无毒。主温中，下气，烦满，短气，伤脏，咳嗽，止渴，通经脉，利血气，解百药毒
为九土之精，安和七十二种石，一千二百种草。一名蜜甘，一名美草，一名蜜草，一名
生河西积沙山及上郡。二月、八月除日采根，曝干。十日成。（术、干漆、苦参为之使，
远志，反大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻。）
《本经》原文∶甘草，味甘，平。主五脏六腑寒热邪气，坚筋骨，长肌肉，倍力，金创
，解毒。久服轻身
微温，无毒。主治肠胃中冷，心腹鼓痛，胸胁逆满，霍乱吐逆，调中，止消渴通血脉
破坚积，令人不忘。一名神草，一名人微，一名土精，一名血参。如人形者有神。生上党
辽东。二月、四月、八月上旬采根，竹刀刮，曝干，无令见风。（茯苓为之使，恶溲疏，
藜芦。）
《本经》原文∶人参，味甘，微寒。主补五脏，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，除邪气，明
目，开心益智。久服
无毒。主益精，补内绝不足，平胃气，长肌肉，逐皮肤邪热痱气，脚膝疼冷痹弱。久服
定志，除惊。一名禁生，一名杜兰，一名石 。生六安水傍石上。七月、八月采茎，阴干。
（陆英为之使，恶凝水石、巴豆，畏僵蚕、雷丸。）
《本经》原文∶石斛，味甘，平。主伤中，除痹，下气，补五脏虚劳羸瘦，强阴。久服
浓肠胃，轻身延年。
(Gancao, Radix Glycyrrhizae) It is non-toxic. Its main functions are to warm the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), direct rebellious Qi downward, relieve irritability and fullness, alleviate shortness of breath, protect the Zang-Fu organs from injury, treat cough, quench thirst, unblock the meridians, benefit Qi and Blood, and detoxify various medicines.
It is regarded as the essence of the nine soils, capable of harmonizing seventy-two types of minerals and one thousand two hundred types of herbs. Also known as Mi Gan (Honey Sweet), Mei Cao (Beautiful Grass), and Mi Cao (Honey Grass). It grows in Jisha Mountain of Hexi and Shangjun region. The roots are harvested on days ending with 'Jia' (Yang Wood day) in February or August, dried in the sun, and processed over ten days. (Synergistic with Baizhu, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae; Ganyao, Dried Resin of Liquidambar Formosana, and Kushen, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis; Antagonistic with Yuanzhi, Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae; Contraindicated with Daji, Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis; Yuanhua, Flos Genkwanis; Gansui, Radix Kansui; and Haizao, Thallus Sargassii.)
Original text from *Shennong Bencao Jing*: Gancao, sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It treats cold and heat pathogenic factors of the five Zang and six Fu organs, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, increases strength, treats traumatic injuries caused by metal weapons, and detoxifies. Long-term consumption makes the body light.
(Renshen, Radix Ginseng) It is slightly warm and non-toxic. It mainly treats coldness in the intestines and stomach, drum-like pain in the heart and abdomen, rebellious fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, vomiting and diarrhea due to Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), harmonizes the Middle Jiao, quenches thirst, unblocks blood vessels, breaks down hard accumulations, and enhances memory. Also known as Shen Cao (Divine Grass), Ren Wei (Human Microcosm), Tu Jing (Earth Essence), and Xue Shen (Blood Ginseng). Those resembling the human form are considered to possess spiritual efficacy. It grows in Shangdang and Liaodong regions. The roots are harvested in early February, April, or August, scraped with a bamboo knife, dried in the sun, and protected from wind exposure. (Synergistic with Fuling, Poria; Contraindicated with Soushu, Fructus Evodiae Officinalis, and Lilü, Rhizoma Veratri Nigrī.)
Original text from *Shennong Bencao Jing*: Renshen, sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature. It primarily tonifies the five Zang organs, calms the Spirit (Shen), stabilizes the Hun and Po, stops palpitations and fright, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, and enhances intelligence. Long-term consumption...
(Shihu, Herba Dendrobii) It is non-toxic. Its main functions are to nourish Essence, replenish internal depletion, regulate Stomach Qi, promote muscle growth, expel pathogenic heat and feiqi (heat rash) from the skin, and treat pain, coldness, Bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome), and weakness in the feet and knees. Long-term consumption stabilizes the will and eliminates fright. Also known as Jin Sheng, Du Lan, and Shizhu. It grows on rocks beside waters in Lu'an region. The stems are harvested in July or August and dried in the shade. (Synergistic with Luying, Herba Pedicularis Resupinatae; Contraindicated with Ningshuishishi, Halloysitum Rubrum, and Badou, Semen Crotonis Tiglii; Incompatible with Jiangcan, Bombyx Batryticatus, and Leiwan, Rhizoma Polypodii.)
Original text from *Shennong Bencao Jing*: Shihu, sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It primarily treats internal injury, removes Bi-syndrome, directs Qi downward, tonifies deficiency and emaciation of the five Zang organs due to consumptive disease, and nourishes Yin. Long-term consumption thickens the intestines and stomach, makes the body light, and prolongs life.