神农本经三百六十五种，恰应周天之数。天度无亏，此药何容去取。惟是古有今无，存
空名者，居三之一。故于本经实得二百二十二种。
今之人，知有神农本经，而不知其有食经。然亦三卷中，存茗草一条，而后之人，始知
有食经也。夫本经已乱于张华，而食经又归于剥蚀。故以茗草寓存羊之意，殊不必于此一条，
再如本经争所自出矣。盖淮南、世纪，皆以本经出自黄帝；既出黄帝，而神农之称，又何以
传之千万 ，而无改。惟陶隐居则信以为烈山氏之书。在汉书亦云，本草不知断自何代而作，
犹疑之耳。未尝确言其出于轩辕氏也。总之，神圣开天之笔，非二帝不能作，即随属一人，
亦可。或者书契未作之先，口耳相授，至后而始有笔传也。此非余之言，而先哲之言也；今
食经以剥蚀，故人无置喙则幸矣。
陶弘景，字通明，于本经已各有别录，数如本经，而又于本经之外，复收采汉、魏以下
诸名家所用之药，三百六十五种，亦名别录，上之梁武。按弘景在宋末，为诸王侍读，寻归
隐勾曲山房，号华阳、隐居。梁武每有大事，辄往咨访，故时人又号为山中宰相。卒年八十
五，谥贞白。其书，首叙药性之源，论病名之诊，次分玉石等部，又有名未用者，三品。今
于三百六十五药之中，采五十种。
唐本草者，出自唐高宗时，故系之以唐。初高宗以陶隐居所注本经精粗溷收，特命英国
公李 等，主纂修之事， 等亦稍有增损，故又谓之英国公唐本草。显庆中，有监门长史苏
恭等，以重加订释，请帝复命赵国公长孙无忌等，与恭等，互相采访。则又增入新药一百二
十四种，分类诸品，及有名未用者，列十一部，合目录及图经，通共五十三卷。世又谓之唐
新定本草。今于其中，录其功用者，凡二十种。
药性本草，即药性论，非陶隐居之笔，而唐甄权之笔也。权，扶沟人，仕隋为秘省正字，
唐太宗时，春秋百二十岁矣。帝幸其第访以药性，因上此书。其他着述，尚有脉经、明堂人
形图。今从药性中，取神曲、土茯苓二种。
唐·孙思邈，撰千金备急方三十卷。亦采灵、素、扁鹊诸书。所论补养诸说，及本草之
关于食用者，分类而系之名曰千金食治。夫思邈隐居太白，隋唐征辟，皆不就，年百余而卒。
则其所得，必不止服食也。而服食亦足以概所得矣。尚有千金翼方、枕中素书、摄生真录、
福录论、三教论、老庄注，为世所重。而余录其食治中， 酥一种。正为切于观颐耳。
唐·开元中三原尉陈藏器，撰本草拾遗。亦以本经虽有补集，而遗沉尚多，故别为此书。
今
一人而已。而世犹有僻怪之诮，此与指橐驼为肿背马者，何异。人胞一种，功用最大，特亟
采之。
蜀·后主昶命翰林学士韩保升等，取唐本草，重加订释，间有增补，别为图经。凡二十
卷，昶自为文，以弁其首，谓之蜀本草。其生成形状，更核于陶、苏诸家，即增补金樱子，
为世要药，特录之。
宋太祖开宝六载，命尚药奉御刘翰、道士马志等，取唐、蜀本草，及拾遗诸书，而 校
之。马志注解，学士卢多逊等刊正。七年复诏志等，重定。学士李助等，看详此书，凡两经
订。今取凡三十一种。
宋仁宗嘉 二年，诏光禄卿直秘阁掌禹锡、尚书祠部郎中秘阁校理林亿等，重修本草所
增定共九十九种，计一千八百条，谓之嘉 本草。秉笔者意在兼收，务从该博，以副诏旨而
于秘奥，实无大发明。今为采十种。
日华诸书本草，开宝中人撰，不着姓氏。但云日华大明序，集诸家本草。按千家姓，大
姓出东莱，则其人乃姓大，名明也。或又言田姓。云其于药之主治功能颇称详悉，凡三十卷。
今
用药法象为李东垣先生笔。先生讳杲，字明之，真定人。其祖尝见神女从地涌出，谓汝
有贤孙，当以鸿术名世。后得先生，果有倍年之觉。受业于洁古老人，即尽得其学。祖洁古
珍珠囊，而增以义例、向导、活法，着为此书。中亦间有补遗，如所采通脱木一种，是已。
尝嗟世人不辨脉证，溷同治病，着辨惑论。其遗稿实多，皆门人集成，不无出入。惟脾胃一
论，谓其以一脏具五脏体，一气备五气用，发人未发，真千古之卓见也。
本草衍义补遗，乃朱震亨所着。震亨元末人，字彦修，世称为丹溪先生。云震亨，尝从
罗太无学医，而此书则因寇氏之衍义而推衍之者也。几二百种，亦多所发明。但时泥旧说，
而又以诸药分发五行，恐不无牵强之失。今采红曲一种。
本草会编出祁门汪机手。机，字省之，嘉靖时人。惩王氏本草不收草木形状，乃削去上
中下三品，以类相从。菜、谷通为草部，果品通为木部，合诸家序例，共二十卷。故有会编
之名。其撮约似乎简便，而混同反难捡阅。荠在菜部中最为微品，而取以为冠，何其陋也。
掩去诸家，更觉零碎，臆度疑似，殊无实见。仅有数条可录，取虫白蜡一种。
嘉靖末年，祁门陈嘉谟撰本草蒙筌，其部次一宗王氏集要，每品具气味、产采、治疗、
方法，创成对偶，以便诵记，间附己意，颇有发明，便于儿读，故名蒙筌。秋石一种，亦属
新增，取之。
本草纲目者，乃明楚府奉祠敕封文林郎李时珍之所撰也。珍，字东璧，蕲州人。其书搜
罗百代，访采四方，分五十二卷，列一十六部，部各分类，类凡六十，标名为纲，列事为目，
增
本经药品，惟本经及别录得依三品，且不敢紊次，自别录而下∶为草、为木、为果、为
谷、为虫豸，不无后先者，以各自成帙故耳。
从来本草命名虽殊，而各有增人，故损益之权，非一手一足之所能操也。损操损益者，
岂有
历代本草，几四十家，除食经及本经不论外，今所录者，只一百四十三种，合之农经，仍是
三百六十五种。上契周天，下备人用，亦既优然有余矣。
丁亥中秋卢之颐子繇甫识
[Background Information]
Book: *Bencao Chengya Banji* (Half-Verse of the Bencao Elegance)
Author: Lu Zhiyi
Dynasty: Ming
Chapter: Summary of Extracts from Various Books in *Chengya Banji*
Category: Materia Medica
[English Translation]
The *Shennong Benjing* (Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, the earliest extant Chinese pharmacopoeia) records three hundred and sixty-five types of substances, exactly corresponding to the three hundred and sixty-five degrees of the celestial sphere. Since the heavenly measures are unimpaired, on what grounds should these substances be discarded or selected? However, one-third of them exist only as empty names today, having been lost since ancient times. Therefore, the actual number of substances obtained from the *Benjing* is two hundred and twenty-two.
