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Hu Ma (Sesamum indicum) inherits the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth, obtaining the sweet taste of grains; therefore, its flavor is sweet, its nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and also concurrently enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Its aroma and flavor are peaceful, neither cold nor hot, making it an excellent grain for benefiting the Spleen and Stomach and tonifying the Liver and Kidneys. Among the Eight Grains, only this one is superior. Immortals use it as food to fast from other grains and achieve longevity, and Shennong classified it as a top-grade herb. The *Immortal Classic* records its functions: it primarily treats damage to the Middle Jiao leading to emaciation, tonifies the Five Viscera, and strengthens Qi and strength. It promotes muscle growth, solidifies sinews and bones, fills the marrow and brain, and treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) and Wen Nue (Warm Malaria). After severe vomiting, it addresses deficiency-heat and emaciation. Long-term consumption clarifies the ears and eyes, increases tolerance to hunger and thirst, lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends life. For patients with wind disorders, long-term consumption ensures steady gait and clear speech. This is because treating wind requires first regulating blood; when blood is harmonious, wind dissipates. Hu Ma enters the Liver to nourish blood, so it is indispensable in formulas treating wind. Combined with Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), Maoshan Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Baifuling (Poria), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Sangye (Mori Folium), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), and Sangshang Jisheng (Taxilli Herba), it treats Wind-Damp Bi syndrome. Using a single herb, Hu Ma processed by steaming and sun-drying nine times, plus Maoshan Cangzhu processed by milk-steaming and sun-drying three times, made into pills, can strengthen the Spleen, dry Dampness, benefit Qi, and extend life. Baopuzi records the method of consuming Hu Ma: take three dou of Shangdang Hu Ma, wash thoroughly, steam until vapor penetrates, dry in the sun, wash again with water to remove foam, steam again, repeating this process nine times. Remove the husk, stir-fry until fragrant, grind into powder, and form pills with white honey and jujube paste, sized like bullet seeds. Take one pill dissolved in warm wine, three times daily. Avoid toxic fish, dog meat, and raw radishes. After 100 days, all chronic diseases can be eliminated; after one year, skin becomes smooth and lustrous; after two years, white hair turns black; after three years, loose teeth regrow. Long-term consumption leads to immortality. For newborns, chew raw Sesame, wrap in silk, and let the infant suckle to expel toxins. For infants with scrofula, mix equal parts of Sesame and Forsythia into powder and consume frequently. Hu Ma Oil, i.e., Black Sesame Oil, has the same efficacy as White Sesame Oil but is more potent. For medicinal use, black sesame is preferred. Its nature is sweet, cold, and slippery, thus treating retained placenta and unblocking the Large Intestine. Raw Hu Ma is colder in nature, thus clearing heat and cooling blood. Rubbing on sores and swelling promotes hair growth for baldness; decocting into ointments generates flesh, stops pain, and reduces carbuncles; applying to malignant sores, tinea, and scabies kills parasites and detoxifies. However, raw Hu Ma is overly cold; excessive consumption induces cold diseases and Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, causing diarrhea, which is contraindicated for such individuals. Cooked Hu Ma is delicious but must be prepared daily and not kept overnight. Overnight storage causes fire properties to recur, assisting heat and stirring Qi. Mixed with Xueru (Human Hair Charred) and cooked into oil for alchemy, it treats all sores and toxins, drains pus, and stops pain. All cooking oils must use true Hu Ma Oil for its blood-cooling and detoxifying properties, except for ointments treating dampness. For difficult labor due to blood dryness and stagnation, use half liang of refined oil and one liang of good honey, boil together dozens of times, and take warm; the fetus will slip out easily. For early-stage swollen toxins, fry green onion in Sesame Oil until black, apply while warm to dissipate.

Hu Ma, also known as Jusheng, is the current Sesame. Steamed and cooked, it tonifies deficiency and emaciation, tolerates hunger, thirst, cold, and heat, fills the brain and marrow, solidifies sinews and bones, benefits Qi and strength, grows muscles, clarifies ears and eyes, nourishes the Five Viscera, tonifies Lung Qi, stops palpitations, treats Head Wind and劳气 (Lao Qi/chronic fatigue), Shanghan, Wen Nue, nourishes blood and moistens the intestines, treats paralysis caused by wind pathogenic factors, postpartum weakness, tonifies the Middle and benefits Qi, enriches blood vessels and sinews, eliminates Damp-Bi, repels stroke, expels Wind-Damp and wandering Wind, benefits the Small and Large Intestines, induces labor and expels the placenta, treats traumatic injuries and carbuncles, baldness and head sores, spreading malignant sores, reduces swelling, burns, tinea, and scabies, achieving efficacy in all these conditions. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, tolerates hunger and thirst, and extends life.

Main Indications (Integrating Smallpox and Rash): Select purple-black ones as best. Wash with wine, soak, dry, and stir-fry before use. Most suitable for ulcers formed after smallpox/rash.