（本经上品）
【气味】苦酸平，无毒。
【主治】主寒湿痿痹，四肢拘挛，膝痛不可屈伸，逐血气，伤热，火烂，堕胎。久服轻
身耐老。
【核】曰∶出河内川谷及临朐，今江淮、闽越、关中亦有，不及怀庆者佳。深秋收子，
初春排种其苗，方茎暴节，叶叶对生，颇似苋叶。六七月节上生花作穗，遂结实如小鼠负虫，
有涩毛，贴茎倒生。根柔润而细，一直下生，长者约三五尺。九月采根，茎叶亦可单用。修
治去头芦，用黄精汁浸一宿，取出，锉细，焙干。
【 】曰∶读牛膝经年不得其解，偶忆风马牛不相及句，比类推之。牛喜风顺，马喜风
逆，故知经隧从头走足，其逆流而上，与不得顺流而下者，当百倍其力，故一名百倍。更观
实若鼠负，根直下行，宛如甲拆，盖牛为土畜，在卦曰坤，从土解孚，以行脾用，是以禀土
气之平，兼木火之味，是主寒湿成痹，溜于肢节，酝酿成热，遂致四肢拘挛，膝痛不可屈伸。
经云∶湿热不攘，大筋软短，小筋弛长，软短为拘，弛长为痿。重言膝痛不可屈伸者，以湿
伤在下，偏此更甚故尔。或痹于血，或痹于气，并可逐而通之。如别录之治胸中痛，腰脊痛，
茎中痛，五淋癃闭，下痢喉痹，此正痹于气，如症瘕血结，恶血血晕，此正痹于血，咸成有
余之证形也。如伤中少气，失溺绝阳，此亦痹于气。如阴消阴痿，精涸水涸，及金匮要略之
治血痹虚劳，此亦痹于血，咸成不足之证形也。如 疟之暑伤营舍，风并卫居，此则痹于血
，复痹于气，成虚实更作之证形也。盖痹者，失其流通之谓，若伤热火烂之上炎，使其旋顺
乎下，若堕胎之就下，与得其平，以全甲力，此不循伦次，越甲拆之解孚，先抽乎乙之轧出
耳。气则形驻，故轻身耐老。
（纤细之质，径直下生三四五尺，非百倍其力者，那能如是。盖直者为经，合入经隧明
矣。手足十二经，合两手足，廿有四经矣。十二自上走下，十二自下走上，则牛膝合入自上
走下十二经隧矣。）
（ 疟者，阴阳相移，上下交争。牛膝妙用，使下者仍顺乎下，则上者仍安乎上矣。）
（牛，性顺之物也。亦大力之物也。膝之为用，承上以接下，如坤之承干，盖顺而健矣。此
药根下行，而能引伸，力之大而健可知。膝司承接，力怯而弗任，则不可屈伸。用体性之至
顺极健者疗之，自无不济。膝名既同，药治最合。土用衰，则寒湿侵。惟乘气旺者，能出涔
屈伸之大者莫如膝。举要而言，力效易见，若其顺承天施，而气得上行，不止及踵，而且至
腕矣。逐血气义、 语备妙，然详味逐字，更纠有辟山驱水之力。热因湿蒸，火为寒变，
皆愤腾于上者也，非顺德深至，曷能降伏哉。可身受田单之 炬，自旋灭燕师之燹烽，即怒
攻而顺性未尝失也。又其力能下持，非下走者。坤为子母牛，故胎可弗堕。顺相因而极浓；
载华岳而不重，故身能轻，顺守柔而永贞，比松柏之后凋，故老能耐。
【本经上品】
【气味】味苦、酸，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗寒湿引起的痿痹（肢体萎软无力且疼痛麻木），四肢拘挛（肌肉收缩痉挛），膝盖疼痛无法屈伸，驱逐瘀血和邪气，治疗热伤，火毒导致的皮肤溃烂，以及堕胎。长期服用可身体轻盈、延缓衰老。
【核】曰∶牛膝产于河内川谷及临朐等地，如今江淮、闽越、关中地区也有出产，但不如怀庆府产的质量好。深秋采收种子，初春播种育苗，茎呈方形，节间明显且暴起，叶片对生，很像苋菜叶。六七月间在节上开花成穗，结出的果实像小鼠背着虫子，带有涩毛，贴着茎干倒生。根部柔润而细，笔直向下生长，长的约三五尺。九月采挖根部，茎叶也可以单独使用。炮制时去掉根头和芦头，用黄精汁浸泡一夜，取出后切碎，焙干。
【 】曰∶读《神农本草经》中关于牛膝的记载多年不得其解，偶然想起“风马牛不相及”这句成语，通过类比推理来理解。牛喜欢顺风，马喜欢逆风，因此知道经络是从头部走向足部的，那些逆流而上、不能顺流而下的人或病势，应当需要百倍的力量去推动，所以牛膝又名“百倍”。再观察它的果实像老鼠背负东西，根部笔直向下生长，宛如龟甲裂开，盖因牛是土畜，在八卦中属于坤卦，从“土”字解开“孚”字，以运行脾的功能，因此禀受了土气的平和，兼有木、火的滋味，所以主治寒湿造成的痹症，湿气流注于肢节，酝酿化热，导致四肢拘挛，膝盖疼痛无法屈伸。经文说∶湿热不除，大筋会软化缩短，小筋会松弛延长，缩短为拘挛，松弛为痿证。再次强调膝盖疼痛无法屈伸，是因为湿邪伤害下部，此处症状更为严重所致。或者痹阻在血分，或者痹阻在气分，都可以驱逐并疏通它们。如《别录》记载治疗胸中痛、腰脊痛、茎中痛，五淋癃闭（排尿困难），下痢喉痹，这正是痹阻在气分；如症瘕血结（腹内结块）、恶血血晕，这正是痹阻在血分，都形成了有余（实证）的病形。如伤中少气、失溺绝阳，这也是痹阻在气分。如阴消阴痿、精涸水涸，以及《金匮要略》中治疗血痹虚劳，这也是痹阻在血分，都形成了不足（虚证）的病形。如疟疾之暑伤营舍，风并卫居，这是痹阻在血，又痹阻在气，形成虚实交替发作的病形。大概“痹”就是失去流通的意思，如果是伤热火烂向上炎升，使其重新顺应向下，如同堕胎之顺势而下，与获得平衡，以保全甲拆之力，这是不遵循伦次，越过甲拆的解孚，先抽出乙木的轧出之气。气则形体驻留，所以能轻身耐老。
