根味苦辛兼甘。气微寒。苦则泄。辛则散。甘则缓。寒则除热。
主痈肿疽疮。散结止痛。除血分热。治目中赤。女子阴中肿痛。杀火毒。疗刀箭疮。及
扑损生肌止痛。白蔹得金气。与白芨相须而行。得白芨红药子。加朱砂雄黄乳没脑麝。为敷
痈疽止毒散毒之要药。一切痈肿。白蔹赤小豆 草为末。鸡子白调涂之。风痹筋急肿痛。屈
转易常处。白蔹二分。熟附子一分。为末。每酒服半刀圭。日二。以身中热行为候。十日便
觉
陕蜀秦汶诸州多栽莳为货。以秦产头尾圆色紫气香肥润者。为马尾归。最胜他处。
尾大头粗色白坚枯者。为 头归。止宜入发散药。二八月采根。（濒湖）川产者力刚而善攻。
秦产者力柔而善补。（韩 ）头止血。尾破血。（凡药根升而梢降。根在上。梢在下故也。血
下脱者。其根能引之上行而止息。血凝涩者。其梢能引之下行而破散。）身和血。若全用。
一破一止。亦和血也。使头是一节硬实处。使尾是尖细处。（凡根 身半以上气脉上行。身
半以下气脉下行。然则治上当用头。治中用身。治下用尾。通治全用。匪独当归为然。他如
柴防芩桔皆是。洁古）
根甘而苦辛温润。气浓于味。可升可降。阳中微阴。入手少阴足太阴厥阴经血分。按诸
本草。一主养血。如温中补诸不足。润肠胃筋骨皮肤。女子漏下绝子。胎产备急。血虚及气
血昏乱。服之即定（男子亦然）之类。一主和血。如止热痢腹痛。女子沥血腰痛。除血刺痛
及齿痛。又温疟寒热之类。一主活血行血。如诸恶疮疡。跌仆血凝。并湿痹风证挛蜷。与客
血内塞。宿血恶血瘕癖之类。证治不能概定。惟在引用合宜。当归味苦。气温。臭香色紫。
当入心为心之使药。并入血分气分。若只判入血。便失当归本来面目矣。盖血无气煦。则不
能营运经隧。灌溉周身。此味助气之用。益血之体。其宣扬帅气。能使气血邪气各归于所当
归之地。故名。（此段血中有气 之颐）诸血皆属心。凡通脉者。必先补心益血。故仲景治
手足厥寒。脉细欲绝者。用当归之苦温以助心血。（无己）此品为治血补虚。决取立效之药。
古方用疗产后恶血上冲。取效无急于此。凡气血昏乱者。服之即定。（陈承 以上二段养血）
凡血壅而不流则痛。当归之甘温能和血。辛温能散内寒。苦温能助心散寒。使气血各有所归。
（张元素）能逐瘀血。生新血。使血脉通畅。与气并行。周流而不息。（虞抟 以上二段和
血行血）全用。同人参黄 则补气而生血。同牵牛大黄则行气而破血。从桂附茱萸则热。从
大黄芒硝则寒。（好古 合下三段随引用以归血）血虚以人参石脂为佐。血热以生地条芩为
佐。不绝生化之源。（韩 ）其气疏畅无定。随所引药而为用。合川芎细辛之类。治血虚头
痛。眼痛齿痛。合诸血药。入薏仁牛膝下行。治血不荣筋。腰痛足痿。合人参川乌乌药薏仁。
能荣表。治一身筋寒湿毒。合芍术地黄。能养血滋阴而补肾。合芍药木香。能和肝而止痛。
治痢。合鳖甲柴胡。定寒热而除温疟。合远志枣仁。则养心定悸。（门）同酒制黄连。可治
心血虚热。入四物汤。主妇人血分百病。加炒干姜炒黑豆泽兰牛膝益母草蒲黄。治产后百病。
同川芎人参。治难产及倒生。同红花牛膝益母草蒲黄。治产后血上薄心。同地黄芍药白胶续
断杜仲。治血闭无子。同桂枝术菊花牛膝主痹。同牛膝鳖甲橘皮生姜。治疟在阴分。久不止。
同枣仁远志人参茯神。治心血虚。不得眠。同黄 二地芩连黄柏。治盗汗。同荆芥白芷川芎
