似木而类草。江左州郡多有之。叶类苦楝而小。凌冬不凋。临水生者尤茂。七月开小白
花。结实成簇。生青熟紫。秋中绛赤如丹。
枝叶
味苦。微涩酸。气平凉。入心脾肾三经。主治止泻除睡。强筋。益气力。久服轻身长年
。令人不饥。变白却老。凡血热则鬓发早白。而颜面枯槁。脾弱则困倦嗜卧。而气力不长。
肾虚则筋骨软弱。而行步不前。南烛入心凉血。入脾益气。入肾添精。故有轻身长年等效。
再变白之药多苦寒。有妨脾胃。惟南烛气味和平。兼能益脾。（仲淳）寒食采其叶。渍水染
饭
正黑如 珠。袋盛之可适远方。日进一合。不饥。益颜色。坚筋骨。能行。治一切风疾。久
服轻身明目。黑发驻颜。用南烛树春夏取枝叶。秋冬取根皮。细锉五斤。水五斗。慢火煎取
二斗。去渣净锅。慢火煎如稀饴。瓷瓶盛之。每温酒服一匙。日三服。一方。入童便同煎。
南烛子
味酸甘。气平。主治变白驻颜。轻身却老。功效尤胜枝叶。牧童食之。辄止饥渴。即其
验矣。
〔论〕 南天烛叶实。凌冬不凋。临水尤茂。是具足真阴之气者也。寒食日造青精饭。
能资阳气。是水达于木也。七月结青实。九月乃紫。是本阴中具足之真阳。由金以裕其用。
而火又达于金也。水达于木。则阴乘阳以升。火达于金。则阳御阴以降。（凡实至秋冬而紫
赤者甚多。惟合于叶之染饭色青。乃为阴升阳降耳。）宜其变白却老。为修真家所须。
Nantianzhu (Vaccinium bracteatum) resembles a tree but is herbaceous in nature. It is abundant in various prefectures east of the Yangtze River. Its leaves resemble those of Toosendan Fructus (Meliae Toosendan Fructus, 苦楝) but are smaller. They do not wither in winter and grow particularly lush near water. In July, it blooms with small white flowers, bearing clustered fruits that are green when raw and purple when ripe. By autumn, they turn crimson like cinnabar.
Branches and Leaves
Taste: Bitter, slightly astringent and sour. Nature: Neutral and cool. Meridian Tropism: Heart, Spleen, Kidney. Indications: Stops diarrhea, eliminates drowsiness, strengthens sinews and bones, benefits Qi and strength. Long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life, prevents hunger, reverses graying hair, and delays aging. Generally, blood heat causes premature graying of temples and withered complexion; Spleen deficiency leads to fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of strength; Kidney deficiency results in weak sinews and bones and difficulty walking. Nantianzhu cools blood in the Heart, benefits Qi in the Spleen, and replenishes Essence in the Kidney. Hence, it produces effects such as lightening the body and prolonging life. Furthermore, most herbs that reverse graying are bitter and cold, which may impair the Spleen and Stomach. Only Nantianzhu has a mild nature and additionally tonifies the Spleen. (Chen Shigong) Collect its leaves on Cold Food Day, soak them in water to dye rice. The rice turns jet black like pearls. Stored in bags, it can be carried for long journeys. Consuming one ge (a unit of volume) daily prevents hunger, improves complexion, strengthens sinews and bones, and enhances mobility. It treats all wind disorders. Long-term use lightens the body, brightens eyes, darkens hair, and preserves youth. Preparation: In spring and summer, collect branches and leaves; in autumn and winter, collect root bark. Finely chop five jin (approx. 2.5 kg), add five dou (approx. 50 liters) of water, and decoct slowly until two dou remain. Strain the residue, return the liquid to a clean pot, and simmer slowly until it reaches the consistency of thin syrup. Store in porcelain jars. Take one spoonful with warm wine, three times daily. Another method involves decocting with child's urine.
Fruits of Nantianzhu
Taste: Sour and sweet. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Reverses graying, preserves youth, lightens the body, and delays aging. Its efficacy surpasses that of the branches and leaves. Shepherds who eat it find their hunger and thirst quenched, which verifies its properties.
[Discussion]
The leaves and fruits of Nantianzhu do not wither in winter and thrive near water, indicating they possess abundant True Yin. Preparing Qingjing Rice (Green Essence Rice, 青精饭) on Cold Food Day nourishes Yang Qi, representing Water communicating with Wood. It bears green fruits in July, turning purple in September, signifying True Yang fully present within Yin, utilized by Metal, with Fire communicating with Metal. When Water communicates with Wood, Yin ascends with Yang; when Fire communicates with Metal, Yang descends with Yin. (Although many fruits turn purple or red in autumn and winter, only those whose dyed rice remains green reflect the principle of Yin ascending and Yang descending.) No wonder it reverses graying and delays aging, making it essential for Daoist cultivators.