气味辛寒,无毒。主治阴痿绝伤,茎中痛,利小便,益气力,强志。
(淫羊藿出上郡阳山山谷,江东陕西、泰山、汉中、湖湘间皆有。茎高一二尺,一茎三
桠,一桠三叶,叶似杏叶,上有刺,关中呼为三枝九叶草。枝茎细劲,经冬不凋,四月开白
花,亦有紫花者,生处不闻
水声者良。陶隐居云∶西川北部有淫羊,一日百遍交合,盖食此藿所致,因以为名。《唐本
草》名仙灵脾,有仙灵脾酒,
益丈夫,兴阳,理腰膝冷。)
羊为火畜,藿能淫羊,盖禀水中之天气,而得太阳阳热之气化也。禀水中之天气,故气
味辛
寒。得太阳之阳热,故主治阴痿绝伤。太阳合膀胱寒水之气,故治茎中痛,利小便。太阳之
气,上合于肺,内通于肾,故益气力,强志。
淫羊藿禀太阳之气,而功能治下,与紫萍禀太阳之气,而浮越于肤表者,少有不同,故
生处
不闻水声者良。欲使太阳之气藏于水中,而不征现于外也。圣人体察物性,曲尽苦心,学人
潜心玩索,庶几得之。
气味酸,微寒,无毒。主治妇人产乳余疾,崩中,症瘕血闭,寒热羸瘦,养胎。
(紫葳处处皆有,多生山中,人家园圃亦或栽之。蔓延木上,高数丈,年久者藤大如杯,
春
初生枝,一枝数叶,尖长有齿,自夏至秋,花开五瓣,赭黄色,有细点,秋深更赤,今名凌
霄花,谓其花之极高也,根
花并用。)
紫葳延引藤蔓,主通经脉,气味酸寒,主清血热,故《本经》主治如此。近时用此,为
通经
下胎之药。仲景鳖甲煎丸,亦用紫葳以消症瘕,必非安胎之品。《本经》养胎二字,当是
堕胎之讹耳。
【淫羊藿】
气味辛、寒,无毒。主治阳痿及严重损伤,尿道疼痛,通利小便,补益气力,增强意志。
(淫羊藿产于上郡阳山山谷,江东、陕西、泰山、汉中、湖湘等地都有生长。茎高一二尺,一茎分三叉,每叉长三片叶子,叶片形状像杏叶,上面有刺,关中地区称为“三枝九叶草”。枝条茎干细而坚韧,经冬不凋谢,四月开白花,也有开紫花的,生长在听不到水声地方的品质较好。陶隐居说:西川北部有一种淫羊,一天交合一百次,大概是因为吃了这种草的缘故,因此得名。《唐本草》称其为仙灵脾,有仙灵脾酒,能补益男子,兴阳起痿,调理腰膝寒冷。)
羊属于火畜,藿能使淫羊行为放纵,大概是禀受了水中的天气,而得到了太阳的阳热气化作用。禀受水中的天气,所以气味辛寒。得到太阳的阳热之气,所以主治阳痿及严重损伤。太阳经与膀胱寒水之气相合,所以治疗尿道疼痛,通利小便。太阳之气,上合于肺,内通于肾,所以补益气力,增强意志。
淫羊藿禀受太阳之气,但功能作用于下部,与紫萍禀受太阳之气而浮越于肤表的情况稍有不同,所以生长在听不到水声地方的品质较好。这是为了使太阳之气藏于水中,而不显露于外。圣人观察物性,穷尽其理,费尽心思,学习者潜心探究玩味,或许能领悟其中道理。
【紫葳】
气味酸,微寒,无毒。主治妇女产后余疾,崩漏,症瘕血闭,寒热消瘦,安胎。
(紫葳各地都有,多生长在山中,人家园圃中也有的栽种。藤蔓蔓延在木头上,高达数丈,年代久远的藤粗如杯口,春初生枝,一枝多叶,叶尖长且有锯齿,从夏至秋,花开五瓣,赭黄色,有细点,深秋时更红,现在称为凌霄花,是说它的花开得极高,根和花都可以使用。)
紫葳藤蔓延引,主要通行经脉,气味酸寒,主要清泄血热,所以《本经》主治如此。近代用它作为通经下胎的药物。张仲景的鳖甲煎丸,也使用紫葳来消除症瘕,必定不是安胎的药物。《本经》中的“养胎”二字,应当是“堕胎”的讹误。
[Epimedium]
Flavor: Acrid, Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Impotence (Yang deficiency impotence), severe injuries, pain in the urethra, promoting urination, benefiting Qi and strength, strengthening willpower.
(Note: Epimedium grows in the valleys of Yangshan in Shangjun, and is also found in Jiangdong, Shaanxi, Taishan, Hanzhong, and Huxiang. The stem is one to two chi high, with three branches per stem, and three leaves per branch. The leaves resemble apricot leaves and have thorns on them; in Guanzhong, it is called "Three-Branch Nine-Leaf Grass." The stems are slender and tough, remaining green through winter. It blooms white flowers in April, though some have purple flowers. Those growing in places where no water sound is heard are considered superior. Tao Hongjing stated: In northern Sichuan, there are 'licentious goats' that mate a hundred times a day, likely due to eating this herb, hence its name. The *Tang Bencao* calls it Xianlingpi (Immortal Spirit Spleen). There is a Xianlingpi wine that benefits men, promotes sexual function, and treats coldness in the waist and knees.)
Goats belong to the Fire animal category. The herb causes goats to be licentious. This is because it inherits the Heavenly Qi from Water and obtains the Yang-Heat Qi transformation of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian. Inheriting the Heavenly Qi from Water results in an Acrid and Cold flavor. Obtaining the Yang-Heat of Taiyang allows it to treat impotence and severe injuries. The Taiyang meridian combines with the Cold-Water Qi of the Bladder, thus treating urethral pain and promoting urination. The Qi of Taiyang connects upward to the Lung and internally to the Kidney, thereby benefiting Qi and strength and strengthening willpower.
Epimedium inherits the Qi of Taiyang but functions in the lower body. This differs slightly from Zi Ping (Duckweed), which also inherits the Qi of Taiyang but floats to the skin surface. Therefore, those growing in places without the sound of water are superior. This ensures that the Qi of Taiyang remains hidden within the Water rather than manifesting externally. The Sages observed the nature of substances with meticulous care. Students who study deeply may understand this principle.
[Campsis grandiflora / Chinese Trumpet Vine]
Flavor: Sour, Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Residual diseases after childbirth in women, metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), abdominal masses with blood stasis and amenorrhea, alternating chills and fever with emaciation, nourishing the fetus.
(Note: Campsis is found everywhere, mostly growing in mountains, but also cultivated in gardens. Its vines climb trees, reaching several zhang high. Old vines can be as thick as a cup. In early spring, branches emerge with multiple leaves per branch; the leaves are pointed, long, and serrated. From summer to autumn, it produces five-petaled flowers that are ochre-yellow with fine spots, turning redder in late autumn. It is now called Lingxiao Hua (Cloud-Reaching Flower), indicating its flowers grow very high. Both roots and flowers are used.)
The vines of Campsis extend and guide, primarily unblocking meridians. Its Acrid and Cold flavor clears Heat from the Blood. Thus, the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* lists these indications. In recent times, it has been used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient. Zhang Zhongjing's Biejia Jian Wan (Turtle Shell Decoction for Reducing Masses) also uses Campsis to dissipate abdominal masses; it is certainly not a substance for nourishing the fetus. The phrase "nourishing the fetus" in the *Ben Cao Jing* is likely a textual error for "aborting the fetus."