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[Shangpin (Superior Grade) of the Benjing]
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily promotes the free flow of water passages, eliminates gu poison, and wards off inauspicious influences. Long-term consumption tonifies Qi, lightens the body, delays aging, and facilitates spiritual clarity.
[Analysis] It is stated: Lancao (Orchid Herb) is a fragrant herb. Also known as Duliang Xiang (Duliang Fragrance), Qianjin Cao (Thousand Gold Herb), it is also called Hai'er Ju (Child Chrysanthemum) and Xingtou Cao (Head-Awakening Herb). The *Book of Rites* records wearing Lancao. The *Chu Ci* states "intertwining autumn orchids to wear as ornaments." The *Xijing Zaji* (Miscellaneous Records from the Western Capital) records that in Han dynasty ponds and gardens, orchids were planted to summon spirits, or placed among powder or book covers to prevent insects; these are all this type of Lancao. It grows by the banks of Taiwu Pond and in damp areas beside streams and ravines. The *Jingzhou Ji* says: In Duliang Mountain, there is water flowing beneath; in its clear and shallow currents, Lancao grows. The *Shi Shu* (Commentary on the Book of Songs) states: The custom in Zheng land is that in the third month, men and women hold herbs by the water's edge to purify themselves and ward off evil; this refers to that case. In the second month, perennial roots sprout again; stems are purple with white branches, nodes are red with green leaves, leaves grow opposite at the nodes, glossy and forked; when tender, it can be eaten or worn. By the eighth and ninth months, it gradually ages; tips form spikes, producing red and white flowers resembling Jisu (Perilla); after a long time, petals turn white, filaments split into ball-like shapes containing one seed each; filaments adhere to seeds, which are black and bitter in taste, with a strong aromatic odor; this is the Thousand Gold Flower. A variety called Shanlan (Mountain Orchid) is simply Lancao growing in mountains; stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits are identical, but due to differences between mountain and marsh habitats, their functions differ. It is of the same category but different species from Zelan (Eupatorium Herb); thus Lancao is called Da Zelan (Greater Marsh Orchid), and Zelan is called Xiao Zelan (Lesser Marsh Orchid). Both grow near water. However, Zelan has square stems and short nodes, with rough hairs on leaves, and its flavor and nature are sparse and bland; its functions are completely different. Modern references to "Lan" do not refer to the ancient "Lancao". True Lan grows in valleys, with leaves slightly longer than Maidong (Ophiopogon Root), evergreen throughout four seasons, resistant to frost and snow, blooming in spring; flowers emerge from the base, usually one per stem, sometimes multiple; this is Xiaolan (Small Orchid). If grown in Min and Guang regions, leaves resemble Jiangmao (Imperata Grass) but are shorter, evergreen, yet sensitive to frost, snow, and spring winds; blooms in summer, flowers from the base, multiple or single per stem; this is Qiulan (Autumn Orchid). Zhu Xi in his *Lisao Bianzheng* (Discrimination of the Li Sao) states: Ancient fragrant herbs had fragrant flowers and leaves regardless of dryness or moisture; modern orchid types have fragrant calyces but rot and lose fragrance when dried, and leaves are not fragrant; it is unknown when Youlan (Hidden Orchid) was mistaken for Lancao. Fang Xugu in his *Dinglan Shuo* (Corrective Discourse on Orchids) corrects this: What ancients called Lan is today's Hai'er Ju and Qianjin Cao. What modern people call Lan has leaves like grass, roots named Tuxuduan (Earth Breakbone), and fragrant calyces, hence the name Lan. Yang Shengan states: The world treats Lan from Puxuan as true Lan; the Nine Wan Orchids have been slandered for a long time. Wu Caolu in his *Lan Shuo* (Discourse on Orchids) states: Lancao has branches and stems, representing the planting of herbs. Youlan has no branches or stems, representing the fragrance of herbs. Because Gu Shan praised it and placed it by his writing desk, the world erroneously identifies it as the Lan mentioned in the Li Sao.
[Elaboration] It is stated: The odor is fragrant, the flavor is acrid, and its qi transformation belongs to the middle medicine category. Therefore, it tonifies Qi and promotes the water passages. The Classics state: The Bladder is the official of the provincial capital, storing fluids; only through qi transformation can they be excreted.
Thus, "Lan" connects to "Lan," meaning widespread diffusion and dispersion. Again, "Lan" connects to "Lan," meaning barrier or warding off inauspiciousness. Its primary function is eliminating gu poison, facilitating spiritual clarity, and enabling a light body and delayed aging. The flower is the Thousand Gold Flower, the seedling is the Thousand Gold Herb; brewing wine with the flower yields an aroma similar to Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) and a bitterness surpassing Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome). Used to treat stagnant dysentery, it achieves rapid results, precisely demonstrating its power to act as a barrier against inauspiciousness, promote water passages, and disseminate Qi to all directions.