味辛，平。主 疟，寒热、邪气，泄利，阴不起，病酒，头痛。生汉中。
《吴普》曰∶小豆花，一名腐婢（旧作付月，误）。神农∶甘，毒。七月采，阴干四十
日。
治头痛，止渴（《御览》）。
《名医》曰∶生汉中。即小豆花也。七月采，阴干。
上米、谷，下品一种。旧同。
味苦，寒。主大水，面目四肢浮肿，下水，令人叶。生川泽。
《名医》曰∶生晋地。
案∶《说文》云∶瓠匏，匏瓠也。《广雅》云∶匏，瓠也。《尔雅》云∶瓠，栖瓣。《
毛诗》云∶瓠有苦叶。《传》云∶匏，谓之瓠。又九月断壶。《传》云∶壶，瓠也。《古今
注》云∶瓠，壶芦也。壶芦，瓠之无柄者。瓠，有柄者。又云∶瓢，瓠也。其 ，曰匏。
瓠则别名。
味甘，平。主女子赤沃，止血养精，保血脉，益气，令人肥健、嗜食。一名水英。生池
泽。
《名医》曰∶生南海。
案∶《说文》云∶芹，楚葵也；近，菜类也。《周礼》有近菹。《尔雅》云∶芹，楚葵。
郭璞云∶今水中芹菜。《字林》云∶芹草，生水中。根，可缘器。又云∶ 菜，似蒜，
生水
中。
上菜，下品二种。旧同。
味甘，温。主腹中邪气，去三虫、蛇螫、蛊毒、鬼注、伏尸。生山谷（旧在《唐本》退
中）。
《名医》曰∶生永昌。
案∶陶弘景云∶方家，从来无用此者。古今诸医及药家，子不复识。又，一名熊子，不
知其形何类也。掌禹锡云∶树，似杉；子，如槟榔。《本经》虫部云∶彼子，芝注云∶彼字
合从木。《尔雅》云∶彼，一名 。
三品，合三百六十五种，法三百六十度，一度应一日，以成一岁（倍其数，合七百三十
名也）。
掌禹锡曰∶本草例，《神农本经》以朱书，《名医别录》以墨书。《神农》药三百六十五
种，今此言倍其数，合七百三十名，是并《名医别录》副品而言也。则此下节《别录》之文
也，当作墨书矣。盖传定浸久，朱墨错乱之所致耳。
案∶禹锡说，是也，改为细字。
药有君、臣、佐、使，以相宣摄合和宜。用一君，二臣，三佐，五使；又可一君，三臣
，九佐、使也。
药有阴阳配合，子母兄弟，根茎花实，草石骨肉；有单行者，有相须者，有相使者，有
相畏者，有相恶者，有相反者，有相杀者。凡此七精，合和时之，当用相须、相使者良，勿
用相恶、相反者。若有毒宜制，可用相畏、相杀者。不尔，勿合用也。
药有酸、咸、甘、苦、辛五味，又有寒、热、温、凉四气，及有毒无毒，阴干曝干，采
造时月，生熟土地所出，真伪陈新，并各有法。
药性有宜丸者，宜散者，宜水煮者，宜酒渍者，宜膏煎者；亦有一物兼宜者；亦有不可
入汤酒者，并随药性，不得违越。
欲疗病，先察其原，先候病机。五脏未虚，六腑未竭，血脉未乱，精神未散，服药必活
。若病已成，可得半愈；病势已过，命将难全。
若用毒药疗病，先起如黍粟，病去，即止。不去，倍之；不去，十之。取去为度。
疗寒，以热药；疗热，以寒药；饮食不消，以吐下药；鬼注蛊毒，以毒药；痈肿创瘤，
以创药；风湿，以风湿药。各随其所宜。
病在胸膈以上者，先食，后服药；病在心腹以下者，先服药而后食；病在四肢血脉者，
宜空腹而在旦；病在骨髓者，宜饱满而在夜。
夫大病之主，有中风伤寒，寒热温疟，中恶霍乱，大腹水肿，肠 下利，大小便不通；
贲肫上气，咳逆呕吐；黄疽消渴，留饮癖食，坚积症瘕，惊邪 痫；鬼注喉痹、齿痛，
耳聋目盲；金创 折，痈肿恶创，痔 瘿瘤；男子五劳七伤，虚乏羸瘦；女子带下崩中，血
闭阴蚀；虫蛇蛊毒所伤。此大略宗兆。其间变动枝叶，各宜依端绪以取之。
上药，令人身安命延，升天神仙，遨游上下，役使万灵，体生毛羽，行厨立至（《抱朴
子·内篇》引《神农经》，据《太平御览》校）。
中药，养性；下药，除病。能令毒虫不加，猛兽不犯，恶气不行，众妖并辟（《抱朴子
·内篇》引《神农经》）。
太一子曰∶凡药，上者，养命；中者，养性；下者，养病（《艺文类聚》引《本草经》）。
太一子曰∶凡药，上者，养命；中药，养性；下药，养病。神农乃作赭鞭、钩 （尺制
切）。从六阴阳，与太乙外（巡字）五岳四渎，土地所生草石，骨肉心灰，皮，毛羽，万千
类
，皆鞭问之，得其所能治主，当其五味，一日（一字旧误作百）七十毒（《太平御览》引《本
草经》）。
神农稽首再拜，问于太乙子曰∶曾闻之时寿过百岁，而徂落之咎，独何气使然也？太乙
子曰∶天有九门，中道最良。神农乃从其尝药，以拯救人命。（《太平御览》引《神农本草
》）。
按∶此诸条，与今《本经》卷上文略相似，诸书所引，较《本经》文多。又云是太一子
说，今无者，疑后节之。其云赭鞭、钩 ，当是煮辨、候制之假音，鞭问之，即辨问之。无
怪说也。
药物有大毒，不可入口鼻耳目者，即杀人。一曰钩吻（卢氏曰∶阴地黄精，不相连，根
苗独生者，是也），二曰鸱（状如雌鸡，生山中），三曰阴命（赤色，着木县其子，生海中），
四曰内童（状如鹅，亦生海中），五曰鸩羽（如雀，墨头赤喙），六曰 （生海中，雄曰 ，
雌
曰也。《博物志》引《神农经》）。
药种有五物∶一曰野狼毒，占斯解之；二曰巴头，藿汁解之；三曰黎，卢汤解之；四曰天
雄、乌头，大豆解之；五曰班茅，戎盐解之。毒菜害小儿，乳汁解，先食饮二升（《博物志》