People nowadays know of the *Shennong Benjing* but are unaware of the *Shijing* (Classic of Food). Yet, among the three volumes of the *Shijing*, only the entry for "Mingcao" (tea) remains, which is why later generations came to know of the *Shijing*. The *Benjing* had already become disordered during the time of Zhang Hua (a Western Jin scholar), and the *Shijing* has suffered further erosion and loss. Thus, retaining the entry for "Mingcao" serves to preserve a faint thread of tradition; it is unnecessary to engage in further disputes regarding its origin here. Generally, sources such as those by Liu An (King of Huainan) and Sima Qian’s *Records of the Grand Historian* attribute the *Benjing* to the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi). If it originated with the Yellow Emperor, how did the title "Shennong" (Divine Farmer) persist for thousands of years without change? Only Tao Hongjing (a Southern Dynasties medical scholar) believed it was the work of Lieshan Shi (another name for Shennong). The *Book of Han* also states that it is unknown from which dynasty the *Bencao* originated, expressing doubt rather than certainty. It never explicitly claims it was authored by Xuanyuan Shi (the Yellow Emperor). In summary, the sacred pen of creation could not have been wielded by anyone other than the Two Emperors (Huangdi and Shennong); even if attributed to a single individual, it would suffice. Perhaps before the invention of written characters, knowledge was transmitted orally, and only later was it recorded in writing. This is not my personal opinion, but that of the sages of old; given that the *Shijing* has now eroded and vanished, it is fortunate that people have no opportunity to interject their remarks.
Tao Hongjing, courtesy name Tongming, had previously compiled his own *Bielu* (Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians) based on the *Benjing*, with a quantity equal to that of the *Benjing*. Furthermore, outside the *Benjing*, he collected three hundred and sixty-five medicinal substances used by various masters from the Han and Wei dynasties onwards, also naming this collection *Bielu*, and presented it to Emperor Wu of Liang. Tao Hongjing served as a tutor to princes in the late Liu Song period, then retired to the Gouqu Mountain Studio, adopting the pseudonyms Huayang and Yinju. Whenever Emperor Wu of Liang faced major matters, he consulted Tao, earning him the contemporary title "Prime Minister in the Mountains." He died at the age of eighty-five and was posthumously honored as Zhenbai. His book begins by discussing the origins of drug properties and the diagnosis of disease names, followed by categorization into sections such as minerals and stones. It also lists substances that have names but are unused, classified into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Grades. From these three hundred and sixty-five substances, I have selected fifty.
