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(Grains: Hemp, Wheat, Rice - 12th Category)

(Listed in the Superior Grade of *Bencao Bie Lu* / *Newly Revised Materia Medica*)
[Correction] Based on the theories of Shen Kuo and Kou Zongshi, this entry is merged with "Qingxiang" (Green Plantain Seed) from *Shennong Bencao Jing* / *The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*, and the newly established entries "Baiyouma" (White Sesame Oil) and "Huma" (Sesame) from *Jiayou Bencao* / *Jiayou Pharmacopoeia* into a single entry.
[Names] Jusheng (Giant Victory/Seed) (*Shennong Bencao Jing*), Fangjing (Square Stem) (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Goushi (Dog Louse) (*Bencao Bie Lu*), Youma (Oil Hemp) (*Shiliao Bencao*), Zhima (Fat Hemp) (*Bencao Yan Yi*. Commonly written as Zhima, which is incorrect). The leaf is named Qingxiang (pronounced "Xiang"). The stem is named Mazhe (pronounced "Jie", also written as Jie).
Li Shizhen states: According to Shen Kuo's *Mengxi Bitan*: Huma is exactly what we now call Youma, with no other explanation. In ancient China, there was only Dama (Cannabis sativa), whose fruit was called Xishi. During the Han Dynasty, the envoy Zhang Qian brought seeds of Youma back from Dayuan (Ferghana), hence the name Huma, to distinguish it from Chinese Dama. Kou Zongshi, in *Bencao Yan Yi*, also explains Huma based on this, so it is now merged into the category of Youma. Jusheng refers to the variety of Huma whose pods are large like a square auspicious pattern (Fangsheng), not two different plants. "Fangjing" is named for its square stem; "Goushi" is named for its shape resembling a dog louse; "Youma" and "Zhima" refer to its high oil content. According to Zhang Yi's *Guangya*: Huma is also known as Tenghong, where Hong means giant. The alias "Hongzang" in *Bencao Bie Lu* is a miswriting of Tenghong. Furthermore, Du Bao's *Shiyiji* records: In the 4th year of Daye during the Sui Dynasty, Huma was renamed Jiaoma.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bencao Bie Lu* states: Huma, also known as Jusheng, grows in the streams and marshes of Shangdang, harvested in autumn. Qingxiang is the seedling of Jusheng, growing in the river valleys of the Central Plains.
Tao Hongjing says: Among the eight grains, Huma is the finest. The pure black variety is called Jusheng. "Ju" means large. It originally grew in Dayuan, hence the name Huma. He further distinguishes them by stating that those with square stems are Jusheng, while those with round stems are Huma.
Su Gong says: Those with eight-angled pods are Jusheng, and those with four-angled pods are Huma. Black ones are superior, white ones are inferior.
Meng Shen says: Those grown in fertile land have eight angles, while those grown in mountain fields have four angles. Although the land differs, their medicinal efficacy is the same.
Chen Cangqi says: True Jusheng has seven angles, is reddish in color, and tastes sour and astringent. Those with eight angles, pointed ends, purple-black color, and Wuyouma are all mistakenly called Huma.
Su Song says: Huma is planted everywhere and rarely grows wild. The stalks resemble hemp, but the leaves are round, sharp, and glossy. When tender, it can be eaten as a vegetable; Daoists often consume it. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states Huma is also named Jusheng. Tao Hongjing distinguished them by the roundness or squareness of the stem; Su Gong by the number of pod angles; and immortal prescriptions mention two methods for consuming Huma and Jusheng with slightly different effects, treating them as two different substances. Some say it is the current Youma, originally from Hu lands, shaped like hemp, hence named Huma. Being the most outstanding among the eight grains, it is named Jusheng, meaning one substance with two names. If so, it would be one substance with two varieties, like Tianxiong and Fuzi. Thus, Ge Hong said: Among Huma, the variety with one leaf having two tips is Jusheng. The preface of *Bencao Bie Lu* states: Xima is Huma, flat in shape. Those with square stems are named Jusheng, which is correct. The Huma leaves used today are narrow and sharp like Ren (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) leaves. The stems are four or five chi high. They bear yellow flowers, produce seeds in capsules smaller than Huma pods. When tender, they are edible, sweet and slippery, promoting bowel movement. The skin can be made into cloth, similar to Dama, yellow and brittle, commonly called Huangma. The seeds are black, finer than leek seeds, bitter as gall, and yield little oil when crushed. These descriptions vary greatly. This is an essential herb for longevity practices, yet such errors exist, how can it be effective?
Kou Zongshi says: Various theories on Huma are inconsistent; it is simply the current Zhima, with no other meaning. Because its seeds came from Dayuan, it is named Huma. Those from Hu lands are plump, with magpie-like patterns, purple-black color, and yield much oil. The Baiyouma in *Jiayou Bencao* is the same substance as this, merely paler in color compared to Hu land sesame, not purely white. People generally call it Zhima, so the therapeutic applications in both entries are largely identical. Just as Chuan Dahuang and Shangdang Renshen are named after their preferred origins, how can they be considered different substances based on region?