地黄。治破伤风。同牛膝杜仲续断地黄鹿角屑桂。治一切折伤 跌。挫闪作疼。同地榆银花
滑石红曲。治滞下纯血。里急后重。凡伤胎去血。及产后崩中。金疮拔牙。一切去血过多。
心烦眩晕。闷绝不省人事。当归二两。川芎一两。每用五钱。水七分。酒三分。煎七分。
热服。日再。内虚目暗。补气养血。用当归生晒六两。附子火炮一两。为末。炼蜜丸梧子大。
每服三十丸。温酒下。名六一丸。大便不通。当归白芷等分。为末。每服二钱。米汤下。室
女经闭。归尾没药各一钱。为末。红花浸酒。面北饮之。一日一服。堕胎下血不止。当归焙
一两。葱白一握。每服五钱。酒一盏半。煎八分。温服。产难胎死或横生倒生。用当归三两。
川芎一两。为末。先以大黑豆炒焦。入流水一盏。童便一盏。煎至一半。分为二服。未效再
服。产后中风。不省人事。口吐涎沫。手足螈 。当归荆芥穗等分。为末。每服三钱。水一
盏。酒童便各少许。煎七分灌之。下咽即有生意。
〔论〕当归味始甘。次苦。次辛。又复有甘。辛味烈。而甘则有始终相成者。夫甘为土
味。乃气血生化之地。甘归于苦。苦火属心。归于血之所主也。苦而有辛。金味属肺。因肺
贯心脉以行呼吸。为血之所使也。夫血原于水而成于火。本肾脉之至肺。由肺而乃入心。是
金合于火以孕水也。火因金而和于水则气化。金孕水而亲于火则血生。此辛继于苦而味为最
烈也。至其始便得甘者。即所谓人受气于谷。谷入于胃。以传于肺者。是终仍有甘者。即所
谓中焦并胃中。出上焦之后。此所受气者蒸精液。化精微。上注于肺脉乃化而为血者。是合
而绎之。肺合于心而气化。为血脉之所由始。肺合于脾而血化。为经脉之所由通。海藏判为
血中气药者。以血所不足处。即有血之生气以裕之润之。血所乖阻处。又有血之化气以和之
行之耳。（如酒蒸治头疼等证。是宜于上也。酒煎治小便出血等证。是宜于下也。酒调末和
心腹刺痛。是宜于中也。又如治在肠胃。则主热痢刮疼。治在经络。则主中风挛蜷。治在筋
骨。则主疼痛。治在皮肤。则疗风癣。惟所主而使之。咸有所归焉。）人身气原于肾。而血
乃原于心。是阳中生阴也。惟秦归禀金气独浓。全得阳中生阴之化。原为血中气药。合于熟
地。则能补髓。四物汤有因时加法。曰。倍当归以迎春气。倍川芎以迎夏气。倍芍药以迎秋。
倍地黄以迎冬。用当归以生一阳。用芍药以生一阴。是当归之甘苦辛而温。可喻春生和气。
岂非血中履端之始乎。要知血原于水。而成于火。火为心气。固阴阳合和而化之真气。非偏
于阳者也。偏于阳则有血虚而阳炽之病。血亦不得所归矣。识此然后可以尽当归之长。
缪氏云。辛温行走。性润滑肠。又其气不宜于胃。故胃薄溏泻者。并忌。血热者不宜。
即产后胎前。亦须慎用。
〔修治〕择肥润不枯燥者用。上行酒浸一宿。治表酒洗片时。血病酒蒸。有痰姜制。若
入吐衄崩下药中。须醋炒过。少少用之。多则反能动血。
根味苦、辛兼甘。气微寒。苦能泄降。辛能发散。甘能缓急。寒能清热。
主治痈肿疽疮。散结止痛。清除血分热邪。治疗眼中红赤。女子阴部肿痛。杀灭火毒。治疗刀箭创伤。以及跌打损伤后生肌止痛。白蔹禀受金气。与白芨相互协同发挥作用。若加入白芨、红药子，再加朱砂、雄黄、乳香、没药、冰片、麝香，成为敷贴痈疽、止毒散毒的重要药物。一切痈肿，可用白蔹、赤小豆研为末，用鸡蛋清调和涂抹。风痹筋脉拘急肿痛，关节屈伸转动异常处，取白蔹二分，熟附子一分，研为末，每次用酒送服半刀圭量，每日两次，以身体中热气运行作为见效指标，十日后便觉有效。
