气味甘平，无毒。主五脏六腑寒热邪气，坚筋骨，长肌肉，倍气力，金疮 ，解
毒。久服轻身延年。（生用清火，炙用补中。）
陈修园曰∶物之味甘者，至甘草为极。甘主脾，脾为后天之本，五脏六腑皆受气焉。脏
腑之本气，则为正气；外来寒热之气，则为邪气；正气旺则邪气自退也。筋者，肝所主也；
骨者，肾所主也；肌肉者，脾所主也；气者，肺所主也；力者，心所主也；但使脾气一盛，
则五脏皆循环受益，而皆得其坚之、长之、倍之之效矣。金疮者，为刀斧所伤而成疮，疮甚
而肿。脾得补而肉自满也。能解毒者，如毒物入土，则毒化也。土为万物之母，土健则轻身
延年也。
气味甘、平，无毒。主伤中，补虚羸，除寒热邪气，补中，益气力，长肌肉，强
阴。久服耳目聪明，轻身，不饥，延年。
陈修园曰∶此药因唐代宗名蓣，避讳改为山药。山药气平入肺，味甘无毒入脾。脾为中
州而统血，血者阴也，中之守也；唯能益血，故主伤中。伤中愈，则肌肉丰，故补虚羸。肺
主气，气虚则寒邪生；脾统血，血虚则热邪生；血气充而寒热邪气除矣。脾主四肢，脾血足
则四肢健；肺主气，肺气充则气力倍也。且此物生捣，最多津液而稠粘，又能补肾而填精，
精足则强阴。目明、耳聪、不饥，是脾血之旺；轻身是肺气之充；延年是夸其补益之效也。
凡上品，俱是寻常服食之物，非治病之药，故神农另提出“久服”二字。可见今人每服
上品之药，如此物及人参、熟地、葳蕤、阿胶、菟丝子、沙苑蒺藜之类，合为一方，以治大
病，误人无算。盖病不速去，元气日伤，伤及则死。凡上品之药，法宜久服，多则终身，少
则数年，与五谷之养人相佐，以臻寿考。若大病而需用此药，如五谷为养脾第一品。脾虚之
人
，强令食谷，即可毕补脾之能事，有是理乎？然操此技者，未有不得盛名。薛立斋、张景岳
、冯楚瞻辈，倡之于前。而近日之东延西请、日诊百人者，无非是术，诚可慨也！
[Codonopsis / Licorice]
The flavor is sweet and neutral, non-toxic. It primarily treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the five zang organs and six fu organs, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, doubles strength and energy, treats metal wounds (injuries caused by metal weapons), and resolves toxins. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life. (Raw use clears fire; honey-fried use tonifies the middle jiao.)
Chen Xiuyuan said: Among substances with a sweet flavor, Licorice (Gancao) is the ultimate. Sweetness enters the Spleen, which is the foundation of acquired constitution; the five zang organs and six fu organs all receive qi from it. The original qi of the zang and fu organs constitutes the righteous qi (Zhengqi); external invading cold and heat constitute pathogenic qi (Xieqi). When righteous qi is vigorous, pathogenic qi naturally recedes. Sinews are governed by the Liver; bones by the Kidney; muscles by the Spleen; qi by the Lung; strength by the Heart. If Spleen qi becomes vigorous, the five zang organs will benefit cyclically, achieving effects of strengthening, growing, and doubling. Metal wounds are sores formed by injuries from knives or axes, characterized by severe swelling. When the Spleen is tonified, flesh naturally fills out. Its ability to resolve toxins is like poison entering the earth, where it transforms and dissipates. Earth is the mother of all things; when Earth qi is robust, the body becomes light and life is prolonged.
[Dioscorea / Yam]
The flavor is sweet and neutral, non-toxic. It primarily treats internal injury, tonifies deficiency and emaciation, eliminates cold and heat pathogenic factors, tonifies the middle jiao, benefits qi and strength, promotes muscle growth, and strengthens yin essence. Long-term consumption makes the eyes clear and ears sharp, lightens the body, reduces hunger, and prolongs life.
Chen Xiuyuan said: This herb was renamed Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) due to the taboo avoidance for the name Yu during the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty. Shan Yao has a neutral nature entering the Lung meridian and a sweet, non-toxic flavor entering the Spleen meridian. The Spleen resides in the central region and governs blood; blood belongs to yin and serves as the stabilizer of the interior. Only by benefiting blood can it treat internal injury. Once internal injury heals, muscles become plump, thus tonifying deficiency and emaciation. The Lung governs qi; qi deficiency generates cold pathogens; the Spleen governs blood; blood deficiency generates heat pathogens. When qi and blood are abundant, cold and heat pathogens are eliminated. The Spleen governs the four limbs; when Spleen blood is sufficient, the limbs are strong. The Lung governs qi; when Lung qi is充盈 (full), strength is doubled. Moreover, when this herb is crushed raw, it contains abundant fluid essence and is viscous; it also tonifies the Kidney and replenishes essence. When essence is sufficient, yin essence is strengthened. Clear vision and acute hearing, along with lack of hunger, indicate vigorous Spleen blood; a light body indicates充盈 Lung qi; prolonging life exaggerates its tonifying efficacy. All first-grade herbs are items for daily dietary consumption, not medicines for treating acute diseases. Therefore, Shennong specifically highlighted the phrase "long-term consumption." It is evident that modern practitioners often combine first-grade herbs such as Shan Yao, Renshen (Ginseng), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Weihuang (Polygonatum Rhizome), Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed), and Shayuan Jili (Astragalus Complanatus Seed) into a single prescription to treat major illnesses, causing countless errors. If pathogens are not expelled quickly, primordial qi is damaged day by day; once severely damaged, death ensues. The principle for first-grade herbs dictates long-term consumption—either lifelong or for several years—complementing the nourishing effect of grains to achieve longevity. If major illnesses require these herbs, it would be akin to using grains as the primary tonic for the Spleen. Would forcing a person with Spleen deficiency to eat grains suffice to complete the task of tonifying the Spleen? Is there any logic in this? Nevertheless, those who employ this technique invariably gain great fame. Xue Lizhai, Zhang Jingyue, and Feng Chuzhan pioneered this approach. Today's physicians who travel east and west, diagnosing hundreds of patients daily, rely on this same method, which is truly lamentable!