Library

The sages of old, some appeared in visible forms to give instructions, others relied on spirit writing for Q&A. This was likely out of compassion for the unclear understanding of medical principles, desiring to entrust this Way to such people. Why should Master Chen yield so much? Having planned for three years and endured toil, with a trivial official post full of petty affairs, unable to live up to the Holy Sovereign's heaven-like benevolence to extend virtuous governance, yet solely focusing on the life-and-death moments of the common people, he expressed his concern repeatedly. Thus, obtaining this book, I am happy to write its preface.

[Cheng Shi (Lvxin) Shanshu Bencao] Not seen.
(Note: The above appears in the General Principles of *Yijian Fanglun*.)

[Wang Shi (Ang) Bencao Beiyao] Four volumes. Extant.
In the Preface, it is stated: The essence of medicine lies first in pulse diagnosis. If the pulse indications are not accurate, deficiency and excess cannot be distinguished, and blind application of attacking or tonifying methods will rarely fail to shorten human lifespan. Secondly, one must understand drug properties. For instance, if a disease is in a specific meridian, a specific herb should be used; or due to this meridian, it may affect others. Therefore, there are principles such as tonifying the mother and draining the son, supporting weakness and suppressing strength, with various approaches and non-fixed indications. Unless one is broadly learned and penetrates subtle mysteries, responsiveness will be poor, or worse, pathogenic factors may remain while healthy qi is damaged. As the ancients said, using herbs is like using troops; indeed, caution is essential. There are countless herbal texts from ancient and modern times, but none are more refined and detailed than Li Shi-zhen’s *Bencao Gangmu*. Its research is profound, and its guidance is comprehensive and clear. Thus, the intention to benefit humanity is truly earnest. However, the volumes are vast and difficult to exhaust quickly. Carrying them on boats or carriages is cumbersome. Although comprehensive, they lack conciseness. Works like *Zhuzhi Zhangzhang* and *Yaoxing Gefu* are merely convenient for beginners to recite; they are concise but not comprehensive. Recently, Miao Xiqiong’s *Bencao Jingshu* is praised as an excellent edition. Miao’s categorization contains profound insights, yet the text is constrained by parallelism, overly ornate, and still has many omissions. *Jingshu* elucidates the rationale for main treatments and the interplay in prescription formulation, and records simple errors to investigate mistakes, which can be considered perfect. However, it lacks detailed discussion on geographical origins, processing methods, and authentication of authenticity. Occasional interpretations are forced, and common items are often deleted, representing a lapse in even the most careful deliberation. I am not a specialist in Qi-Huang medicine, but I enjoy reading these books. In my spare time, I compiled various herbal texts, returning from the broad to the concise, selecting 400 applicable herbs into a small booklet. For each herb entering a specific meridian to treat a specific disease, I clarify its flavor, nature, color, and shape, explaining the reason for its main treatment. Occasionally, I attach the ancients' aversions to certain combinations, mutual constraints, and auxiliary effects, as well as the profound intent behind usage. Local production, processing, and incompatibilities are appended at the end. The "Ten Categories" (Xuan, Tong, Bu, Xie, Qing, Zhong, Hua, Se, Zao, Shi) of promotion, unblocking, tonification, drainage, lightness, heaviness, slipperiness, astringency, dryness, and dampness are placed at the beginning, stating both their merits and faults, so that readers understand clearly upon opening the book, hoping to avoid errors in use. It can be said to be comprehensive yet concise. Intelligent scholars, by investigating further from this, can grasp more than half of the subtleties of medicine. Titled *Bencao Beiyao*, it is offered for correction by experts. Wang Ang of Xiuyang An inscribed this at Yanxi Hall.

