Library

(From *Jia You Ben Cao*)

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, extremely cold, non-toxic.

Su Song stated: White sesame is an ingredient indispensable in daily life for the general public, yet its nature is not excessively cold.

Li Dang said: Raw Hu Ma (Sesame) has a cold nature and is used to treat diseases; roasted Hu Ma has a hot nature and can induce diseases; steamed Hu Ma has a warm nature and tonifies the human body.

Meng Xian said: Long-term consumption depletes muscle tissue. Juice stored for a long time, if consumed, induces Huoluan (Cholera-like disease with severe vomiting and diarrhea).

[Indications] Treats Xu Lao (Deficiency-Labor), lubricates the intestines and bowels, moves Wind Qi, unblocks blood vessels, removes floating Wind from the head and face, and moistens muscles. Consuming one he of raw Hu Ma after meals without cessation throughout life is beneficial. Also, when taken by nursing mothers, their children will never fall ill. For Ke Re (Exogenous Heat), it can be prepared as a juice drink. Chewed raw and applied to various sores on a child's head, it is effective (Meng Xian). Steamed according to Immortal methods to practice Bigu (Grain Avoidance) (Su Song).

[Elucidation] Zhen Quan said: Ju Sheng (Great Advantage, alias for Sesame) is highly valued in *Xian Jing* (Immortal Classics). Mixed in equal parts with white honey and taken, it is named Jing Shen Wan (Calm Spirit Pill). It treats Lung Qi, moistens the five Zang organs, and has many merits. It can also facilitate Bigu, fill the essence and marrow, and benefit men. For patients who are deficient and suffer from shortness of breath (Xi Xi), it should be added to prescriptions.

Li Shizhen said: To extract oil, white sesame is superior. For dietary therapy, black sesame is good, and that from Hu regions is especially wonderful. Its black color enters and connects to the Kidney, thereby moistening dryness. Red sesame resembles old eggplants, has thick shells and little oil; it is only edible and unsuitable for medicinal use. Only Qian Yi used Chi Zhi Ma (Red Sesame) decocted to send down Baixiang Wan when treating pediatric smallpox/rubella turning black and returning to the Kidney, likely utilizing its detoxifying properties. *Wu Fu Jing* mentions Jusheng Wan, stating: It is Hu Ma, originally from Dayuan, the chief of the five grains. Continuous consumption allows one to know all things, communicate with spirits, and exist eternally. *Can Tong Qi* also says: Jusheng extends life, and the Golden Elixir enters the mouth. Ancients regarded Hu Ma as an immortal medicine, but it is rarely used in recent times. Perhaps it does not possess such miraculous effects, but merely offers benefits through long-term use? Liu Chen and Ruan Zhao entered Tiantai Mountain and met fairy maidens who ate Hu Ma rice. Similarly, cooking Hu Ma with rice serves as food for immortals. Furthermore, Su Dongpo wrote to Cheng Zhengfu: For hemorrhoid diseases, one should abstain from alcohol, meat, salted dairy, pickles, strong flavors, and glutinous rice, consuming only bland wheat flour food. Additionally, use Jiuzheng Hu Ma (Nine-steamed Black Sesame) with peeled Poria cocos and a little white honey to make cakes. Over time, vitality remains undiminished, hundred diseases vanish naturally, and hemorrhoids gradually recede. This is a secret to longevity, easy to know but hard to practice. Based on this, Hu Ma as Zhi Ma is credible. The use of Poria follows Tao Hongjing's notes on Hu Ma. Recently, people grind Zhi Ma into a paste, remove dregs, add mung bean powder, and make tofu. Its nature is neutral and moistening, most beneficial for the elderly.

[Attached Prescriptions] Sixteen old formulas, fifteen new formulas.

Taking Hu Ma for Dietary Therapy: *Baopuzi* states: Use three dou of Shangdang Hu Ma, wash clean, steam in a zeng vessel until vapor penetrates thoroughly, sun-dry, wash with water to remove foam, and steam again. Repeat this nine times. Remove skins with hot water, winnow clean, roast until fragrant, and grind into powder. Form pills the size of bullet seeds using white honey or jujube paste. Dissolve one pill in warm wine each time, take three times a day. Avoid toxic fish, dog meat, and raw vegetables. After 100 days of intake, all chronic diseases are eliminated; after one year, the body and face become lustrous and hunger disappears; after two years, white hair turns black; after three years, lost teeth regrow; after four years, immune from fire and water harm; after five years, running speed matches galloping horses; long-term use leads to longevity. If purgation is desired, drink purslane juice. Sun Simiao said: Use three sheng of Hu Ma, removing yellow-brown ones, steam thirty times, lightly roast until fragrant, and grind. Add three sheng of white honey, pound three hundred times, form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take fifty pills every morning. For those over forty, long-term use brightens vision to see clearly like a hole, and makes intestines flexible like sinews.

