气味苦平，无毒。主治寒热邪气，寒湿风痹，肢节痛，下水，利小便。
（秦艽出秦中，今泾州、 州、岐州、河陕诸郡皆有。其根土黄色，作罗纹交纠左右旋
转。李时珍曰∶以左纹者良，今市肆中或左或右，俱不辨矣。）
秦艽气味苦平，色如黄土，罗纹交纠，左右旋转，禀天地阴阳交感之气，盖天气左旋右
转，
地气右旋左转，左右者，阴阳之道路。主治寒热邪气者，地气从内以出外，阴气外交于阳，
而寒热邪气自散矣。治寒湿风痹，肢节痛者，天气从外以入内，阳气内交于阴，则寒湿风三
邪，合而成痹，以致肢节痛者，可愈也。地气营运则水下，天气营运则小便利。
气味辛平，无毒。主治风寒温疟热气，诸痫，除邪，利大小便。
（防己《本经》名解离，以生汉中者为佳，故名汉防己。江南诸处皆有，总属一种，因
地土
同，致形有大小，而内之花纹皆如车辐。所谓木防己者，谓其茎梗如木，无论汉中他处皆名
木防己，即通草，名木通之义非。出汉中者，名汉防己，他处者，名木防己也。上古诸方，
皆云木防己汤，是木防己，乃其本名，生汉中佳，故后人又有汉防己之称，其茎蔓延如葛，
折其茎一头吹之，气从中贯，俨如木通，其根外白内黄，破之黑纹四布，故名解离。）
防己气味辛平，色白纹黑，禀金水相生之气化。其茎如木，木能防土，己者土也，故有
防己
之名。主治风寒温疟热气者，风寒之邪，藏于肾脏，发为先热后寒之温疟。温疟者，热气有
余之疟也。《经》云∶温疟者，先热后寒，得之冬中于风寒，此病藏于肾。防己启在下之水
精而输转于外，故治风寒温疟热气也。诸痫除邪者，心包受邪，发为牛马猪羊鸡诸痫之证。
防己中空藤蔓，能通在内之经脉，而外达于络脉，故治诸痫除邪也。利大小便者，土得木而
达，木防其土，土气疏通，则二便自利矣。
愚按∶防己气味辛平，茎空藤蔓，根纹如车辐，能启在下之水精而上升，通在内之经脉
而外
达，故《金匮要略》云∶膈间支饮，其人喘满，心下痞坚，面色黧黑者，其脉沉紧，得之数
十日，医吐下之，不愈，木防己汤主之。又云∶风水脉浮身重，汗出恶风者，防己黄 汤主
之。皮水为病，四肢肿，水气在皮肤中，四肢聂聂动者，防己茯苓汤主之。《千金方》治遗
尿小便涩，三物木防己汤主之。而李东垣有云∶防己乃下焦血分之药，病在上焦气分者，禁
用。试观《金匮》诸方所治之证，果在气分乎？血分乎？抑在上焦乎？下焦乎？盖防己乃行
气通
上之药，其性功与乌药、木通相类，而后人乃以防己为下部药，不知何据。东垣又云∶防己
大苦寒，能泻血中湿热，比之于人，则险而健者也，幸灾乐祸，能为乱阶，然善用之，亦可
敌凶突险，此瞑眩之药也。故圣人存而不废噫。神农以中品之药为臣，主通调血气，祛邪治
病，无毒有毒，斟酌其宜，随病而用。如防己既列中品，且属无毒，以之治病，有行气清热
之功。险健为乱之说，竟不知从何处得来，使后人遵之如格言，畏之若毒药，非先圣之罪人
乎。东垣立言，多属臆说，盖其人富而贪名，又无格物实学。李时珍乃谓千古而下，唯东垣
一人，误矣。嗟嗟，安得伊芳耆再治世，更将经旨复重宣。
【秦艽】
气味苦、平，无毒。主治寒热邪气，寒湿风痹，肢体关节疼痛，通利水道，小便通畅。
（秦艽产于秦地，如今泾州、原州、岐州、河陕等郡都有。它的根呈土黄色，具有罗纹交错、左右旋转的纹理。李时珍说：以左侧有纹理的为良，如今市场上有的左旋有的右旋，都无法辨别了。）
秦艽气味苦平，颜色像黄土，罗纹交错，左右旋转，禀受了天地阴阳交感之气。大概天气是左旋右转，地气是右旋左转，左右是阴阳运行的道路。主治寒热邪气，是因为地气从内向外发散，阴气在外与阳气相交，那么寒热邪气自然消散。治疗寒湿风痹、肢体关节疼痛，是因为天气从外向内深入，阳气在内与阴气相交，这样由寒、湿、风三种邪气结合而成的痹证，导致肢体关节疼痛的情况，就可以治愈。地气运行则水液下行，天气运行则小便通畅。
【防己】
气味辛、平，无毒。主治风寒温疟热气，各种痫病，祛除邪气，通利大小便。
（防己在《本经》中名为解离，以汉中出产的最好，所以叫汉防己。江南各地都有，总归是一种，因为土地相同，导致形状有大有小，但内部的花纹都像车轮的辐条。所谓木防己，是指它的茎梗像木头一样，无论产自汉中还是其他地方都叫木防己，这就像通草名叫木通的道理一样，并非指它是通草。产自汉中的，叫汉防己，其他地方的，叫木防己。上古时期的方剂，都说用木防己汤，说明木防己是本名，产自汉中的品质佳，所以后人又有汉防己的叫法。它的茎蔓延伸像葛藤，折断一头吹气，气息从中贯通，俨然像木通。它的根外部白色内部黄色，剖开后黑色纹路四散分布，所以名叫解离。）
防己气味辛平，色白纹黑，禀受了金水相生的气化特性。它的茎像木头，木能防护土，己者即土也，所以有防己这个名字。主治风寒温疟热气，风寒邪气藏于肾脏，发作时表现为先发热后发冷的温疟。温疟，就是热气有余的疟疾。《内经》说：温疟是先热后寒，因冬天感受风寒所致，此病藏于肾。防己能激发在下方的水精并输转至体外，所以能治疗风寒温疟热气。治疗各种痫病以祛除邪气，是因为心包受邪，发作出如牛、马、猪、羊、鸡等各种痫病的症状。防己茎中空且为藤蔓，能通达体内的经脉并向外到达络脉，所以能治疗各种痫病以祛除邪气。通利大小便，是因为土得木气而通达，木能防护土，使土气疏通，那么二便自然通畅。