（纤细的体质，径直向下生长三四五尺，如果不是拥有百倍的力量，怎么能做到这样？大概直行的属于经脉，合入经隧是很明显的了。手足十二经脉，加上左右手足，共二十四条经脉。十二条自上走下，十二条自下走上，那么牛膝就合入那十二条自上走下的经隧之中。）
（疟疾，是阴阳相互移易，上下交争。牛膝的妙用，使在下者仍顺应向下，那么在上的就仍能安守在上。）
（牛，是性情顺从的动物。也是大力气的动物。膝的作用，承接上部以连接下部，就像坤卦承接乾卦，可以说是顺从而刚健了。此药根下行，而能引伸，力量之大而且刚健可知。膝主管承接，如果力气怯弱而不能胜任，就无法屈伸。用体性最顺从极刚健的药物来治疗它，自然没有不成功的。膝的名字既然相同，药物的治疗最为契合。土用衰弱，则寒湿侵袭。只有乘气旺盛者，能走出困顿、恢复屈伸的大能力莫过于膝。举其要点而言，效力容易看见，如果顺应承接天的施予，而气能上行，不仅到达脚后跟，而且能到达手腕了。“逐血气”的含义，《吴普本草》语备妙，然而仔细品味“逐”字，更有排斥山峦、驱赶水流的力量。热因为湿蒸腾，火因为寒变，都是愤激腾涌于上的，如果不是顺德深厚至极，怎能降伏呢？可以亲身承受田单的火攻，自行熄灭燕军的战火，即使愤怒进攻而顺应本性也未尝失去。另外它的力量能向下持守，并非只向下走。坤为子母牛，所以胎儿可以不堕。顺相因而极其浓厚；承载华山而不觉得重，所以身体能轻；顺守柔弱而永远坚贞，比作松柏之后凋，所以年老能耐受。）
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade]
[Taste and Nature] Bitter, sour, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome (painful obstruction due to wind, cold, and dampness) with flaccidity, spasticity of the four limbs, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood stasis and pathogenic qi, treats heat injury, fire-induced skin ulceration, and induces abortion. Long-term use promotes lightness of the body and longevity.
[Analysis] Says: Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) originates from the rivers and valleys of Henei and Linqu. It is now also found in Jianghuai, Minyue, and Guanzhong regions, but the quality from Huaqing Prefecture is superior. Seeds are harvested in late autumn, and seedlings are planted in early spring. The stem is square-shaped with prominent nodes; leaves are opposite and resemble those of Amaranthus. Flowers form spikes at the nodes in June and July, bearing fruits resembling mice carrying insects, covered with prickly hairs that grow inversely along the stem. The root is soft, moist, and slender, growing straight downward, reaching three to five chi in length. Roots are harvested in September; stems and leaves may be used separately. For processing, remove the root head and rhizome, soak overnight in Polygonatum juice, take out, slice finely, and dry by baking.
