即芝麻，一名巨胜子，种出大宛，故曰胡麻
补肝肾，润五脏，清肠
甘平。补肺气、益肝肾，润五脏，填精髓，坚筋骨，明耳目，耐饥渴（可以辟谷，但滑
肠，与白术并用为胜），乌髭发，利大小肠，逐风湿气（刘河间曰∶麻木谷而治风。又云∶
治风先治血，血活则风散，胡麻入肝益血，故风药中不可阙也。郑奠一用鳖虱胡麻，佐苦参、
蒺藜，治大疯疥癞，屡有愈者），凉血解毒。生嚼敷小儿头疮。
麻油滑胎疗疮，熬膏多用之（凉血解毒，止痛生肌）。
皮肉俱黑者良（入肾） 栗色者名鳖虱胡麻更佳，九蒸九晒，可以服食（陶宏景曰∶八
谷之中，惟此为良。昂按∶若云自大宛来，则非八谷之麻，明矣。又按∶月令仲秋之月，天
子以犬尝麻，则其为八谷之麻又可见矣。种出大宛之说，何以称焉，岂白者产中原、黑者产
大宛乎？）
大麻，即作布之麻，俗作火麻
润燥滑肠
甘平滑利。脾、胃、大肠之药，缓脾润燥。治阳明病、胃热汗多而便难（三者皆燥也，
汗出愈多，则津枯而大便愈燥。张仲景治脾约有麻仁丸。成无己曰∶脾欲缓，急食甘以缓之
，麻仁之甘，以缓脾润燥。张子和曰∶诸燥皆三阳病），破积血，利小便，通乳催生。又木
谷也，亦能治风。极难去壳，帛裹置沸汤，待冷，悬井中一夜，晒干，就新瓦上 去壳，捣
用。畏茯芩、白薇、牡蛎。
Xuan (Dispersing), descends Qi.
Sweet and neutral in nature. Warms the middle Jiao and stops hiccups (taken with its original properties retained), superior to Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx).
This is Sesame, also known as Ju Sheng Zi (Great Victory Seed), originating from Dayuan, hence called Hu Ma (Barbarian Hemp).
Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, moistens the Five Zang Organs, clears the intestines.
Sweet and neutral. Tonifies Lung Qi, benefits the Liver and Kidneys, moistens the Five Zang Organs, fills essence and marrow, strengthens sinews and bones, brightens eyes and ears, resists hunger and thirst (can be used for Bigu [grain avoidance], but causes loose stools; combining it with Bai Zhu [Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome] yields better results), darkens beard and hair, promotes urination and defecation, expels wind-dampness (Liu Hejian stated: Use Hu Ma to treat wind diseases. Also said: To treat wind, first treat the blood; when blood flows freely, wind disperses. Hu Ma enters the Liver channel to nourish blood, so it is indispensable in formulas treating wind. Zheng Dianyi used Bie Shi Hu Ma [Tortoise Lice Sesame], assisted by Ku Shen [Sophora Root] and Ji Li [Tribulus Fruit], to treat severe leprosy and scabies, achieving frequent cures), cools blood and resolves toxicity. Chewed raw and applied externally, it treats infantile head sores.
Ma You (Sesame Oil) induces labor and treats sores; often used in boiled ointments (cools blood, resolves toxicity, stops pain, generates flesh).
Those with black skin and flesh are of good quality (entering the Kidney channel). Those named Bie Shi Hu Ma with a chestnut color are even better; after nine steaming and nine sun-drying cycles, they can be consumed (Tao Hongjing stated: Among the Eight Grains, only this one is excellent. Wang Ang's note: If it is said to come from Dayuan, then it is clearly not the hemp among the Eight Grains. Another note: The "Monthly Ordinances" record that in the second month of autumn, the Son of Heaven tasted hemp with dog meat, thus showing it is indeed the hemp among the Eight Grains. How can the claim of originating from Dayuan stand? Could it be that white hemp grows in the Central Plains while black hemp grows in Dayuan?)
Da Ma (Greater Hemp), which is hemp used for making cloth, commonly known as Huo Ma (Fire Hemp).
Moistens dryness and lubricates the intestines.
Sweet, neutral, smooth, and purgative. It is a herb for the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels; it soothes the Spleen and moistens dryness. Treats Yangming disease, where stomach heat and excessive sweating lead to difficult defecation (all three conditions involve dryness; the more one sweats, the more fluids are depleted and the drier the stool becomes. Zhang Zhongjing treated Pi Yue [Spleen Constraint] syndrome with Ma Ren Wan [Hemp Seed Pill]. Cheng Wuji stated: The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently use sweet substances to relax it. The sweetness of Ma Ren [Hemp Seed] relaxes the Spleen and moistens dryness. Zhang Zihe stated: All dryness diseases belong to the Three Yang channels**), breaks up accumulated blood, promotes urination, unblocks lactation, and facilitates childbirth. It also belongs to the Wood Grain category and can treat wind diseases. It is extremely difficult to remove the husk; wrap it in cloth, place it in boiling water, wait until cool, hang it in a well overnight, dry it, remove the husk on a new tile, and crush it for use. It is incompatible with Fu Ling [Poria], Bai Wei [Cynanchum Atratum Root], and Mu Li [Oyster Shell].