（《本经》上品）
【释名】益母（《本经》）、益明（《本经》）、贞蔚（《别录》）、 （《尔雅》。音推）、
野天麻（《会编》）、猪麻（《纲目》）、火 （《本经》）、郁臭草（《图经》）、苦低草（《图
经》）、夏枯草（《外台》）、土质汗（《外台》）。
时珍曰∶此草及子皆充盛密蔚，故名茺蔚。其功宜于妇人及明目益精，故有益母、益明
之称。其茎方类麻，故谓之野天麻。俗呼为猪麻，猪喜食之也。夏至后即枯，故亦有夏枯之
名。《近效方》谓之土质汗。林亿云∶质汗出西番，乃热血合诸药煎成，治金疮折伤。益母
亦可作煎，治折伤，故名为土质汗也。
禹锡曰∶《尔雅》∶萑， 。注云∶今茺蔚也。又名益母。刘歆云∶ ，臭秽也。臭秽，
即茺蔚也。陆玑云∶ ，益母也。故曾子见之感思。
【集解】《别录》曰∶茺蔚生海滨池泽，五月采。
弘景曰∶今处处有之。叶如荏，方茎，子形细长，有三棱。方用亦稀。
颂曰∶今园圃及田野极多。郭璞注《尔雅》云∶叶似荏，方茎白华，华生节间。节节生
花，实似鸡冠子，黑色，茎作四方棱，五月采。又云九月采实，医方稀有用实者。
宗 曰∶茺蔚初春生时，亦可浸洗，淘去苦水，煮作菜食。凌冬不凋悴也。
时珍曰∶茺蔚近水湿处甚繁。春初生苗如嫩蒿，入夏长三、四尺，茎方如黄麻茎。其叶
如艾叶而背青，一梗三叶，叶有尖歧。寸许一节，节节生穗，丛簇抱茎。四、五月间，穗内
开小花，红紫色，亦有微白色者。每萼内有细子四粒，粒大如同蒿子，有三棱，褐色，药肆
往往以作巨胜子货之。其草生时有臭气，夏至后即枯，其根白色。苏颂《图经》谓其叶似荏
，其子黑色，似鸡冠子，九月采实，寇宗 《衍义》谓其凌冬不凋者，皆误传也。此草有白
花、紫花二种，茎、叶、子、穗皆一样。但白者能入气分，红者能入血分，别而用之可也。
按《闺阁事宜》云∶白花者为益母；紫花者为野天麻。《返魂丹注》云∶紫花者为益母，
花者不是。陈藏器《本草》云∶茺蔚生田野间，人呼为郁臭草。天麻生平泽，似马鞭草，节
节生紫花，花中有子，如青葙子。孙思邈《千金方》云∶天麻草，茎如火麻，冬生苗，夏着
赤花，如鼠尾花。此皆似以茺蔚、天麻为二物，盖不知其是一物二种。凡物花皆有赤白，如
牡丹、芍药、菊花之类是矣。又按∶郭璞《尔雅注》云∶ ，音推，即茺蔚，又名益母。叶
似荏，白华，华生节间。又云∶KT ，音推，方茎，叶长而锐，有穗，穗间有花紫缥色，
可以为饮，江东呼为牛 。据此则是 、KT 名本相同，但以花色分别之，其为一物无疑
矣。宋人重修本草，以天麻草误注天麻，尤为谬失。陈藏器《本草》又有錾菜，云生江南阴
地，似益母，方茎对节白花，主产后血病。此即茺蔚之白花者，故其功主血病亦相同。
子
【修治】时珍曰∶凡用，微炒香，亦或蒸熟，烈日曝燥，舂簸去壳，取仁用。
【气味】辛、甘，微温，无毒。《别录》曰∶甘，微寒。
时珍曰∶甘、辛，温。灰制硫黄。
【主治】明目益精，除水气，久服轻身（《本经》）。疗血逆大热，头痛心烦（《别录》）
。产后血胀（大明）。舂仁生食，补中益气，通血脉，填精髓，止渴润肺（吴瑞）。治风解
热
，顺气活血，养肝益心，安魂定魄，调女人经脉，崩中带下，产后胎前诸病。久服令人有子
（时珍）。
【发明】震亨曰∶茺蔚子活血行气，有补阴之功，故名益母。凡胎前产后所恃者，血气
也。胎前无滞，产后无虚，以其行中有补也。
时珍曰∶茺蔚子味甘、微辛，气温，阴中之阳，手、足厥阴经药也。白花者入气分；紫
花者入血分。治妇女经脉不调，胎产一切血气诸病，妙品也，而医方鲜知用。时珍常以之同
四物、香附诸药治人，获效甚多。盖包络生血，肝藏血。此物能活血补阴，故能明目、益
精、调经，治女人诸病也。东垣李氏言瞳子散大者，禁用茺蔚子，为其辛温主散，能助火也
。当归虽辛温，而兼苦甘，能和血，故不禁之。愚谓目得血而能视，茺蔚行血甚捷，瞳子散
大，血不足也，故禁之，非助火也。血滞病目则宜之，故曰明目。
茎
大明曰∶苗、叶、根同功。
【气味】藏器曰∶寒。时珍曰∶茎、叶∶味辛、微苦。花∶味微苦、甘。根∶味甘。并
无毒。
镜源曰∶制硫黄、雌黄、砒石。
【主治】瘾疹痒，可作浴汤（《本经》）。捣汁服，主浮肿，下水，消恶毒疔肿、乳痈丹
游等毒，并敷之。又服汁，主子死腹中，及产后血胀闷。滴汁入耳中，主 耳。捣敷蛇虺毒