引《神农经》）。
五芝及饵丹砂、玉札、曾青、雄黄、雌黄、云母、太乙禹余粮，各可单服之，皆令人飞
行、长生（《抱朴子·内篇》引《神农四经》）。
春夏为阳，秋冬为阴（《文选》注引《神农本草》）。
春为阳，阳温，生万物（同上）。
黄精与术，饵之却粒；或遇凶年，可以绝粒。谓之米脯（《太平御览》引《抱朴子》、《神
农经》）。
五味，养精神，强魂魄。五石，养髓，肌肉肥泽。诸药，其味酸者，补肝、养心，除肾
病；其味苦者，补心、养脾，除肝病；其味甘者，补肺、养脾，除心病；其味辛者，补肺、
养肾，除脾病；其味咸者，补肺，除肝病。故五味，应五行；四体，应四时。夫人性生于四
时，然后命于五行，以一补身，不死命神。以母养子，长生延年；以子守母，除病究年（《太
平御览》引《养生要略》、《神农经》）。
案∶此诸条，当是玉石、草木三品前总论，而后人节去。
[Fubi]
Taste: Acrid (Xin). Nature: Neutral (Ping). Indications: Malaria (Nüe), alternating chills and fever (Hanre), pathogenic factors (Xieqi), diarrhea and dysentery (Xieli), impotence or failure of the genitalia to rise (Yin bu qi), wine jaundice (Bing jiu), headache (Toutong). Habitat: Hanzhong region.
Wu Pu states: It is the flower of Vigna angularis (Azuki bean flower), also known as Fubi (formerly miswritten as "Fuyue"). Shennong Bencao Jing records its taste as Sweet (Gan) and toxicity as Toxic (Du). Harvested in the seventh lunar month, dried in shade for forty days.
Treats headache, relieves thirst (cited from Taiping Yulan).
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Hanzhong. It is indeed the Azuki bean flower. Harvested in the seventh lunar month, dried in shade.
Category: Grains and Rice. Grade: Upper. Same as old classification.
[Bizi]
Taste: Bitter (Ku). Nature: Cold (Han). Indications: Severe water retention disease (Dashui), edema of face, eyes, and limbs, promotes urination to reduce swelling, makes the body light and healthy. Habitat: Rivers and marshes.
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Jin region.
Textual Research: Shuowen Jiezi says: Hu and Pao are similar gourds. Guangya says: Pao is Hu. Erya says: Hu refers to the gourd with a handle. Mao Shi says: The leaves of the gourd are bitter. Zhuan commentary says: Pao is called Hu. Also mentions cutting the gourd in the ninth month. Zhuan commentary says: Hu (pot) is the gourd. Gujin Zhu says: Hu is the gourd. Hulu is the gourd without a handle. Hu is the gourd with a handle. Also says: Ping (ladle) is a type of Hu. The one without a handle is called Pao. Hu is another name.
