味辛,平。主咳逆上气,益肺气,通利口鼻,强志意,勇悍,安魄。久食轻身不老,延
年神仙。一名玉芝。生华山。
味咸,平。主癃,利水道,益肾气,通九窍,聪察。久食轻身不老,延年神仙。一名玄
芝。生恒山。
〔谨案〕五芝,《经》云∶皆以五色生于五岳,诸方所献,白芝未必华山,黑芝又非常
岳。且芝多黄白,稀有黑青者,
然紫芝最多,非五芝类。但芝自难得,纵获一、二,岂得终久服耶?
味甘,温。主耳聋,利关节,保神,益精气,坚筋骨,好颜色。久服轻身不老,延年神
仙。一名木芝。生高夏山谷。
六芝皆无毒,六月、八月采。
薯蓣为之使,得发良,得麻子仁、白瓜子、牡桂共益人,恶恒山,畏扁青、茵陈蒿。案
郡县无高夏名,恐是山名尔。
此六芝皆仙草之类,俗所稀见,族种甚多,形色环异,并载《芝草
此是朽树木株上所生,状如
木,名为紫芝,盖止疗痔,而不宜以合诸补丸药也。凡得芝草,便正尔食之,无余节度,
故皆不云服法也。
味辛,温。主杀鬼精物,蛊毒恶气,消痈肿,上肢满疝,下血。久服益气力,长阴肥健,
轻
名鬼督邮。生陈仓、川谷、雍州及太山少室。三月、四月、八月采
根,曝干。
陈仓属雍州扶风郡。案此草亦是芝类。云茎赤如箭杆,叶生其端。根如人足,又云如芋,
有十二子为卫。有风不动,
无风自摇。如此,亦非俗所见,而徐长卿亦名鬼督邮。又复有鬼箭,茎有羽,其疗并相似,
而益人乖异,恐并非此赤箭。
〔谨案〕此芝类,茎似箭杆,赤色。
端有花、叶,远看如箭有羽。根皮肉汁与天门冬同,惟无心脉。去根五、六寸,有十余
子卫
,似芋,其实似苦楝子,核作五、六棱,中肉如面,日曝则枯萎也。得根即生啖之,无干服
法也。
[Chi Jian (Red Arrow)] Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature. It primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi (cough and asthma), tonifies Lung Qi, unblocks the mouth and nose, strengthens willpower and intent, promotes courage and boldness, and calms the Po (Hun and Po: the corporeal soul). Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends life to that of an immortal. Also known as Yu Zhi (Jade Lingzhi). Grows on Mount Hua.
[Xuan Zhi (Black Lingzhi)] Salty in flavor, neutral in nature. It primarily treats strangury (difficulty or obstruction in urination), benefits the water passages, tonifies Kidney Qi, unblocks the nine orifices, and enhances hearing and vision for clarity. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends life to that of an immortal. Also known as Xuan Zhi. Grows on Mount Heng.
[Note] Regarding the Five Lingzhi, the Classics state: they all grow in five colors upon the Five Sacred Mountains. The Lingzhi offered by various regions may not necessarily be white from Mount Hua, nor black exclusively from Mount Heng. Moreover, Lingzhi are mostly yellow or white; black and green ones are rare. However, Zi Zhi (Purple Lingzhi) is the most common but does not belong to the category of the Five Lingzhi. Since Lingzhi is inherently difficult to obtain, even if one or two are acquired, how can they be consumed continuously over a long period?
[Mu Zhi (Wooden Lingzhi)] Sweet in flavor, warm in nature. It primarily treats deafness, benefits the joints, preserves the Spirit (Shen), tonifies Essence and Qi, strengthens bones and sinews, and improves complexion. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends life to that of an immortal. Also known as Mu Zhi. Grows in the valleys of Gaoxia.
All six types of Lingzhi are non-toxic. They are harvested in June and August.
Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shuyu) acts as its guiding herb. It yields good results when combined with human hair. When used together with Cannabis Fructus (Maziren), Cucumis Melo Semen Album (Baiguazi), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Mugui), it is more beneficial to humans. It is incompatible with Trichosanthes Radix (Hengshan) and fears Indigo Naturalis (Bianqing) and Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (Yinchenhao). Researching administrative divisions, there is no place named "Gaoxia," so it is likely a mountain name.
These six Lingzhi are all classified as immortal herbs, rarely seen in secular society, with many varieties differing in shape and color, all recorded in *Zhi Cao* (Treatise on Lingzhi). This refers to those growing on rotting tree stumps, resembling wood, named Zi Zhi (Purple Lingzhi). It is said to treat only hemorrhoids and is not suitable for compounding into various tonic pills. Whenever Lingzhi is obtained, it should be eaten directly without specific dosage regulations; therefore, no administration methods are recorded.
[Gui Du You / Chi Jian] Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. It primarily kills demonic essences, dispels gu poison and evil qi, resolves carbuncles and swellings, alleviates upper limb fullness and hernia, and stops lower body bleeding. Long-term consumption boosts Qi and strength, promotes genital development and robustness, and lightens the body.
Also known as Gui Du You (Ghost Supervisor). Grows in Chencang, Chuangu, Yongzhou, and Mount Tai/Mount Shaoshi. The roots are harvested in March, April, and August, then dried.
Chencang belongs to Fufeng Commandery, Yongzhou Province. Research indicates this herb also belongs to the Lingzhi category. It is described as having a stem red like an arrow shaft, with leaves at the tip. The root resembles a human foot or taro, accompanied by twelve smaller offshoots acting as guards. It remains still when there is wind and sways spontaneously when there is none. Thus, it is not commonly seen in secular times. Furthermore, Xu Changqing (Cynanchum paniculatum) is also called Gui Du You. There is also Gui Jian (Arrow Ghost), which has feather-like structures on its stem. Although their therapeutic effects are similar, their benefits to the human body differ significantly. It is doubtful that either is this Chi Jian.
[Note] This type of Lingzhi has a stem resembling an arrow shaft, reddish in color. Flowers and leaves are at the tip, looking like an arrow with feathers from a distance. The juice of the root skin and flesh is similar to Asparagi Radix (Tiandong), but lacks the central vascular bundle. About five to six cun away from the root, there are over ten offshoots guarding it, resembling taro. The fruit resembles Meliae Semen (Kulianzi), with a nut having five or six ridges, and the inner meat resembling flour, which withers upon sun-drying. The root can be eaten raw immediately upon harvesting; there is no method for consuming it dried.