（
下
，血晕、血风、血痛，崩中漏下，尿血、泻血，疳痢、痔疾，打扑内损瘀血，大便、小便不
通（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶益母草之根、茎、花、叶、实，并皆入药，可同用。若治手、足厥阴
血分风热，明目益精，调女人经脉，则单用茺蔚子为良。若治肿毒疮疡，消水行血，妇人胎
产诸病，则宜并用为良。盖其根、茎、花、叶专于行，而子则行中有补故也。
【附方】旧十三，新十。
济阴返魂丹∶昝殷《产宝》曰∶此方，乃吉安文江高师禹，备礼求于名医所得者，其效
神妙，活人甚多，能治妇人胎前、产后诸疾危证。用野天麻，又名益母，又名火 ，又名负
担，即茺蔚子也。叶似艾叶，茎类火麻，方梗凹面，四、五、六月节节开花，红紫色如蓼花，
南北随处皆有，白花者不是。于端午、小暑，或六月六日，花正开时，连根收采阴干，用叶
及花子。忌铁器，以石器碾为细末，炼蜜丸如弹子大随证嚼服用汤使。其根烧存性为末，酒
服，功与黑神散不相上下。其药不限丸数，以病愈为度。或丸如梧子大，每服五、七十
丸。又可捣汁滤净，熬膏服之。胎前脐腹痛，或作声者，米饮下；胎前产后，脐腹刺痛，胎
动不安，下血不止，当归汤下；产后，以童子小便化下一丸，能安魂定魄，血气自然调顺，
诸病不生。又能破血痛，养脉息，调经络，并温酒下。胎衣不下，及横生不顺，死胎不下，
经日胀满，心闷心痛，并用炒盐汤下。产后血晕，眼黑血热，口渴烦闷，如见鬼神，狂言不
省人事，以童子小便和酒化下；产后结成血块，脐腹奔痛，时发寒热，有冷汗，或面垢颜赤
，五心烦热，并用童子小便、酒下，或薄荷自然汁下。产后恶露不尽，结滞刺痛，上冲心胸
满闷，童子小便、酒下。产后泻血水，以枣汤下。产后痢疾，米汤下。产后血崩漏下，糯米
汤下。产后赤白带下，煎胶艾汤下；月水不调，温酒下。产后中风，牙关紧急，半身不遂，
失音不语，童便、酒下；产后气喘咳嗽，胸膈不利，恶心吐酸水，面目浮肿，两胁疼痛，举
动失力，温酒下。产后月内咳嗽，自汗发热，久则变为骨蒸，童便、酒下；产后鼻衄，舌黑
口干，童便酒下。产后两太阳穴痛，呵欠心忪，气短羸瘦，不思饮食，血风身热，手足顽麻
，百节疼痛，并米饮化下。产后大小便不通，烦躁口苦者，薄荷汤下。妇人久无子息，温酒
下。
益母膏∶《近效方》∶治产妇诸疾，及折伤内损有瘀血，每天阴则痛，神方也。三月采益
母草一名负担，一名夏枯草，连根叶茎花洗择令净，于箔上摊曝水干，以竹刀切长五寸，勿
用铁刀，置于大锅中，以水浸过二、三寸，煎煮，候草烂水减三之二，漉去草，取汁约五
、六斗，入盆中澄半日，以绵滤去浊滓，以清汁入釜中，慢火煎取一斗，如稀饧状，瓷瓶封
收。每取梨大，暖酒和服，日再服。或和羹粥亦可。如远行，即更炼至可丸收之。服至七日，
则疼渐平复也。产妇恶露不尽及血晕，一二服便瘥。其药无忌。又能治风，益心力。（《外
台秘要》）
女人难产∶益母草捣汁七大合，煎减半，顿服立止。无新者，以干者一大握，水七合，
煎服。（韦宙《独行方》）
胎死腹中∶益母草捣熟，以暖水少许，和绞取汁，顿服之。（韦宙《独行方》）。
产后血晕，心气欲绝∶益母草研汁，服一盏，绝妙。（《子母秘录》）
产后血闭不下者∶益母草汁一小盏，入酒一合，温服。（《圣惠方》）
带下赤白∶益母草花开时采，捣为末。每服二钱，食前温汤下。（《集验方》）
小便尿血∶益母草捣汁，服一升立瘥。此苏澄方也。（《外台秘要》）
赤白杂痢困重者∶益母草（日干）、陈盐梅（烧存性），等分为末。每服三钱，白痢干姜
汤、赤痢甘草汤下。名二灵散。（《卫生家宝方》）
小儿疳痢垂死者∶益母草嫩叶，同米煮粥食之，取足，以瘥为度，甚佳。饮汁亦可。（《广
济方》）
痔疾下血∶益母草叶，捣汁饮之。（《食医心镜》）
一切痈疮∶妇人妒乳乳痈，小儿头疮，及浸淫黄烂热疮，疥疽阴蚀∶并用天麻草（切）
五升
急慢疔疮∶《圣惠方》∶用益母草捣封之，仍绞五合服，即消。《医方大成》∶用益母草四
月连花采之，烧存性。先以小尖刀十字划开疔根，令血出。次绕根开破，捻出血，拭干。
以稻草心蘸药捻入疮口，令到底。良久当有紫血出，捻令血净，再捻药入，见红血乃止。
