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Chi Zhi (Red Ganoderma), Xuan Zhi (Black Ganoderma), Zi Zhi (Purple Ganoderma)

Ganoderma is categorized into six types by color, and its flavors correspond to the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Its qi is uniformly balanced, and it is non-toxic when ingested. Qing Zhi (Green Ganoderma), resembling the feathers of a kingfisher (also known as Long Zhi / Dragon Ganoderma), corresponds to Wood and has a sour flavor. It is produced in Mount Tai and is excellent for tonifying Liver Qi. It enhances benevolence and forgiveness, strengthens willpower, clarifies vision, and calms the soul. Chi Zhi (Red Ganoderma), resembling coral (also known as Shan Zhi / Coral Ganoderma), corresponds to Fire and has a bitter flavor. It is produced in Mount Heng and is excellent for nourishing the Heart and Spirit. It increases wisdom and prevents forgetfulness, opens the chest and diaphragm, and resolves stagnation. Bai Zhi (White Ganoderma), comparable to cut fat in whiteness (also known as Yu Zhi / Jade Ganoderma), has a pungent flavor corresponding to Metal. It grows on Mount Hua, benefits Lung Qi, stabilizes the Po (Corporeal Soul), stops cough and rebellious Qi, and moistens the skin and hair. Hei Zhi (Black Ganoderma), lustrous like Ze Qi (a plant or mineral substance, also known as Xuan Zhi / Black Ganoderma), has a salty flavor corresponding to Water. It is produced in Changshan, benefits Kidney Qi, treats strangury (difficulty in urination), promotes the free flow of urine and defecation, and unblocks the nine orifices. Huang Zhi (Yellow Ganoderma) resembles gold (also known as Jin Zhi / Golden Ganoderma); it is abundant in Mount Song. Zi Zhi (Purple Ganoderma) shares the color with purple garments (also known as Mu Gao Xia Shan You, likely a textual variant referring to its habitat or name); it has a sweet flavor corresponding to Earth. It expels pathogenic factors and benefits the Spleen. It strengthens bones and tendons, rejuvenates the complexion, and preserves youth. All six types of Zhi are omens of auspiciousness; they glow at night, do not burn when exposed to fire, and do not decay when stored. Long-term consumption extends lifespan, and carrying them wards off weapons. They are difficult to obtain in the world and rarely used by physicians. This description is attached merely to inform readers of the details.

Hengzhou Chrysanthemum, Qizhou Chrysanthemum

The flavor is sweet and slightly bitter; the nature is neutral and cold. It belongs to Earth and Metal, possesses both Water and Fire properties, and its therapeutic action can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yin. It is non-toxic. There are many varieties and colors; those that conform to the seasonal timing and have small flowers are considered superior. (According to *Yueling* [Monthly Ordinances]: "Chrysanthemums have yellow flowers." Other colors are not used in medicine.) Those growing in wild mountains and fields, which are bitter in taste and have green stems, are named Ku Yi (Bitter Mugwort-like herb) and should not be used; (Ku Yi flowers are also yellow, but their qi is thin and taste bitter, so using them in medicine causes harm instead.) Those cultivated in gardens, which are sweet in taste and have purple stems, are called Gan Ju (Sweet Chrysanthemum) and can be harvested. The bitter variety damages Stomach Qi, while the sweet variety supplements Yin Blood. If used as a guiding herb alone, it should be combined with Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori). It dispels Wind in the head, stops headache and dizziness, and is the premier herb for clearing the head; it nourishes blood in the eyes, reduces tearing, and removes corneal opacity, being unparalleled for improving vision. Decocted together with Ge Hua (Flos Puerariae), it can turn an elderly person's white hair black; fermented with Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata), it resolves drunken stupor and facilitates awakening. It disperses damp Bi syndrome, removes dead skin tissue, calms the intestines and stomach, and clears heat from the chest and diaphragm. It benefits the Qi and Blood of the whole body and expels wandering Wind from the four limbs. It can also treat lingering lower back pain. Long-term continuous use lightens the body and prolongs life. Crushing the roots and leaves to extract juice and taking it in one dose (harvest leaves in summer and autumn, roots in winter and spring) can save patients suffering from severe carbuncles and swellings who are near death.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: In *Yueling*, regarding peach and paulownia trees, only the flower is mentioned without specifying color, but for chrysanthemum, it specifically says "yellow flower," emphasizing its alignment with the correct seasonal timing. Moreover, during the appropriate season, they bloom profusely in fields and hillsides, filling the eyes with yellow flowers. The selection in *Yueling* is not without significance. The use of yellow chrysanthemum in medicine is based on this. Furthermore, research shows that the root, sprout, flower, and leaf can be combined in prescriptions. Harvest the sprouts on the Yin day of the first lunar month, leaves on the Yin day of the sixth month, flowers on the Yin day of the ninth month, and roots on the Yin day of the twelfth month. Dry them in the shade for one hundred days, weigh equal parts, and prepare them on an auspicious day. Pound them a thousand times into powder. Use refined honey to form pills the size of beans. Take seven pills with wine, three times a day. After one hundred days, the body becomes light and moist; after one year, white hair turns black; after two years, lost teeth regenerate; after three years, the appearance resembles that of a child. This is the most humble herb, yet it possesses great efficacy. I attach these details here to assist the elderly in extending their lives.