陕西、四川、陕西、秦州、汶川各州多栽培作为商品。以秦地产的头尾圆润、色紫、气香、肥润者，称为马尾归，优于其他地方。尾大头粗、色白、坚硬枯槁者，称为头归，只适宜用于发散类药物。二八月采收根部。（李时珍）川地产的力道刚猛善于攻逐。秦地产的力道柔和善于补益。（韩祗和）头部止血。尾部破血。（一般药物根部上升而梢部下降，因为根在上，梢在下。所以血下脱者，其根能引血上行而止血。血凝涩者，其梢能引血下行而破散。）身段调和血液。如果全用，一破一止，也是调和血液。使头是其中一节硬实处。使尾是尖细处。（一般根身半以上气脉上行，身半以下气脉下行。然而治疗上部病证应用头，治疗中部病证应用身，治疗下部病证应用尾，通治则全用。不仅当归如此，其他如柴胡、防风、黄芩、桔梗皆是如此。（张元素）
根味甘而苦辛，性温润。气浓于味。可升可降。阳中微阴。入手少阴心经、足太阴脾经、足厥阴肝经的血分。按各种本草记载，一是主养血。如温中补诸不足，润肠胃筋骨皮肤，女子漏下绝子，胎产备急，血虚及气血昏乱，服用即定（男子亦然）之类。二是主和血。如止热痢腹痛，女子沥血腰痛，除血刺痛及齿痛，又治温疟寒热之类。三是主活血行血。如诸恶疮疡，跌仆血凝，并湿痹风证挛蜷，与客血内塞，宿血恶血瘕癖之类。证治不能一概而定，只在引用合宜。当归味苦，气温，气味香，色紫。应当入心，作为心的使药。并入血分气分。如果只判定入血，就失去了当归本来面目了。盖因血无气煦暖，则不能在经络中营运，灌溉周身。此味助气之用，益血之体，其宣扬帅气，能使气血邪气各归于应当归属之地，故名。（此段论述血中有气——李杲）诸血皆属于心。凡通脉者，必先补心益血。所以张仲景治疗手足厥寒，脉细欲绝者，用当归之苦温以助心血。（王好古）此品为治血补虚，决取立效之药。古方用于治疗产后恶血上冲，取效没有比这更急迫有效的。凡气血昏乱者，服用即定。（陈承 以上两段讲养血）
凡血壅滞而不流则痛，当归之甘温能和血，辛温能散内寒，苦温能助心散寒，使气血各有所归。（张元素）能逐瘀血，生新血，使血脉通畅，与气并行，周流不息。（虞抟 以上两段讲和血行血）全用，同人参、黄芪则补气而生血，同牵牛子、大黄则行气而破血。从桂枝、附子、吴茱萸则偏热，从大黄、芒硝则偏寒。（李好古 合下三段讲随引用以归血）血虚以人参、赤石脂为佐药。血热以生地、条芩为佐药，不绝生化之源。（韩祗和）其气疏畅无定，随所引药而为用。合川芎、细辛之类，治血虚头痛，眼痛齿痛。合诸血药，入薏仁、牛膝下行，治血不荣筋，腰痛足痿。合人参、川乌、乌药、薏仁，能荣表，治一身筋寒湿毒。合芍药、白术、地黄，能养血滋阴而补肾。合芍药、木香，能和肝而止痛，治痢疾。合鳖甲、柴胡，定寒热而除温疟。合远志、枣仁，则养心定悸。（门人记录）同酒制黄连，可治心血虚热。入四物汤，主妇人血分百病。加炒干姜、炒黑豆、泽兰、牛膝、益母草、蒲黄，治产后百病。同川芎、人参，治难产及倒生。同红花、牛膝、益母草、蒲黄，治产后血上薄心。同地黄、芍药、白胶、续断、杜仲，治血闭无子。同桂枝、白术、菊花、牛膝主痹证。同牛膝、鳖甲、橘皮、生姜，治疟在阴分，久不止。同枣仁、远志、人参、茯神，治心血虚，不得眠。