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Peach kernel (Tao Ren) and apricot kernel (Xing Ren) are both toxic. Eating fruits in May before the kernels have formed can cause carbuncles, furuncles, and alternating chills and fever. Additionally, fruits that fall to the ground in autumn and summer and are touched by harmful insects, if eaten, can cause "Jiu Lou" disease (a type of cervical lymph node tuberculosis). Eating peach blossoms can cause Lin syndrome (dysuria characterized by frequent, urgent, and painful urination). Plum kernels should not be eaten with chicken eggs, as this may lead to internal stagnation and indigestion.

(Added during the Jiyi year from *Bencao Yan Yi*)

Sesamum indicum (Huma): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats internal injury, emaciation due to deficiency, tonifies the five zang organs, boosts qi and strength, promotes muscle growth, fills the marrow and brain, strengthens bones and sinews, treats metal weapon injuries, relieves pain, and treats Shanghan (cold damage), Wen Nue (warm malaria), as well as post-emesis deficiency heat, emaciation, and fatigue. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, clarifies the ears and eyes, increases resistance to hunger and thirst, and prolongs life. When processed into oil, it is slightly cold in nature, promotes bowel movement, and treats retained placenta. Rubbing raw Sesamum indicum on swellings treats alopecia. Also known as Jusheng (Great Victory), Goushi (Dog Louse), Fangjing (Square Stem), and Hongzang. The leaves are called Qingxi. It grows in the streams and marshes of Shangdang.

Tao Hongjing stated: Among the eight grains, only this one is superior. Pure black ones are named Jusheng. "Ju" means large, signifying great victory. It originally originated from Dayuan, hence the name Huma. Furthermore, those with square stems are called Jusheng, while those with round stems are called Huma. Those practicing dietary therapy should steam and sun-dry them nine times each, then roast and grind them for consumption. They can be used to abandon grain (fasting from cereals), achieve longevity, and satisfy hunger. Although easily obtained, even scholars in secular Daoist practices often cannot consume them regularly, let alone other medicines! If not steamed thoroughly, they cause hair loss. Their nature is compatible with Poria cocos (Fuling). In secular prescriptions, they are rarely used, sometimes combined in decoctions or pills. *Tang Ben Zhu* notes: This sesame with eight-angled pods is Jusheng; those with four angles are called Huma. Black ones are superior, white ones inferior. Chewing raw and applying it to children's head sores and oozing malignant sores is highly effective. Chen Yuxi et al. cite Wu Shi: Sesamum indicum is also called Fangjing Jin. Shennong and Leigong state: Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Harvest green leaves in autumn, also called Mengshen. Baopuzi states: Jusheng is also Huma; consuming it refers to Goushi/Jusheng; vine leaves refer to Sesamum leaves. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Leaves, crushed for juice to bathe, are very good. It also treats cattle suffering from heat injury; crushing and administering the juice leads to immediate recovery. For those suffering from metrorrhagia with blood stasis and infectious diseases, take one sheng of raw material, crush it, add to hot water, squeeze out half a sheng, and recover immediately. Jusheng is valued in immortal scriptures; mixing one sheng of white honey with one sheng of seeds creates "Jingshen Wan" (Quiet Spirit Pill). Regular consumption treats lung qi issues and moistens the five zang organs. Its benefits are numerous; it also aids in fasting, fills bone marrow, and is particularly beneficial for men. For patients with deficiency and rapid breathing, add Sesamum indicum. Chen Zangqi states: Flowers dried in shade, soaked to extract juice, can be used to knead dough until tough and smooth. Chen Shiliang states: Raw Sesamum indicum kernels, chewed and applied, treat children's head sores; it also treats women's genital sores. Initially, it promotes bowel and bladder function; long-term use causes constipation, removing the old and retaining the new. Ri Huazi states: Sesamum indicum tonifies the middle and boosts qi, nourishes the five zang organs, treats labor qi exhaustion, postpartum weakness, resists cold and heat, and calms heart palpitations. Seeds promote bowel/bladder function, facilitate childbirth and expulsion of the placenta,驱散 wind-warmth qi, wandering wind, and headache wind, tonify lung qi, moisten the five zang organs, and fill essence and marrow. Finely ground and applied to hair promotes growth. White honey-steamed pills treat hundred diseases. Leaf decoctions for bathing moisturize hair, smooth skin, and improve blood color. *Tujing* states: Sesamum indicum is Jusheng. Grows in Shangdang streams. Qingxi (sound similar character), the seedling of Jusheng, grows in central plains valleys and is now widely cultivated. Mostly garden-grown, rarely wild. Stems resemble hemp, but leaves are round, sharp, and glossy. Tender leaves can be eaten as vegetables; Daoists often consume them. According to *Guangya*: Goushi is Jusheng; vine leaves are Sesamum. Tao Hongjing stated: Square-stemmed plants are Jusheng; round-stemmed are Huma. Su Gong stated: Six-angled and four-angled pods are Huma. Thus, Jusheng and Huma would become two different things. Some say it originally came from Hu lands, and since it is the greatest among the eight grains, it is called Jusheng. This suggests one thing with two names. However, immortal prescriptions mention two methods for consuming Sesamum and Jusheng, with slight functional differences. It is suspected to be one species with two varieties, like Tianxiong and Fuzi. Ge Chichuan considered pod-bearing plants as Jusheng correct. To eat the fruit, nine steam-nine sun-dry cycles are required, roasted and ground, to abandon grain. Mixed with white honey into pills called Jingshen Wan, it benefits lungs and moistens zang organs. Pressed oil treats epidemic heat constipation; one he of oil provides relief. Flowers, dried in shade and soaked for juice, make dough tough and smooth. Leaves bathed in promote hair growth. Another view: Modern Sesamum has leaves narrow and pointed like Perilla, square stems, 4-5 chi high. Yellow flowers produce pods small like Sesamum pods. Tender leaves are edible, sweet and slippery, promoting bowel movement. Skin can be made into cloth resembling hemp. Seeds are black, fine like leek seeds, bitter as gall, powder lacks oil. Others believe modern Sesamum is oil sesame because it came from Dayuan. Black is superior, white inferior. *Bencao Zhu* states: Sesame oil must be cold-pressed; roasted/cooked oil is only for food, not medicine. Preface mentions Xima is Sesamum, flat-shaped, square-stemmed is Jusheng. Views differ, yet Sesamum is crucial for dietary therapy. Such errors hinder efficacy.