一日夜捻药三、五度。重者二日根烂出，轻者一日出。有疮根胀起，即是根出，以针挑之。
出后仍敷药生肌易愈。忌风寒、房室、酒肉、一切毒物。疖毒己破∶益母草捣敷，甚妙。（《
斗门方》）勒乳成痈∶益母为末。水调涂乳上，一宿自瘥。生捣亦得。（《圣惠方》）
喉闭肿痛∶益母草捣烂，新汲水一碗，绞浓汁顿饮，随吐愈。冬月用根。（《卫生易简方》）
粉刺黑斑∶《闺阁事宜》云∶五月五日收带根天麻紫花者，晒干烧灰。以商陆根捣自然
汁，加酸醋和搜灰作饼，炭火 过收之。半年方用，入面药，甚能润肌。苏颂曰∶唐天后炼
益母草泽面法∶五月五日采根苗具者，勿令着土，曝干捣罗，以面水和成团，如鸡子大，再
曝干。
仍作一炉，四旁开窍，上下置火，安药中央。大火烧一炊久，即去大火，留小火养之，
勿令火绝。经一复时出之，瓷器中研治，筛再研，三日收用，如澡豆法，日用。一方∶每十
两加滑石一两，胭脂一钱。
马咬成疮∶苦低草，切细，和醋炒涂之。（《孙真人方》）
新生小儿∶益母草五两，煎水浴之，不生疮疥。（《简要济众》）
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【释名】益母（出自《本经》）、益明（出自《本经》）、贞蔚（出自《名医别录》）、萺（出自《尔雅》，音同“推”）、野天麻（出自《证类本草》）、猪麻（出自《本草纲目》）、火莸（出自《本经》）、郁臭草（出自《本草图经》）、苦低草（出自《本草图经》）、夏枯草（出自《外台秘要》）、土质汗（出自《外台秘要》）。
李时珍说：这种草及其种子都生长得茂盛繁密，所以名叫茺蔚。它的功效适宜于妇人使用，并能明目、补益精气，所以有“益母”、“益明”的名称。它的茎呈方形，类似麻的茎，所以被称为野天麻。俗称为猪麻，因为猪喜欢吃它。夏至后就枯萎了，所以也有“夏枯”的名字。《近效方》称它为土质汗。林亿说：质汗出产自西番，是将热血与其他药物煎煮浓缩而成的，用于治疗金创骨折损伤。益母草也可以制成膏剂，治疗折伤，所以名为土质汗。
苏颂说：《尔雅》记载：萑，即萺。注释说：这就是现在的茺蔚。又名益母。刘歆说：萺，气味臭秽。臭秽，指的就是茺蔚。陆玑说：萺，就是益母。所以曾子见到它而感思。
【集解】《名医别录》说：茺蔚生长在海边的池沼湿地，五月采集。
陶弘景说：现在到处都有。叶子像荏（一种植物），茎是方形的，种子形状细长，有三棱。在药方中很少使用。
苏颂说：现在菜园和田野里极多。郭璞注释《尔雅》说：叶子像荏，茎是方形的，开白花，花生长在节间。每一节都生花，果实像鸡冠子，黑色，茎呈四方棱形，五月采集。又说九月采集果实，医方中很少有用果实的。
寇宗奭说：茺蔚在初春生长时，也可以浸泡清洗，淘去苦水，煮作蔬菜食用。它能经历整个冬天而不凋谢枯萎。
李时珍说：茺蔚在近水潮湿的地方生长得非常茂盛。春天初生苗时像嫩蒿，入夏长到三四尺高，茎方形像黄麻的茎。它的叶子像艾叶但背面青绿，一梗三叶，叶尖有歧裂。大约一寸一节，每节生穗，丛簇抱着茎。四、五月间，穗内开出小花，红紫色，也有微白色的。每个花萼内有细子四粒，颗粒大小如同蒿子，有三棱，褐色，药店往往把它当作巨胜子（胡麻）出售。这种草生长时有臭味，夏至后就枯萎，其根是白色的。苏颂《图经》说它的叶子像荏，种子黑色，像鸡冠子，九月采集果实；寇宗奭《衍义》说它经历冬天不凋谢，这些都是误传。这种草有白花、紫花两种，茎、叶、子、穗都一样。只是白色的能入气分，红色的能入血分，分开使用即可。
按《闺阁事宜》记载：白花的是益母；紫花的是野天麻。《返魂丹注》说：紫花的是益母，白花不是。陈藏器《本草拾遗》说：茺蔚生长在田野间，人们叫它郁臭草。天麻生长在平泽，像马鞭草，节节生紫花，花中有子，像青葙子。孙思邈《千金方》说：天麻草，茎像火麻，冬天生苗，夏天开红花，像鼠尾花。这些都似乎把茺蔚和天麻当作两种植物，大概不知道它们是一物二种。凡是植物的花都有赤白之分，如牡丹、芍药、菊花等就是这样。又查考：郭璞《尔雅注》说：萺，音推，就是茺蔚，又名益母。叶子像荏，开白花，花生在节间。又说：KT，音推，茎方形，叶子长而尖锐，有穗，穗间有紫缥色的花，可以煮水饮用，江东人叫它牛膝。据此看来，萺和KT名称原本相同，只是以花色来区分，它们确是一物无疑。宋代人重修本草，把天麻草错误地注释为天麻，更是谬误。陈藏器《本草拾遗》又有錾菜，说生长在江南阴地，像益母，茎方形对节开白花，主治产后血病。这就是茺蔚的白花品种，所以它的主治功效也是治疗血病，完全相同。