同黄芪、二地、芩连、黄柏，治盗汗。同荆芥、白芷、川芎、地黄，治破伤风。同牛膝、杜仲、续断、地黄、鹿角屑、桂，治一切折伤跌挫闪作疼。同地榆、银花、滑石、红曲，治滞下纯血，里急后重。凡伤胎去血，及产后崩中，金疮拔牙，一切去血过多，心烦眩晕，闷绝不省人事，当归二两，川芎一两，每用五钱，水七分，酒三分，煎七分，热服，日再。内虚目暗，补气养血，用当归生晒六两，附子火炮一两，为末，炼蜜丸梧子大，每服三十丸，温酒下，名六一丸。大便不通，当归、白芷等分，为末，每服二钱，米汤下。室女经闭，归尾、没药各一钱，为末，红花浸酒，面北饮之，一日一服。堕胎下血不止，当归焙一两，葱白一握，每服五钱，酒一盏半，煎八分，温服。产难胎死或横生倒生，用当归三两，川芎一两，为末，先以大黑豆炒焦，入流水一盏，童便一盏，煎至一半，分为二服，未效再服。产后中风，不省人事，口吐涎沫，手足抽搐，当归、荆芥穗等分，为末，每服三钱，水一盏，酒童便各少许，煎七分灌之，下咽即有生意。
〔论〕当归味始甘，次苦，次辛，又复有甘。辛味烈，而甘则有始终相成者。夫甘为土味，乃气血生化之地，甘归于苦，苦火属心，归于血之所主也。苦而有辛，金味属肺，因肺贯心脉以行呼吸，为血之所使也。夫血原于水而成于火，本肾脉之至肺，由肺而乃入心，是金合于火以孕水也。火因金而和于水则气化，金孕水而亲于火则血生，此辛继于苦而味为最烈也。至其始便得甘者，即所谓人受气于谷，谷入于胃，以传于肺者，是终仍有甘者，即所谓中焦并胃中，出上焦之后，此所受气者蒸精液，化精微，上注于肺脉乃化而为血者，是合而绎之，肺合于心而气化，为血脉之所由始，肺合于脾而血化，为经脉之所由通。海藏判为血中气药者，以血所不足处，即有血之生气以裕之润之，血所乖阻处，又有血之化气以和之行之耳。（如酒蒸治头疼等证，是宜于上也。酒煎治小便出血等证，是宜于下也。酒调末和心腹刺痛，是宜于中也。又如治在肠胃，则主热痢刮疼，治在经络，则主中风挛蜷，治在筋骨，则主疼痛，治在皮肤，则疗风癣，惟所主而使之，咸有所归焉。）人身气原于肾，而血乃原于心，是阳中生阴也。惟秦归禀金气独浓，全得阳中生阴之化，原为血中气药，合于熟地，则能补髓。四物汤有因时加法，曰：倍当归以迎春气，倍川芎以迎夏气，倍芍药以迎秋，倍地黄以迎冬。用当归以生一阳，用芍药以生一阴，是当归之甘苦辛而温，可喻春生和气，岂非血中履端之始乎。要知血原于水，而成于火，火为心气，固阴阳合和而化之真气，非偏于阳者也。偏于阳则有血虚而阳炽之病，血亦不得所归矣。识此然后可以尽当归之长。
缪氏云：辛温行走，性润滑肠。又其气不宜于胃，故胃薄溏泻者，并忌。血热者不宜。即产后胎前，亦须慎用。
〔修治〕择肥润不枯燥者用。上行酒浸一宿。治表酒洗片刻。血病酒蒸。有痰姜制。若入吐衄崩下药中，须醋炒过，少少用之，多则反能动血。
The root tastes bitter, pungent, and sweet. Its qi is slightly cold. Bitterness drains downward. Pungency disperses outward. Sweetness moderates urgency. Coldness eliminates heat.
