味苦温。主风寒湿痹。死肌痉疸。止汗除热消食。作煎饵。久服轻身。延年不饥。一名
山蓟。生山谷。
子欲绝谷。当服山精。紫花标色。绿叶抽萌。朝烟夜火。悟拙激清。余香满室。空甑尘
生。
淮南子。术草者。山之精。服之令人长生绝谷。故神农药经曰。子欲长生。当服山精。
庾肩
吾启。绿叶抽条。紫花标色。梅尧臣诗。夜火煮石泉。朝烟遍岩窟。柳宗元诗。悟拙甘自足
。激清愧同波。邵宝诗。嚼罢不知香满室。范成大诗。摩挲莱芜甑。尘生不须拂。
味辛平。主续绝伤。补不足。益气力肥健。汁去面 。久服明目。轻身。延年。一
名菟芦。生川泽。
求系求援。施于松柏。金线垂黄。琼花间白。感气传形。辞根成魄。下有茯苓。千秋薮
泽。
国语叔向曰。求系既系矣。求援既援矣。诗。施于松柏。诗疏。蔓连草上。生黄赤如金。
庚
辛玉
册。有花白色微红。抱朴子。下有伏兔之根。无此在下。则丝不得生于上。然实不属也。淮
南
子。千秋之松。下有茯苓。上有菟丝。牛膝。味苦酸。主寒湿痿痹。四肢拘挛。膝痛不可屈
伸。逐血气伤热。火烂堕胎。久服轻身耐老。一名百倍。生川谷。
膝以形似。本赤茎方。枝枝相对。叶叶相当。四肢美畅。百倍坚强。功资注下。合散扶
伤。
陶弘景曰。有节似膝。故以为名。吴普曰。叶如夏蓝。本赤。李时珍曰。其苗方茎。苏
颂曰
。节叶两两相对。古诗。枝枝相覆盖。宋子侯诗。花花自相对。叶叶自相当。易。美在其中
。而畅于四肢。史记传。蔡泽百体坚强。新论。从高注下。后汉书传。刘陶合散扶伤。
[Shu (Atractylodes)]
Bitter in flavor, warm in nature. Primarily treats Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, muscle necrosis, spasms, and jaundice. It stops sweating, reduces heat, and aids digestion. When prepared as a decoction paste or pill, long-term consumption makes the body light, extends lifespan, and prevents hunger. Also known as Shan Ji (Mountain Thistle). Grows in mountain valleys.
If one wishes to abstain from grains, one should consume "Shan Jing" (Mountain Essence, referring to Atractylodes). Its purple flowers display their color, while green leaves sprout new shoots. Morning mist and night fire inspire an understanding of clumsiness and stimulate clarity. The lingering fragrance fills the room; dust accumulates on empty steamers (indicating no need for cooking after long-term use).
Huainanzi records: Atractylodes is the essence of the mountain; consuming it grants longevity and allows one to abstain from grains. Thus, the Shennong Bencao Jing states: "If you wish for longevity, consume the Mountain Essence."
Yu Jianwu wrote: "Green leaves sprout branches, purple flowers display their color." Mei Yaochen's poem says: "Boiling stones with spring water at night, morning mist pervades the caves." Liu Zongyuan's poem says: "Understanding clumsiness, content with oneself; stimulating clarity, ashamed to be like the waves." Shao Bao's poem says: "After chewing, unaware that fragrance fills the room." Fan Chengda's poem says: "Rubbing the Laiwu steamer, dust accumulates, no need to brush."
[Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen)]
Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature. Primarily treats broken injuries, supplements deficiencies, benefits Qi and strength, and promotes robust health. Its juice removes facial pigmentation. Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, makes the body light, and extends lifespan. Also known as Tu Lu. Grows in rivers and marshes.
Seeking bonds and support, applied to pines and cypresses. Golden threads hang yellow, jade-like flowers intersperse white. Sensing Qi to transmit form, leaving roots to become soul (referring to its parasitic nature). Below lies Poria, gathering in this marsh for millennia.
Guoyu records Shuxiang saying: "The bond sought is already bound, the support sought is already援ed." The Book of Songs says: "Applied to pines and cypresses." The commentary on the Book of Songs notes: "Vining grass connects upon grass, growing yellow-red like gold." Gengxin Yuce records: "Flowers are white with slight red." Baopuzi states: "Below lies the root of the hidden rabbit; without this below, the thread cannot grow above. Yet they do not actually connect." Huainanzi says: "Under thousand-year-old pines lies Poria, above lies Cuscuta."
[Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)]
Bitter and sour in flavor. Primarily treats Wei-Bi syndrome caused by cold-dampness, limb contracture, and knee pain with inability to flex or extend. It expels pathogenic heat from blood and Qi, treats fire-toxin ulcers, and induces abortion. Long-term consumption makes the body light and enhances resistance to aging. Also known as Bai Bei. Grows in river valleys.
Named for its resemblance to the knee. The stem base is square, branches face each other, leaves correspond equally. Limbs become beautiful and smooth, strong as a hundred times. Its function assists downward guidance, combining powders to aid healing.
Tao Hongjing said: "It has nodes resembling knees, hence the name." Wu Pu said: "Leaves resemble Xia Lan (a plant), the root is red." Li Shizhen said: "Its seedling stems are square." Su Song said: "Nodes and leaves are pairwise opposite." Ancient poetry says: "Branches cover each other." Song Zihou's poem says: "Flowers face each other, leaves correspond equally." The I Ching says: "Beauty resides within, flowing smoothly into the four limbs." Records of the Grand Historian record Cai Ze: "All parts of the body are strong." Xin Lun records: "Pouring down from high places." History of the Later Han records Liu Tao: "Combining powders to aid healing."