（《别录》中品）
【释名】时珍曰∶按∶孙 《唐韵》作湔胡，名义未解。
【集解】《别录》曰∶前胡，二月、八月采根，曝干。
弘景曰∶近道皆有，生下湿地，出吴兴者为胜。根似柴胡而柔软，为疗殆欲同，而《本
经》上品有茈胡而无此，晚来医乃用之。
大明曰∶越、衢、婺、睦等处者，皆好，七、八月采之，外黑里白。颂曰∶今陕西、梁
汉、江淮、荆襄州郡及相州、孟州皆有之。春生苗，青白色，似斜蒿。初出时有白芽，长三、
四寸，味甚香美，又似芸蒿。七月内开白花，与葱花相类。八月结实。根青紫色。今 延将
来者，大与柴胡相似。但柴胡赤色而脆，前胡黄而柔软，为不同尔。一说∶今诸方所用前胡
皆不同。汴京北地者，色黄白，枯脆，绝无气味。江东乃有三、四种∶一种类当归，皮斑黑，
肌黄而脂润，气味浓烈；一种色理黄白，似人参而细短，香味都微；一种如草乌头，肤赤而
坚，有两、三歧为一本，食之亦戟人咽喉，中破以姜汁渍捣服之，甚下膈解痰实。然皆非真
前胡也。今最上者，出吴中。又寿春生者，皆类柴胡而大，气芳烈，味亦浓苦，疗痰下气，
最胜诸道者。 曰∶凡使勿用野蒿根，缘真似前胡，只是味粗酸。若误用之，令人反胃不受
食。若是前胡，味甘微苦也。时珍曰∶前胡有数种，惟以苗高一、二尺，色似斜蒿，叶如野
菊而细瘦，嫩时可食。秋月开黪白花，类蛇床子花，其根皮黑肉白，有香气为真。大抵北地
者为胜，故方书称北前胡云。
根
【修治】 曰∶修事，先用刀刮去苍黑皮并髭土了，细锉，以甜竹沥浸令润，日中
晒干用。
【气味】苦，微寒，无毒。权曰∶甘、辛，平。
之才曰∶半夏为之使，恶皂荚，畏藜芦。
【主治】痰满，胸胁中痞，心腹结气，风头痛，去痰实，下气，治伤寒寒热，推陈致新，
明目益精（《别录》）。能去热实，及时气内外俱热，单煮服之。（甄权）治一切气，破症结
，开胃下食，通五脏，主霍乱转筋，骨节烦闷，反胃呕逆，气喘咳嗽，安胎，小儿一切疳气
（大明）。清肺热，化痰热，散风邪（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶前胡味甘、辛，气微平，阳中之阴，降也。乃手足太阴、阳明之药，
与柴胡纯阳上升入少阳、厥阴者不同也。其功长于下气，故能治痰热喘嗽、痞膈呕逆诸疾，
气下则火降，痰亦降矣。所以有推陈致新之绩，为痰气要药。陶弘景言其与柴胡同功，非矣
。治证虽同，而所入所主则异。
【附方】旧一。
小儿夜啼∶前胡捣筛，蜜丸小豆大。日服一丸，熟水下，至五、六丸，以瘥为度。（《普
济方》）
（收录于《名医别录》中品）
【释名】李时珍说：据孙愐《唐韵》记载，写作“湔胡”，其名称含义尚未明了。
【集解】《名医别录》记载：前胡，在二月和八月采集根部，晒干。
陶弘景说：各地都有生长，生于低湿之地，以吴兴出产的质量最好。根部形状像柴胡但质地柔软，治疗功效大致相同，但《神农本草经》上品中有茈胡而没有前胡，后来医生才开始使用它。
孟诜说：越州、衢州、婺州、睦州等地出产的都很好，七月、八月采集，外皮黑色内部白色。苏颂说：现在陕西、梁汉、江淮、荆襄各州郡以及相州、孟州都有出产。春天生苗，青白色，类似斜蒿。刚长出时有白色芽头，长三、四寸，味道非常香美，又有点像芸蒿。七月内开白花，与葱花相似。八月结果实。根呈青紫色。如果将来种植，长得很大，与柴胡很相似。只是柴胡颜色赤红且脆，前胡颜色黄且柔软，这是不同之处。另一种说法：现在各方剂中使用的前胡都不相同。汴京北方地区出产的，颜色黄白，干枯脆弱，完全没有气味。江东地区有三四种：一种类似当归，皮斑黑，肉质黄且油脂滋润，气味浓烈；一种纹理黄白，像人参但细短，香味都很微弱；一种像草乌头，表皮赤红且坚硬，有两三个分枝作为一个主干，食用时会刺激咽喉，将其破开用姜汁浸泡捣碎后服用，能很好地消除膈间痰实。然而这些都不是真正的前胡。现在最好的前胡，出自吴中。还有寿春出产的，都像柴胡但个头大，气味芳香浓烈，味道也浓厚苦涩，治疗痰症和下气，胜过其他产地的。陈藏器说：凡是使用前胡，不要使用野蒿根，因为真的很像前胡，只是味道粗酸。如果误用，会导致反胃无法进食。如果是前胡，味道是甘微苦。李时珍说：前胡有好几种，只有那种苗高一尺二尺，颜色像斜蒿，叶子像野菊但细瘦，嫩的时候可食用的。秋天开灰白色花，类似蛇床子花，其根皮黑肉白，有香气才是真品。大体上北方地区出产的质量较好，所以方书称为北前胡。