*Shenxian Zhuan* states: Lu Nvsheng took Hu Ma and Atractylodes, practiced Bigu for over eighty years, remained young and vigorous, walked three hundred li a day, and ran as fast as roe deer and deer.

Taking Jusheng treats deficiency and damage of the five Zang organs, boosts Qi and strength, and strengthens bones and tendons. Use Jusheng, nine steams and nine exposures, store properly. Take two he per dose, soak in water, wrap in cloth, grind again, filter juice with water, boil, and drink, or cook congee with glutinous rice. Li Shizhen said: Anciently, there were two methods for taking Hu Ma and Jusheng. Since the formulas did not come from one person, there are two methods, though they are actually the same substance.

White Hair Turns Black: Wuma (Black Sesame), nine steams and nine sun-dryings, grind into powder, form pills with jujube paste, and take (*Qianjin Fang*).

Waist and Leg Pain: One sheng of fresh Hu Ma, roasted fragrant and ground. Take one xiao sheng daily; take up to one dou for permanent cure. Can be taken with warm wine, honey water, or ginger juice.

Soreness and Swelling in Hands and Feet: Five sheng of Zhi Ma, roasted and ground, soaked in one sheng of wine overnight. Drink as desired (*Waitai Mifang*).

Swelling and Pain in Limbs after Water Exposure: Apply crushed raw Hu Ma (*Qianjin Fang*).

Occasional Wind-Cold: Roast Zhi Ma until charred, crush while hot, mix with wine, drink, keep warm, and lie down to induce slight sweating.

Heatstroke Poison Death: Jiusheng San (Life-Saving Powder): Use one sheng of fresh Hu Ma, lightly roast until black, cool and spread, grind into powder, mix with fresh well water, and take three qian. Or form pill-sized balls.

Unstoppable Vomiting: One da he of Baiyouma (White Oil Sesame), half sheng of clear wine, decoct to obtain three he, remove sesame, and take once (*Jinxiao Fang*).

Toothache and Swelling: Five sheng of Hu Ma, ten dou of water, boil to obtain five sheng of juice. Swish and spit out. Within two doses, effect is miraculous (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Hot Strangury with Genital Pain: Five he of Wumazi (Black Sesame Seed) and Manjingzi (Vitex Fruit), roasted yellow, placed in red silk bag, steeped in three sheng of well water. Take one qian before each meal (*Shenghui Fang*).

Pediatric Dysentery with Red and White Stools: One he of Youma (Oil Sesame), crushed, mixed with honey water and taken (*Waitai Mifang*).

Resolving Fetal Toxicity: When a newborn is born, chew raw Zhi Ma, wrap in cotton, and let the baby suckle; the toxicity will discharge naturally.

Pediatric Acute Gan Disease: Chew Youma and apply externally (*Waitai Mifang*).

Pediatric Soft Carbuncle: Roast Youma until charred, chew while hot, and apply externally (Tan Shi *Xiao'er Fang*).

Various Sores on Head and Face: Chew raw Zhi Ma and apply externally (*Pujifang*).

Pediatric Scrofula: Equal parts Zhi Ma and Chaiqiao (Forsythia). Grind into powder. Consume frequently (*Jianbian Fang*).

Carbuncle and Malignant Ulcers: Hu Ma (burnt to ash) and Zhen Sha (Needle Sand) in equal parts. Grind into powder. Mix with vinegar and apply externally, three times a day (*Pujifang*).

Hemorrhoids with Wind Swelling and Pain: Decoct Humaizi (Sesame Seeds) and wash with the soup; swelling subsides immediately.

Bedsores and Scabies: Chew raw Zhi Ma and apply externally (Bifeng *Zaxing*).

Itching and Sores in Yin Area: Chew Hu Ma thoroughly and apply externally, effective (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Breast Sore with Swelling and Pain: Roast Zhi Ma until charred, grind into powder. Mix with Dengwu You (Lamp Wick Oil) and apply externally; relief follows.

Insufficient Milk in Women: Roast and grind Zhi Ma, add a little salt, and eat (Tang Shi).

Scalds and Burns: Grind raw Hu Ma into mud/paste and apply (*Waitai Mifang*).

Spider Bites: Crush Youma and apply externally (*Jingyan Houfang*).

Bites from Various Insects: Same as above.

Centipede Entering Ear: Roast and grind Hu Ma, make into a bag, and use as a pillow (*Meishi*).

Gu Zei Shi Yan (Grain Thorn Throat), pain and itching in throat caused by accidentally swallowing grain awns which prick and cause itching. Gu Zei belongs to the pharynx, Ma Houfeng belongs to the larynx; they must be distinguished: Use...

Abscesses Not Healing: Stir-fry Wuma until black, crush and apply externally (*Qianjin Fang*).

Hematuria: Three sheng of Hu Ma pounded into powder, steeped in two sheng of flowing water from the east overnight. Squeeze out juice at dawn, heat, and take at once (*Qianjin Fang*).