【子】
【修治】李时珍说：凡是用，稍微炒香，或者蒸熟，烈日下暴晒干燥，舂捣簸去壳，取仁使用。
【气味】辛、甘，微温，无毒。《名医别录》说：甘，微寒。
李时珍说：甘、辛，温。能制硫黄。
【主治】明目益精，除水气，久服轻身（出自《本经》）。治疗血逆大热，头痛心烦（出自《别录》）。产后血胀（出自唐·大明）。将仁舂碎生食，补中益气，通血脉，填精髓，止渴润肺（出自吴瑞）。治疗风邪解热，顺气活血，养肝益心，安魂定魄，调理女子月经，崩漏带下，产后胎前各种疾病。久服使人容易怀孕（李时珍）。
【发明】朱震亨说：茺蔚子能活血行气，有补阴的功效，所以名叫益母。凡是胎前产后所依赖的，都是血气。胎前无滞，产后无虚，因为它在行血中有补益作用。
李时珍说：茺蔚子味甘、微辛，气温，属于阴中之阳，是手、足厥阴经的药物。白花者入气分；紫花者入血分。治疗妇女经脉不调，胎产一切血气诸病，是妙品，但医方中很少知道使用。李时珍常将它与四物汤、香附等药物一起给人治病，获得很多疗效。因为心包络生血，肝藏血。此物能活血补阴，所以能明目、益精、调经，治疗女子各种疾病。东垣李氏说瞳孔散大者，禁用茺蔚子，因为它辛温主发散，能助火。当归虽然辛温，但兼有苦甘，能和血，所以不禁用。我认为眼睛得到血液才能视物，茺蔚行血非常迅速，瞳孔散大是因为血不足，所以禁止使用，并不是助火。如果是血滞引起的眼病则适宜使用，所以说它能明目。
【茎】
唐·大明说：苗、叶、根功效相同。
【气味】陈藏器说：寒。李时珍说：茎、叶：味辛、微苦。花：味微苦、甘。根：味甘。都无毒。
镜源说：能制硫黄、雌黄、砒石。
【主治】瘾疹瘙痒，可作洗浴汤剂（出自《本经》）。捣汁服用，主治浮肿，利水，消除恶毒疔肿、乳痈丹毒等毒，并外敷。又服用汁液，主治死胎在腹中，以及产后血胀闷。滴汁入耳中，主治耵聍耳。捣敷蛇虺毒（出自下卷，治疗血晕、血风、血痛，崩中漏下，尿血、泻血，疳痢、痔疾，打扑内损瘀血，大便、小便不通）（李时珍）。
【发明】李时珍说：益母草的根、茎、花、叶、实，都可以入药，可以一同使用。如果治疗手、足厥阴血分风热，明目益精，调女人经脉，则单用茺蔚子为好。如果治疗肿毒疮疡，消水行血，妇人胎产诸病，则宜并用为好。因为它的根、茎、花、叶专门用于行散，而子则在行散中有补益作用。
【附方】旧方十三首，新方十首。
济阴返魂丹：昝殷《产宝》说：这个方子，是吉安文江的高师禹，备礼向名医求得的，效果神妙，救活很多人，能治疗妇人胎前、产后各种疾病的危重证候。用野天麻，又名益母，又名火莸，又名负担，就是茺蔚子。叶子像艾叶，茎像火麻，茎梗方形凹面，四、五、六月节节开花，红紫色像蓼花，南北各地随处都有，白花的不算。在端午、小暑，或六月六日，花正开时，连根采收阴干，用叶及花子。忌铁器，用石器碾为细末，炼蜜丸如弹子大，随证嚼服，用汤药送下。其根烧存性为末，酒服，功效与黑神散不相上下。药量不限丸数，以病愈为度。或者丸如梧桐子大，每次服五、七十丸。又可以捣汁滤净，熬膏服用。胎前脐腹痛，或发出声音的，米饮送下；胎前产后，脐腹刺痛，胎动不安，下血不止，用当归汤送下；产后，用童子小便化开一丸，能安魂定魄，血气自然调顺，诸病不生。又能破血止痛，养脉息，调经络，并用温酒送下。胎衣不下，及横生不顺，死胎不下，经日胀满，心闷心痛，都用炒盐汤送下。产后血晕，眼黑血热，口渴烦闷，如见鬼神，狂言不省人事，用童子小便和酒化开送下；产后结成血块，脐腹奔痛，时发寒热，有冷汗，或面垢颜赤，五心烦热，都用童子小便、酒送下，或用薄荷自然汁送下。产后恶露不尽，结滞刺痛，上冲心胸满闷，用童子小便、酒送下。产后泻血水，用枣汤送下。产后痢疾，用米汤送下。产后血崩漏下，用糯米汤送下。产后赤白带下，煎胶艾汤送下；月水不调，用温酒送下。产后中风，牙关紧急，半身不遂，失音不语，用童便、酒送下；产后气喘咳嗽，胸膈不利，恶心吐酸水，面目浮肿，两胁疼痛，举动失力，用温酒送下。产后月内咳嗽，自汗发热，久则变为骨蒸，用童便、酒送下；产后鼻衄，舌黑口干，用童便酒送下。产后两太阳穴痛，呵欠心忪，气短羸瘦，不思饮食，血风身热，手足顽麻，百节疼痛，都用米饮化开送下。产后大小便不通，烦躁口苦的，用薄荷汤送下。妇人久无子息，用温酒送下。