根
【修治】陈藏器说：炮制时，先用刀刮去苍黑色的皮和泥土，细细切碎，用甜竹沥浸泡使其湿润，在太阳下晒干后使用。
【主治】痰多胀满，胸胁部痞塞，心腹部结聚之气，风邪头痛，去除痰实，降气，治疗伤寒引起的寒热往来，推陈致新，明目益精（《名医别录》）。能去除热实，以及时行疫病内外俱热的症状，单独煮服（甄权）。治疗各种气滞，破除症瘕结块，开胃助消化，通利五脏，主治霍乱转筋，骨节烦闷，反胃呕吐，气喘咳嗽，安胎，小儿各种疳积（孟诜）。清肺热，化痰热，散风邪（李时珍）。
【发明】李时珍说：前胡味甘、辛，气微平，属于阳中之阴，主降。它是手足太阴、阳明经的药物，与柴胡纯阳上升、入少阳、厥阴经的性质不同。它的功效长于降气，所以能治疗痰热喘嗽、痞膈呕逆等各种疾病，气降则火降，痰也随之而降。因此有推陈致新的功效，是治疗痰气的要药。陶弘景说它与柴胡功效相同，是不对的。虽然治疗的证候相似，但所入经脉和主治重点则不同。
【附方】旧方一首。
小儿夜啼：将前胡捣碎筛粉，用蜂蜜制成如小豆大小的丸剂。每天服用一丸，用温水送服，最多至五六丸，以病愈为度。（《普济方》）
(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Bencao Jing Jizhu* / *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**[Names]** Li Shizhen stated: According to Sun Mian's *Tang Yun*, it is written as "Jian Hu" (湔胡), and its etymological meaning remains unclear.
**[Collection and Explanation]** *Bencao Jing Jizhu* records: Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) should be harvested in February and August, and dried in the sun.
Tao Hongjing stated: It grows widely in various regions, thriving in low and damp areas. The variety from Wuxing is considered superior. Its root resembles that of Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) but is softer; its therapeutic effects are largely similar. However, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists Zi Hu (Bupleuri Radix) in the Superior Category but does not list Qian Hu; physicians began using it later.
