气味甘，微温，无毒。主五劳七伤，补中，除茎中寒热痛，养五脏，强阴，益精气
，多子，妇人症瘕。久服轻身。
（肉苁蓉《吴氏本草》名松容，又名黑司命。始出河西山谷及代州雁门，今以陇西者为
胜，
北国者次之，乃野马之精入于土中而生。陇西者形扁色黄，柔润多花，其味甘。北国者形短
少花，生时似肉，三四月掘根，长尺余，绳穿阴干，八月始好皮，有松子鳞甲，故名松容。
马属午畜，以少阴为正化，子水为对化，故名黑司命。朱丹溪曰∶肉苁蓉罕得，多以金莲根
用盐制而伪充，或以草苁蓉代之，用者宜审。苏恭曰∶草苁蓉功用稍劣。）
马为火畜，精属水阴，苁蓉感马精而生，其形似肉，气味甘温，盖禀少阴水火之气，而
归于
太阴坤土之药也。土性柔和，故有苁蓉之名。五劳者，志劳、思劳、烦劳、忧劳、恚劳也。
七伤者，喜、怒、忧、悲、思、恐、惊，七情所伤也。水火阴阳之气，会归中土，则五劳七
伤可治矣。得太阴坤土之精，故补中。得少阴水火之气，故除茎中寒热痛。阴阳水火之气，
归于太阴坤土之中，故养五脏。强阴者，火气盛也。益精者，水气盛也。多子者，水火阴阳
皆盛也。妇人症瘕，乃血精留聚于郛郭之中，土气盛，则症瘕自消。而久服轻身。
[Flavor and Efficacy] Sweet in flavor, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats the Five Exertions (Wu Lao) and Seven Injuries (Qi Shang), tonifies the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach), eliminates cold-heat pain in the genitalia/urethra, nourishes the Five Zang Organs, strengthens Yin, benefits Essence (Jing), promotes fertility, and treats abdominal masses (Zheng Jia) in women. Long-term consumption makes the body light and agile.
(Rou Cong Rong [Cistanche Herba], known as "Song Rong" or "Hei Si Ming" in *Wu Shi Ben Cao*, originally grew in the valleys of Hexi and Yanmen of Daizhou. Currently, those from Longxi are considered superior, followed by those from the Northern regions. It is said to be formed when the essence of wild horses penetrates the soil. Those from Longxi are flat, yellowish, soft, moist, abundant in flowers, and sweet-tasting. Those from the North are shorter, have fewer flowers, resemble flesh when fresh, are dug up in March-April, grow over a chi long, strung on ropes for shade-drying, and develop a better skin texture by August with scales resembling pine nuts, hence the name "Song Rong". Horses belong to the Fire element (Wu), with Shaoyin as the primary transformation and Zi Water as the counter-transformation, hence the name "Hei Si Ming" (Black Life Master). Zhu Danxi stated: Rou Cong Rong is rare; it is often adulterated with salt-processed Jin Lian Gen (Golden Lotus Root) or substituted with Cao Rou Cong Rong [Herbal Cistanche]. Users should exercise caution. Su Gong noted that Cao Rou Cong Rong has slightly inferior efficacy.)
Horses are Fire animals, and their essence belongs to Yin-Water. Rou Cong Rong grows by sensing the essence of horses, resembling flesh in form, with a sweet and warm flavor. It likely inherits the Qi of Shaoyin Water-Fire and belongs to the Taiyin Kun Earth category. The nature of Earth is gentle and soft, hence the name "Cong Rong" (soft and pliable). The "Five Exertions" refer to fatigue caused by excessive mental activities: ambition (Zhi), contemplation (Si), vexation (Fan), worry (You), and anger (Hui). The "Seven Injuries" refer to damage caused by the Seven Emotions: joy, anger, worry, grief, thought, fear, and fright. When the Qi of Water-Fire and Yin-Yang converges in the Central Earth, the Five Exertions and Seven Injuries can be cured. By obtaining the essence of Taiyin Kun Earth, it tonifies the Middle Jiao. By inheriting the Qi of Shaoyin Water-Fire, it eliminates cold-heat pain in the genitalia/urethra. As the Qi of Yin-Yang and Water-Fire returns to Taiyin Kun Earth, it nourishes the Five Zang Organs. "Strengthening Yin" refers to the abundance of Fire Qi. "Benefiting Jing" refers to the abundance of Water Qi. "Promoting fertility" implies that both Water and Fire, Yin and Yang, are abundant. Abdominal masses (Zheng Jia) in women result from the stagnation and accumulation of blood and essence outside the uterus. When Earth Qi is strong, these masses naturally dissipate, leading to the effect of making the body light after long-term use.