我按语：防己气味辛平，茎空为藤蔓，根部纹路像车轮辐条，能激发在下方的水精而上升，通达体内的经脉而向外达表，所以《金匮要略》中说：膈间有支饮，病人喘满，心下痞硬坚实，面色黧黑，脉象沉紧，患病数十日，医生用吐法或下法治疗无效，用木防己汤主治。又说：风水病脉浮身重，汗出恶风的，用防己黄芪汤主治。皮水病，四肢浮肿，水气在皮肤中，四肢微微跳动的，用防己茯苓汤主治。《千金方》治疗遗尿小便涩痛，用三物木防己汤主治。而李东垣说：防己是下焦血分的药，病在上焦气分的，禁用。试看《金匮》诸方所治疗的病症，究竟是在气分呢？还是在血分？抑或在上焦呢？还是在下焦呢？大概防己是行气通上的药，其性功与乌药、木通相似，而后人却把防己当作下部药，不知道依据是什么。李东垣又说：防己大苦寒，能泻血中的湿热，比作人，则是险峻而健壮的人，幸灾乐祸，能制造祸乱，然而善于使用它，也可以抵挡凶险突破困境，这是瞑眩之药。所以圣人保留它而不废除。神农将中品药作为臣药，主要作用是通调血气，祛邪治病，无论有毒无毒，斟酌其适宜程度，随病情使用。像防己既然列在中品，且属于无毒，用它治病，有行气清热的功效。关于“险健为乱”的说法，竟然不知道从哪里得来，使得后人遵奉它如同格言，畏惧它如同毒药，这不是先圣的罪人吗？李东垣立论，多属臆测之说，大概此人富有且贪求名声，又没有格物致知的实学。李时珍却说千古之下只有李东垣一人，错了。唉，怎能让伊尹那样的贤才再次治理世道，重新阐发经典旨意。
[Qin Jiao]
The flavor is bitter and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It treats cold-heat pathogenic factors, bi-syndrome caused by cold-dampness and wind, pain in limbs and joints, promotes water metabolism, and facilitates urination.
(Qin Jiao originates from the Qin region; it is now found in Jingzhou, Yuanzhou, Qizhou, Heshan, and other commanderies. Its root is earth-yellow in color, featuring cross-hatched patterns that twist left and right. Li Shizhen stated: Those with left-twisting patterns are superior. However, in current markets, both left and right twisting patterns exist, making them indistinguishable.)
Qin Jiao has a bitter flavor and neutral nature, its color resembles yellow earth, with cross-hatched patterns twisting left and right. It inherits the qi of the interaction between heaven and yin-yang. Generally, heaven's qi rotates left then right, while earth's qi rotates right then left. Left and right represent the pathways of yin and yang. To treat cold-heat pathogenic factors, earth's qi moves from interior to exterior, allowing yin qi to interact externally with yang qi, thereby dissipating cold-heat pathogens. To treat bi-syndrome caused by cold-dampness and wind, and pain in limbs and joints, heaven's qi enters from exterior to interior, allowing yang qi to interact internally with yin qi. Thus, bi-syndrome formed by the combination of cold, dampness, and wind pathogens, resulting in limb and joint pain, can be cured. When earth's qi circulates, water descends; when heaven's qi circulates, urination becomes smooth.
