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[Classified as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
[Correction] Merged with "Jiu Huang Cao" (Rescue-from-Hunger Grass) from *Bencao Shiyi*.
[Names] Huangzhi (from *Ruicao Jing*), Wuji Zhi (from *Wufu Jing*), Tuzhu (from *Bielu*), Luzhu (from *Bielu*), Xianren Yuliang (Tao Hongjing), Qiujiong Cao (from *Bielu*), Mipu (from *Mengquan*), Yesheng Jiang (from *Mengquan*), Chonglou (from *Bielu*), Jige (from *Bielu*), Longxian (from *Guangya*), Chuizhu.
Su Song said: In the Sui Dynasty, Yang Gong's method of taking Huangjing stated: Huangjing is the essence of Zhi grass. It is also called Weirui, Baiji, Xianren Yuliang, Gouge, Majian, Chuizhu, and Tuzhu.
Li Shizhen said: Huangjing is an essential medicine for dietary therapy, so it was listed at the beginning of the herbal section in *Bielu*. Daoists consider it a type of Zhi grass because it obtains the pure essence of Kun Earth, hence the name Huangjing. *Wufu Jing* states: Huangjing acquires the pure essence of heaven and earth, thus named Wuji Zhi. This explains the meaning. "Yuliang" and "Qiujiong" are named after its merit; "Luzhu" and "Tuzhu" are named because its leaves resemble bamboo and are eaten by deer and hares. "Chuizhu" refers to the shape of its fruit. The "Jiu Huang Cao" in Chen Shi's *Bencao Shiyi* is this plant, now merged into one category. Jiamo said: The root resembles young ginger, commonly known as Yesheng Jiang. After nine steamings and nine dryings, it can replace grain, also called Mifu.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Huangjing grows in mountain valleys. Roots are harvested in February and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is found everywhere today. It begins to sprout in February, with many leaves on one stem. The leaves resemble bamboo but are shorter. The root resembles Weirui. Weirui roots resemble reed roots and Acorus tatarinowii, with flat and straight nodes; Huangjing roots resemble Podophyllum emodi and Coptis chinensis, with large and uneven nodes. Even when dry, they remain soft and moist. This herb is not used in common prescriptions but is highly valued in Daoist classics. The root, leaves, flowers, and fruits can all be ingested, prepared as wine infusions or powders as appropriate, detailed in fasting formulas. Its leaves resemble Gelsemium elegans, differing only in that the stem is not purple and the flower is not yellow, yet people often confuse them. Their distinct nature leads to opposite effects of death and life, which is remarkable. Lei Xiao said: Gelsemium elegans truly resembles Huangjing, except for two hairy hooks at the leaf tip; accidental ingestion harms humans. Huangjing leaves resemble bamboo.
Su Gong said: Huangjing growing in fertile soil can be fist-sized; that in poor soil is thumb-sized. The fleshy root of Weirui is similar to small Huangjing, with largely similar texture and color. Comparing it to Podophyllum emodi or Coptis chinensis does not fit well. Huangjing leaves resemble those of Salix spp., Gentiana scabra, and Polygala sibirica, and are firm. Gelsemium elegans is a vine with leaves resembling Diospyros kaki, completely different.
Chen Cangqi said: Huangjing with asymmetrical, non-opposite leaves is called Pianjing, which has inferior efficacy compared to Zhengjing (with opposite leaves). Gelsemium elegans is another name for Yege. These two are not similar at all; I do not know what Tao Hongjing based his statement on.
Meng Shen said: Gelsemium elegans is also called Yege. Tao's description of leaves resembling Huangjing is likely correct. Su Gong's description of leaves resembling Diospyros kaki likely refers to a different species.
Su Song said: Huangjing is found both north and south, with those from Mount Song and Mount Mao being superior. Sprouts emerge in March, reaching one to two chi in height. Leaves are like bamboo leaves but shorter, growing in pairs. Stems are flexible and brittle, resembling peach branches, yellow at the base and red at the tip. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in April, resembling soybean flowers. Seeds are white like broomcorn millet, though some plants do not produce seeds. Roots resemble young ginger and are yellow. Harvested in February, steamed, and sun-dried. Now harvested in August, locals process them through nine steamings and nine dryings to sell as snacks, which are dark yellow-black and very sweet. Young shoots are picked as vegetables, called Bicai, with excellent taste. People in Jiangnan say Huangjing shoots resemble Gelsemium elegans slightly, but Gelsemium elegans has extremely sharp leaf tips and thin roots. Su Gong described Gelsemium elegans as vining; this may be due to regional differences.
Li Shizhen said: Huangjing grows wild in mountains but can be propagated by planting root segments two cun long. It becomes dense after one year; seeds can also be planted. Leaves resemble bamboo but are not sharp, growing in pairs, triplets, quads, or quintets against the nodes. Roots grow horizontally, resembling Weirui. Locals harvest the shoots, cook them, wash away bitterness, and eat them, calling them Bituan Cai. *Chen Cangqi Bencao* states Qingnian is Weirui (see Weirui explanation). Regarding Huangjing and Gelsemium elegans, Tao Hongjing, Lei Xiao, and Han Baosheng claimed they were similar. Su Gong and Chen Cangqi claimed they were not. Su Song offered ambiguous views. Examining *Shennong Bencao Jing* and *Wu Pu Bencao*, both state Gelsemium elegans is Yege, a vine with arrow-like stems, consistent with Su Gong. Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* records: Yellow Di asked Tian Lao if any plant prevents death. Tian Lao replied: Sun grass, Huangjing, promotes longevity; Yin grass, Gelsemium elegans, is toxic and causes immediate death upon ingestion. People believe Gelsemium elegans kills but doubt Huangjing's benefits, which is confusing. Note: This passage contrasts Huangjing and Gelsemium elegans without claiming similarity. Tao Hongjing inferred similarity, contradicting Shennong. Su Gong is likely correct; Tao and Lei may have referred to a different toxin. Among all dynasties' materia medica, Chen Cangqi's identification is most precise and should be trusted. See entry for Gelsemium elegans.
