《神农本草经》与经方应用之芍药篇

Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and Shaoyao(Paeoniae Radix Alba)Section in Application of Classical Formulas

芍药是经方的常用药物,《神农本草经》(《本经》)记载芍药功效为“主邪气腹痛,除血痹,破坚积,寒热,疝瘕,止痛,利小便,益气”。以《本经》功效为纲,将芍药类经方归类分析,发现芍药除邪气、调寒热,多配伍桂枝、麻黄、黄芩、附子,以桂枝汤、大柴胡汤、附子汤为代表方;主腹痛,止身痛,常配伍甘草、饴糖、人参、当归,如小建中汤、桂枝新加汤、当归芍药散;除血痹、破坚积、消疝瘕,多配伍黄芪、当归、川芎、大黄、桃仁等,代表方如黄芪桂枝五物汤、桂枝茯苓丸、鳖甲煎丸;利小便以配伍茯苓、白术为主,如真武汤;益气以益阴气为主,配伍甘草、黄芪、当归等甘温药物。除《本经》所载功效外,张仲景运用芍药经方还有新的发展,如芍药配伍甘草以缓拘挛,芍药配伍黄芩以止下利,芍药配伍大黄、枳实以通便结等。以《本经》推演经方的用药配伍,以经方来分析《本经》之功效,是解读经典奥秘的正确方法。

Shaoyao(Paeoniae Radix Alba)is a commonly used medicine in classical formulas.According to the records of Shaoyao in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica(Ben Jing),its efficacy is“to expel pathogenic qi,relieve abdominal pain,eliminate blood impediment,dispel hard accumulation,regulate chills and fever,cease pain,promote urination and replenish qi”.According to the efficacy of Shaoyao in Ben Jing,the classical formulas containing Shaoyao are classified and analyzed.It is found that Shaoyao expels pathogenic qi,regulates chills and fever,and is mainly compatible with Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus),Mahuang(Ephedrae Herba),Huangqin(Scutellariae Radix)and Fuzi(Aconti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia),with Guizhi Decoction(桂枝汤),Dachaihu Decoction(大柴胡汤)and Fuzi Decoction(附子汤)as the representative prescriptions.Shaoyao relieves pain in the abdomen and body,and is often compatible with Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Yitang(Maltose),Renshen(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma)and Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix),such as Xiaojianzhong Decoction(小建中汤)Guizhi Xinjia Decoction(桂枝新加汤),and Danggui Shaoyao Powder(当归芍药散).Shaoyao eliminates blood impediment,dispels hard accumulation and ceases pain,and is mostly compatible with Huangqi(Astragali Radix),Danggui,Chuanxiong(Chuan-xiong Rhizoma),Dahuang(Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma)and Taoren(Persicae Semen),such as Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(黄芪桂枝五物汤),Guizhi Fuling Pills(桂枝茯苓丸)and Biejiajian Pills(鳖甲煎丸).Shaoyao promotes urination and is mainly combined with Fuling(Poria)and Baizhu(Atractylodes),such as Zhenwu Decoction(真武汤).Shaoyao replenishes qi,mainly yin qi,and is compatible with sweet and warm medicinals such as Gancao,Huangqi and Danggui.In addition to the efficacy recorded in Ben Jing,ZHANG Zhongjing has developed the new application of classical formulas containing Shaoyao,such as the compatibility of Shaoyao with Gancao to relieve spasm,Shaoyao with Huangqin to stop diarrhea,and Shaoyao with Dahuang and Zhishi(Aurantii Fructus Immaturus)to relieve constipation.It is the correct way to interpret the mystery of classics by deducing the compatibility of medicines in classical formulas based on Ben Jing and analyzing the efficacy in Ben Jing according to classical formulas.