昔神农尝百草之滋味，以救万民之疾苦，后世师祖，由是本草之学兴焉。汉魏以来，名医相
继，传其书者则有吴普、李当之药录，陶隐居、苏恭等注解。国初两诏近臣总领上医兼集诸家
之说，则有《开宝重校本草》，其言药之良毒，性之寒温，味之甘苦，可谓备且详矣。然而五
方物产，风气异宜，名类既多，赝伪难别。以虺床当蘼芜，以荠 乱人参，古今犹且患之。况今
医师所用，皆出于市买所得，盖自山野之人随时采获，无复究其所从来。以此为疗，欲中病，不
亦远乎？昔唐永徽中删定本草之外，复有图经相辅而行，图以载其形色，经以释其异同，而明皇
御制又有天宝单方药图，皆所以叙物真滥，使人易知，原诊处方有所根据。二书失传且久，散
落殆尽，虽鸿都秘府亦无其本。天宝方书但存一卷，类例粗见，本末可寻。宜乎圣君哲辅留意于
搜辑也。先诏命儒（臣）重校《神农本草》等凡八书。光禄卿直秘阁（臣）禹锡、尚书祠部郎中秘阁校理
（臣）亿、太常博士集贤校理（臣）颂、殿中丞（臣）检、光禄寺丞（臣）保衡相次被选。仍领医官秦宗古、朱有
章等编绎累年，既而《补注本草》成书奏御。又诏天下郡县图上所产药本，用永徽故事，重命
编理。（臣）禹锡以诸考正群书，资众见则其功易就；论著文本，出异手则其体不一。今天下所上
绘事千名，其解说物类，皆据世医之所闻见，事有详略，言多鄙俚，
向非专一整比，缘饰以文，则前后不伦，披寻难晓。乃以（臣）颂向尝刻意此书，于是建言奏请，
俾专撰述。（臣）颂既被旨，则裒集众说，类聚诠次，粗有条目。其间玉石金土之名，草木虫
鱼之别，有一物而杂出诸群者，有同名而形类全别者，则参用古今之说，互相发明。其 梗之
细大，华实之荣落，虽与旧说相戾，并兼有之。崖略不备，则稍援旧注以足成文意。注又不足，
乃更旁引经史及方书小说，以条悉其本原。若陆英为蒴 花，则据《尔雅》之训以言之。诸香
本同，则用《岭表录异》以证之之类是也。生出郡县，则以本经为先，今时所宜次之。若菟丝
生于朝鲜，今则出于冤句；奚独生于少室，今乃来自三蜀之类是也。收采时月有不同者，亦两全
其说。若赤箭本经但着采根，今乃并取茎苗之类是也。生于外夷者，则据今传闻，或用书传所载。
若玉屑、玉泉，今人但云玉出于于阗，不究所得之因，乃用平居诲行程记为质之类是也。药有上、
中、下品，皆用本经为次第。其性类相近，而人未的识，或出远方，莫能形似者，但于前条附之。
若溲疏附于枸杞，琥珀附于茯苓之类是也。又方书所载简而要者，昔人已述其明验，今世亦尝用
之，及今诸郡医工所陈经效之药，皆并载其方用，天宝之例也。自余书传所无，今医又不解，则
不敢臆说浅见，傅会其文，故但阙而不录。又有今医所用，而旧经不载者，并以类次系于末卷，
曰本经外类。其间功用尤着，与旧名附近者，则次于逐条载之。若通脱次于木通，石蛇次于石蟹
之类是也。总二十卷，目录一卷，撰次甫就，将备亲览。恭惟主上以至仁浓德，函养生类，一物
失所，则为之恻然。且谓札瘥荐至，四时代有；救恤之惠，无先医术。早岁屡敕近（臣）酬校岐黄
《内经》，重定针艾俞穴，或范金揭石，或镂板联丝。悯南方蛊惑之妖，于是作《庆历普救方》
以赐之；思下民资用之阙，于是作《简要济众方》以示之。今复广药谱之未备，图地产之所宜，
物色万殊，指掌斯见。将使合和者得十全之效，饮饵者无未达之疑。纳斯民于寿康，召和气于穷
壤。太平之致，兹有助焉。（臣）学不该通，职预编述，仰奉宸旨，深愧寡闻。嘉 六年九月日朝
奉郎太常博士充集贤校理新差知颖州军州兼管内劝农及管开治沟洫河道事骑都尉借紫（臣）苏颂谨上。
