〔害〕气味辛温，虽能补血活血，终是行血走血之性，故能滑肠。其气与胃气不相宜，
故肠
胃薄弱，泄泻溏薄，以及一切脾胃病，恶食不思食，及食不消者，并禁用。即在胎前产后亦
忌。辛温发散，甚于麻黄细辛，气虚血弱有热者，犯之发痉。恶榈茹湿面，畏菖蒲、海藻、
生姜。
〔利〕甘辛温去瘀生新，舒筋养营，温中润肠。心主血，肝藏血，脾统血，归为血药，
故入
三经。头止血，尾破血，全和血。能引诸血归经故名。归尾，一称归须。
〔修治〕二月采根阴干，头尾圆多紫色，肥润气香，里白不油者良，以秦产马尾归最胜，
力
柔善补，川产力刚善攻，他处 头当归，只宜发散药耳。本病用酒炒，如吐血，须醋炒，或
用酒炒黑。有痰，用姜汁炒。凡晒干乘热纸封瓮收之不蛀。
按当归炒极黑，能治血 血痢，炒焦则味苦，苦则涩血也。
〔害〕酸寒收敛，凡胃弱中寒作泄，腹中冷痛，及胃中觉冷等症，当禁。伤寒病在上焦
之阳
结忌用，血虚有热者宜之。产后酒炒用，又曰产后忌用。
丹溪曰∶以其酸寒，伐生发之气也。必不得已，酒炒用之可耳。时珍曰∶产后肝血已虚，
不
可更泻也。恶芒硝、石斛，畏硝石、鳖甲、小蓟，反藜芦。
案∶肝脏病患者，不宜大量长期服用。朱颜注。
〔利〕苦酸微寒，敛肺而凉血，制肝以安脾。心主血，凉血故补心，酸收而守其液也。
及一
切血病。同白术补脾，同参 补气，同归地补血，同川芎泻肝，同甘草名芍药甘草汤，止腹
痛。盖腹痛，因营气不从，逆于肉里故也。
〔修治〕八九月取根晒干，用竹刀刮去皮并头，锉切细，蜜水拌蒸。今多生用单瓣花者
入药
。用酒炒制寒，醋炒行血。下痢后重不炒用。多服则损人目。汗多人服之，亦损元气，夭人
，为其淡而渗也。中寒者勿服。
【危害】当归气味辛温，虽然能够补血活血，但终究具有行血走血的药性，因此容易导致滑肠。其气与胃气不相协调，所以肠胃薄弱、大便稀溏，以及一切脾胃疾病、厌恶饮食、食欲不振、食物不消化者，均禁用。即使在怀孕前和产后也应忌用。当归的辛温发散之力，甚至超过麻黄和细辛，气虚血弱且有内热者，服用后会引发痉挛。当归恶味同榈茹（一种植物）和湿面，畏菖蒲、海藻、生姜。
【功效】当归味甘辛、性温，能去除瘀血、生成新血，舒展筋脉、滋养营血，温暖中焦、润燥滑肠。心主血，肝藏血，脾统血，当归作为血分药，因此入心、肝、脾三经。当归头止血，当归尾破血，全当归调和血液。因其能引导诸血回归经脉，故得名“当归”。当归尾，又称归须。
【炮制】二月采集根部并阴干，头部和尾部圆润、多呈紫色、肥润且香气浓郁、内部白色且不油腻的为佳品。以秦地出产的马尾当归最为上乘，药力柔和善于补益；川地产的药力刚猛善于攻邪；其他地方的当归头，只适宜用于发散类药物。治疗本病（指当归主治之证）时用酒炒，如治吐血，需用醋炒，或用酒炒至黑色。有痰者，用姜汁炒。凡晒干后趁热用纸密封在瓮中收藏，可防虫蛀。
按语：当归炒至极黑，能治疗血淋和血痢；炒焦则味道变苦，苦味则有涩血的作用。
【危害】白芍药气味酸寒，具有收敛作用，凡是胃弱、中寒导致的泄泻、腹中冷痛，以及感觉胃中寒冷等症状，应当禁用。伤寒病在上焦阳气郁结者忌用，血虚有热者适宜使用。产后宜用酒炒后服用，但也有说法认为产后忌用。
丹溪说：“因其酸寒，会伐伤生发之气。”如果不得已要用，酒炒后使用即可。时珍说：“产后肝血已虚，不可再泻。”白芍药恶芒硝、石斛，畏硝石、鳖甲、小蓟，反藜芦。
案语：肝脏病患者，不宜大量长期服用。（朱颜注）
【功效】白芍药味苦酸、性微寒，能敛肺而凉血，制约肝木以安脾土。心主血，凉血故能补心，酸收之性能守护津液。适用于一切血病。与白术同用可补脾，与人参同用可补气，与当归、地黄同用可补血，与川芎同用可泻肝，与甘草合用名为芍药甘草汤，可止腹痛。大概腹痛是因为营气不顺，逆乱于肌肉腠理之间所致。
【炮制】八九月采集根部晒干，用竹刀刮去外皮及头部，锉切细碎，用蜜水拌匀蒸制。现在多用生品，单瓣花的入药。用酒炒可制其寒性，用醋炒可行血。治疗下痢里急后重时不炒用。多服会损伤视力。汗多者服用，也会损伤元气，使人折寿，因为其性淡而渗利。中寒者勿服。
[Harm] Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) has a pungent and warm flavor. Although it can tonify blood and invigorate blood circulation, its nature is ultimately to move and circulate blood, which may cause loose stools. Its qi is incompatible with Stomach qi. Therefore, it is strictly contraindicated for individuals with weak intestines and stomachs, loose or watery stools, all types of Spleen and Stomach diseases, aversion to food, anorexia, and indigestion. It should also be avoided during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The pungent and warm dispersing power of Danggui is even stronger than that of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Xixin (Asari Radix). For those with Qi deficiency, Blood weakness, and internal heat, taking it may induce spasms. Danggui is incompatible with Luru (a plant) and damp flour; it fears Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Haizao (Sargassum), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens).
