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[Shangpin of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi. Long-term consumption leads to a robust and healthy physique, delaying aging, akin to immortals.
[Nuclear Commentary] Says: It grows everywhere. *Erya Yi* records: "Plant hemp during the wheat-yellowing season; when barley matures, hemp begins to grow; when hemp matures, barley begins to grow." Hemp refers to the large-seeded variety of Cannabis sativa (Cannabis Fructus). There are two types: female and male. The female plant bears fruit, while the male does not. If the seeds are about to burst, the male plants must be removed beforehand. If removed before the seeds mature, no seeds will form. Processing is extremely difficult for shell removal. Wrap in silk cloth and soak in boiling water until cool, then remove. Hang in a well overnight, ensuring it does not touch water. Sun-dry at noon the next day, rub off shells on new tiles, winnow to obtain the kernels, ensuring each grain remains intact. My late father said: There are five types of hemp: Huangma (Yellow Hemp), Luomah (Net Hemp), Zhuma (Ramie Hemp), Dama (Great Hemp), and Baima (White Hemp). Huangma leaves have five lobes; Luomah leaves have no lobes; Zhuma leaves are round with white backs. All stems grow straight upward. The fruit of Huangma is Great Hemp; the shell is brown, the kernel is white, and it is rich in oil, distinct from other hemp fruits. It is also said: Its structure is straight like wood, and its kernel is slippery like marrow, making it a medicine for the Liver and Kidney. Thus, it benefits essence, fills marrow, moistens hair, and darkens beard.
[Minister] Says: Great Hemp is yellow in color, also known as Huangma. Hemp has male and female distinctions; the male is called "Ju" (male hemp), and the female is called "Xi" (female hemp); "Xi" refers to the large-seeded Great Hemp. A single leaf has five lobes, specifically called Huangma. Its flavor is sweet and neutral, serving as the substance-based medicine for the Spleen and Stomach; its branches and stems are smooth and unobstructed, serving as the function-based medicine for the Spleen and Stomach; its oily kernel is moistening, serving as a lubricant and dampness-resolving agent for the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, it primarily tonifies the middle and benefits qi, leading to robust health and longevity with long-term use. The *Bielu* and various formulas in the attached chapters explain these indications using these four principles, further... (Note: Planting hemp during the wheat-yellowing season coincides with the dominance of Wood and Fire; planting wheat during the hemp-maturing season coincides with the dominance of Metal and Water. In this transition, the number five of the Central Earth is suppressed.)

[Shangpin of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats injuries caused by Wind-Cold, metal wounds (lacerations), relieves pain, manages Ben Tun (a condition where Qi rushes from the lower abdomen to the chest and throat), epilepsy and spasms, and women's Shan Jia (abdominal masses and pain). Long-term consumption lightens the body and promotes longevity.
[Nuclear Commentary] Says: Those from Shuhan and Xiqiang regions are of superior quality. Sprouts emerge in spring, resembling Qingma (Green Hemp). A single stem grows straight up; it remains still in the wind but sways spontaneously when there is no wind. Flowers bloom in clusters in June, varying in yellow or purple hues. Plants growing in sandy rocks have slightly yellow leaves; those in rich soil have vibrant green leaves. There are two varieties: one is large with a hollow-like depression resembling a ghost's eye, now called Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix); the other resembles a caterpillar-headed whip segment, yellowish-purple in color, with a fragrance like beeswax, now called Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix). Recently, old Suqianhu (Peucedani Radix) and Tudanggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix substitutes), characterized by black skin, white flesh, and a scent like Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), are used to pass off as Duhuo, which must be carefully distinguished. After harvesting, cut into fine pieces, stir-fry with Yin Yang Huo (Epimedii Folium) for two days, sun-dry, remove the Epimedii Folium, to avoid causing mental restlessness.
Mr. Miu Zhongchun stated: Duhuo is born from the righteous Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth, listed in the Sovereign category. Unlike soft and weak sovereign medicines that penetrate everywhere, it is a sovereign medicine that dispels chaos and restores order. Thus, it can open ten thousand acupoints and expel Eight Winds pathogens, and connect the vital passages of the four limbs. Qianghuo and Duhuo originate from the same species, differing only in physical constitution (deficiency/excess, old/tender) and Qi properties (strong/weak, slow/rapid).
My late father commented on this herb: Acting according to its own nature, it uniquely earns its excellent name.
[Minister] Says: Nothing moves things faster than Wind. Thus, all things sway due to Wind, except Duhuo. In the wind, it stands firm and unmoving; without wind, it sways independently. Known as Shuhuo in Shu and Qianghuo in Qiang, named after the location, reflecting local variations. They can be considered brothers, but cannot be strictly divided into male and female. For conditions where the body cannot stand firm and unmoving, struck by Wind-Cold or blades, or where Ben Tun and epilepsy/spasms cause movement due to Wind, reversing the opening and closing of the upper and lower parts. As for women's Shan Jia, this represents an inability to sway. Inability to sway implies closing without opening; inability to stand firm implies opening without closing. Only Duhuo can close and open, and open and close. It should enter the Liver Meridian, corresponding to the Jueyin closing phase, possessing the substance and function of Wind-Wood transformational Qi.
(Note: Combined with Chi Jian (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), their therapeutic effects are clearly manifested. However, Chi Jian possesses a constitution unaffected by external objects, capable of establishing strength, independent operation, and movement...)