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[Shangpin (Superior Grade) of the Benjing]
Yu and Taiyi both concentrate the essence and qi of water and earth, which is precisely the "Four Elements" principle described in the Shurangama Sutra.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, zhengjia (abdominal masses), blood obstruction, metrorrhagia, expels pathogenic factors, and alleviates stiffness or discomfort in the limbs and joints. Long-term consumption enables resistance to cold and heat, eliminates hunger, lightens the body, allows for flying a thousand li, and leads to immortality.
[Verification] It is stated that Taiyiyuliang (Taiyi's Leftover Grain) and Yuyuliang (Yu's Leftover Grain) belong to the same category, both concentrating the essence and qi of water and earth to fuse and form shapes, differing only in their superiority or inferiority. Those growing in the valleys of Mount Tai are called Taiyiyuliang; here, the water influence is weak while the earth influence is strong, concentrating primarily on the essence of earth. Those growing in the pools and marshes of the East Sea are called Yuyuliang; here, the earth influence is weak while the water influence is strong, concentrating primarily on the essence of water. Nowadays, people know of Yuyuliang but no longer recognize Taiyiyuliang. Mount Tai has not been mined for a long time; it is occasionally found in mountains such as Kuaiji, Wangwu, Zezhou, and Luzhou. The exterior is wrapped in a shell resembling armor; inside the shell is white matter, and within the white matter is yellow matter, resembling egg yolk, layered like leaf-shaped realgar (Xionghuang), crumbling into powder when lightly tapped. It is found in various places, characterized by melting away quickly like snow. If there is no yellow inside, only turbid yellow water, it is called Shi Huangshui (Stone Yellow Water). If it condenses like stone, it is called Shi Zhonghuang (Yellow Inside Stone), neither of which is Taiyiyuliang. Processing method: Use 5 he of Black Bean (Heidou) and 5 he of Polygonatum Rhizome (Huangjing), add 2 dou of water, boil down to 5 sheng, place in a porcelain pot, add 4 liang of Yu Liang, and boil again. Add decoction as needed until exhausted. The medicinal aroma should resemble that of new rice. Pound it, then grind it ten thousand times before stopping. Eucommia Bark (Duzhong) serves as its assistant herb. It is incompatible with Fritillaria Bulb (Beimu), Acorus Rhizome (Changpu), and Iron Filings (Tieluo).
My ancestors said: "Taiyi" refers to Qi from a conceptual standpoint; Qi seems to possess divine transformation, resembling the Six Lingzhi (Mushrooms of Immortality), far removed from its original color and form.
[Commentary] It is stated that Taiyi is equivalent to Taiyi (Great One), the beginning of Qi. It exists independently yet pervades everything, thus capable of stabilizing the central yellow (Spleen/Earth), embodying the stillness of the Gen trigram. When addressing Lung Metal failing to descend and converge, leading to cough with rebellious qi, or conditions like zhengjia and blood obstruction, these result from impaired Qi movement. Profuse dripping bleeding results from Qi's failure to consolidate and hold. Qi is like a bellows, Blood is like waves; if directed east, it flows east; if directed west, it flows west. If Qi ceases to move for even a breath, Blood also stops moving for that breath. Taiyi can cause the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) to emerge through twists and turns, compelling stagnated or leaking conditions to undergo transformation and modulation. This is what is meant by: "To treat blood disorders, first regulate Qi." If the Yuan Zhen (True Essence) is atrophied and depressed, pathogenic factors will approach externally. Taiyi can unblock and promote True Qi, thereby rendering pathogenic factors incompatible. Limb dysfunction is caused by Qi stagnation. Taiyi, yellow and penetrating through the center, facilitates the free flow of Qi to all directions. When Qi is firm and repelling, it resists cold and heat; when Qi is full and solid, it does not suffer from hunger or deficiency; when Qi is clear and ascending, the body becomes light and capable of flight.