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[Da Ma Ren (Hemp Seed) / Ju Sheng Zi (Sesamum Indicum)]

The flavor is sweet and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao and benefits Qi. Long-term consumption leads to a plump and robust physique, conferring the state of being ageless like an immortal.
(Hemp refers to Fire Hemp, commonly known as Yellow Hemp. It originally grew in the valleys of Mount Tai, but is now cultivated everywhere, providing considerable benefit. The leaves are narrow and the stems long; in May and June, it blooms with small yellow flowers forming spikes, subsequently bearing seeds from which oil can be extracted. *Qimin Yaoshu* states: Hemp has male and female plants. The male plants should be pulled out when flowering. If removed before flowering, no seeds will form.)
Hemp flowers and bears fruit at the transition between May and June, a time when the Yangming and Taiyin meridians govern the Qi. The *Classic* states: Yangming corresponds to Wu (noon). The fifth month contains Yin within abundant Yang. Furthermore, Late Summer belongs to the Taiyin governing Qi. Taiyin and Yangming, like male and female combining, Hemp Seed inherits the Qi of both Taiyin and Yangming, hence its flavor is sweet and nature neutral. "Primarily tonifying the Middle" refers to tonifying the Central Earth (Spleen and Stomach). "Benefiting Qi" refers to benefiting the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. When the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach harmonizes, the two Earth elements mutually support and benefit each other. The Dry Earth of Yangming receives moistening from the Damp Earth of Taiyin for mutual support, while the Damp Earth of Taiyin receives warming from the Dry Qi of Yangming for mutual benefit. Thus, long-term consumption leads to a plump and robust physique, preventing aging.

The flavor is sweet and the nature is neutral, non-toxic. It treats deficiency and emaciation caused by injury to the Middle Jiao, tonifies the Five Zang Organs, enhances strength, promotes muscle growth, and fills the marrow and brain. Long-term consumption makes the body light and prevents aging.
(Ju Sheng is another name for Hu Ma [Sesame], also known as Dog Louse. It originally came from Hu lands, hence the name Hu Ma. "Ju" means large. It originally grew in Dayuan of Hu lands, hence also named Ju Sheng. Among the Eight Grains, it is considered the finest. Kou Zongshi said: Hu Ma is precisely what is now called Da Zhi Ma [Black Sesame]. Only those produced in Hu lands are plump and large, thus named Hu Ma, also Ju Sheng. Currently, there is a type in the market shaped like cumin, with husk but no kernel, tasting extremely bitter, falsely passed off as Ju Sheng. Since Ju Sheng is Hu Ma, belonging to the grain category, when Liu Chen and Ruan Zhao entered Tiantai Mountain, fairies fed them Hu Ma rice. If it had husks without kernels and tasted bitter, how could it be made into rice? One must know that the so-called Ju Sheng in the market is actually wild Dog Lice, hence the name Wall Louse Hu Ma. Wall Lice and Dog Lice are unsuitable for medicinal use. If Hu Ma is unavailable, one should select red-colored and plump varieties from Zhi Ma [Sesame] for use, to avoid error.)
Hemp is the head of the Five Grains, inheriting the Spring-born Qi of Jueyin Liver Wood. The Five Movements begin with Wood and generate each other in sequence. Treating deficiency and emaciation caused by injury to the Middle Jiao is because its sweet and neutral flavor tonifies the Central Earth. Tonifying the Five Zang Organs and enhancing strength serves to treat injury to the Middle Jiao. Promoting muscle growth and filling the marrow and brain serves to treat emaciation. Tonifying the Five Zang Organs and Qi involves intangible nourishment, while promoting muscle growth and filling marrow/brain involves tangible nourishment. With internal and external abundance achieved, long-term consumption makes the body light and prevents aging.