[Zengding Bencao Beiyao] Four volumes. Extant.
The Preface roughly states: Medicine differs from Fengshui (Geomancy). Geomancy should have secrets, and heavenly mechanisms should not be lightly revealed. Medical collections, however, are meant to save lives and cure diseases, so nothing should be left unexplained or hidden. One should speak freely and exhaustively. Upon reviewing various books, only the *Ling Shu*, *Su Wen*, *Nan Jing*, works of Zhang Zhong-jing, and Wang Shu-he are profound and deep, hard to fully explore. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, numerous famous physicians' prescriptions are abundant, but their underlying meanings are rarely interpreted. Herbal texts merely state treating certain diseases without explaining why; medical formulas merely list herbs without explaining why they are used. Thousands of books follow the same pattern, leaving readers bewildered. Even those analyzing disease sources or interpreting drug properties are often vague and unclear. Although medical theory claims deep cultivation, the texts lack clarity, making it hard for readers to gain insight, causing frustration. Presuming on my own limitations, I collected the strengths of various schools to compile *Bencao Beiyao* and *Yifang Jijie*. The principles and methods fully follow the ancients, while the format is innovative. Herbal descriptions use simple language and sentence explanations, imitating the detail of commentaries; medical treatments explain symptoms and formulas, incorporating debates from various schools. The books are divided into two parts to complement each other, ensuring that even non-medical readers can understand them clearly, thereby aiding practical use. Shortly after publication, they were appreciated by renowned scholars within and outside the seas. The original woodblocks of *Bencao Beiyao* are now worn out, so I carefully revised and re-edited them to repay the kindness of the world. Some may criticize the simplicity of the drug list. I argue that songs and formulas contain only 240 types, while my collection expands to 400, which is not few. Foods merely fill the stomach, and rare drugs are not always needed for treatment; how can they all be recorded? Since we seek both comprehensiveness and conciseness, it should stop here. For this reprint, I added about 60 useful items to satisfy critics, without hindering portability. If minor arts are worth observing, perhaps there is no fear of being hindered in long journeys. Written by Wang Ang, the eighty-year-old elder of Xiuning, at Yanxi Hall, in the month of Yang during the Ji Xu year of the Kangxi reign.

[Wang Shi (Sun) Yaoxing Zuan Yao] Four volumes. Extant.
General Principles state: During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Li Shi-zhen (courtesy name Dongbi) of Qizhou compiled various books into *Bencao Gangmu*, 52 volumes, listing 1,892 herbs. Now, Sun selects 597 essential items from *Gangmu*, adding Shen Shui and Shui Zhong Jin from the Metal category, Ren Huang Dou and Zhu Mi from the Grain category, Tobacco from the Grass category, Sea Cucumber from the Scale category, Lion Oil and Hou Jie from the Beast category, and Ma Zi Jian from the Human category, totaling 606 types, named *Yaoxing Zuan Yao*. Using the Five Elements for classification, with hundreds of categories, taking from the body and distant objects, all serve treatment, and cannot be limited to just plants. Therefore, herbs record their functions, and the book compiles essential words, so that readers are not tired and find it easy to remember.

[Gu Shi (Yuanjiao) Bencao Hujian] Ten volumes. Extant.

[Zhang Shi (Lu) Benjing Fengyuan] Four volumes. Extant.
The Summary of the Siku Quanshu states: "*Benjing Fengyuan*, four volumes, written by Zhang Lu of the Qing Dynasty. The book takes *Shennong Bencao Jing* as the main text, adds elaborations, and covers various schools' treatment methods. The arrangement follows Li Shi-zhen’s *Bencao Gangmu*, clarifying the general principles, making it more explicit. In the Preface, it says: Binhu (Li Shi-zhen) was knowledgeable in ancient and modern times, yet still abandoned the root for the branches, listing only the *Jing*'s main indications at the head, intending to preserve the sheepskin (metaphor for preserving important parts). Miao Zhongchun (Miao Xiqiong) excavated the scriptural meaning, surpassing other schools, but in obscure places, he cited *Bielu* and other texts, confusing them with canonical words, mixing red and purple. Generally, Shizhen’s book focuses on textual criticism, Xiyong’s book favors extensive debate, while Lu’s book focuses on elucidating nature and flavor, distinguishing merits and faults, making it easier for formulators to understand."
*Wuxian County Annals* states: Zhang Lu, courtesy name Luyu, was a famous physician in Wu. He could determine deficiency and excess and decide life and death. His other works, *Shanghan Dacheng*, *Zhenzong Sanwei*, *Yitong*, and *Yanyi*, were printed and circulated.

[Chen Shi (Zhi) Liluo Jinbian] One volume. Extant.

[Wang Shi (Zijie) Jiangxueyuan Deyi Bencao] One volume. Extant.

[Huang Shi (Yuanyu) Changsha Jiejie] Four volumes. Not seen.
The Summary of the Siku Quanshu states: "*Changsha Jiejie*, four volumes, written by Huang Yuanyu of the Qing Dynasty. Zhang Ji’s *Shanghan Lun* contains 113 formulas, and *Jingui Yufan Jing* contains 175 formulas. Combining the herbs used in these two books totals 160 types. Yuanyu analyzed and arranged them, using herb names and properties as the outline and specific formula usage as the subheadings, deducing the rationale for indications and treatments in detail. However, herbs have fixed natures and flavors, which do not change. The application of herbs involves dynamic principles, which have no fixed rules. Therefore, some herbs are used mutually assisting, some mutually restraining, and some mutually opposing and stimulating. This should be discussed in terms of formulas, not individual herbs. Merely stating that a formula contains a herb for a certain condition, or another formula contains the same herb for a different condition, is like seeking the fish trap rather than the fish itself."