[Qin]
Taste: Sweet (Gan). Nature: Neutral (Ping). Indications: Leukorrhea (Chiwō) in women, stops bleeding, nourishes essence, protects blood vessels, tonifies Qi, makes the body robust and strong, increases appetite. Another name: Shuiying. Habitat: Ponds and marshes.
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Nanhai region.
Textual Research: Shuowen Jiezi says: Qin is Chu Kui; Jin belongs to vegetable categories. Zhou Li mentions "Jin Zu". Erya says: Qin is Chu Kui. Guo Pu comments: It is the celery growing in water today. Zilin says: Qin grass grows in water. Its roots can wrap around vessels. Also says: A certain vegetable resembles garlic and grows in water.
Category: Vegetables. Grade: Lower. Two species. Same as old classification.
[Bizi] (Note: Text repeats Bizi, likely referring to Torreyas seed/Feizi based on context of "Bear Seed" and shape description)
Taste: Sweet (Gan). Nature: Warm (Wen). Indications: Pathogenic factors in the abdomen, expels three types of parasites (San Chong), snake bites, gu poison, Gui Zhu disease, Fusshi disease. Habitat: Mountain valleys (Previously placed in Tang Bencao lower tier).
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Yongchang region.
Textual Research: Tao Hongjing says: Practitioners have never used this herb. Modern physicians and pharmacists no longer recognize this seed. Also, it is another name Xiongzi (Bear Seed), but its shape is unknown. Zhang Yuxi says: The tree resembles fir; the seed resembles betel nut. Benjing Insect Section notes: Bizi, Zheng Xuan's commentary states: The character Bi should have the wood radical. Erya says: Bi is another name for [object].
Upper, Middle, and Lower grades total 365 species, corresponding to the 360 degrees of heaven, one degree per day, forming a year (Doubled, totaling 730 names).
Zhang Yuxi states: The format of Bencao, Shennong Bencao Jing uses red cinnabar ink, Mingyi Bielu uses black ink. Shennong Bencao Jing has 365 drugs. The current mention of doubling the number to 730 includes the supplementary items of Mingyi Bielu. Therefore, the text below belongs to Bielu content and should be in black ink. This is likely due to the confusion of red and black ink over long transmission periods.
Research: Zhang Yuxi's explanation is correct; changed to small print.
Drugs have Jun (Monarch), Chen (Minister), Zuo (Assistant), and Shi (Envoy) roles to coordinate and harmonize. Suitable combinations include one Monarch, two Ministers, three Assistants, five Envoys; or one Monarch, three Ministers, nine Assistants/Envoys.
Drugs have Yin-Yang compatibility, parent-child relationships, root/stem/flower/fruit distinctions, and categories of herbs/minerals/meat/bone. Some act alone (Dan Xing), some enhance each other (Xiang Xu), some assist each other (Xiang Shi), some fear/inhibit each other (Xiang Wei), some disgust/reduce efficacy (Xiang Wu), some oppose/create toxicity (Xiang Fan), some kill/toxin-neutralize each other (Xiang Sha). Of these seven interactions, when combining, use Xiang Xu and Xiang Shi for best results; avoid Xiang Wu and Xiang Fan. If toxic drugs need control, use Xiang Wei and Xiang Sha methods. Otherwise, do not combine them.
Drugs have Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, Acrid five flavors, and Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool four natures, plus toxic/non-toxic distinctions. Drying methods (shade/sun), harvesting times, origins, authenticity, and freshness all have specific rules.
Drug properties suit pills, powders, decoctions, wine maceration, or pastes; some suit multiple forms; some cannot be used in decoctions or wine. Follow drug nature, do not violate rules.
To treat disease, first investigate the cause, then observe the disease mechanism. If Zang organs are not deficient, Fu organs not exhausted, blood vessels not chaotic, spirit not scattered, medication will surely cure. If disease is established, only half recovery is possible; if disease stage has passed, life is hard to save.
If using toxic drugs to treat disease, start with a dose like millet grains. Stop when disease leaves. If not gone, double the dose; if still not gone, increase tenfold. Take disease removal as the limit.
Treat cold with hot drugs; treat heat with cold drugs; indigestion with emetics or purgatives; Gui Zhu/Gu poison with toxic drugs; abscesses/tumors with topical/surgical drugs; wind-dampness with wind-damp resolving drugs. Each according to suitability.
Disease above chest/diaphragm: eat first, then take medicine. Disease below heart/abdomen: take medicine first, then eat. Disease in limbs/blood vessels: empty stomach, morning. Disease in bone marrow: full stomach, night.
