\r玄参\pj153.bmp\r
味苦、咸，气微寒。无毒。春生深谷，茎方叶似芝麻；（又如槐柳细长。）秋取旁根
，（正根勿用。）初白干旋紫黑。鼻闻微臭，咀片忌铜。误犯饵之，噎喉丧目。古人深戒，吴
载医通。（郡《韩氏医通》。）恶耆枣姜茱，（黄耆、大枣、生姜、山茱。）反藜芦一味。可为
君药
，惟走肾经。强阴益精，补肾明目。治伤寒身热支满，忽忽如不知人。疗温疟寒热往来，洒
洒时常发颤。除女人产乳余疾，驱男子骨蒸传尸。逐肠内血瘕坚症，散颈下痰核痈肿。盖
此乃枢机之剂，管领诸气，上下整肃而不致浊。治空中氤氲之气，散无根浮游之火，惟此为
最也。
\r沙参\pj154.bmp\r
味苦、甘、气微寒。无毒。江淮俱多，冤句（注前。）尤妙。丛生崖壁上，苗高二尺余
。
叶类枸杞有叉丫，根若葵根而筋大。近夏花开白色，瓣瓣有白粘胶。《图经》尝云，此为小
异
。秋后采根曝用，中正白实者佳。反藜芦，恶防己，乃足厥阴本经药也。治诸毒排脓消肿，
安五脏益肺补肝。止疝气绞疼，散浮风瘙痒。除邪热，去惊烦。易老用代人参，形实不同。
盖取味之苦甘，泻中兼补，略相类尔。
\r丹参\pj155.bmp\r
味苦，气微寒。无毒。山谷有，在处多，茎方棱，长尺余。青色叶相对；似薄荷有毛
。花红紫复开，根粗长冬采。畏寒水（石也，）反藜芦。专调经脉匀，善理骨节痛。生新血
去
恶血，落死胎安生胎，破积聚症坚，止血崩带下，脚痹软能健，眼赤肿可消。散瘿赘恶疮，
。排脓生肉。辟精魅鬼祟，养正驱邪。更治肠鸣幽幽，滚下如走水状。
玄参
味道苦、咸，药性微寒。无毒。春天生长在深谷中，茎呈方形，叶子形状像芝麻；（又像是槐树和柳树那样细长。）秋天采集侧根，（主根不要使用。）初时白色，随后变成紫黑色。闻起来有轻微的臭味，咀嚼切片时忌讳接触铜器。如果误用铜器处理并服用，会导致咽喉阻塞、失明。古人对此深为警戒，吴崑在《韩氏医通》中有记载。（注：郡指吴崑，《韩氏医通》。）它厌恶黄耆、大枣、生姜、山茱萸，与藜芦相反。可以作为君药，主要入肾经。能滋阴益精，补肾明目。治疗伤寒引起的身体发热、胸胁胀满，神情恍惚如同不知人事。治疗温疟引起的寒热往来，时常洒洒发抖。消除妇女产后余疾，驱除男子骨蒸劳热及传尸痨病。消除肠道内的血瘕坚硬症状，消散颈部下方的痰核痈肿。这味药是调节气机枢纽的药剂，统领各种气机，使上下气机整肃而不致浑浊。治疗空气中氤氲弥漫的病邪之气，消散无根浮游的虚火，没有比这更好的了。
沙参
味道苦、甘，药性微寒。无毒。江淮地区普遍多产，冤句（参见前文注释）出产的尤其好。丛生在悬崖峭壁之上，苗高两尺多。叶子像枸杞但有分叉，根部像葵菜根但筋脉粗大。临近夏天开白花，花瓣上有白色的粘胶。《图经》曾说，这与其它品种略有不同。秋天后采挖根部晒干使用，中间洁白坚实的为佳。它与藜芦相反，厌恶防己，是足厥阴肝经的本经药物。治疗各种毒症排脓消肿，安定五脏、补益肺肝。停止疝气绞痛，消散风邪引起的瘙痒。清除邪热，去除惊恐烦躁。易老（李杲，号东垣老人）用它代替人参，虽然外形实质不同。大概是取其味苦甘，泻中兼补，略微相似罢了。
丹参
味道苦，药性微寒。无毒。山谷中有，到处都有，茎呈方形棱状，长一尺多。青色叶子相对生长；像薄荷但有毛。花红紫色交替开放，根粗壮，冬天采挖。畏惧寒水石，与藜芦相反。专门调理经脉均匀，善于治理骨节疼痛。生成新血，去除瘀血，堕下死胎，安固生胎，破除积聚坚硬的症块，止血崩带下，脚部痹痛软弱能使之强健，眼睛红肿可以消退。消散瘿瘤赘生物恶疮，排脓生肌。辟除精魅鬼祟，养护正气驱除邪气。更治疗肠鸣幽幽，滚动向下如水流动的状态。
Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix)
Taste: Bitter, Saline. Nature: Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It grows in deep valleys in spring; the stem is square, and the leaves resemble those of sesame (also described as slender like locust or willow). In autumn, the lateral roots are harvested (the main root should not be used); they are initially white but turn purplish-black. They have a slight odor when smelled. When chewing the slices, contact with copper vessels must be avoided. If mistakenly processed with copper and ingested, it causes throat obstruction and blindness. The ancients strictly warned against this, as recorded by Wu Kun in *Han Shi Yi Tong* (Wu's *Medical Compendium*). It is incompatible with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Da Zao (Zizyphi Fructus), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus), and is contrary to Li Lu (Veratri Radix). It can serve as the sovereign herb, primarily entering the Kidney Meridian. It strengthens Yin, benefits essence, tonifies the Kidney, and improves vision. It treats body heat and chest/hypochondriac fullness due to Shang Han (Cold Damage), characterized by a dazed state resembling unconsciousness. It treats Wen Nue (Warm Malaria) with alternating chills and fever, accompanied by frequent shivering. It eliminates residual ailments after childbirth in women and drives out bone-steaming consumption and infectious tuberculosis in men. It expels blood stasis and hard masses in the intestines, and dissipates phlegm nodules and carbuncles under the neck. This herb acts as an agent regulating the pivot mechanism, managing all Qi movements, ensuring orderly flow above and below without turbidity. It treats ethereal pathogenic qi in the air and dissipates rootless floating fire; nothing is superior to this for such purposes.
Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix or Adenophorae Radix)
Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Nature: Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It is abundant in the Jianghuai region, particularly in Yuanju (see previous notes). It grows in clusters on cliff sides, with seedlings over two chi tall. The leaves resemble Goji berries but have forks; the root resembles Malva root but has thicker fibers. White flowers bloom near summer, with petals containing white mucilage. *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Classic) states there are slight variations. Roots are harvested after autumn and dried; those that are straight, white, and solid are best. It is contrary to Li Lu (Veratri Radix) and incompatible with Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix). It is a primary herb of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It treats various toxins by draining pus and reducing swelling, calms the Five Viscera, benefits the Lungs, and tonifies the Liver. It stops strangury pain and dissipates wind-induced itching. It clears evil heat and removes fright and irritability. Li Dongyuan (Li Gao) used it to replace Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix); although their forms and substances differ, he likely valued its bitter-sweet taste, which drains while simultaneously tonifying, making them slightly similar.
Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix)
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It is found in valleys and widely distributed. The stem has square edges and is over one chi long. The green leaves grow opposite each other; they resemble Mint but are hairy. Red-purple flowers bloom alternately; the thick roots are harvested in winter. It fears Han Shui Shi (Plumbum Molybditum) and is contrary to Li Lu (Veratri Radix). It specifically regulates meridians evenly and excels at treating joint pain. It generates new blood and removes bad blood, expels dead fetuses, and secures living fetuses. It breaks up accumulations and hard masses, stops metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, strengthens weak legs affected by bi-syndrome, and reduces redness and swelling of the eyes. It dissipates goiters, warts, and malignant sores, drains pus, and promotes flesh regeneration. It wards off spirits and evil influences, nourishes righteous Qi, and expels pathogens. It further treats intestinal murmurs that sound like rolling water.