The *Tang Bencao* (Tang Materia Medica, also known as *Xinxiu Bencao*, the world's first state-sponsored pharmacopoeia) dates from the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, hence the prefix "Tang." Initially, Emperor Gaozong found that Tao Hongjing’s annotations of the *Benjing* mixed refined and crude materials indiscriminately. He specially ordered Li Ji (Duke of Yingguo) and others to lead the compilation. Li Ji made minor additions and deletions, so it is also called the *Tang Bencao of the Duke of Yingguo*. During the Xianqing era, Su Gong, Supervisor of the Gate Guards, and others revised and explained the text. They requested the emperor to appoint Zhangsun Wuji (Duke of Zhao) and others to collaborate with Su Gong in verifying information. Consequently, one hundred and twenty-four new substances were added. The substances were categorized, including those with names but no usage, into eleven sections. Including the table of contents and illustrated descriptions, the work totaled fifty-three volumes. The world calls it the *Newly Revised Tang Bencao*. From this work, I have recorded twenty substances for their efficacy.
The *Yaoxing Bencao* (Materia Medica of Drug Properties), also known as *Yaoxing Lun*, was not written by Tao Hongjing but by Zhen Quan of the Tang Dynasty. Zhen Quan was from Fugou and served as a Corrector of Texts in the Secretariat during the Sui Dynasty. By the time of Emperor Taizong of Tang, he was one hundred and twenty years old. When the Emperor visited his residence to inquire about drug properties, Zhen Quan submitted this book. Other works include the *Maijing* (Pulse Classic) and *Mingtang Renxing Tu* (Illustrated Diagram of the Mingtang Human Form). From the *Yaoxing*, I have selected two substances: Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) and Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome).
Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty authored the *Qianjin Beiji Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies) in thirty volumes. He also drew upon texts such as the *Lingshu*, *Suwen*, and writings attributed to Bian Que. His discussions on nourishment and tonification, along with entries related to food in the materia medica, were classified and named *Qianjin Shizhi* (Food Therapy Worth a Thousand Gold). Sun Simiao lived in seclusion on Mount Taibai and declined imperial summons during both the Sui and Tang dynasties, dying over one hundred years old. Thus, his knowledge must have extended beyond mere dietary regimen. Nevertheless, dietary regimen sufficiently represents his achievements. He also authored the *Qianjin Yifang* (Supplement to Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), *Zhenzhong Susu*, *Shesheng Zhenlu*, *Fulu Lun*, *Sanjiao Lun*, and commentaries on Laozi and Zhuangzi, all highly regarded by the world. From his *Shizhi*, I have recorded only one substance: Su (Butter/Ghee). This is done specifically to align with the principles of observing nourishment.
During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, Chen Cangqi, Magistrate of Sanyuan, wrote the *Bencao Shiyi* (Supplementary Materia Medica). Because the *Benjing*, despite previous supplements, still left many neglected items unrecorded, he composed this separate work. Now... [text missing] ...only one person remains. Yet the world still mocks it as eccentric and bizarre. What difference is there between this and calling a camel a horse with a hump? The substance Renbao (Human Placenta) has great efficacy and is urgently included.
Meng Chang, the Last Ruler of Shu, ordered Han Baosheng and other Hanlin Academicians to revise the *Tang Bencao*, making additions and creating an illustrated guide. The work consisted of twenty volumes, with Meng Chang writing a preface, titled the *Shu Bencao* (Shu Materia Medica). Its descriptions of growth and shape were more precise than those of Tao Hongjing and Su Gong. Even the addition of Jinyingzi (Rosa Laevigata Fruit) became a crucial medicine for the world, so it is specifically recorded.
In the sixth year of the Kaibao era under Emperor Taizu of Song, Liu Han, Imperial Physician, and the Daoist Ma Zhi were ordered to collate the *Tang Bencao*, *Shu Bencao*, and *Shiyi*. Ma Zhi provided annotations, which were corrected by Academician Lu Duoxun and others. In the seventh year, they were ordered to revise again. Academician Li Zhu and others reviewed the text, resulting in two rounds of revision. I have selected thirty-one substances from this work.
In the second year of the Jiayou era under Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhang Yuxi, Guanglu Qing and Direct Attendant to the Secret Pavilion, and Lin Yi, Director of the Ministry of Rites and Editor at the Secret Pavilion, were ordered to revise the materia medica. They added and determined ninety-nine substances, totaling one thousand eight hundred entries, known as the *Jiayou Bencao*. The authors aimed for comprehensiveness and breadth to fulfill the imperial decree, but achieved little profound insight into esoteric mysteries. I have selected ten substances from this work.