[Commentary] Says: I read the entries on Niu Xi in the classics for years without understanding them. Once recalling the phrase "wind does not affect horses and cattle," I applied analogical reasoning. Cattle favor following winds, while horses favor opposing winds. Thus, it can be understood that meridians run from head to foot. Conditions that flow against the current upward, or fail to flow smoothly downward, require a force a hundred times greater; hence, Niu Xi is also called "Baicheng" (Hundred Times). Observing its fruit resembles a mouse carrying something, and its root grows straight downward like cracking armor plates: since cattle are earth animals corresponding to the Kun trigram, and deconstructing the character "Fu" (trust/hatchling) within "Tu" (earth) relates to the function of the Spleen, it inherits the neutrality of Earth Qi combined with the flavors of Wood and Fire. Therefore, it treats Bi syndrome caused by cold-dampness stagnating in joints, fermenting into heat, leading to limb spasticity and knee pain with inability to flex/extend. The classic states: "If damp-heat is not removed, large tendons become soft and short, small tendons become lax and long; shortness causes spasm, laxity causes flaccidity." Re-emphasizing knee pain and inability to flex/extend highlights that dampness injures the lower body, making symptoms here more severe. Whether Bi obstructs Blood or Qi, both can be expelled and unblocked. As recorded in *Bielu*, treating chest pain, back pain, penile pain, five types of strangury, dysentery, and throat bi indicates obstruction in Qi; conditions like mass formations (Zheng Jia), blood stasis, and blood dizziness indicate obstruction in Blood; these represent Excess patterns. Conditions like middle-jiao injury with shortness of breath, urinary incontinence, and loss of Yang also indicate Qi obstruction. Yin wasting, impotence, depletion of essence and fluids, as well as Blood Bi and deficiency consumptive diseases treated in *Jin Gui Yao Lue*, indicate Blood obstruction; these represent Deficiency patterns. Malaria, where summerheat injures Ying and wind affects Wei, involves obstruction in both Blood and Qi, resulting in alternating excess and deficiency patterns. Generally, "Bi" means loss of free flow. If heat and fire flare upward due to injury, guiding them to follow the downward course—like inducing abortion which follows gravity—restores balance and preserves the strength of the "armor plate" (root structure). This avoids disrupting the sequence, bypassing the release of Earth (Kun) to prematurely extract Wood (Yi) pressure. Since Qi anchors form, it promotes lightness and longevity.
(Fine in texture, growing straight down 3-5 chi; only with a hundred-fold force could this be achieved. Straight growth belongs to the meridians, clearly entering the meridian pathways. There are twelve meridians of hands and feet; combining left and right makes twenty-four. Twelve run from upper to lower, twelve from lower to upper. Thus, Niu Xi enters the twelve meridians running from upper to lower.)
(Malaria involves the shifting of Yin and Yang and contention between upper and lower. The subtle application of Niu Xi allows what is below to remain compliant downward, so what is above remains secure upward.)
(Cattle are gentle yet powerful animals. The knee's function is to connect the upper to the lower, akin to Kun supporting Qian, being gentle yet strong. This herb's root descends and extends, demonstrating great and robust power. The knee governs support; if weak, it cannot flex or extend. Using a substance with extreme gentleness and strength to treat it ensures success. The name matches the organ, and the treatment fits perfectly. When Earth function declines, cold-dampness invades. Only when Qi is vigorous can one overcome stiffness and restore movement; nothing surpasses the knee in this regard. In summary, its efficacy is evident. If it follows Heaven's mandate and guides Qi upward, it reaches not just the heels but the wrists. The meaning of "expelling blood and qi" in *Wu Pu Ben Cao* is exquisite, but closely examining the word "expel" reveals power to repel mountains and drive waters. Heat rises due to damp steaming; fire changes due to cold, all surging upward. Without profound compliance with virtue, how could they be subdued? One might endure Tian Dan's fire attack to extinguish Yan's flames, maintaining nature even in anger. Its power holds downward, not merely moving down. Kun represents mother and calf, thus preventing miscarriage. Following affinity, it becomes dense; carrying Mount Hua without weight, the body becomes light; adhering to softness and constancy, compared to pines and cypresses surviving late, old age is endured.)