Roots
[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Wash collected roots in stream water, steam from Si hour to Zi hour, slice thinly, and sun-dry.
Su Song said: Yang Gong's method: Harvest roots in Feb-Mar, those 8-9 cun deep are best. Slice one dan finely, boil in 2.5 shoku water to remove bitterness, strain, press juice in a bag, clarify, and simmer until paste-like. Mix with fried black soybean powder, form coin-sized cakes. Start with two pills, increasing daily. Can also be dried, powdered, and taken with water.
Meng Shen said: Method for ingesting Huangjing: Place a bottomless jar over a pot, fill with Huangjing, cover tightly, steam until vapor penetrates, then dry. Repeat nine times. Raw roots irritate the throat. If eating raw, start with 1.5 cun, gradually increase to 3.5 cun over ten days of fasting. After 300 days, one sees spirits and eventually ascends to heaven. Root, leaves, flowers, and fruits are edible. Opposite leaves indicate Zhengjing; asymmetrical leaves are Pianjing.
[Aroma and Flavor] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Li Quan said: Cold.
Li Shizhen said: Avoid Prunus mume fruit; applies to flowers, leaves, and fruits.
[Indications] Tonifies middle jiao and qi, dispels wind-dampness, calms the five zang organs. Long-term use lightens the body, extends lifespan, and suppresses hunger (*Bielu*).
Tonifies five labors and seven injuries, strengthens sinews and bones, resists cold and heat, benefits spleen and stomach, moistens lungs and heart. Single administration after nine steamings and nine dryings preserves youth and enables fasting (Tang Da Ming).
Tonifies various deficiencies, stops chills and fever, fills essence and marrow, eliminates three corpse worms (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Huangjing receives the pure qi of Wu and Ji, making it a superior tonic for the spleen (Earth element). Earth is the mother of all things; when nourished, water and fire balance, wood and metal interact, evil pathogens depart, and diseases do not arise. *Shenxian Zhicao Jing* states: Huangjing benefits the middle and tonifies qi, harmonizes the five zang, fills muscles, strengthens bone marrow, doubles strength, prevents aging, brightens complexion, turns white hair black, and regrows teeth. It first expels the three corpse worms: Shangshi (Peng Zhi, loves treasures, expelled in 100 days), Zhongshi (Peng Jiao, loves flavors, expelled in 60 days), Xiashi (Peng Ju, loves colors, expelled in 30 days), all rotting out. Roots represent essence; flowers and fruits represent flying essence, all ingestible. Also, Lei Xiao's *Paozhi Lun* preface mentions preserving youth via steaming "Shenjin". Annotation says: Mix Huangjing juice with fine Shenjin, steam in willow steamer for seven days, take as pills with Mimi (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa seed?). Shenjin's identity is unknown, possibly Cinnabaris.
Yu Xi said: According to *Baopuzi*: Flowers > Fruits > Roots in efficacy. Flowers are rare; ten hu of fresh flowers yield only 5-6 dou dried. Requires great wealth. Daily dose: 3 he. Ten years for effect. Fasting efficacy is inferior to Atractylodes macrocephala. Atractylodes makes one strong and agile; Huangjing is sweeter and easier to eat, serving as famine food ("Mifu").
Shen Wei said: Xu Xuan's *Jishen Lu* recounts a maid fleeing to mountains, eating wild herbs, losing hunger. Hearing noise, she climbed a tree, fearing a tiger. At dawn, she floated away like a bird. Years later, family found her near a cliff. She explained she ate Huangjing. Wine bait caught her.
[Attached Prescriptions] One old, four new.
Dietary Therapy: *Shenghui Fang*: Finely chop Huangjing rhizomes, dry, powder. Take with water daily, dosage unrestricted. Reverses aging, achieves earthly immortality.
*Shenyin Shu*: Boil one dan sliced Huangjing in 2.5 shoku water from morning to evening. Cool, mash, squeeze juice, simmer. Dry residue, mix with juice, form chicken-head-sized pills. Take one pill, three times daily. Stops hunger, lightens body, cures hundred diseases. Drink water if thirsty.
Tonify Liver and Brighten Eyes: Huangjing 2 jin, Brassica rapa var. nipposinica seeds 1 jin (washed). Nine steamings, nine dryings, powder. Take 2 qian with rice water on empty stomach, twice daily. Extends life (*Shenghui Fang*).
Severe Leprosy: Unclear Ying qi, chronic wind entering meridians causing leprosy, nasal destruction, skin ulcers. Huangjing root 2 jin (peeled, washed), sun-softened, steamed with 2 dou millet rice. Eat frequently (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Tonify Deficiency and Essence: Huangjing and Lycium barbarum equal parts. Make cakes, dry, powder, honey-pill size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills with decoction (*Qixiao Liangfang*).