味甘，微寒、微温，无毒。主补五脏，安精神，定魂魄。止惊悸，除邪气，明目。开心
益智，治肠胃中冷，心腹鼓痛，胸胁逆满，霍乱吐逆，调中，止消渴，通血脉，破坚积，令
人不忘。久服轻身延年。一名人衔，一名鬼盖，一名神草，一名人微，一名土精，一名血参
。如人形者有神。生上党山谷及辽东。二月、四月、八月上旬采根，竹刀刮，曝干，无令见
风。（茯苓为之使，恶溲疏，反藜芦。）
上党郡在冀州西南。今魏国所献即是，形长而黄，状如防风，多润实而甘。世用不入服
乃重百济者，形细而坚白，气味薄于上党。次用高丽，高丽即是辽东。形大而虚软，不及百
济。百济今臣属高丽，高丽所献，兼有两种，止应择取之尔。实用并不及上党者，其为药切
要，亦与甘草同功，而易蛀 。唯纳器中密封头，可经年不坏。人参生一茎直上，四、五叶
相对生，花紫色。高丽人作人参赞曰∶三桠五叶，背阳向阴。欲来求我， 树相寻。 树叶
似桐甚大，阴广，则多生阴地，采作甚有法。今近山亦有，但作之不好。（《大观》卷六，《政
和》一四五页）
味甘，平，无毒。主治伤中，除痹，下气，补五脏虚劳羸瘦，强阴。益精，补内绝不足，
平胃气，长肌肉，逐皮肤邪热痱气，脚膝疼冷痹弱。久服浓肠胃，轻身，延年，定志除惊。
一名林兰，一名禁生，一名杜兰，一名石KT 。生六安山谷水旁石上。七月、八月采茎，
阴干。（陆英为之使。恶凝水石、巴豆，畏僵蚕、雷丸。）
今用石斛，出始兴。生石上，细实，桑灰汤沃之，色如金，形似蚱蜢髀者为佳。近道亦
有，次宣城间。生栎树上者，名木斛。其茎形长大而色浅。六安属庐江，今始安亦出木斛，
至虚长，不入丸散，惟可为酒渍煮汤用尔。世方最以补虚，治脚膝。（《大观》卷六，《政
》一六四页）
Taste is sweet, nature is slightly cold or slightly warm, non-toxic. It mainly tonifies the five Zang organs, calms the spirit (Shen), and stabilizes the soul (Hun). It stops palpitations and fright, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, enhances intelligence, treats coldness in the stomach and intestines, abdominal distension and pain, fullness and counterflow of Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, harmonizes the middle Jiao, stops thirst (Xiao Ke), unblocks the blood vessels, breaks down hard accumulations, and prevents forgetfulness. Long-term use makes the body light and extends life. Also known as Ren Xian, Gui Gai, Shen Cao, Ren Wei, Tu Jing, and Xue Shen. Those shaped like a human possess divine power. It grows in the valleys of Shangdang Commandery and Liaodong. The roots are harvested in early February, April, and August, scraped with a bamboo knife, and sun-dried, avoiding exposure to wind. (Fu Ling acts as its guide drug; it is incompatible with Soushu and contrary to Lili.)
Shangdang Commandery is located in the southwest of Jizhou Province. The one currently offered by the State of Wei is this type: long and yellow in shape, resembling Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), moist and solid in texture, and sweet in taste. In current usage, if not from Shangdang, Baekje (Paekche) Ginseng is valued for its fine, firm, white appearance, though its aroma and taste are weaker than that of Shangdang. Next is Korean Ginseng (Gaoli), which is actually from Liaodong. Its shape is large but hollow and soft, inferior to Baekje Ginseng. Baekje is now a vassal of Korea; the Ginseng offered by Korea includes both types, so selection should be made accordingly. In reality, none match the quality of Shangdang Ginseng. However, due to its essential medicinal efficacy, it shares similar functions with Gancao (Licorice Root), but is prone to insect damage. If stored in sealed containers, it can remain unspoiled for over a year. Ginseng grows with a single straight stem; four or five leaves grow opposite each other, and the flowers are purple. A "Praise of Ginseng" by Koreans states: "Three branches, five leaves, facing away from the sun towards the shade. If you wish to find me, seek me under the Jushu tree." The leaves resemble Paulownia leaves and are quite large; where the canopy is broad, it grows more in shady places, and there are specific methods for harvesting. Ginseng also grows near mountains nowadays, but the processing is poor. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6, *Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao*, p. 145)
Taste is sweet, nature is neutral, non-toxic. It mainly treats internal injury, eliminates Bi syndrome (painful obstruction), directs Qi downward, tonifies deficiency and emaciation of the five Zang organs, strengthens Yin essence, benefits Jing (Essence), replenishes internal depletion, regulates Stomach Qi, promotes muscle growth, expels pathogenic heat and feiqi (heat rash) from the skin, and treats pain, coldness, Bi syndrome, and weakness in the feet and knees. Long-term use thickens the intestines and stomach, lightens the body, extends life, stabilizes willpower, and removes fright. Also known as Lin Lan, Jin Sheng, Du Lan, and Shi KT. It grows on rocks beside water in the valleys of Lu'an. The stems are harvested in July and August and dried in the shade. (Luying acts as its guide drug; it is incompatible with Ningshuishi and Badou, and fears Jiangcan and Leiwan.)
The Shihu (Dendrobium) used today comes from Shixing. It grows on rocks, has small fruits, turns golden-yellow when washed with ash water from mulberry branches, and those resembling the thigh of a grasshopper are considered best. It is also found along nearby routes, with those from Xuancheng being of secondary quality. Those growing on Li trees are called Mujie. Their stems are long and pale in color. Lu'an belongs to Lujiang Commandery; Shian also produces Mujie nowadays, which is very hollow and elongated, unsuitable for pills and powders, and can only be used for wine infusion or decoction. Formulas in the world most value it for tonifying deficiency and treating foot and knee ailments. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6, *Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao*, p. 164)