（《本经》下品）
【释名】夕句（《本经》）、乃东（《本经》）、燕面（《别录》）、铁色草。
震亨曰∶此草夏至后即枯。盖禀纯阳之气，得阴气则枯，故有是名。
【集解】《别录》曰∶夏枯草生蜀郡川谷，四月采。
恭曰∶处处有之，生平泽。
颂曰∶冬至后生，叶似旋复。三月、四月开花，作穗紫白色，似丹参花，结子亦作穗。
五月便枯，四月采之。
时珍曰∶原野间甚多，苗高一、二尺许，其茎微方。叶对节生，似旋复叶而长大，有细
齿，背白多纹。茎端作穗，长一、二寸，穗中开淡紫小花，一穗有细子四粒。丹溪云无子，
亦欠察矣。嫩苗瀹过，浸去苦味，油盐拌之可食。
【正误】宗 曰∶今谓之郁臭。自秋便生，经冬不悴，春开白花，夏结子。
震亨曰∶郁臭草有臭味，即茺蔚是也；夏枯草无臭味，明是两物。俱生于春，夏枯先枯
而无子；郁臭，后枯而结子。
茎叶
【气味】苦、辛，寒，无毒。
之才曰∶土瓜为之使。伏汞砂。
【主治】寒热瘰 鼠 头疮，破症，散瘿结气，脚肿湿痹，轻身（《本经》）。
【发明】震亨曰∶本草言夏枯草大治瘰 ，散结气。有补养厥阴血脉之功，而不言及。
观其退寒热，虚者可使，若实者以行散之药佐之，外以艾灸，亦渐取效。
时珍曰∶黎居土《易简方》∶夏枯草治目疼，用沙糖水浸一夜用，取其能解内热、缓肝
火也。楼全善云∶夏枯草治目珠疼，至夜则甚者，神效。或用苦寒药点之反甚者，亦神效。
盖目珠连目本，即系也，属厥阴之经。夜甚及点苦寒药反甚者，夜与寒亦阴故也。夏枯禀纯
阳之气，补厥阴血脉，故治此如神，以阳治阴也。一男子至夜目珠疼，连眉棱骨，及头半边
肿痛。用黄连膏点之反甚，诸药不效。灸厥阴、少阳，疼随止，半日又作，月余。以夏枯
草二两，香附二两，甘草四钱，为末。每服一钱半，清茶调服。下咽则疼减半，至四、五服
良愈矣。
【附方】旧一，新六。
明目补肝，肝虚目睛痛，冷泪不止，筋脉痛，羞明怕日∶夏枯草半两，香附子一两。为
末
赤白带下∶夏枯草（花开时采，阴干）为末。每服二钱，米饮下，食前。（《徐氏家传方》）
血崩不止∶夏枯草为末，每服方寸匕，米饮调下。（《圣惠方》）
产后血晕，心气欲绝者。夏枯草捣绞汁服一盏，大妙。（《徐氏家传方》）
扑伤金疮∶夏枯草（口嚼烂）， 上即愈。（《卫生易简》）
汗斑白点∶夏枯草煎浓汁，日日洗之。（《乾坤生意》）
瘰 马刀，不问已溃、未溃，或日久成漏∶用夏枯草六两，水二钟，煎七分，食远温服。
虚甚者，则煎汁熬膏服，并涂患处，兼以十全大补汤加香附、贝母、远志尤善。此物生血，
乃治瘰 之圣药也。其草易得，其功甚多。（薛己《外科经验方》）
（收录于《神农本草经》下品）
【释名】夕句（出自《本经》）、乃东（出自《本经》）、燕面（出自《别录》）、铁色草。
朱震亨说：这种草在夏至之后就枯萎了。大概是因为它禀受了纯阳之气，得到阴气就会枯萎，所以有了这个名字。
【集解】《名医别录》说：夏枯草生长在蜀郡的山谷中，四月采集。
陶弘景说：到处都有，生长在水边平地。
苏颂说：冬至后开始生长，叶子像旋覆花。三月、四月开花，结成穗状，颜色紫白，像丹参的花，结籽也成穗状。
五月就枯萎了，所以在四月采集。
李时珍说：原野间非常多，苗高一尺二寸左右，茎略微呈方形。叶子对生在节上，像旋覆花的叶子但更大更长，有细锯齿，叶背白色且多纹理。茎端结成穗，长一、二寸，穗中开出淡紫色小花，一穗有四粒细子。朱丹溪说没有种子，也是观察不细致啊。嫩苗焯水后，浸泡去除苦味，用油盐拌着可以吃。
【正误】陈承说：现在叫它郁臭。从秋天就开始生长，经过冬天也不凋谢，春天开白花，夏天结子。
朱震亨说：郁臭草有臭味，就是茺蔚（益母草）；夏枯草没有臭味，明显是两种植物。都生于春季，夏枯草先枯萎且不结子；郁臭草后枯萎且结子。
【茎叶】
【气味】苦、辛，寒，无毒。
徐之才说：土瓜是它的使药。能抑制汞砂的毒性。
【主治】治疗寒热引起的瘰疬、鼠瘘、头疮，破除癥积，消散瘿瘤和结气，治疗脚肿湿痹，使人身体轻健（出自《本经》）。
