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[Shangpin Category of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Odor and Flavor] Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats internal injury (shangzhong), dispels bi-syndrome (bi-zheng) and directs rebellious qi downward, tonifies the five zang organs, treats consumptive disease with emaciation (xulao leishou), strengthens yin essence, and benefits jing essence. Long-term consumption thickens the intestines and stomach.
[Verification] It is said: Produced in the valleys of Lu'an, as well as Jingxiang, Hanzhong, Jiangzuo, Luzhou, Taizhou, Wenzhou, etc. Recently, those from Wenzhou and Taizhou are considered precious. Some say its shape resembles a gold hairpin, but its odor is turbid, unlike those from Sichuan, which have an elegant and clean shape and a clear, sparse odor. If one only seeks aesthetic beauty while abandoning purity for turbidity, that would be a mistake. Dendrobium grows in clusters on rocks by the water, with tangled and abundant roots; when dry, they are white and soft. The stems and leaves are green and crisp when growing, turning yellow and tough when dry. In May, shoots emerge resembling bamboo nodes, interspersed with small fragmented leaves. In July, pale red flowers bloom; in October, fruits form. Roots sprout naturally from the nodes; if broken and hung under eaves, watering them occasionally allows them to survive for years. Commonly known as "Thousand-Year Moisture" (Qiannian Run), this is the variety produced in Shu, which is best for medicinal use. There is also a type called Maihu (Wheat Dendrobium), shaped like wheat grains, connected in clusters, with a single leaf at the head, possessing a cold nature. There is Qubi Hu (Sparrow Thigh Dendrobium), with stems as thick as a sparrow's thigh, leaves at the stem tip. There is Cao Hu (Grass Dendrobium), resembling small grass, 3-4 cun long, soft and tough, solid like meat when broken. There is Mu Hu (Wood Dendrobium), hollow inside like wood, over a chi long, deep yellow in color and glossy. Processing: Remove the root head, soak in wine overnight, sun-dry, mix with su (animal fat/butter) and steam from Si hour to You hour, then slowly bake dry. It is used only in decoctions and pastes, not in pills and powders, because its texture is fibrous and tough, making it unsuitable for grinding into powder. Luying (Euphorbia humifusa) serves as its assistant herb (shi). It is incompatible with Ningshuishi (Calcitum) and Badou (Crotonis Fructus), and fears Leiwan (Omphalia lapidescens) and Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus).
My late father discussed extensively: Stone remains still and unmoving; Dendrobium receives and fills to capacity. Yellow color, sweet taste, and neutral nature embody the virtue and transformation of Earth. It has the meaning of blocking without leaking, receiving without giving, completing without generating, and fulfilling tasks. Hence the names Dulán (Du Lan), Jinsheng (Jin Sheng), and Shi [Hu]. Generally, internal injury to the five zang organs manifests externally as physical bi-syndrome and internally as latent stagnant qi. Thus, external muscles are consumed, and internal yin essence is deficient. This herb removes both internal and external causes, thereby bringing internal and external benefits, so the five zang organs are not injured; this is what is meant by tonification. Over time, the central zang organs become abundant, and the exterior fu organs naturally thicken.
[A Master] said: It does not rely on soil or water, but grows along stones. One name is Jinsheng (Forbidden Growth), meaning it grows even when forbidden. Another name is Dulán, named after its shape, also residing in a blocked environment, yet appearing like orchids in a gentle breeze. Consider that mountains having stones is like humans having bones; their knotted appearance is similar to fascia gathering and connecting bone joints. "Hu" is a unit of measurement, symbolizing its ability to enter and exit. Therefore, the efficacy of Dendrobium is akin to the Stomach organ, transforming and transporting refined essences, scattering essence to the Kidney to nourish bones, scattering essence to the Liver to nourish fascia, and similarly from the Spleen nourishing muscles, from the Heart nourishing blood vessels, and from the Lung nourishing skin and hair. All these are sources of grain and water essence, sequentially distributed among the Shen Zang (Spirit Stores/Five Zang) and sequentially overflowing into the Xing Zang (Form Stores/Six Fu). If bi-stagnation occurs, it leads to internal injury, causing the Stomach to lose its function, unable to descend essence and qi, resulting in deficiency-consumption of the Shen Zang and emaciation of the Xing Zang. Long-term consumption fills the measure, thus thickening the intestines and stomach. When full and overflowing, deficiency-consumption is tonified, and emaciation is filled. Without strengthening and benefiting the grain essence, how could one drive out bi-stagnation to repair internal injury? The meanings of Jinsheng and Dulán are profound and worthy of contemplation.