New annotations state: Sesamum, white soybeans, and dates, nine-steamed nine-sun-dried and formed into balls, prevent hunger, prolong life, and aid fasting. Combined with Xanthium sibiricum powder, it treats wind-leprosy. Leigong states: There are four types. Eight-angled, pointed ends, purple-black are mistakenly called Sesamum. True Jusheng has seven angles, red color, astringent/sour taste. Calling black oil sesame Jusheng is also wrong. Processing one jin: wash, discard floating, drain sinking, dry, mix with wine, steam from Si hour to Hai hour, spread dry, pound in mortar to remove coarse skin, stir-fry with adzuki beans until beans are cooked, remove beans. Remove thin skin, keep shell for potency. *Shiliao* says it moistens zang organs, treats fire burns. Mountain-grown is four-angled. Soil differs, efficacy same. Valued by fasters. Fills marrow, tonifies deficiency. *Shenghui Fang*: Treats five zang deficiency, emaciation, boosts qi, strengthens bones. Jusheng steamed/dried nine times, take two he, soak in water wrapped in cloth, rub off skin, grind, filter juice, boil, cook with japonica rice porridge. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats sore limbs and mild swelling. Five sheng black sesame roasted and crushed, drink sparingly. Another formula: Boiling water pour over, apply paste of raw crushed Sesamum to burnt sores. *Qianjin Fang*: One dan of sesame steamed thirty times, powdered, taken with wine, one sheng daily. Another: Treats waist/leg pain. One sheng Sesamum cures permanently. Taken with wine, soup, or honey water. Another: Chew and apply to sores. Another: Treats toothache. Five sheng Sesamum boiled in one dou water to five sheng, gargle and spit. Stem and leaves usable. Yao claims miraculous effect, no more than two doses needed for swelling/pain/heat toxicity. *Jiusheng San*: One sheng fresh Sesamum, lightly roasted black, cooled, powdered, mixed with fresh water three qian, or formed into pill size of bullet, dissolved in fresh water. For heat exposure, do not apply cold externally, or death ensues. *Meishi Fang*: For centipede entering ear, crush Sesamum, put in bag as pillow. Sun Simiao: Three sheng Sesamum, remove yellow/black, roast fragrant, powder. Mix with three sheng white honey, simmer, pound three hundred times, form pills like paulownia seeds. Take thirty pills morning, intestines transform into tendons. Effective for those over forty. Cultivators claim it removes chronic diseases, face glows after one year, no hunger, immune to fire/water after three years, runs as fast as galloping horses, long-term use ensures longevity. Shangdang origin is best. Three dou Sesamum, clean, steam in basket until vapor penetrates, dry, wash foam, steam again, repeat nine times. Peel with hot water, winnow, roast fragrant, powder, honey pills. Dissolve one pill in warm wine. Avoid toxic fish/raw vegetables. *Danfang Jingyuan*: Jusheng cooks cinnabar. Emperor Jianwen of Liang's medical advice: Sesamum stops headache. Modern people confuse it with ash-washing vegetable, likely Chenopodium. Han Bao says this confusion is worse. *Shenxian Zhuan*: Lu Nvsheng consumed Sesamum and Atractylodes, became strong, walked 300 li/day, outran deer. *Benshi Shi*: "Sesame is easy to plant but no one plants it; just when you return, you do not." Folk legend: Husband and wife planting together yields lush harvest, hence poetry uses Sesamum as metaphor. *Xu Qixie Ji*: Liu Chen and Ruan Zhao entered Tiantai Mountain, got lost, met stream, encountered two women who knew their names, invited them home, served Sesamum rice and stone marrow.

*Bencao Yan Yi* states: Various theories on Sesamum are inconsistent; it is simply modern Sesame, no other meaning. Likely originating from Dayuan, hence "Hu" (barbarian/foreign) Sesamum. Those from Hu regions are plump, patterned like magpie feathers, purple-black, yielding much oil. Hence poem: "Sesame meal under pine trees." White oil sesame is equal grade, like Sichuan Rhubarb, Sichuan Angelica, Sichuan Bupleurum, Shangdang Ginseng, Qizhou Pinellia—named by region suitability, not distinct species. Thus Sesamum and white oil sesame are one. Having served in Shun'an Jun between Xiong and Bazhou, I witnessed this. Both entries state non-toxic, similar treatments. White oil sesame is indispensable daily. Yet not overly cold, worthy of careful examination.