（本经上品）
【气味】甘平，无毒。
【主治】主补中，养神，益气力，除百疾。久服，轻身耐老，不饥延年。
【核】曰∶出荆、杨、豫、益诸处，生湖泽陂池间。独建宁老莲，肥大倍尝，色香味最
胜。凡莲实作种者迟生，藕芽作种者易发。根横行，初生曰 ，成节曰 ，藕其总名。节分
二茎，一上竖作叶；一横行即子藕。不藕不生，节节皆然。本曰 ，茎曰蕖，叶曰茄，荷亦
总名。华曰菡萏，壳曰房，实曰 ， 心曰薏，莲亦总名也。清明生叶，夏至芰荷出水，即
旁茎作华，节分三茎矣。叶则昼舒覆华以避日，夜卷露华以承露，华则朝开夕合，合时曰菡，
开
，仁成两瓣。薏色青碧，即具卷荷二枝，倒折向上，中含华茁，从上生下， 衣经秋正黑，
入水必沉，卤盐煎之能浮，生山海间者，可百年不坏。人得食之，令发黑不老。红华者，莲
优藕劣；白华者，莲劣藕优，故采实宜红，采藕宜白，各取得气之盛者也。别有千叶、层台、
并头、品字者；有叶昼卷夜舒者，有华至夜入水，名睡莲者；有金色、蜜色、青
色、碧色五色者；有朱边白、蜜边白、白边红者；有五彩如绒绣者，此皆异种。华于华，不
足于莲与藕也。采得其实，先宜蒸熟，或暴焙干。修治，每斤用 猪肚一枚，洗极净，盛贮
其实，蒸熟取出，不可去心，焙燥入药。得茯苓、枸杞、山药、白术良。今市肆一种石莲子，
如土石，味极苦涩，不知为何物，食之令人肠结。
【 】曰∶其根藕，其实莲。莲者，奇也。藕者，耦也。奇耦者，即坎离之中画。莲实
者，即坎中之满，能填离中之虚，故称补中。中即中黄，假实中之薏，以为种子。其中所 ，
为资始资生之本，微而能着，固而愈强。故养益神气，百疾自除。菊耐霜，莲耐日，寒暑所
不能损者，岂患老之将至耶？然妙在薏，设修治去之，失却圣胎种子矣。
客曰∶经秋正黑，入水必沉，卤盐煎之能浮，生山海间者，百年不坏，食之能令发黑不
老者，何也？颐曰∶莲实一名水芝，盖钟天一之灵，以透发地二之德，见秋金之母，自然本
色毕露，入水而炎上一脉已断，全归水性，密藏不出，无复浮理，唯以卤盐之本族柔之，煎
熬之火力迫之，自然生气流动，不容终沉。若归宗于海者，必能久居其所，以北方之水液，
滋血之余，后天之坎精，润形之槁，宜其黑发不老也。客曰∶安靖上下君相火邪者，何也？
颐曰∶莲从藕根抽茎开华，以及结实，皆自下而上。实中之薏，包 根茎华叶，形复倒垂
，自上而下，有归根潜伏之义。薏居中，为黄婆，能调伏心肾。又苦味能降，此为莲之心苗，
含水之灵液，结于炎夏。又秉火之正令，其安靖上下君相火邪，气味应尔。客曰∶本经主治
惟实，别录以藕节，止吐血、衄血、消瘀血、血闷者，何也？颐曰∶心主血脉，吐衄即血无
所主。脉无经纬，亦道路填塞，疆界失制，藕质脉络井然，窍穴玲彻，节则又为疆界之总制，
象形从治，则血有所主，错综经隧，仍无碍矣。
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade]
[Taste and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), nourishes the Spirit (Shen), benefits Qi and strength, and eliminates various diseases. Long-term consumption lightens the body, delays aging, reduces hunger, and prolongs life.