【发明】朱震亨说：本草书中说夏枯草大治瘰疬，散结气，但没有提到它有补养厥阴血脉的功效。看它能退除寒热，虚证患者可以使用，如果是实证，则配合行气散结的药物辅助，外用艾灸，也能逐渐见效。
李时珍说：黎居土的《易简方》记载：夏枯草治疗眼痛，用沙糖水浸泡一夜后使用，因为它能解除内热、缓解肝火。楼全善说：夏枯草治疗眼球疼痛，到了晚上加重的情况，效果神奇。如果用苦寒药物点眼反而加重的，也有神奇疗效。因为眼球连着目系，属于厥阴经脉。晚上加重以及点苦寒药反而加重的原因，是因为夜晚和寒冷都属于阴邪。夏枯草禀受纯阳之气，能补养厥阴血脉，所以治疗这种情况如神效，这是以阳治阴。有一个男子每到晚上眼球疼痛，牵连眉棱骨及头部半边肿痛。用黄连膏点眼反而加重，各种药物无效。灸刺厥阴、少阳经穴，疼痛随即停止，但半天后又发作，持续一个多月。用夏枯草二两，香附二两，甘草四钱，研为末。每次服用一钱半，用清茶调服。咽下后疼痛减半，服用四五次后痊愈。
【附方】旧方一个，新方六个。
明目补肝，治疗肝虚导致的眼珠疼痛、冷泪不止、筋脉疼痛、畏光怕日：夏枯草半两，香附子一两。研为末。
赤白带下：夏枯草（花开时采集，阴干）研为末。每次服用二钱，米汤送下，饭前服用。（出自《徐氏家传方》）
血崩不止：夏枯草研为末，每次服用一方寸匕，米汤调下。（出自《圣惠方》）
产后血晕，心气欲绝者：夏枯草捣碎绞汁，服用一盏，效果极大。（出自《徐氏家传方》）
跌打损伤和金创：夏枯草（嚼烂），敷在伤口上即愈。（出自《卫生易简》）
汗斑白点：夏枯草煎煮浓汁，每天清洗患处。（出自《乾坤生意》）
瘰疬马刀，不论已溃破或未溃破，或日久形成漏管：用夏枯草六两，水两碗，煎至七分，饭后温服。虚损严重的，则将煎汁熬成膏服用，并涂抹患处，同时配合十全大补汤加入香附、贝母、远志效果更好。这种草能生血，是治疗瘰疬的神药。这种草容易得到，功效很多。（薛己《外科经验方》）
(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names] Xiju (from *Benjing*), Naidong (from *Benjing*), Yanmian (from *Bielu*), Tise Cao (Iron-Color Grass).
Zhenheng stated: This herb withers after the Summer Solstice. It is likely because it possesses pure Yang Qi, and withers upon receiving Yin Qi; hence these names.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Xiakucao grows in the valleys of Shujun, harvested in the fourth month.
Gong stated: It is found everywhere, growing in marshy plains.
Song stated: It begins to grow after the Winter Solstice; leaves resemble those of *Inula japonica*. Flowers bloom in the third and fourth months, forming spikes that are purple-white, resembling flowers of *Salvia miltiorrhiza*, and seeds also form in spikes.
It withers in the fifth month, so it is harvested in the fourth month.
