮，给予而不掠夺，奖赏而不惩罚，这是顺应春气的做法，也是养生的道理。主治各种疾病以及病情的变迁，都是在黄昏时分进入休息而冥然上升。功能在于晦暗中以光明显现，仍然有利于不息的正固。
（世人把顿悟当作上升，这里把上升看作渐进，顿悟与渐进途径不同，各自应当体会认识。升麻禀受天地清阳之气而生，所以能升发阳气……）
(Recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* as a Superior Grade herb)
The characteristic of Shengma is to ascend upwards, symbolizing the rising of future vitality; Zhenqi (True Qi) symbolizes the descending of successful storage.
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily resolves various toxins, kills hundred spirits, old objects, and malevolent ghosts, wards off epidemics and miasmas, dispels pathogenic qi, gu poison; any toxic substance entering the mouth will be vomited out; treats sudden evil abdominal pain, seasonal toxic plagues, headache, alternating chills and fever, wind-induced swelling, various toxic conditions, sore throat, and mouth pain. Long-term consumption prevents premature death, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
[Verification] It is stated: Shengma grows in Shuhan, Shaanxi, and Huainan commanderies, with those from Sichuan being the best. Sprouts emerge in spring, reaching three chi in height. The leaves resemble hemp leaves and are green. Flowers appear in April, resembling millet grains, with white spikes. Black fruits mature in June. The root resembles mugwort, with many fibrous roots, appearing purple-black. Those that are small, fine, and extremely hard, turning green after peeling, are called "Jigu Shengma" (Chicken Bone Shengma), possessing superior efficacy. Those that are hollow, large, and yellowish-white are unsuitable for use. Another variety is black on the outside and white inside, firm in texture, called "Guilian Shengma" (Ghost Face Shengma). A variety from Songshan is purely green and also hard, but its efficacy is not as potent as the green Shengma from Sichuan. Another root, *Astilbe chinensis*, resembles it in shape but differs in color; people now call it "Xiao Shengma" (Small Shengma), which can also resolve toxins. Its leaves boiled in water for bathing children treat fright and convulsions. Other herbs differ in potency and size, so they must not be confused. Processing method: Scrape off the rough skin, soak overnight in the natural juice of Huangjing (*Polygonatum sibiricum*), sun-dry, cut into pieces, steam, then sun-dry again for use.
My ancestors said: The mechanism of Qi in the human body ascends outward and descends inward, forming one cycle. If it can ascend properly, the Qi mechanism will flow without obstruction. It is also said: When the generating Yang Qi flourishes, evil Yin naturally perishes. "Substances entering the mouth are vomited out" is an external manifestation of this action. It is further said: Continuous ascending leads to longevity; using lifting methods for sinking conditions makes it a key herb. Extracting the subtle essence from turbidity and dispersion, it truly acts as a pivot-regulating formula. However, upward movement requires True Qi as a foundation; otherwise, it is like boiling rice porridge without rice (futile effort). It is also said: Lei Gong's processing method involves soaking in Huangjing juice overnight, which constitutes refining the self and building the foundation, greatly benefiting both substance and function, providing a basis for the ascending power of the herb.
[Discussion] It is stated: Ascension is the precursor of the four seasons' climate changes and the primary omen of the solar terms. The Classics state: "The three months of spring are called Fa Chen (releasing the old to make way for the new)," referring to this principle. Without the descending of successful storage, there would be no ascending of future generation. As stated, softness ascends according to time, accumulating smallness to achieve greatness; this is indeed not comparable to sudden abrupt changes. Therefore, "ten yue" is called Sheng (ascend), representing the measure of climbing; "Da" is called Ma (hemp), representing the leader of Yin. Thus, allowing ascent, heaven and earth grow together, and all things flourish. Nourishing rather than killing, giving rather than taking, rewarding rather than punishing—this corresponds to the Spring Qi and is the Way of nourishing life. It treats various diseases and their transformations, ascending silently during evening rest. Its function reveals brightness through obscurity, remaining beneficial to unceasing rectitude.
(The world regards sudden enlightenment as ascending, whereas here ascending is viewed as gradual progress; sudden and gradual paths differ, each requiring personal realization. Shengma is born from the clear Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth, thus capable of raising Yang Qi...)