The *Rihua Zhujia Bencao* was written by an anonymous author from the Kaibao period. It mentions a preface by "Rihua Daming," compiling various materia medica. According to the *Thousand Character Classic* of surnames, the surname Da originates from Donglai, suggesting the author was surnamed Da, given name Ming. Others say he was surnamed Tian. He described the therapeutic functions of drugs in considerable detail across thirty volumes. Now... [text missing].
The *Yong Yao Fa Xiang* (Imagery of Drug Usage) was written by Mr. Li Dongyuan. His personal name was Gao, courtesy name Mingzhi, and he was from Zhending. His ancestor once saw a goddess emerge from the ground, who said, "You have a virtuous grandson who will be famous for his great medical arts." When Mr. Li was born, he indeed possessed extraordinary perceptiveness. He studied under the Elder Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu), mastering his teachings completely. Building upon Jiegu’s *Zhenzhu Nang* (Pearl Pouch), he added principles, guidance, and flexible methods, composing this book. It includes occasional supplements, such as the inclusion of Tongtuomu (Akebia Stem). He lamented that people of his time failed to distinguish pulse and symptoms, confusing treatments, and thus wrote the *Bianhuo Lun* (Treatise on Dispelling Doubts). His manuscripts are numerous, compiled by disciples, containing some inconsistencies. However, his treatise on the Spleen and Stomach, which posits that one organ embodies the structure of five organs and one qi fulfills the functions of five qi, expresses insights ahead of its time, truly a remarkable view through the ages.
The *Bencao Yan Yi Bu Yi* (Supplement to the Expanded Meaning of Materia Medica) was authored by Zhu Zhenheng. Zhu was a man of the late Yuan Dynasty, courtesy name Yanxiu, known in the world as Master Danxi. It is said Zhu studied medicine under Luo Taiwu. This book expands upon Kou Zongshi’s *Bencao Yan Yi*. It covers nearly two hundred substances and offers many innovations. However, it adheres too rigidly to old theories and distributes drugs according to the Five Elements, which may involve forced interpretations. I have selected Hongqu (Red Yeast Rice).
The *Bencao Huibian* (Compilation of Materia Medica) was written by Wang Ji from Qimen. Wang, courtesy name Shengzhi, lived during the Jiajing era. Criticizing Wang Haoxu’s *Bencao* for lacking descriptions of plant shapes, he removed the Upper, Middle, and Lower grades and grouped substances by category. Vegetables and grains were merged into the Grass section, and fruits into the Wood section, combined with prefaces and examples from various schools, totaling twenty volumes. Hence the name *Huibian*. While concise, the mixing makes retrieval difficult. Shepherd’s purse (Ji), though a minor item in the Vegetable section, is placed at the beginning, which is quite shallow. Obscuring the contributions of previous authors results in fragmentation and speculation without substantial insight. Only a few entries are worth recording; I have selected Chongbaila (Beeswax).
At the end of the Jiajing era, Chen Jiamo from Qimen wrote the *Bencao Mengquan* (Introductory Primer of Materia Medica). Its classification follows Wang Haoxu’s *Jiyao*. Each substance includes flavor, origin and harvesting, treatment applications, and methods, formatted in couplets for easy memorization. With occasional personal insights and innovations, it is suitable for children’s reading, hence the name *Mengquan* (Primer). Qiushi (Mineral Salt from Urine) is also a new addition, so it is included.
The *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) was authored by Li Shizhen, who held the title of Wenyin Lang and served as a Temple Priest in the Chu Prince’s mansion during the Ming Dynasty. Li, courtesy name Dongbi, was from Qizhou. His work searched through a hundred generations and gathered information from all directions. It is divided into fifty-two volumes, sixteen main sections, each subdivided, with sixty categories in total. Names serve as the "Gang" (Outline), and details serve as the "Mu" (Net). It adds... [text missing].
For substances in the *Benjing*, only the *Benjing* and *Bielu* can strictly follow the Three Grades without disrupting the order. Substances from the *Bielu* onwards—Grasses, Woods, Fruits, Grains, and Insects—are arranged sequentially because they originally existed as separate compilations.
Although the titles of materia medica throughout history have varied, each has added new content. Thus, the power to add or subtract lies not in the hands of a single individual. Those who control the additions and subtractions... [text missing].
Throughout the dynasties, there were nearly forty materia medica works. Excluding the *Shijing* and *Benjing*, the ones recorded here amount to one hundred and forty-three substances. Combined with agricultural classics, this totals three hundred and sixty-five, matching the celestial degrees and serving human needs adequately.
Mid-Autumn Festival, Dinghai Year, Lu Zhiyi (courtesy name Ziyoubu) records this.