Major diseases include: Wind-stroke, Shanghan, Hanre Wen Nüe, Zhong E Huo Luan, abdominal edema, intestinal diarrhea, constipation/incontinence; Bentun rising qi, cough/vomiting; Jaundice, Xiao Ke, retained fluid/phlegm, fixed masses, epilepsy; Gui Zhu, sore throat, toothache, deafness, blindness; trauma/fractures, malignant sores, hemorrhoids/goiter; Men's five labors/seven injuries, deficiency/emaciation; Women's leukorrhea/metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, yin erosion; injuries from insects/snakes/poison. These are general outlines. Variations should be addressed by tracing their origins.
Upper grade drugs make people peaceful, extend life, ascend to immortality, roam heavens, command spirits, grow feathers, summon food instantly (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, verified by Taiping Yulan).
Middle grade drugs nurture nature/character; Lower grade drugs eliminate disease. They prevent venomous insects from attacking, fierce beasts from harming, evil qi from spreading, and demons from approaching (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, citing Shennong Jing).
Taiyizi says: Generally, drugs: Upper nourish life (Yang Ming); Middle nourish nature (Yang Xing); Lower nourish disease treatment (Yang Bing) (Cited from Yiwen Leiju, citing Bencao Jing).
Taiyizi says: Generally, drugs: Upper nourish life; Middle nourish nature; Lower nourish disease treatment. Shennong made the Scarlet Whip and Hook Rope (Chi Zhi Qie sound). Following the Six Yin-Yang, touring the Five Mountains and Four Rivers with Taiyi, inspecting plants, stones, meats, ashes, skins, feathers produced by the land, thousands of species, he whipped and questioned them, learning their curative functions and corresponding flavors, identifying seventy poisons per day (One character formerly mistaken for hundred) (Cited from Taiping Yulan, citing Bencao Jing).
Shennong bowed twice, asking Taiyizi: I heard human lifespan exceeds one hundred years, but what causes death? Taiyizi said: Heaven has nine gates, the middle path is best. Shennong followed him tasting herbs to save human lives (Cited from Taiping Yulan, citing Shennong Bencao).
Note: These passages are similar to current Bencao volume texts, but other books cite more text. Attributed to Taiyizi, now missing, suspected to be later addition. "Scarlet Whip/Hook Rope" are likely phonetic loans for "Boiling/Distinguishing" and "Testing/Regulating". Whipping/questioning means distinguishing/questioning. No strange meaning.
Drugs with high toxicity, harmful to mouth/nose/eyes/ears, kill immediately. One: Gougen (Lu Shi says: Yin Di Huang Jing, non-connected, root and shoot separate). Two: Chi (Like hen, mountain born). Three: Yinming (Red, hangs on trees, sea born). Four: Neitong (Like goose, sea born). Five: Zhenyu (Like sparrow, black head red beak). Six: [Name] (Sea born, male/female distinct. Bomowu Zhi cites Shennong Jing).
Antidotes for drug poisoning (Five substances): One: Yelangdu, antidoted by Zansi. Two: Batou, antidoted by Huozhi. Three: Li, antidoted by Lu Tang. Four: Tianxiong/Aotou, antidoted by Da Dou (Soybean). Five: Banmao, antidoted by Rongyan (Rock salt). Poisonous vegetables harming children, antidoted by milk, drink two sheng first (Bomowu Zhi cites Shennong Jing).
Five Zhi (Lichens/Mushrooms) and elixirs of Cinnabar, Jade Chip, Qinghao, Realgar, Orpiment, Mica, Taiyi Yuyuliang can be taken singly, granting flight and longevity (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, citing Shennong Sijing).
Spring/Summer are Yang; Autumn/Winter are Yin (Wenxuan Zhu cites Shennong Bencao).
Spring is Yang, warm Yang generates all things (Same source).
Huangjing and Baizhu (Atractylodes), taken, stop grain consumption; in famine, can sustain life without grain. Called Miguo (Taiping Yulan cites Baopuzi, Shennong Jing).
Five Flavors nourish spirit, strengthen soul. Five Stones nourish marrow, fatten muscles. Drugs: Sour flavor tonifies Liver, nourishes Heart, removes Kidney disease; Bitter flavor tonifies Heart, nourishes Spleen, removes Liver disease; Sweet flavor tonifies Lung, nourishes Spleen, removes Heart disease; Acrid flavor tonifies Lung, nourishes Kidney, removes Spleen disease; Salty flavor tonifies Lung, removes Liver disease. Thus Five Flavors correspond to Five Elements; Four Limbs correspond to Four Seasons. Human nature born from Four Seasons, fate determined by Five Elements. Tonify body with one, immortality achieved. Mother nourishes Son for longevity; Son guards Mother to remove disease and prolong life (Taiping Yulan cites Yangsheng Yaolüe, Shennong Jing).
Research: These passages were likely the general preface before the three grades of minerals/plants, later deleted by editors.