It primarily treats carbuncles, sores, ulcers, and wounds. It dissipates nodules and relieves pain. It clears heat from the blood level. It treats redness in the eyes. It addresses swelling and pain in the female genitalia. It kills fire toxins. It treats knife and arrow wounds, as well as traumatic injuries, promoting tissue regeneration and relieving pain. Bai Lian (Bai Lian Radix) receives Metal qi and acts synergistically with Bai Ji (Bai Ji Rhizoma). When added to Bai Ji (Bai Ji Rhizoma), Hong Yao Zi (Hong Yao Zi Root), Cinnabaris (Zhu Sha), Realgar (Xiong Huang), Boswelliae Resina (Ru Xiang), Myrrhae Resina (Mo Yao), Borneolum Syntheticum (Bing Pian), and Moschus (She Xiang), it becomes a crucial herb for applying to carbuncles and ulcers to stop and disperse toxins. For all kinds of carbuncles and swellings, powder Bai Lian (Bai Lian Radix) and Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean) together, mix with egg white, and apply topically. For wind-bi (Wind-Bi Syndrome) with tendon stiffness, swelling, and pain, where joint flexion and extension are abnormal, take two parts Bai Lian (Bai Lian Radix) and one part Shu Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix), powder them, and take half a Dao Gui measure with wine each time, twice daily. The indicator of efficacy is the sensation of heat moving within the body; after ten days, improvement will be felt.
In Shaanxi, Sichuan, Qinzhou, and Wen River regions, these are widely cultivated for commerce. Those from Qin产地 with round heads and tails, purple color, fragrant aroma, and plump moisture are called Ma Wei Gui (Horse-Tail Dang Gui) and are superior to those from other places. Those with large heads, thick tails, white color, hardness, and dryness are called Tou Gui (Head Dang Gui) and are only suitable for dispersing formulas. Roots are harvested in the second and eighth months. (Li Shizhen) Those from Sichuan have strong potency and excel at attacking pathogens. Those from Qin have mild potency and excel at tonifying. (Han Zhihe) The head stops bleeding. The tail breaks blood stasis. (Generally, herbs' roots ascend while tips descend because roots are upper and tips are lower. Thus, for blood sinking/depletion, the root can guide blood upward to stop bleeding. For blood coagulation/stagnation, the tip can guide blood downward to break stagnation.) The body harmonizes blood. If used whole, breaking and stopping simultaneously also harmonizes blood. "Shi Tou" refers to the hard section of the root. "Shi Wei" refers to the pointed tip. (Generally, qi and pulses in the upper half of the root-body ascend, while those in the lower half descend. Therefore, treat upper disorders with the head, middle disorders with the body, lower disorders with the tail, and general disorders with the whole. This applies not only to Dang Gui but also to Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix). (Zhang Yuansu)
The root tastes sweet, bitter, and pungent, with a warm and moist nature. Its qi is stronger than its taste. It can ascend and descend. It is Yang with slight Yin. It enters the Blood level of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. According to various Materia Medica texts, it has three main functions: First, it nourishes blood. Examples include warming the middle and supplementing deficiencies, moistening intestines, stomach, bones, tendons, skin, treating leukorrhea and infertility in women, emergency obstetric care, and stabilizing blood deficiency and chaotic Qi-blood (also applicable to men). Second, it harmonizes blood. Examples include stopping dysentery with abdominal pain, treating leukorrhea with lower back pain in women, relieving stabbing blood pain and toothache, and treating warm malaria with alternating chills and fever. Third, it invigorates and moves blood. Examples include treating malignant sores and ulcers, blood stasis from falls/trauma, damp-bi with wind causing spasms and curling, internal obstruction by guest blood, old evil blood, and masses/fixed lumps. Treatment cannot be generalized; it depends on appropriate guidance/adjuvants. Dang Gui tastes bitter, has warm temperature, fragrant odor, and purple color. It should enter the Heart, acting as the envoy herb for the Heart. It enters both Blood and Qi levels. Judging it solely as entering Blood loses its true nature. Since blood without Qi's warmth cannot circulate through meridians and irrigate the body, this herb aids Qi's function and benefits Blood's substance. It promotes and leads Qi, enabling Qi, Blood, and pathogenic factors to return to their proper places, hence the name. (This paragraph discusses Qi within Blood - Li Dongyuan) All blood belongs to the Heart. To unblock vessels, one must first tonify the Heart and benefit Blood. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing used Dang Gui's bitter-warm property to assist Heart Blood in treating cold extremities and faint pulse. (Wang Haogu) This herb is decisive for treating blood disorders and deficiency, yielding rapid results. Ancient formulas use it for postpartum evil blood rushing upward, with no faster-acting remedy. For chaotic Qi-blood, it stabilizes immediately upon ingestion. (Chen Cheng - Above two paragraphs discuss nourishing blood)