益母膏：《近效方》：治疗产妇各种疾病，以及折伤内损有瘀血，每天阴就痛，这是神方。三月采集益母草一名负担，一名夏枯草，连根叶茎花洗净择净，在箔上摊开曝晒至水干，用竹刀切成五寸长，不要用铁刀，放在大锅中，以水浸过二、三寸，煎煮，等到草烂水减少三分之二，捞出去掉草渣，取汁约五、六斗，放入盆中澄清半天，用绵过滤去掉浊滓，将清汁放入釜中，慢火煎取一斗，像稀饧状，瓷瓶密封收藏。每次取梨核大，暖酒调和服用，每天服两次。或者和羹粥吃也可以。如果远行，就再炼制到可以做成丸子收藏。服用七天，疼痛逐渐平复。产妇恶露不尽及血晕，一二服就好。这药没有禁忌。又能治风，益心力。（《外台秘要》）
女人难产：益母草捣汁七大合，煎减半，顿服立止。没有新鲜的，用干的是一大握，水七合，煎服。（韦宙《独行方》）
胎死腹中：益母草捣熟，加少许温水，和绞取汁，顿服之。（韦宙《独行方》）。
产后血晕，心气欲绝：益母草研汁，服一盏，绝妙。（《子母秘录》）
产后血闭不下者：益母草汁一小盏，入酒一合，温服。（《圣惠方》）
带下赤白：益母草花开时采，捣为末。每次服二钱，食前温汤送下。（《集验方》）
小便尿血：益母草捣汁，服一升立即痊愈。这是苏澄的方子。（《外台秘要》）
赤白杂痢困重者：益母草（晒干）、陈盐梅（烧存性），等分为末。每次服三钱，白痢用干姜汤、赤痢用甘草汤送下。名叫二灵散。（《卫生家宝方》）
小儿疳痢垂死者：益母草嫩叶，同米煮粥吃，吃够量，以痊愈为度，很好。喝汁也可以。（《广济方》）
一切痈疮：妇人妒乳乳痈，小儿头疮，以及浸淫黄烂热疮，疥疽阴蚀：都用天麻草（切碎）五升。
急慢疔疮：《圣惠方》：用益母草捣封患处，仍绞五合服用，即消。《医方大成》：用益母草四月连花采之，烧存性。先用小尖刀十字划开疔根，令血出。其次绕根开破，捻出血，拭干。用稻草心蘸药捻入疮口，令到底。良久当有紫血出，捻令血净，再捻药入，见红血乃止。一日夜捻药三、五度。重者二日根烂出，轻者一日出。有疮根胀起，即是根出，以针挑之。出后仍敷药生肌易愈。忌风寒、房室、酒肉、一切毒物。疖毒已破：益母草捣敷，甚妙。（《斗门方》）勒乳成痈：益母为末。水调涂乳上，一宿自瘥。生捣亦得。（《圣惠方》）
喉闭肿痛：益母草捣烂，新汲水一碗，绞浓汁顿饮，随吐愈。冬月用根。（《卫生易简方》）
粉刺黑斑：《闺阁事宜》说：五月五日收带根天麻紫花者，晒干烧灰。以商陆根捣自然汁，加酸醋和搜灰作饼，炭火煅过收之。半年方用，入面药，甚能润肌。苏颂说：唐天后炼益母草泽面法：五月五日采根苗具者，勿令着土，曝干捣罗，以面水和成团，如鸡子大，再曝干。仍作一炉，四旁开窍，上下置火，安药中央。大火烧一炊久，即去大火，留小火养之，勿令火绝。经一复时出之，瓷器中研治，筛再研，三日收用，如澡豆法，日用。一方：每十两加滑石一两，胭脂一钱。
[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
**Names:** Yimu (from *Benjing*), Yiming (from *Benjing*), Zhenwei (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Chong (from *Erya*, pronounced "tui"), Ye Tianma (from *Zhenglei Bencao*), Zhu Ma (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Huo You (from *Benjing*), Yu Chou Cao (from *Bencao Tujing*), Ku Di Cao (from *Bencao Tujing*), Xiaku Cao (from *Waitai Mi Yao*), Tu Zhihan (from *Waitai Mi Yao*).
