《神农本草经》与经方应用之桂枝篇

Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)in Application of Classical Formulas

桂枝是经方常用药物之一,《神农本草经》(《本经》)描述其功效为“主上气咳逆,结气,喉痹,吐吸,利关节,补中益气。久服通神,轻身,不老”。桂枝主咳逆、吐吸以治上气咳喘,多配伍厚朴、苦杏仁、麻黄,以桂枝加厚朴杏子汤、麻黄汤、小青龙汤为代表方;主结气以消癥瘕积聚,常配伍桃仁、大黄,如桃核承气汤、桂枝茯苓丸、鳖甲煎丸;主喉痹以利咽消肿,多配伍半夏、甘草,代表方如半夏散、半夏汤、麻黄升麻汤;利关节以宣痹止痛,常配伍附子、芍药等,如桂枝附子汤、桂枝芍药知母汤、桂枝新加汤;补中益气以疗虚损不足,多配伍饴糖、甘草、黄芪,如小建中汤、黄芪建中汤、竹皮大丸。除《本经》所载功效外,仲景运用桂枝经方还有新的发展,如配伍等量白芍以调和营卫固汗出,配伍龙骨、牡蛎以温补心阳平惊悸,配伍茯苓、白术、泽泻以宣通三焦利水湿。以经方分析《本经》中药物的功效,以《本经》推演经方的配伍规律,是解读经典奥秘的不二之法。

Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)is one of the commonly used medicinals in classical formulas.Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica describes its efficacy as“Guizhi is mainly used to treat cough with dyspnea due to counterflow of qi,stagnation of qi,throat impediment and breathing with the mouth due to severe impediment of the throat,to promote movement of joints,to tonify the middle energizer and to replenish qi.Long-term taking of it will invigorate the spirit and mind,relax the body and prevent aging”.Guizhi is mainly combined with Houpo(Magnolia Officinalis Cortex),Kuxingren(Armeniacae Semen Amarum)and Mahuang(Ephedrae Herba)to treat cough with dyspnea due to counterflow of qi,breathing with the mouth,represented by Guizhi Jia Houpo Xingzi Decoction(桂枝加厚朴杏子汤),Mahuang Decoction(麻黄汤)and Xiaoqinglong Decoction(小青龙汤).It is commonly combined with Taoren(Persicae Semen)and Dahuang(Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)to treat stagnation of qi and relieve abdominal mass,represented by Taohe Chengqi Decoction(桃核承气汤),Guizhi Fuling Pills(桂枝茯苓丸)and Biejiajian Pills(鳖甲煎丸).Combined with Banxia(Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum)and Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizhoma),it is used to treat throat impediment and relieve sore throat and swollen,represented by Banxia Powder(半夏散),Banxia Decoction(半夏汤)and Mahuang Shengma Decoction(麻黄升麻汤).Combined with Fuzi(Aconti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia)and Shaoyao(Paeoniae Radix Alba),it is used to promote movement of joints,diffuse impediment and relieve pain,represented by Guizhi Fuzi Decoction(桂枝附子汤),Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction(桂枝芍药知母汤)and Guizhi Xinjia Decoction(桂枝新加汤).Combined with Yitang(Maltose),Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)and Huangqi(Astragali Radix),it is used to tonify the middle energizer,replenish qi and treat deficiency,represented by Xiaojianzhong Decoction(小建中汤),Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction(黄芪建中汤)and Zhupi Bolus(竹皮大丸).In addition to the efficacy recorded in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica,Zhang Zhongjing developed the application of classical formulas containing Guizhi,for example,combined with the same amount of Baishao(Paeoniae Radix Alba)to harmonize nutrient-defense and consolidate sweat,combined with Longgu(Os Draconis)and Muli(Concha Ostreae)to warm and tonify heart yang and calming fright,combined with Fuling(Poria),Baizhu(Atractylodes)and Zexie(Alismatis Rhizoma)to dredge the triple energizer and drain dampness.It is the only way to interpret the mysteries of classics by analyzing the medicinal efficacy in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica with the classical formulas and deducing the compatibility regularity of classical formulas with Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica.