Library

(Shangpin, High Grade, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Shinao (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Yu'ai (from *Wu Pu Bencao*).
Zang Qi stated: "Taiyi" refers to the origin of the Dao. "Tai" means great, and "Yi" means the Dao. The teacher of the Great Dao is the Divine Lord of Transformation and Rationalization, who was also the teacher of Yu (the Great).
Yu's teacher once consumed it, hence the name "Taiyi". Zhang Sikong said: This is the Huangzi (Yellow Child) within the Huanhunshi (Soul-Returning Stone), guarded by spirits, birds, and beasts, and cannot be obtained casually. In Kuaiji, there is a place named Liao, where Yuliang is produced. When local people dig it up, others request to buy it with goods; the requested quantity is fixed, and one will surely obtain that amount. This seems to involve divine intervention, is it not Taiyi?

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Taiyi Yuliang grows in the valleys of Mount Tai, collected in the ninth month.
Pu stated: It grows on Mount Tai. There are shells on it; inside the shells is white substance, and inside the white substance is yellow substance, resembling the color of an egg yolk. Collection time is not fixed.
Hongjing stated: The herbal texts record two types: Taiyi Yuliang and Yuyu Liang, which have identical therapeutic properties and physical forms. However, in the current world, only Yuyu Liang exists, and people no longer recognize what Taiyi is.
*Dengzhen Yinjue*: The prescription for Changsheng Sizhuan Wan states: Taiyi Yuyu Liang stabilizes the Six Fu-organs and anchors the Five Zang-organs. Combining these two names makes it difficult to distinguish which is the precise entity?
People today generally refer to it collectively as Taiyi Yuyu Liang. Someone mining Kongqing stone in a rock pit at Tongguan found many yellow-red stones, extremely similar to the current Yuliang, but with a redder and better color, suspecting this to be Taiyi. Locals call it Cihuang (Parasulphur), which when applied to objects resembles the color of Xionghuang (Realgar).
Gong stated: Taiyi Yuliang and Yuyu Liang are actually the same substance, named differently based on purity and coarseness. Its shell resembles porcelain, with indeterminate square or round shapes. Initially, before condensing within the shell, it is still yellow water, named Shizhong Huangzi (Yellow Child in Stone). After long-term condensation, it develops various colors: green, white, red, or yellow. Over years, it turns red, gradually becoming purple. Those that are purple and red are both called Taiyi. All other colors are collectively termed Yuyu Liang. Currently, Taiyi Yuliang is no longer collected from Mount Tai, but is found in mountains such as Kuaiji, Wangwu, Ze, and Luzhou. Hongjing mentioned yellow-red color, suspecting it to be Taiyi. However, lacking a shell, it does not precisely match the description.
Zong stated: When using this herb, do not mistake it for Shizhong Huang or Luanshi Huang, as these two stones are very similar. Shizhong Huang is reddish-black and yellow inside, with a bland and slightly astringent taste. Luanshi Huang has a sour taste, each piece resembling an egg, containing a seed-like core inside, and is unsuitable for medicinal use. If mistakenly ingested, it causes dry intestines. Taiyi Yuliang looks like stone but crumbles into powder upon light tapping, appearing layered like leaves of Cihuang.
Zong stated: Taiyi Yuliang utilizes its shell, so for medicinal use, it must be calcined by fire and quenched in vinegar. Shizhong Huang refers to the dried parts and fine powders within the shell. Shizhong Huangshui refers to the turbid yellow water before it forms Yuliang.
Shizhen stated: According to *Bielu*, Yuyu Liang grows in the pools, marshes, and islands of the East Sea, while Taiyi Yuliang grows in the valleys of Mount Tai. Shizhong Huang is found where Yuliang grows, being the turbid yellow water within the shell that has not yet formed Yuliang. Based on this, the three are essentially one substance. Those growing in pools and marshes are called Yuyu Liang; those growing in valleys are called Taiyi Yuliang; the turbid yellow water is called Shizhong Huangshui; the condensed powder-like form is Yuliang; and the condensed, dry, stone-like form is Shizhong Huang. This explanation is originally clear, but commentators' speculation has obscured its meaning. Since the Jin and Song dynasties, the distinction between valley and pool/marsh origins was ignored, leading to the general term Taiyi Yuyu Liang. Gong further classified purple-red ones as Taiyi and other colors as Yuyu Liang. This resulted from a failure to carefully examine the original text. Zong and medical prescriptions used the stone shell as Yuyu Liang, failing to observe the text regarding the turbid yellow water before formation. The shell is coarse and hard, and not used medicinally. *Gengxin Yuce* states: Taiyi Yuyu Liang is a Yin stone, found everywhere. It is layered, deep purple, with yellow earth inside called Shi Huang. Its nature is extremely hot; in winter, snow melts first where Yuliang is present. *Yunlin Shipu* states: Qige Mountain in Dingzhou produces stone containing yellow earth, called Taiyi Yuliang. It is purple-black, blocky, round or flat, often adhering to crushed stones externally. After washing away the yellow earth, the interior is hollow and can hold water for use as an inkstone. *Danfang Jingyuan* states: Wuse Yuliang and Shizhong Huang can all dry mercury, yielding golden color.

[Processing] Zong stated: For processing, use 5 he of Black Bean (Douchi), 5 he of Polygonatum Rhizome (Huangjing), and 2 dou of water. Boil until 5 sheng remains. Place in a porcelain pot, add 4 liang of Yuliang, and boil. Add liquid as needed until exhausted. The medicine will naturally smell fragrant like new rice. Pound it, then grind for ten thousand strokes before use.

[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, Neutral, Non-toxic. Pu stated: Shennong, Qibo, and Leigong: Sweet, Neutral; Li Dangzhi: Slightly Cold; Bianque: Sweet, Non-toxic.
Zhi stated: Eucommia Bark (Duzhong) acts as its guiding herb (Shi). It is incompatible with Fritillaria Bulb (Beimu), Acorus Rhizome (Changpu), and Iron Filings (Tieluo).

[Indications] Cough with rebellious Qi, Zhengjia (abdominal masses), blood obstruction, metrorrhagia, expelling pathogenic factors, and improving joint mobility. Long-term consumption enables resistance to cold and heat, eliminates hunger, lightens the body, allows flight for a thousand miles, and leads to immortality (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats extreme fatigue and heaviness after overeating (*Bielu*).
Benefits the Spleen, calms the Zang-organs (Leixiao). Stabilizes the Six Fu-organs, anchors the Five Zang-organs (Hongjing).

[Elucidation] Shizhen stated: Yuyu Liang, Taiyi Yuliang, and Shizhong Huangshui share identical nature, flavor, and functions, differing only in the refinement of their medicinal forms. Therefore, practitioners of longevity consider Huangshui superior, Taiyi secondary, and Yuyu Liang tertiary. *Lie Xian Zhuan* records: Ba Rong Chi Fu ascended Mount Hua and consumed Yuyu Liang, referring to this substance.