Li Shizhen stated: This herb and its seeds grow lush and dense, hence the name Chongwei. Its efficacy is suitable for women and can brighten the eyes and benefit essence, thus bearing the names "Yimu" (Beneficial to Mothers) and "Yiming" (Benefiting Brightness). Its stem is square, resembling that of hemp, so it is called Ye Tianma (Wild Gastrodia). It is colloquially known as Zhu Ma (Pig Hemp) because pigs like to eat it. It withers after the Summer Solstice, hence the name Xiaku (Summer Wither). The *Jin Xiao Fang* calls it Tu Zhihan (Earth Sweat). Lin Yi stated: Zhihan originates from Xifan (Western Regions), made by boiling blood with various herbs into a concentrate, used to treat metal wounds and fractures. Yimu can also be made into a paste to treat fractures, hence the name Tu Zhihan.
Su Song stated: The *Erya* records: Huan, i.e., Chong. The annotation says: This is now Chongwei. Also named Yimu. Liu Xin said: Chong means foul-smelling. Foul-smelling refers to Chongwei. Lu Ji said: Chong is Yimu. Thus, Zengzi felt moved upon seeing it.
**Collection and Explanation:** The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Chongwei grows in pools and marshes by the sea, collected in May.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere today. The leaves resemble Ren (a type of plant), the stem is square, the seeds are slender with three edges. It is rarely used in prescriptions.
Su Song stated: It is extremely common in gardens and fields today. Guo Pu's annotation of the *Erya* says: Leaves resemble Ren, stem is square, flowers are white, growing between nodes. Flowers grow at every node, fruits resemble cockscomb seeds, black, stem has four square edges, collected in May. It also says collected in September for fruits; medical formulas rarely use the fruits.
Kou Zongshi stated: When Chongwei sprouts in early spring, it can be soaked and washed, rinsed to remove bitter water, boiled as a vegetable. It does not wither through winter.
Li Shizhen stated: Chongwei grows profusely in moist places near water. In early spring, seedlings resemble tender mugwort; by summer, they grow three to four chi high, stems square like yellow hemp stems. Leaves resemble Artemisia leaves but green on the back, one stalk with three leaves, leaf tips forked. About one cun per node, each node produces a spike, clustered around the stem. Between April and May, small flowers bloom within the spikes, red-purple, some slightly white. Each calyx contains four fine seeds, size similar to wormwood seeds, three-edged, brownish, often sold in pharmacies as Jushengzi (Sesame). The herb has an odor when growing, withers after the Summer Solstice, roots are white. Su Song's *Tujing* says leaves resemble Ren, seeds black like cockscomb, collected in September; Kou Zongshi's *Yanyi* says it does not wither in winter; these are all misinterpretations. There are two varieties: white-flowered and purple-flowered. Stems, leaves, seeds, and spikes are identical. However, white ones enter the Qi level; red/purple ones enter the Blood level. They can be used separately.
According to *Guige Shanyi*: White-flowered is Yimu; purple-flowered is Ye Tianma. *Fanhun Dan Zhu* states: Purple-flowered is Yimu; white-flowered is not. Chen Cangqi's *Bencao Shiyi* states: Chongwei grows in fields, people call it Yu Chou Cao. Tianma grows in plains and marshes, resembles Verbena, flowers purple at nodes, seeds inside flowers like Qingxiangzi. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* states: Tianma Cao, stems like fire hemp, sprouts in winter, bears red flowers in summer like rat-tail flower. These seem to treat Chongwei and Tianma as two different plants, likely unaware they are one species with two varieties. All flowers have red and white variants, such as Peony, Paeonia, Chrysanthemum. Further research: Guo Pu's *Erya Zhu* says: Chong, pronounced tui, is Chongwei, also named Yimu. Leaves resemble Ren, white flowers, growing between nodes. It also says: KT, pronounced tui, square stem, long sharp leaves, with spikes, purple-blue flowers between spikes, can be brewed as tea, called Niuxi in Jiangdong. Thus, Chong and KT originally had the same name, distinguished only by flower color; undoubtedly one plant. Song dynasty editors mistakenly annotated Tianma Cao as Tianma, which is particularly erroneous. Chen Cangqi's *Bencao Shiyi* mentions Zanc Cai, growing in Jiangnan shade, resembling Yimu, square stem, opposite nodes, white flowers, mainly treating postpartum blood diseases. This is the white-flowered variety of Chongwei, hence its efficacy in treating blood diseases is the same.
**Seeds**
**Processing:** Li Shizhen stated: For use, stir-fry until fragrant, or steam, sun-dry thoroughly, pound and winnow to remove shells, use the kernels.
**Flavor and Toxicity:** Acrid, sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sweet, slightly cold.
Li Shizhen stated: Sweet, acrid, warm. Can process Sulfur.
**Indications:** Brighten eyes and benefit essence, eliminate edema, lightening the body with long-term use (*Benjing*). Treat blood rebellion with high fever, headache, and irritability (*Bielu*). Postpartum abdominal distension due to blood stasis (*Daming*). Pound kernels and eat raw to tonify middle jiao, boost qi, unblock vessels, fill essence, relieve thirst, and moisten lungs (*Wu Rui*). Treat wind and resolve heat, regulate qi and invigorate blood, nourish liver and heart, calm soul and stabilize spirit, regulate menstruation, treat metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, and various pre- and postpartum diseases. Long-term use promotes fertility (*Li Shizhen*).
**Elucidation:** Zhu Zhenheng stated: Chongwei Zi invigorates blood and moves qi, possessing yin-tonifying properties, hence named Yimu. What supports pregnancy and postpartum periods is blood and qi. Pregnancy should have no stagnation, postpartum should have no deficiency, because it moves while tonifying.
