气味甘，微寒，无毒。主补五脏，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，除邪气，明目，开心，
益智，久服轻身延年。
（人参，一名神草，一名地精。春秋运斗枢云，瑶光星散，而为人参。生上党山谷、辽
东幽
冀诸州，地土最浓处，故有地精之名。相传未掘取时，其茎叶夜中隐隐有光。其年发深久者
，根结成人形，头面四肢毕具，谓之孩儿参，故又有神草之名。）
人参气味甘美，甘中稍苦，故曰微寒。凡属上品，俱系无毒。独人参禀天宿之光华，钟
地土
之广浓，久久而成人形，三才俱备，故主补人之五脏。脏者藏也。肾藏精，心藏神，肝藏魂
，肺藏魄，脾藏智。安精神，定魂魄，则补心肾肺肝之真气矣。夫真气充足，则内外调和，
故止惊悸之内动，除邪气之外侵。明目者，五脏之精上注于目也。开心者，五脏之神皆主于
心也。又曰益智者，所以补脾也，上品之药，皆可久服，兼治病者，补正气也，故人参久服
，则轻身延年。
气味甘平，无毒。主五脏六腑寒热邪气，坚筋骨，长肌肉，倍气力，金疮 ，解毒，
久服轻身延年。
（甘草始出河西川谷、积沙山，及上郡，今陕西河东州郡皆有之。一名国老，又名灵通。
根长三四尺、粗细不定、
皮色紫赤，上有横梁，梁下皆细根也，以坚实断理者为佳。调和脏腑，通贯四旁，故有国老、
灵通之名。）
甘草味甘，气得其平，故曰甘平。《本经》凡言平者，皆谓气得其平也。主治五脏六腑
之寒
腑为阳。寒病为阴，热病为阳。甘草味甘，调和脏腑，通贯阴阳，故治理脏腑阴阳之正气，
以除寒热阴阳之邪气也。坚
筋骨，长肌肉，倍气力者，坚肝主之筋，肾主之骨，长脾主之肉，倍肺主之气，心主之力。
五脏充足，则六腑自和矣。
金疮乃刀斧所伤，因金伤而成疮。金疮 ，乃因金疮而高 也。解毒者，解高 无名之毒，
土性柔和，
如以毒物埋土中，久则无毒矣。脏腑阴阳之气皆归土中，久服则土气有余，故轻身延年。
[Ren Shen (Ginseng Root)]
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic. It primarily tonifies the five Zang organs, calms the spirit (Shen), stabilizes the soul (Hun), stops palpitations and fright, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the heart orifices, and enhances intelligence. Long-term use leads to a light body and longevity.
(Ren Shen is also known as Shen Cao (Divine Grass) and Di Jing (Earth Essence). The *Chunqiu Yun Dou Shu* states: "The Qi of the Yao Guang star dissipates and transforms into Ren Shen." It grows in the valleys of Shangdang, Liaodong, Youzhou, and Jizhou, places where the earth's Qi is most dense, hence the name "Di Jing". It is said that before being dug up, its stems and leaves emit a faint glow at night. Those with long growth periods develop roots shaped like humans, complete with head, face, and limbs, called "Hai Er Shen" (Child Ginseng), thus earning the name "Shen Cao".)
Ren Shen has a sweet and pleasant flavor, slightly bitter within the sweetness, hence described as slightly cold. All top-grade herbs are non-toxic. Only Ren Shen inherits the brilliance of celestial stars and gathers the vastness and density of earthly soil, eventually forming a human shape, possessing the attributes of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity (San Cai). Therefore, it can tonify the five Zang organs of humans. The function of Zang organs is storage. Kidney stores Jing (Essence), Heart stores Shen (Spirit), Liver stores Hun (Soul), Lung stores Po (Corporeal Soul), Spleen stores Zhi (Intellect). Calming the Shen and stabilizing the Hun constitutes tonifying the True Qi (Zhen Qi) of the Heart, Kidney, Lung, and Liver. When True Qi is sufficient, internal and external aspects harmonize, thus stopping internal palpitations and eliminating external pathogenic invasion. Brightening the eyes occurs because the essence of the five Zang organs flows upward to the eyes. Opening the heart orifices happens because the spirits of the five Zang organs are governed by the Heart. Enhancing intelligence serves to tonify the Spleen. Top-grade medicines can be taken for a long time; those that treat diseases do so by tonifying Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi). Thus, long-term use of Ren Shen results in a light body and longevity.
[Gan Cao (Licorice Root)]
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. It primarily treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the five Zang and six Fu organs, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, increases strength and energy, treats metal wounds (Jin Chuang), and detoxifies. Long-term use leads to a light body and longevity.
(Gan Cao originally grew in the river valleys of Hexi, Jisha Mountain, and Shangjun. Today, it is produced in Shaanxi, Hedong, and other prefectures. It is also known as Guo Lao (State Elder) and Ling Tong (Spiritual Connector). The root is three to four chi long, varying in thickness, with purple-red skin. It has beam-like nodes on top, with fine roots below. Those that are solid and have clear texture are considered superior. It harmonizes the Zang and Fu organs and connects the four extremities, hence the names "Guo Lao" and "Ling Tong".)
Gan Cao tastes sweet and its nature is neutral, hence described as sweet and neutral. In the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, "neutral" always refers to a balanced nature. It primarily treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the five Zang and six Fu organs. Fu organs belong to Yang, cold diseases belong to Yin, and heat diseases belong to Yang. Gan Cao is sweet, harmonizes the Zang and Fu organs, and connects Yin and Yang. Therefore, it regulates the righteous Qi of Yin and Yang in the Zang and Fu organs to eliminate cold, heat, Yin, and Yang pathogenic factors. Strengthening sinews and bones, promoting muscle growth, and increasing strength and energy correspond to: Sinews are governed by the Liver, Bones by the Kidney, Flesh by the Spleen, Qi by the Lung, and Strength by the Heart. When the five Zang organs are sufficient, the six Fu organs naturally harmonize.
Metal wounds (Jin Chuang) are injuries caused by knives, axes, or other metal tools. "Gao" (referring to toxic swelling or abscess) arises from such wounds. Detoxification here refers to resolving this nameless toxic swelling. Earthly nature is gentle; just as burying poison in the earth renders it harmless over time, Gan Cao acts similarly. The Qi of Yin and Yang in the Zang and Fu organs returns to the Earth element. Long-term use ensures an abundance of Earth Qi, leading to a light body and longevity.