[Yuzhou Jiejie] Four volumes. Not seen.
The Summary of the Siku Quanshu states: "*Yuzhou Jiejie*, four volumes, written by Huang Yuanyu of the Qing Dynasty. Yuzhou is Yuanyu’s pseudonym. This book argues that among various herbal texts, some opinions are usable, others not. Thus, it selects and compiles this work. Generally, it holds itself in high regard, aiming to surpass the ancients. Therefore, regarding old theories, it often establishes differences to boast of unique interpretations."

[Wu Shi (Yiluo) Bencong Congxin] Six volumes. Extant.
Preface states: My ancestors collected the most books, especially those beneficial to the people. Thus, there were many rare editions of Qi-Huang medical texts. Since childhood, while studying for imperial examinations, I read these side-by-side. Whenever I had insights, my mind felt cleared. Thus, I released all my collections and studied them meticulously. It has been forty years. The essence of medicine lies first in understanding principles, secondly in syndrome differentiation, and thirdly in medication. Without clear principles, how can syndromes be differentiated? Without differentiated syndromes, how can herbs be used? Hence, my humble work *Medical Ten Types* includes *Yiyuan Biche* and *Sizhen Xu Xiang*, carefully weighing various statements regarding scriptural meanings and disease conditions to achieve the utmost appropriateness. Furthermore, considering that heaven produces herbs to alleviate human suffering, for every disease there is a corresponding herb; as diseases change, herbs change. If one thoroughly understands their flavors and properties, picking any one or two from hundreds of herbs can achieve miraculous results. Otherwise, confusion arises. All herbs can harm if misused, especially those with extreme biases. Since ancient times, commentators on herbal texts have added revisions generation after generation. Li Shi-zhen’s *Gangmu* is the culmination, with comprehensive evidence supplementing *Erya* and *Shi Shu*, preparing for medical use, though slightly verbose. Following this, Miao Xiqiong’s *Jingshu* not only details functions but also discusses flaws, offering many innovations, though Yu Jiayan of Xichang raised objections. Finally, Wang Shi of Xin’an, following these two, wrote *Beiyao*, which is concise yet widely collected, rightly becoming a popular recent book. Unfortunately, he was not a clinical practitioner, relying solely on predecessors and mixing theories without reconciliation, inevitably inheriting errors. Presuming on my limitations, I took this book to revise it, keeping half and changing half, drawing from old texts and combining them with experience to expand未尽 ideas. Completed and titled *Bencong Congxin*, printed for public use, hopefully cutting-edge for current times and supportive of the ancients. Other works will be published sequentially for discussion with scholars. Written by Wu Yiluo of Ganshui at Liji Hall in Xia Chuan, on the Shangsi day of the third month, Ding Chou year of the Qianlong reign.

[Shen Shi (Jin’ao) Yaoyao Fenji] Ten volumes. Extant.
Preface states: According to Xu Zhi-cai, herbs have ten major categories: Promotion, Unblocking, Tonification, Drainage, Lightness, Heaviness, Slipperiness, Astringency, Dryness, and Dampness. These are the fundamental principles of herbs, yet not mentioned in the *Bencao Jing*, nor elaborated by later generations. Any user of herbs who examines them carefully will miss nothing. Truly, these words are correct. The *Neijing* explains these meanings in detail, and the theory of the Ten Categories sufficiently exhausts the uses of herbs as a basis. Tao Hongjing added Cold and Heat categories. Miao Zhongchun criticized this, arguing that cold cannot always treat heat and heat cannot always treat cold, calling it absurd, thus removing Cold and Heat and adding Rising and Descending. Miao’s criticism of Tao is valid. However, analyzing Rising and Descending, within the Ten Categories, Promotion and Lightness imply rising, while Drainage and Slipperiness imply descending. Moreover, all herb properties either rise or descend, or can do both, or rise more/descend less, etc. There are no herbs that neither rise nor descend specifically for Promotion or Unblocking. Thus, "Rising" and "Descend-ing" can summarize all herbs, and establishing two separate categories after the Ten is inappropriate. Xu Zhi-cai regarded the Ten Categories as the main framework, leaving nothing out. Since Shennong’s *Bencao Jing*,历代 herbal texts classified herbs by material type (plants, minerals, etc.), causing readers to forget the significance of the ten characters and the ten natures. Consequently, prescription formulation becomes contradictory and chaotic. In compiling this book, I categorized based on the Ten Categories, not to be eccentric, but to make readers clearly understand that each herb has its specific nature and thus its specific use, hopefully avoiding deviations during clinical practice. Inscribed by Shen Jin’ao.

[Zhao Shi (Xuemin) Bencao Hua] Twenty-two volumes. Not seen.

[Qiyao Kaobei] Six volumes. Not seen.

[Yaoxing Yuanjie] Four volumes. Not seen.
Note: The above appears in the Catalog of Collected Editions.