Library

Jushengzi (Sesamum indicum seed) is not Sesamum indicum (Huma, 胡麻). It tastes sweet, its nature is warm and neutral, and it is non-toxic. Zhu Danxi highly praised it. It originally possesses tonifying merits. It enters the Heart and Kidney meridians.

Tonifying Deficiency: It treats emaciation and weakness, enables one to endure hunger, thirst, cold, and heat, fills and solidifies the marrow and bones, supplements Qi and strength, promotes skin and flesh growth, brightens the eyes, lightens the body, extends life span without aging, benefits Yuan Yang (Primal Yang), enhances penile erection, and especially generates body fluids. Upon entering the mouth, fluids are generated immediately; its efficacy is similar to that of Renshen (Ginseng Root). Its tonifying merit is inconceivable. However, its texture is particularly light, containing relatively little substantial internal content. Nevertheless, it is not necessary for only those with full interior constitution to use it, nor is it necessary to remove the husk completely. One should simply place it in water; those that float halfway are usable. Discard the floating ones, retrieve the sunken and half-sunken ones, soak them in Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata juice (Dihuang Zhi, 地黄汁) for one day, dry them in the sun, and grind them into powder for optimal use. This herb is suitable for making pills but not for decoction, as decoction prevents the flavor from being extracted.

Someone asked: "The Hu monks mix Jushengzi with Mulberry Leaf (Sangye, 桑叶) to make pills. Is this truly beneficial?" This is a remarkable prescription. My father once took it; after passing sixty years of age, his beard and eyebrows remained unwhite. Later, when he stopped taking this medicine, they turned white. Thus, the wonder of this prescription can be seen. It seems that Jushengzi becomes even more miraculous when combined with Sangye.

Someone asked: "Jushengzi is recorded in the book *Cantong Qi* as a drug for longevity. But what method of administration leads to immortality?" Alas! Longevity implies deathlessness. How could people achieve immediate longevity merely by consuming the taste of herbs and trees? If one seeks longevity, apart from the method of Golden Elixir (Jindan, 金丹), there is no other medicine. Although the Golden Elixir is hard to obtain, Jushengzi is easy to acquire. The Hu monk's prescription, though good, is not yet perfect. I, Chen Shiduo, have a prescription named Yanjing Wan (Longevity Pill), using two jin of Jushengzi, one jin of Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), one jin of Shanyao (Chinese Yam), two jin of dried Sangye (Mulberry Leaf - collected at the end of the third lunar month, best when dried and powdered; old leaves are unusable), three liang of Fuling (Poria), three liang of Yiyiren (Coix Seed), three liang of Qianshi (Euryale Seed), half a jin of YinYanghuo (Epimedium Herb), one jin of Bajitian (Morinda Root), half a jin of Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit), three liang of Bei Wuwei Zi (Schisandra Berry), and one jin of Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed). Each is ground into powder, and honey is used to form pills. Take five qian daily with warm boiled water. It can be taken long-term. If Spleen Qi is weak, add one jin of Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome). If Qi is deficient, add six liang of Renshen (Ginseng Root) and one jin of Huangqi (Astragalus Root). If Yang energy is insufficient causing erectile dysfunction, add three liang of Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). This prescription is neither cold nor hot; it is indeed a wonderful method for extending lifespan. Even those over one hundred years old may still take it. This was transmitted by Daoists from Mount Nan Yue, who stated that I am most suited to take it and can reach beyond one hundred years. I hereby publish this prescription to the world, wishing everyone to cherish it.