[Fang Ji]
The flavor is acrid and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It treats wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi; various epilepsy syndromes; eliminates pathogenic factors; and facilitates both large and small bowel movements.
(Fang Ji was named Xie Li in the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*. The variety produced in Hanzhong is considered best, hence the name Han Fang Ji. It grows in various parts of Jiangnan. Although they belong to the same species due to similar soil conditions, their shapes vary in size, but the internal patterns resemble the spokes of a wheel. The term "Mu Fang Ji" (Wood Fang Ji) refers to its stem being woody. Regardless of whether it is produced in Hanzhong or elsewhere, it is called Mu Fang Ji, similar to how Tong Cao is named Mu Tong; it does not refer to Tong Cao itself. Produced in Hanzhong, it is called Han Fang Ji; produced elsewhere, it is called Mu Fang Ji. Ancient prescriptions all referred to "Mu Fang Ji Tang," indicating that Mu Fang Ji is its original name. Since the Hanzhong variety is superior, later generations also called it Han Fang Ji. Its stems creep like kudzu vines. If one end of the stem is broken and blown into, air passes through centrally, resembling Mu Tong. Its roots are white on the outside and yellow inside; when broken, black patterns radiate outward, hence the name Xie Li.)
Fang Ji has an acrid flavor and neutral nature, with white color and black patterns, inheriting the qi transformation of Metal generating Water. Its stems are woody; Wood can protect Earth, and "Ji" refers to Earth, thus the name Fang Ji. To treat wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi: Wind-cold pathogens hide in the Kidney, manifesting as warm malaria characterized by fever preceding chills. Warm malaria is malaria with excess heat qi. The *Classic* states: Warm malaria presents with fever first and chills later, contracted from wind-cold in winter, and the disease resides in the Kidney. Fang Ji stimulates the water essence located below and transports it outward, thus treating wind-cold, warm malaria, and heat qi. To treat various epilepsy syndromes and eliminate pathogens: When the Pericardium is affected by pathogens, it manifests as various epilepsy symptoms such as those resembling oxen, horses, pigs, sheep, or chickens. Fang Ji has hollow, creeping stems that can unblock internal meridians and reach external collaterals, thus treating various epilepsy syndromes to eliminate pathogens. To facilitate bowel movements: Earth achieves permeability through Wood. Wood protects Earth, smoothing Earth's qi, thereby naturally facilitating both urinary and fecal discharge.
My commentary: Fang Ji has an acrid flavor and neutral nature, hollow stems, creeping vines, and root patterns resembling wheel spokes. It can stimulate the water essence below and raise it upward, unblock internal meridians, and extend outward. Therefore, the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: For支饮 (fluid retention in the diaphragm), where the patient experiences wheezing and fullness, epigastric hardness and fullness, dark facial complexion, and a deep, tight pulse lasting for dozens of days, if vomiting or purging methods fail, Mu Fang Ji Tang should be used. It also states: For Feng Shui (wind edema) with floating pulse, heavy body, sweating, and aversion to wind, Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang should be used. For Pi Shui (skin edema) with swollen limbs, water qi in the skin, and slight tremors in the limbs, Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang should be used. The *Qian Jin Fang* treats enuresis and dysuria with San Wu Mu Fang Ji Tang. However, Li Dongyuan claimed: Fang Ji is a herb for the blood level of the lower jiao; it is contraindicated for diseases in the qi level of the upper jiao. Let us examine the conditions treated in the formulas of the *Jin Gui*: Are they truly in the qi level? Or the blood level? In the upper jiao? Or the lower jiao? Essentially, Fang Ji is a herb that moves qi and unblocks the upper body; its properties and functions are similar to Wuyao and Mutong. Later generations regarded Fang Ji as a lower-body herb without clear basis. Li Dongyuan further stated: Fang Ji is greatly bitter and cold, capable of draining damp-heat from the blood. Compared to a person, it is dangerous yet robust, prone to causing chaos, yet if used skillfully, it can overcome danger. It is a "mingxuan" (disorientation/critical reaction) herb. Thus, the Sages retained it without abolishing it. Shennong classified middle-grade herbs as ministers, primarily to regulate qi and blood, eliminate pathogens, and treat diseases. Whether toxic or non-toxic, one must judge their suitability and use them according to the disease. Fang Ji is listed in the middle grade and is non-toxic; using it to treat diseases has the effect of moving qi and clearing heat. The claim that it is "dangerous, robust, and causes chaos" is baseless. Making later generations revere it like a maxim and fear it like poison makes one a sinner against the ancient sages. Li Dongyuan's statements are mostly speculative; he was wealthy and fame-seeking, lacking genuine empirical learning. Li Shizhen claimed that after antiquity, only Li Dongyuan existed, which is incorrect. Alas, how can we have a Yi Yin to govern the world again and re-proclaim the classic principles?