味咸，平。主癃（音隆），利水道，益肾气，通九窍，聪察。久食轻身不老，延年神仙
。一名玄芝。生常山。
唐本注云∶五芝，《经》云∶皆以五色生于五岳，诸方所献，白芝未必华山，黑芝又非
常
岳。且紫芝多黄、白，稀有黑、青者，然紫芝最多，非五芝类。但芝自难得，纵获一、二，
岂得终久服耶。
味酸，平。主明目，补肝气，安精魂，仁恕。久食轻身不老，延年神仙。一名龙芝。
生泰山。
英公云不忘，强志。
味辛，平。主咳逆上气，益肺气，通利口鼻，强志意，勇悍，安魄。久食轻身不老，
延年神仙。一名玉芝。生华山。
味甘，平。主心腹五邪，益脾气，安神，忠信和乐。久食轻身不老，延年神仙。一名
金芝。生蒿山。
味甘，温。主耳聋，利关节，保神，益精气，坚筋骨，好颜色，久服轻身不老，延年
。一名木芝。生高夏山谷。六芝皆无毒，六月、八月采。（薯蓣为之使，得发良，得麻子仁
、白瓜子、牡桂共益人，恶常山，畏 青、茵陈蒿。）
陶隐居云∶按郡县无高夏名，恐是山名尔。此六芝，皆仙草之类，俗所稀见，族种甚多，
形
色环异，并栽《芝草图》中。今俗所用紫芝，此是朽树木株上所生，状如木 （音软），名
为
紫芝。盖只疗痔，而不宜以合诸补丸药也。凡得芝草
，便正尔食之，无余节度，故皆不云服法也。臣禹锡等谨按尔雅云∶ ，芝。释曰∶瑞草
名
也，一岁三华，一名 ，一名芝，《论衡》云∶芝生于土，土气和。故芝草生《瑞命记》曰
∶王者仁慈，则芝草生是也。抱朴子云∶赤者如珊瑚，白者如截肪，黑者如泽漆，青者如翠
羽，
黄者如紫金，而皆光明洞彻，如坚冰也。又云木芝者，松柏脂沦地；千岁，化为茯苓；万岁
，其上生小木，状似莲花，名曰木威喜芝，夜视有光，持之甚滑，烧之不焦，带之辟兵。药
性论云∶紫芝，使，畏发。味甘，平，无毒。主能保神益寿。
[Hei Zhi (Black Ganoderma)]
Taste: Salty. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Treats strangury (difficulty in urination), promotes diuresis, tonifies Kidney Qi, unblocks the nine orifices, and improves hearing and vision. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends lifespan, resembling immortality. Another name: Xuan Zhi (Mysterious Ganoderma). Habitat: Changshan.
Note from *Bencao Tang* (Tang Dynasty Materia Medica): Regarding the Five Gans, the Classics state: "They grow in five colors corresponding to the Five Sacred Mountains." The white Ganoderma offered by various regions may not necessarily come from Mount Hua, nor does the black Ganoderma necessarily come from Mount Heng. Moreover, purple Ganoderma is often yellowish or whitish, with rare occurrences of black or green varieties; however, purple Ganoderma is the most abundant and does not belong to the category of the Five Gans. Since Ganoderma is inherently difficult to obtain, even if one or two specimens are acquired, how can they be consumed continuously for a long time?
[Zi Zhi (Purple Ganoderma)]
Taste: Sour. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Improves vision, tonifies Liver Qi, calms the Jing and Hun (Essence and Ethereal Soul), and fosters benevolence and forbearance. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends lifespan, resembling immortality. Another name: Long Zhi (Dragon Ganoderma). Habitat: Mount Tai.
Ying Gong (Li Ji) stated: It enhances memory and strengthens willpower.
[Qing Zhi (Green/Blue Ganoderma)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Treats cough and rebellious Qi, tonifies Lung Qi, unblocks the mouth and nose, strengthens willpower, instills courage and boldness, and calms the Po (Corporeal Soul). Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends lifespan, resembling immortality. Another name: Yu Zhi (Jade Ganoderma). Habitat: Mount Hua.
[Chi Zhi (Red Ganoderma)]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Treats various pathogenic factors affecting the heart and abdomen, tonifies Spleen Qi, calms the Spirit (Shen), and fosters loyalty, trustworthiness, harmony, and joy. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends lifespan, resembling immortality. Another name: Jin Zhi (Gold Ganoderma). Habitat: Haoshan.
[Huang Zhi (Yellow Ganoderma)]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Warm. Indications: Treats deafness, benefits the joints, preserves the Spirit, tonifies Essence and Qi, strengthens sinews and bones, improves complexion, and long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends lifespan. Another name: Mu Zhi (Wood Ganoderma). Habitat: Gaoxia Valley.
All six types of Ganoderma are non-toxic. Harvested in June and August. (Dioscoreae Rhizoma [Shuyu] acts as its guiding herb; it works well with human hair; combined with Cannabis Fructus [Maziren], Benincasae Semen [Baiguazi], and Cinnamomi Ramulus [Mugui], it benefits humans more; it is incompatible with Dichroiae Radix [Changshan] and fears Indigo Naturalis [Qing] and Artemisiae Scopariae Herba [Yinchenhao].)
Tao Hongjing (Hermit Tao) stated: There is no place named "Gaoxia" in any commandery or county records; it is likely a mountain name. These six Gans are all types of immortal herbs, rarely seen in common practice, with many species differing in shape and color, all recorded in the *Illustrated Picture of Ganoderma*. Currently, the purple Ganoderma used in common practice grows on rotting tree stumps, resembling soft wood, and is called Zi Zhi (Purple Ganoderma). It is primarily used to treat hemorrhoids and is not suitable for incorporation into other tonic pills. Whenever Ganoderma is obtained, it should be eaten directly without specific dosage instructions; therefore, no administration methods are recorded. Minister Yuxi and others respectfully cited the *Erya*: "Xun, Zhi." The explanation states: It is a name for auspicious herbs, flowering three times a year. One name is Xun, another is Zhi. The *Lunheng* states: "Ganoderma grows in the earth because the Earth Qi is harmonious." Thus, Ganoderma grows. The *Ruiming Ji* states: "When a ruler is benevolent and kind, Ganoderma grows." Baopuzi stated: "The red ones resemble coral, the white ones resemble cut fat, the black ones resemble Phytolacca acinosa (Zeqi), the green ones resemble kingfisher feathers, and the yellow ones resemble purple gold; all are bright and transparent like solid ice." He further stated regarding Mu Zhi (Wood Ganoderma): "It is the resin of pine and cypress that seeps into the ground; after a thousand years, it transforms into Polyporus umbellatus (Fuling); after ten thousand years, small trees grow on top, resembling lotus flowers, named Muweixi Zhi. It glows at night, feels slippery to the touch, does not burn when ignited, and wearing it repels weapons." *Yaoxing Lun* states: "Zi Zhi (Purple Ganoderma), guiding herb, fears human hair. Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. Indications: Preserves the Spirit and extends longevity."