When blood is obstructed and does not flow, pain occurs. Dang Gui's sweet-warm nature harmonizes blood; its pungent-warm nature disperses internal cold; its bitter-warm nature assists the Heart in dispersing cold, allowing Qi and Blood to find their归宿 (return). (Zhang Yuansu) It expels blood stasis, generates new blood, unblocks vessels, moves with Qi, and circulates endlessly. (Yu Tun - Above two paragraphs discuss harmonizing and moving blood) Used whole, combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), it tonifies Qi and generates Blood. Combined with Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus) or Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), it moves Qi and breaks Blood. With Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus), it becomes hot. With Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), it becomes cold. (Li Haogu - Combined with below three paragraphs discussing returning blood via guidance) For blood deficiency, use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Shi Zhi Yu (Kaolinite) as adjuvants. For blood heat, use Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Tiao Qin (Scutellariae Radix) as adjuvants, preserving the source of generation. (Han Zhihe) Its qi is free-flowing and indefinite, functioning according to the guiding herb. Combined with Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), it treats blood-deficiency headache, eye pain, and toothache. Combined with blood herbs and Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) descending, it treats malnourished tendons, lower back pain, and leg weakness. Combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Chuan Wu (Aconiti Radix), Wu Yao (Linderae Radix), and Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), it nourishes the exterior, treating systemic tendon cold-damp-toxin. Combined with Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), it nourishes blood, yin, and tonifies Kidney. Combined with Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix) and Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), it harmonizes Liver and relieves pain, treating dysentery. Combined with Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), it stabilizes chills/fever and removes warm malaria. Combined with Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix) and Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), it nourishes Heart and calms palpitations. (Disciple records) Combined with alcohol-processed Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), it treats Heart blood-deficiency heat. In Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), it governs hundred diseases of the female blood level. Added with Chao Gan Jiang (Fried Zingiberis Rhizoma), Chao Hei Dou (Fried Soybean), Ze Lan (Leonuri Herba), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba), and Pu Huang (Typhae Pollen), it treats hundred postpartum diseases. Combined with Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), it treats difficult labor and breech presentation. Combined with Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba), and Pu Huang (Typhae Pollen), it treats postpartum blood rushing to the Heart. Combined with Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix), Bai Jiao (Colla Corii Asini), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), and Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), it treats amenorrhea due to blood obstruction. Combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos), and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), it treats Bi syndrome. Combined with Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), it treats malaria in the Yin level persisting long-term. Combined with Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), and Fu Shen (Poria Cum Rosa), it treats Heart blood deficiency causing insomnia. Combined with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Er Di (Two Rehmannias), Qin Lian (Scutellaria & Coptis), and Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex), it treats night sweats. Combined with Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba), Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), it treats tetanus. Combined with Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Lu Jiao Xie (Deer Antler Powder), and Gui (Cinnamon), it treats all fractures, falls, sprains, and pains. Combined with Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix), Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Hua Shi (Talcum), and Hong Qu (Monascus Ruber), it treats bloody dysentery with tenesmus. For placental injury with blood loss, postpartum metrorrhagia, surgical wounds, tooth extraction, or any excessive blood loss causing vexation, dizziness, syncope, and unconsciousness: Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) 2 liang, Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang. Use 5 qian per dose, simmer 7 parts water and 3 parts wine until 7 parts remain, drink hot, twice daily. For internal deficiency and dim vision, tonifying Qi and Blood: Raw-shai Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) 6 liang, Fire-processed Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 1 liang, powder, honey pills size of wu zi, take 30 pills with warm wine, named Liu Yi Wan (Six-One Pill). For constipation: Equal parts Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) and Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), powder, take 2 qian with rice soup. For unmarried women's amenorrhea: Gui Wei (Tail of Dang Gui) and Mo Yao (Myrrhae Resina) 1 qian each, powder, steep Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) in wine, face north and drink, once daily. For miscarriage with continuous bleeding: Roasted Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) 1 liang, Cong Bai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) one handful, take 5 qian per dose, simmer in 1.5 cups wine until 0.8 cup remains, drink warm. For dystocia, dead fetus, or transverse/breech presentation: Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) 3 liang, Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang, powder. First stir-fry large black soybeans until charred, add 1 cup running water and 1 cup child's urine, simmer until half remains, divide into two doses, repeat if ineffective. For postpartum wind-stroke with unconsciousness, salivation, and convulsions: Equal parts Dang Gui (Dang Gui Radix) and Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica), powder, take 3 qian, simmer 1 cup water with small amounts of wine and child's urine until 0.7 cup remains, administer orally, life returns immediately upon swallowing.
