基于法象思维探究《伤寒论》桂枝应用

Exploring the application of cassia twig in Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases based on the“image thinking”

桂枝在《伤寒论》中应用甚广,涉及条文60余处、方剂40余首,所治遍及三阴三阳六经诸证。后世医家多将其归为辛温解表药,而忽视了其温补阳气等功效,致使临床应用范围缩小。《神农本草经》载桂枝“主上气咳逆,结气,喉痹,吐吸,利关节,补中益气”及“主百病,为诸药先聘通使”,以此为切入点,通过分析桂枝形态、部位、颜色、味道、臭气、质地、习性、生长环境等自然属性,结合《伤寒论》以及历代医家经验,总结辨析桂枝功效之法象机制,以期拓宽桂枝现代临床应用范围。

Cassia twig,a Chinese herbal drug,is widely prescribed in Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases,and it is found in more than 60 clauses and more than 40 prescriptions.It treats covers all of the diseases of the six meridians,namely,three yin and three yang.Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica described cassia twig as:(i)mainly used to relieve 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,tonify the middle energizer,and replenish qi;and(ii)useful for ushering other traditional Chinese drugs to treat all the disease,and able to invigorate the spirit and mind,relax the body,and prevent aging.This article begins from the thought of“image,”referred to in the text of Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica,by analyzing the natural attributes of cassia twigs,such as shape,position,color,taste,smell,texture,habits,and growth environment.This is combined with the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases and the experience of physicians in previous dynasties,and it summarizes and analyzes the“image“mechanism of its efficacy to broaden its application in modern clinical treatment.