Li Shizhen stated: Chongwei Zi is sweet, slightly acrid, warm in nature, belonging to yang within yin, entering the Hand and Foot Jueyin meridians. White flowers enter the Qi level; purple flowers enter the Blood level. It is a superb herb for treating irregular menstruation and all blood/qi disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth, yet rarely used by physicians. Li Shizhen often combined it with Siwu Tang and Xiangfu, achieving many successes. Since the Pericardium generates blood and the Liver stores blood, this herb invigorates blood and tonifies yin, thus brightening eyes, benefiting essence, regulating menstruation, and treating women's diseases. Li Dongyuan stated that pupils dilated should avoid Chongwei Zi because its acrid-warm nature disperses and aids fire. Angelica Sinensis is also acrid-warm but contains bitter and sweet, harmonizing blood, so it is not prohibited. I believe vision depends on blood; Chongwei Zi moves blood rapidly. Dilated pupils indicate blood deficiency, hence prohibited, not because it aids fire. If eye disease is caused by blood stasis, it is appropriate, hence "brightening eyes."
**Stems**
*Daming* stated: Seedlings, leaves, and roots have the same efficacy.
**Flavor and Toxicity:** Chen Cangqi stated: Cold. Li Shizhen stated: Stems and leaves: Acrid, slightly bitter. Flowers: Slightly bitter, sweet. Roots: Sweet. All non-toxic.
Jing Yuan stated: Can process Sulfur, Realgar, Arsenolite.
**Indications:** Urticaria and itching, can be used as a bath decoction (*Benjing*). Juice taken internally treats edema, promotes urination, eliminates toxic carbuncles, mastitis, erysipelas, etc., applied externally. Juice treats retained dead fetus and postpartum abdominal fullness/distension. Dripped into ears treats cerumen. Applied externally treats snake venom (treats syncope due to blood, wind-blood pain, metrorrhagia, hematuria, dysentery, hemorrhoids, internal trauma from falls causing blood stasis, urinary and fecal retention) (*Li Shizhen*).
**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen stated: Roots, stems, flowers, leaves, and seeds of Motherwort can all be used medicinally, often together. To treat wind-heat in the Blood level of Hand/Foot Jueyin meridians, brighten eyes, benefit essence, and regulate menstruation, using only Chongwei Zi is best. To treat swelling, toxins, sores, reduce edema, move blood, and treat obstetric/gynecological diseases, using all parts is best. Because roots, stems, flowers, and leaves primarily move/disperse, while seeds move while tonifying.
**Attached Prescriptions:** 13 old, 10 new.
**Jiyin Fanhun Dan:** Zan Yin's *Chanbao* states: This prescription was obtained by Gao Shi Yu of Wenjiang, Jian'an, by offering gifts to famous doctors. Its effects are miraculous, saving many lives, treating critical conditions of pre- and postpartum women. Use Ye Tianma, also named Yimu, Huo You, or Fudan, which is Chongwei Zi. Leaves resemble Mugwort, stems like Fire Hemp, square concave stems, flowering node by node from April to June, red-purple like Polygonum flowers, found everywhere north and south; white flowers do not count. Harvest whole plant including roots during Dragon Boat Festival, Minor Heat, or June 6th when flowers are fully open, dry in shade. Use leaves and flower seeds. Avoid iron tools; grind with stone mortar to fine powder, mix with refined honey into pills the size of弹子 (bullet seeds). Chew according to symptoms, take with decoction. Charred root powder taken with wine has efficacy comparable to Heishen San. Dosage unlimited, stop when cured. Or make pills size of Sophora seeds, take 50-70 pills per dose. Alternatively, juice filtered and boiled into paste. For prenatal umbilical/abdominal pain or sounds, take with rice drink; for prenatal/postnatal stabbing pain, fetal restlessness, continuous bleeding, take with Danggui Tang; postpartum, dissolve one pill in child's urine to calm soul, harmonize blood/qi, prevent diseases. Breaks blood stasis pain, nourishes vessels, regulates meridians, take with warm wine. Retained placenta, malpresentation, dead fetus, abdominal distension, chest/heart distress, take with fried salt water. Postpartum syncope, dark vision, blood heat, thirst, irritability, hallucinations, unconsciousness, dissolve in child's urine and wine; postpartum blood masses, running abdominal pain, alternating chills/fever, cold sweat, greasy face/red complexion, five-palm heat, take with child's urine/wine or fresh Mint juice. Postpartum lochia不尽, stagnation/stabbing pain, rising to chest fullness, take with child's urine/wine. Postpartum bloody diarrhea, take with date soup. Postpartum dysentery, take with rice soup. Postpartum metrorrhagia/menorrhagia, take with glutinous rice soup. Postpartum red/white leukorrhea, take with Jiao'ai Tang; irregular menstruation, take with warm wine. Postpartum wind-stroke, locked jaw, hemiplegia, aphasia, take with child's urine/wine; postpartum asthma/cough, chest oppression, nausea/acid regurgitation, facial edema, hypochondriac pain, weakness, take with warm wine. Postpartum month cough, spontaneous sweating/fever, progressing to bone-steaming fever, take with child's urine/wine; postpartum epistaxis, black tongue/dry mouth, take with child's urine/wine. Postpartum temporal headache, yawning/heart palpitations, shortness of breath/emaciation, anorexia, wind-blood body heat, limb numbness, joint pain, take with rice drink. Postpartum urinary/fecal retention, irritability/bitter taste, take with Mint soup. Women infertile for long time, take with warm wine.
**Yimu Paste:** *Jin Xiao Fang*: Treats all postpartum diseases, and internal trauma with blood stasis causing pain on cloudy days. A divine formula. Collect Yimu Cao (also Fudan, Xiaku Cao) in March, wash clean including roots/leaves/stems/flowers, spread on bamboo mat to dry. Cut into 5-cun pieces with bamboo knife, no iron. Place in large pot, cover with water 2-3 cun, boil until grass rots and water reduces by two-thirds. Strain out grass, collect about 5-6 dou juice. Clarify in basin for half a day, filter turbidity with silk cloth. Boil clear juice slowly over low fire until reduced to 1 dou, consistency like thin syrup. Seal in porcelain jar. Take piece size of pear, mix with warm wine, twice daily. Can mix with porridge. For travel, boil further into pills. After 7 days, pain subsides. Postpartum lochia不尽 and syncope improve after 1-2 doses. No dietary restrictions. Treats wind, benefits heart power. (*Waitai Mi Yao*)
**Difficult Labor:** Fresh Yimu Cao juice 7 he, boil to half, take once. If no fresh, dried handful, 7 he water, boil and take. (*Wei Zhou, Duxing Fang*)
**Dead Fetus in Uterus:** Mash Yimu Cao, add little warm water, wring out juice, take once. (*Wei Zhou, Duxing Fang*)
**Postpartum Syncope, Heart Qi Exhaustion:** Grind Yimu Cao to juice, take 1 zhan. Excellent. (*Zimu Milu*)
**Postpartum Amenorrhea:** Yimu Cao juice 1 small zhan, mixed with 1 he wine, take warm. (*Shenghui Fang*)
**Red/White Leukorrhea:** Harvest Yimu Cao at flowering, pound to powder. Take 2 qian before meals with warm water. (*Jiyan Fang*)
**Hematuria:** Yimu Cao juice, take 1 sheng, immediate cure. This is Su Cheng's prescription. (*Waitai Mi Yao*)
**Severe Mixed Red/White Dysentery:** Yimu Cao (sun-dried), aged salted plum (charred), equal parts powder. Take 3 qian, white dysentery with Ginger Decoction, red dysentery with Licorice Decoction. Named Erling San. (*Weisheng Jiabao Fang*)
**Pediatric Gan Dysentery Critical:** Young Yimu Cao leaves, cook with rice as porridge, eat sufficient amount until cured. Drinking juice also works. (*Guangji Fang*)
**Hemorrhoidal Bleeding:** Yimu Cao leaves, juice, drink. (*Shiyi Xinjing*)
**All Carbuncles/Sores:** Maternal engorgement/mastitis, infant head sores, spreading yellow rot hot sores, scabies/ulcers/genital ulcers: Use Tianma Cao (chopped) 5 sheng.
**Acute/Chronic Carbuncles:** *Shenghui Fang*: Apply mashed Yimu Cao externally, drink 5 he juice, resolves immediately. *Yifang Dacheng*: Harvest Yimu Cao with flowers in April, char to ash. Cross-cut carbuncle root with sharp knife to release blood. Incise around root, squeeze out blood, wipe dry. Dip rush pith in medicine, insert into wound to bottom. Wait for purple blood to appear, squeeze clean, re-insert medicine until red blood appears, then stop. Insert 3-5 times daily. Severe cases root comes out in 2 days, mild in 1 day. If root swells, pick with needle. Apply medicine afterwards to promote healing. Avoid wind/cold, sex, alcohol/meat, toxins. Abscess ruptured: Apply mashed Yimu Cao, excellent. (*Doumen Fang*)
**Breast Compression Causing Mastitis:** Yimu powder, mix with water, apply to breast, heals overnight. Fresh mash also works. (*Shenghui Fang*)
**Throat Closure/Swelling/Pain:** Mash Yimu Cao, mix with 1 bowl fresh well water, wring thick juice, drink at once, vomit and heal. Use roots in winter. (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*)
**Acne/Dark Spots:** *Guige Shanyi*: Harvest rooted purple-flowered Tianma on May 5th, dry and burn to ash. Mix with fresh Phytolacca juice and vinegar into cakes, calcine over charcoal fire, store. Use after half a year in facial masks, greatly moisturizes skin. Su Song stated: Empress Wu Zetian's method for Yimu facial mask: Harvest complete roots/shoots on May 5th, keep off soil, dry, pound/sieve, mix with flour into dough egg-sized, dry again. Build furnace with vents, place medicine in center, fire above and below. High fire for cooking time, then low fire to maintain, do not let fire die. Remove after one double-hour, grind in porcelain, sieve twice, store 3 days, use daily like bath bean. Another formula: Add 1 liang Talc and 1 qian Cinnabar per 10 liang.
**Horse Bite Sores:** Ku Di Cao, cut fine, mix with vinegar, stir-fry and apply. (*Sun Taoren Fang*)
**Newborn Infants:** Boil 5 liang Yimu Cao, bathe infant, prevents sores/scabies. (*Jianyao Jizhong*)