[Discussion] Dang Gui's taste begins sweet, then bitter, then pungent, and returns to sweet. Pungency is intense, while sweetness has a beginning and end that complement each other. Sweetness is the Earth flavor, the source of Qi and Blood generation. Sweetness returns to bitterness; bitterness/Fire belongs to the Heart, governing Blood. Bitterness with pungency corresponds to Metal/Lung; since Lung connects to Heart vessels to regulate respiration, it serves Blood. Blood originates from Water and forms via Fire, moving from Kidney to Lung, then to Heart; thus Metal combines with Fire to conceive Water. Fire harmonizes with Water via Metal, leading to Qi transformation; Metal conceives Water and亲近s Fire, leading to Blood generation. This pungency follows bitterness with the most intense flavor. The initial sweetness corresponds to "Humans receive Qi from Grain; Grain enters Stomach, transmits to Lung." The final sweetness corresponds to "Middle Jiao and Stomach, emerging after Upper Jiao," where received Qi steams essence, transforms fine nutrients, ascends to Lung vessels, and transforms into Blood. Synthesizing this: Lung combines with Heart for Qi transformation, starting blood vessels; Lung combines with Spleen for Blood transformation, opening meridians. Hai Zang judged it an "Qi herb within Blood" because where Blood is deficient, its generating Qi enriches and moistens it; where Blood is obstructed, its transforming Qi harmonizes and moves it. (e.g., Wine-steamed for headaches suits upper body; wine-decocted for hematuria suits lower body; wine-mixed powder for heart/abdominal stabbing pain suits middle body. Also, treating Intestines/Stomach targets hot dysentery/colic; treating Meridians targets wind-stroke spasms; treating Tendons/Bones targets pain; treating Skin targets wind-scabies. Whatever the target, it finds its归宿.) Human Qi originates from Kidney, Blood from Heart; this is Yin born from Yang. Only Qin Gui receives dense Metal qi, fully obtaining the transformation of Yin born from Yang, originally being an Qi herb within Blood. Combined with Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), it tonifies Marrow. Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) has seasonal modifications: Double Dang Gui to welcome Spring Qi; double Chuan Xiong to welcome Summer Qi; double Shao Yao to welcome Autumn; double Di Huang to welcome Winter. Using Dang Gui generates one Yang; using Shao Yao generates one Yin. Thus, Dang Gui's sweet, bitter, pungent, and warm nature resembles Spring's generative harmony, surely the beginning of Blood? Know that Blood originates from Water and forms via Fire; Fire is Heart Qi, the true Qi formed by Yin-Yang harmony, not biased toward Yang. Bias toward Yang causes blood deficiency with blazing Yang, and Blood fails to find its归宿. Understanding this allows maximizing Dang Gui's benefits.
Miao said: Pungent and warm, it moves and walks; nature lubricates intestines. Its qi is unsuitable for Stomach, so those with thin Stomach and loose stools should avoid it. Not suitable for blood heat. Even postpartum and antenatal periods require caution.
[Processing] Select plump, moist, non-dry roots. For ascending effects, soak in wine overnight. For exterior treatments, wash briefly in wine. For blood disorders, steam in wine. For phlegm, process with Ginger. If included in formulas for vomiting, epistaxis, or metrorrhagia, stir-fry with vinegar, use sparingly; excessive use may move blood adversely.