Li Shizhen says: Huma is Zhima. There are early and late varieties, and black, white, and red colors; all have square stems. White flowers bloom in autumn, some with purple hues. Pods form at each node, about one cun long. Four or six-angled pods have small capsules and few seeds; seven or eight-angled pods have large capsules and many seeds, depending on soil fertility. Su Gong claimed four-angled is Huma and eight-angled is Jusheng, referring precisely to the superiority and largeness of the capsule. Stems range from three to four chi high. Single-stemmed plants have tangled pods and few seeds; branched plants have abundant pods and many seeds, depending on planting density. Leaves may be round at the base and sharp at the tip, or round at the base and trifid like a duck's foot. Ge Hong's description of "one leaf with two tips" referring to Jusheng points to this type. One might not know that both black and white sesame have these two leaf types.
According to: *Shennong Bencao Jing* states Huma is also named Jusheng; *Wu Pu Bencao* states it is also named Fangjing; *Baopuzi* and *Wufu Jing* both state Jusheng is also named Huma, making the theory clear. It was Tao Hongjing who first distinguished them by stem shape. Lei Chi considered red sesame as Jusheng, claiming black sesame was not Huma. *Jiayou Bencao* listed Baiyouma separately to distinguish it from Huma. None realized that Jusheng is simply the variety of Huma with larger lobed leaves and fatter seeds, thus perpetuating errors and doubts. Only Meng Shen attributed the four vs. eight angles to soil fertility. Kou Zongshi, relying on Shen Kuo, definitively identified Zhima as Huma, sufficient to prove the errors of previous scholars. Furthermore, Jia Sixie's *Qimin Yaoshu* describes planting and harvesting Huma using methods identical to current Zhima practices, providing strong evidence that they are the same substance. Currently in markets, due to the theory of square vs. round stems, Leonurus heterophyllus seeds are passed off as Jusheng, and Huangmazi (hemp seeds) and Dalizi (large lamb's quarters seeds) are passed off as Huma, compounding errors. Leonurus seeds are about one fen long with three angles. Huangmazi are black like fine leek seeds and bitter. Dalizi resemble bed bugs and jujube kernels, taste pungent and sweet, and contain no oil; these must be distinguished. Li Jianwen's *Quan Yi Wen* states: People mistakenly use ash-washed rapeseed as Huma. Thus, the confusion regarding Huma has existed for a long time.
Shenwei says: Folk tradition holds that Huma must be planted by a married couple to flourish. Hence, *Benshi Shi* says: "Huma is easy to plant but no one plants it; just as he should return, he does not."

Huma (Sesame)
[Preparation] Tao Hongjing says: For consumption, select black Huma. It should be steamed and sun-dried nine times, then roasted, pounded, and taken as pills. It can stop grain intake, promote longevity, and satisfy hunger. Although easily obtained, cultivators do not always consume it, let alone others. If not steamed thoroughly, it causes hair loss. Its nature complements Fuling (Poria). It is rarely used in folk prescriptions, occasionally added to decoctions or pills.
Lei Chi says: To process, wash with water to remove floating impurities, dry, mix with wine, steam from Si hour to Hai hour, spread out and dry. Pound in a mortar to remove the coarse husk, keeping the thin skin. Mix equally with adzuki beans, stir-fry together until beans are cooked, discard beans, and use the sesame.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Shiliang says: Initially promotes bowel and bladder function; long-term use causes constipation, eliminating old and retaining new.
*Jingyuan* says: Jusheng can be used to refine Cinnabar (Dansha).
[Indications] Treats internal injury with emaciation, tonifies the Five Viscera, boosts Qi and strength, promotes muscle growth, and fills the marrow and brain. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prevents aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Strengthens bones and tendons, clarifies ears and eyes, withstands hunger and thirst, and prolongs life. Treats traumatic injuries and pain, and post-emesis deficiency heat and exhaustion following cold damage or warm malaria (*Bencao Bie Lu*).
Tonifies the middle and boosts Qi, moistens and nourishes the Five Viscera, tonifies Lung Qi, calms palpitations, promotes bowel and bladder function, withstands cold and heat, expels wind-dampness, wandering wind, and head wind, treats劳气 (consumptive qi/postpartum weakness), postpartum exhaustion, induces labor, and expels retained placenta. Finely ground and applied to hair promotes growth. Steamed with white honey and taken as pills treats hundred diseases (*Rihua Bencao*). Roasted and eaten, it does not generate wind. Long-term consumption by those with wind diseases results in steady gait and clear speech (Li Tingfei). Chewed raw and applied treats infant scalp sores; decocted for bathing treats severe sores and female genital sores with great effect (Su Gong).