[Nucleus/Commentary] It is said: Produced in Jing, Yang, Yu, and Yi regions, growing among lakes, marshes, and ponds. Only old lotus from Jianning is exceptionally large, with superior color, aroma, and taste. Seeds used for propagation grow slowly, while rhizome buds propagate easily. The root grows horizontally; initially called "Feng", when segmented it is called "Jie"; "Ou" (Lotus Rhizome) is the general term. Each segment divides into two stems: one grows vertically to produce leaves; the other grows horizontally to become a sub-rhizome. Without forming rhizomes, growth does not occur; this applies to every segment. The base is called "Ben", the stem "Qu", the leaf "Qie"; "He" (Lotus) is also a general term. The flower is called "Handan", the shell "Fang", the fruit "Lian"; the heart of the lotus seed is called "Yi"; "Lian" is also a general term. Leaves emerge at Qingming (Awakening of Insects); at Xiazhi (Summer Solstice), water caltrop and lotus emerge from water, flowers appear on lateral stems, and each segment now has three stems. Leaves spread by day to cover flowers against the sun, and curl by night to catch dew. Flowers open in the morning and close in the evening; closed state is "Han", open state is "He". The kernel forms two halves. The heart is greenish-blue, possessing two curled leaf-like structures that fold upward, containing the flower bud inside, growing downwards from above. The seed coat turns jet black after autumn, sinks in water, but floats when boiled with brine/salt. Those growing in mountains and seas can remain unrotted for a century. Consumption darkens hair and prevents aging. Red-flowered varieties yield superior seeds but inferior rhizomes; white-flowered varieties yield inferior seeds but superior rhizomes. Thus, for seeds, red is preferred; for rhizomes, white is preferred, each capturing its vigorous Qi. There are also rare varieties: thousand-petaled, tiered, twin-headed, character-shaped; some have leaves that curl by day and spread by night; some flowers submerge at night, called Water Lily; colors include gold, honey, cyan, blue-green, and five colors; edges may be red-white, honey-white, or white-red; some resemble embroidered velvet. These are all exotic species. While beautiful in flower, they lack quality in seed and rhizome. After harvesting, fruits should first be steamed or sun-dried/roasted. Processing method: For every jin (500g) of seeds, use one pig stomach, washed extremely clean, filled with seeds, steamed until cooked, then removed. Do not remove the heart. Dry by roasting before medicinal use. It pairs well with Poria (Fuling), Goji Berry (Gouqi), Yam (Shanyao), and Atractylodes Macrocephala (Baizhu). Currently, a type of "Stone Lotus Seed" exists in markets, resembling stone/earth, extremely bitter and astringent, unknown origin, causing intestinal constriction upon ingestion.
[Lu Zhiyi] says: Its root is Ou (Rhizome), its fruit is Lian (Lotus Seed). "Lian" implies oddity/uniqueness. "Ou" implies coupling/pairing. Odd and Even correspond to the middle lines of Kan (Water) and Li (Fire) trigrams. The lotus seed represents the fullness (Yang line) within Kan, filling the emptiness (Yin line) within Li, hence termed "Tonifying the Middle". The Middle refers to Central Yellow Earth. Borrowing the seed within the fruit (the heart/Yi) as the seed of generation. The vitality contained therein is the root of initiating and generating life, subtle yet manifest, solid yet strengthening. Thus, it nourishes and benefits Shen and Qi, eliminating hundred diseases. Chrysanthemum withstands frost; Lotus withstands sun. Unharmed by cold and heat, why fear aging? However, the wonder lies in the heart (Yi). If removed during processing, the Sacred Embryo/Seed is lost.
Guest asks: Why does it turn jet black after autumn, sink in water, float when boiled with salt, remain unrotted for centuries in mountains/seas, and darken hair/prevent aging upon consumption? Lu Zhiyi replies: Lotus seed is also named Shui Zhi (Water Ginseng/Gift). It gathers the spiritual essence of Tian Yi (One Heaven) to reveal the virtue of Di Er (Two Earth). Seeing the mother of Autumn Metal, its natural true color is fully exposed. Upon entering water, the upward-flaming channel is severed, fully returning to Water nature, hiding densely without emerging, losing floating properties. Only through the softening action of Brine/Salt (its own kin) and the forcing heat of boiling does natural vital Qi flow, preventing final sinking. Returning to the sea allows long residence. Using Northern Water fluid to nourish blood surplus, Post-Heaven Kan Essence, and moisten dry form, it suits darkening hair and preventing aging. Guest asks: Why does it pacify the Ministerial and Sovereign Fire pathogens above and below? Lu Zhiyi replies: Lotus draws stem from rhizome root, blooms, and fruits, all rising from bottom to top. The heart within the fruit wraps roots, stems, flowers, and leaves, hanging upside down, descending from top to bottom, embodying the meaning of returning to the root and lying dormant. The heart resides in the center, acting as Huang Po (Yellow Mediator), regulating Heart and Kidney. Its bitter taste descends. This is the heart sprout of the lotus, containing water's spiritual fluid, formed in summer heat. It also inherits the proper command of Fire. Thus, its ability to pacify upper and lower fire pathogens corresponds to its taste and nature. Guest asks: Bencao Jing indications focus only on the fruit; Bie Lu uses Lotus Node (Ou Jie) to stop hematemesis, epistaxis, resolve blood stasis, and relieve blood obstruction. Why? Lu Zhiyi replies: The Heart governs Blood Vessels. Hematemesis and epistaxis mean blood lacks governance. Vessels lack longitude/latitude, roads are blocked, boundaries lose control. The rhizome's texture has orderly meridians, holes are clear and transparent. Nodes act as total controllers of boundaries. Treating by image and correspondence, blood finds governance. Complex meridians remain unaffected.