[Benefits] Danggui has a sweet and pungent flavor and is warm in nature. It removes blood stasis and generates new blood, relaxes sinews and nourishes Ying (Nutritive) Qi, warms the Middle Jiao, and moistens the intestines. The Heart governs Blood, the Liver stores Blood, and the Spleen controls Blood. As a Blood herb, Danggui enters these three meridians. The root head stops bleeding, the root tail breaks blood stasis, and the whole root harmonizes blood. It is named "Danggui" because it can guide various types of blood back to their respective vessels. The root tail is also known as Guixu.
[Processing] Harvest the roots in February and dry them in the shade. Those that are round at both ends, purple, plump, fragrant, white inside, and non-greasy are of high quality. The "Horse Tail Danggui" from Qin region is considered superior; it has a gentle force and is good for tonification. The Sichuan variety has a strong force and is good for expelling pathogens. The root heads from other regions are only suitable for use in dispersing formulas. To treat conditions indicated by Danggui, stir-fry with wine. For hematemesis, stir-fry with vinegar or char with wine. For phlegm, stir-fry with ginger juice. After sun-drying, seal while hot in jars with paper to prevent insect damage.
Note: When Danggui is stir-fried until extremely black, it can treat bloody dysentery and blood leukorrhea. If stir-fried until scorched, it becomes bitter, and bitterness has an astringent effect on blood.
[Harm] Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) has a sour and cold flavor with an astringent property. It is strictly contraindicated for cases of weak Stomach, Cold in the Middle Jiao causing diarrhea, cold pain in the abdomen, and sensations of cold in the Stomach. It is forbidden for Shanghan (Cold Damage) disease involving Yang obstruction in the Upper Jiao, but is suitable for those with Blood deficiency and internal heat. Postpartum, it should be used after stir-frying with wine, though some say it is contraindicated postpartum.
Danxi stated: "Due to its sour and cold nature, it attacks the vitalizing energy." If absolutely necessary, it should be used after stir-frying with wine. Shizhen stated: "After childbirth, Liver Blood is already deficient; one must not further drain it." Baishao is incompatible with Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis); it fears Xiaoshi (Nitrums Crude), Biejia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), and Xiaoji (Cirsii Japonici Herba), and is contrary to Lilü (Veratri Radix).
Case Note: Patients with liver diseases should not take large doses for long periods. (Zhu Yan's annotation)
[Benefits] Baishao has a bitter and sour flavor and is slightly cold. It astringes the Lung and cools Blood, restrains the Liver to calm the Spleen. Since the Heart governs Blood, cooling Blood benefits the Heart; its sour astringency preserves fluids. It is applicable to all Blood disorders. Combined with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it tonifies the Spleen; combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), it tonifies Qi; combined with Danggui and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), it tonifies Blood; combined with Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma), it drains the Liver. Combined with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it forms Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction (Peony and Licorice Decoction), which relieves abdominal pain. Abdominal pain generally occurs when Ying (Nutritive) Qi does not flow smoothly and rebels within the muscles and flesh.
[Processing] Harvest roots in August or September, dry them in the sun, scrape off the skin and head with a bamboo knife, cut finely, mix with honey water, and steam. Currently, raw single-petaled flowers are mostly used in medicine. Stir-frying with wine neutralizes its coldness; stir-frying with vinegar promotes blood circulation. Do not stir-fry when treating dysentery with tenesmus. Excessive consumption damages the eyes. For those with profuse sweating, it also damages Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and shortens life due to its bland and draining nature. Those with Cold in the Middle Jiao should not take it.