Shizhen stated: It is abundant in fields and wilds. The seedlings are about one to two chi high, with slightly square stems. Leaves grow oppositely at nodes, resembling *Inula japonica* leaves but larger and longer, with fine serrations, white backs with prominent veins. Spikes form at the stem tips, one to two cun long, opening into pale purple small flowers; each spike contains four fine seeds. Danxi claimed it had no seeds, which was an oversight. Young shoots can be blanched, soaked to remove bitterness, and eaten mixed with oil and salt.
[Correction of Errors] Zong stated: It is now called Yuchou. It sprouts from autumn, does not wither through winter, blooms white flowers in spring, and sets seed in summer.
Zhenheng stated: Yuchou grass has a foul odor and is identical to *Leonurus japonicus*; Xiakucao has no odor, clearly being two different plants. Both grow in spring; Xiakucao withers first and bears no seed; Yuchou withers later and bears seed.
[Stems and Leaves]
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, Pungent, Cold, Non-toxic.
Zhicai stated: *Trichosanthes kirilowii* root acts as its guiding drug. It neutralizes mercury sulfide toxicity.
[Indications] Treats chills and fever associated with scrofula (*Luoli*), rat fistula (*Shulou*), and head sores; breaks up masses, dissipates goiter and stagnant Qi, treats leg edema and damp bi-syndrome, and lightens the body (*Benjing*).
[Elucidation] Zhenheng stated: Materia Medica texts state that Xiakucao effectively treats scrofula and dissipates stagnant Qi, yet do not mention its merit in nourishing the Jueyin blood vessels. Observing its ability to resolve chills and fever, it can be used for deficiency patterns; for excess patterns, it should be assisted by herbs that promote circulation and dispersal, combined with external moxibustion, yielding gradual results.
Shizhen stated: Li Jutu’s *Yijian Fang* records: Xiakucao treats eye pain. Soak it in sand sugar water overnight before use, taking advantage of its ability to clear internal heat and soothe Liver fire. Lou Quanshan said: Xiakucao is miraculous for treating eyeball pain that worsens at night. Even if treatment with bitter-cold eye drops exacerbates the condition, it remains effective. The eyeball connects to the eye system, belonging to the Jueyin meridian. Worsening at night or upon application of bitter-cold drugs occurs because night and cold are Yin in nature. Xiakucao possesses pure Yang Qi and nourishes Jueyin blood vessels; thus, it treats this condition miraculously by using Yang to treat Yin. A man suffered from nightly eyeball pain radiating to the brow bone and half-head swelling. Application of Huanglian ointment worsened it, and other medicines failed. After moxibustion on Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians, pain ceased temporarily but recurred after half a day, persisting for over a month. Two liang of Xiakucao, two liang of Xiangfu, and four qian of Gancao were powdered. Each dose of 1.5 qian was taken with green tea. Pain halved upon swallowing, and full recovery occurred after four or five doses.
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, six new prescriptions.
To brighten eyes and tonify the Liver, treating Liver deficiency causing eyeball pain, continuous cold tearing, tendon/muscle pain, and photophobia: Half liang of Xiakucao, one liang of Xiangfuzi. Powder them.
For red and white leukorrhea: Xiakucao (harvested when flowering, dried in shade) powdered. Take two qian per dose with rice drink, before meals. (*Xu Family Prescription*)
For unstoppable metrorrhagia: Xiakucao powdered. Take one fangcunbi per dose with rice drink. (*Shenghui Fang*)
For postpartum blood syncope with impending loss of Heart Qi: Crush fresh Xiakucao, extract juice, and take one zhan. Highly effective. (*Xu Family Prescription*)
For traumatic injuries and metal wounds: Chew Xiakucao thoroughly and apply externally. Immediate healing. (*Weisheng Yijian*)
For sweat spots/white patches: Boil Xiakucao to make a concentrated decoction; wash daily. (*Qiankun Shengyi*)
For scrofula and scirrus, whether ulcerated or not, or chronic cases forming sinuses: Use six liang of Xiakucao, two zhong of water, decoct to seven-tenths volume. Take warm after meals. For severe deficiency, decoct into a paste for oral administration and topical application. Concurrently administering Shiquan Dabu Tang added with Xiangfu, Beimu, and Yuanzhi is particularly beneficial. This herb generates blood and is a holy medicine for scrofula. It is easily obtained and highly efficacious. (Xue Ji, *Waike Jingyan Fang*)