Meng Shen stated: Varieties from Yuezhou, Quzhou, Wuzhou, and Mozhou are all good quality. Harvested in July and August, they have a black exterior and white interior. Su Song stated: Currently, it is found in Shaanxi, Lianghan, Jianghuai, Jingxiang prefectures, as well as Xiangzhou and Mengzhou. Sprouts emerge in spring, appearing greenish-white, resembling Xie Hao (a type of herb). Initially, white buds appear, three or four cun long, with a very fragrant and pleasant taste, somewhat resembling Yun Hao. In July, it blooms with white flowers resembling scallion flowers. Fruits mature in August. The root is greenish-purple. If cultivated for future use, it grows large and resembles Chai Hu significantly. The distinction lies in color and texture: Chai Hu is reddish and brittle, whereas Qian Hu is yellowish and soft. Another view states that the Qian Hu used in various prescriptions today varies greatly. Those from the northern region of Bianjing are yellowish-white, dry and brittle, lacking any odor. In the Jiangdong region, there are three or four types: one resembles Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), with black mottled skin, yellow flesh, and greasy texture, possessing a strong aroma; another has yellowish-white texture, resembles Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) but is thinner and shorter, with very faint fragrance; a third resembles Cao Wu Tou (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), with red and hard skin, having two or three branches stemming from one base; consuming it irritates the throat. It can be processed by breaking it open, soaking in ginger juice, pounding, and administering, which effectively resolves phlegm accumulation in the diaphragm. However, none of these are true Qian Hu. The highest quality currently comes from Wuzhong. Those from Shouchun also resemble Chai Hu but are larger, with a strong aromatic scent and bitter taste, excelling in treating phlegm and descending qi, surpassing varieties from other regions. Chen Cangqi stated: When using Qian Hu, do not use Ye Hao Gen (wild mugwort root), as it closely resembles true Qian Hu but has a coarse and sour taste. Misuse may cause gastric reflux and anorexia. True Qian Hu has a sweet and slightly bitter taste. Li Shizhen stated: There are several types of Qian Hu. Only the variety with seedlings one to two chi high, colored like Xie Hao, leaves resembling wild chrysanthemum but slender, and edible when tender, is authentic. It blooms with grayish-white flowers in autumn, resembling She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) flowers. The root has black skin and white flesh with a fragrant aroma. Generally, varieties from the northern region are superior, hence referred to as Bei Qian Hu (Northern Qian Hu) in medical texts.
Root
**[Processing]** Chen Cangqi stated: For processing, first scrape off the dark black skin and soil with a knife, finely chop, soak in sweet bamboo sap until moistened, then dry in the sun.
**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. Zhen Quan stated: Sweet, pungent, neutral.
Xu Zhicai stated: Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) serves as its guiding herb; it is incompatible with Zao Jiao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) and fears Li Lu (Veratri Radix).
**[Therapeutic Actions]** Treats fullness due to phlegm, chest and hypochondriac stagnation, qi knotting in the heart and abdomen, wind-induced headache, expels phlegm excess, descends qi, treats chills and fever in Shang Han (Cold Damage), promotes renewal by eliminating stale elements, brightens the eyes and benefits essence (*Bencao Jing Jizhu*). Can clear heat excess and treat internal and external heat caused by epidemic pathogens; decoct alone for administration (Zhen Quan). Treats all types of qi disorders, breaks up mass formations, opens the stomach and aids digestion, unblocks the five zang organs, manages Hu Luan (cholera-like syndrome) with muscle cramps, bone and joint restlessness, gastric reflux and vomiting, asthma and cough, calms the fetus, and treats various Gan Qi (childhood malnutrition syndromes) in children (Meng Shen). Clears lung heat, transforms phlegm heat, disperses wind pathogens (Li Shizhen).
**[Elucidation]** Li Shizhen stated: Qian Hu has a sweet and pungent flavor and a slightly neutral qi, belonging to yin within yang, and its action is descending. It enters the Hand and Foot Taiyin and Yangming meridians, differing from Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), which is purely yang, ascending, and enters the Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians. Its efficacy lies primarily in descending qi; thus, it treats diseases such as wheezing and coughing due to phlegm-heat, chest oppression, and vomiting due to rebellion of qi. When qi descends, fire descends, and phlegm follows suit. Therefore, it achieves the effect of eliminating the stale and promoting the new, making it an essential herb for treating phlegm and qi disorders. Tao Hongjing’s claim that it shares the same function as Chai Hu is incorrect. Although the treated conditions may appear similar, the meridians entered and primary indications differ.
**[Attached Prescriptions]** One old prescription.
Infant night crying: Pound Qian Hu into powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of soybeans. Administer one pill daily, washed down with warm water. Increase to five or six pills if necessary, until recovery is achieved (*Puji Fang*).