从前神农品尝百草的味道，用来拯救百姓的疾苦，后世效法祖先，因此本草之学兴起。从汉魏以来，名医相继出现，传承他们著作的有吴普、李当之的《药录》，陶弘景、苏恭等人的注解。本朝初年，两次下诏让近臣统领太医并汇集各家学说，编成了《开宝重校本草》，其中论述药物的良毒、性质的寒温、味道的甘苦，可以说是完备且详细了。然而各地物产不同，气候适宜性各异，药物名目繁多，真假难以辨别。用虺床冒充蘼芜，用荠菜混淆人参，古今都对此感到忧虑。何况现在医师所用的药材，都出自市场购买，大概是从山野之人随时采集而来，不再追究它们的来源。以此作为治疗，想要切中病情，不是相差很远吗？从前唐永徽年间在删定《本草》之外，又有《图经》相辅而行，《图》记载药物的形状颜色，《经》解释它们的异同，而唐玄宗亲自撰写的又有《天宝单方药图》，都是用来叙述物品的真伪，使人容易知晓，诊断处方有所依据。这两本书失传已久，散落殆尽，即使是皇家秘府也没有它们的版本。《天宝方书》仅存一卷，类别体例大致可见，本末可以寻究。应当由圣明的君主和贤能的辅佐留意于搜辑整理。先前下诏命令儒臣重新校订《神农本草》等共八种书籍。光禄卿直秘阁（臣）禹锡、尚书祠部郎中秘阁校理（臣）亿、太常博士集贤校理（臣）颂、殿中丞（臣）检、光禄寺丞（臣）保衡相继被选中。又率领医官秦宗古、朱有章等人编辑多年，随后《补注本草》成书上奏皇帝。又下诏令天下各郡县绘制所产药物图谱，沿用永徽年间的旧例，重新命人编纂整理。（臣）禹锡认为考正群书，借助众人的见解则功业容易成就；论著文本，出于不同之手则体例不统一。如今天下所呈上的绘图千种，其解说物类，都依据世医所听闻见到的，事情有详略，言辞多粗俗浅陋，如果不是专门整比，加以文采修饰，那么前后不伦次，翻阅难以理解。于是建议让（臣）颂向来刻意钻研此书，因此建言奏请，让他专门撰写。（臣）颂既然接受旨意，便收集众说，分类聚集编排，大致有了条理。其中玉石金土的名目，草木虫鱼的分别，有一种药物混杂出现在各个类别中的，有名称相同而形体类别完全不同的，便参用古今的说法，互相阐明发明。它的茎梗粗细，花实的荣枯，虽然与旧说相违背，一并兼收。概要不完备，则稍引用旧注来补足文意。注释又不足，便更广泛引用经史及方书小说，以详尽探究其本源。如果陆英是蒴藋的花，就依据《尔雅》的训诂来说明。各种香料本源相同，就用《岭表录异》来证明，类似的情况就是这样。出产的郡县，以本经为先，当今时宜次之。如果菟丝子产于朝鲜，现在却产于冤句；奚独产于少室山，现在却来自三蜀，类似的情况就是这样。采收月份有不同说法的，也两全其说。如果赤箭本经只记载采根，现在却连茎苗一起取用，类似的情况就是这样。产于外国的，就依据当今传闻，或用书传所载。如果玉屑、玉泉，今人只说玉出于于阗，不探究所得的原因，就用平居诲行程记作为佐证，类似的情况就是这样。药物分上、中、下三品，都用本经为次第。其性质类别相近，而人们不能确切识别，或出自远方，无法形似者，只附在前一条目之后。如果溲疏附于枸杞，琥珀附于茯苓，类似的情况就是这样。另外方书记载简要而重要的，前人已经陈述其明显疗效，今世也曾使用过，以及当今各郡医工所陈述经过验证有效的药物，都一并记载其方剂用法，这是遵循天宝年的体例。其余书传没有记载，今医又不了解的，不敢凭主观臆测浅见，牵强附会其文字，所以只是空缺而不收录。又有今医所用，而旧经不记载的，都以类次系于末卷，称为“本经外类”。其中功效特别显著，与旧名相近的，就依次在各条后记载。如果通脱木次于木通，石蛇次于石蟹，类似的情况就是这样。总共二十卷，目录一卷，编纂刚刚完成，准备供皇上亲览。恭敬地认为皇上以至仁厚德，包容养生各类事物，一物不得其所，就为之悲伤。并且认为瘟疫疾病接连发生，四季交替常有；救济的恩惠，没有比医术更重要的。早年多次敕令近臣校勘岐黄《内经》，重新定针灸穴位，有的铸铜刻石，有的雕版印书。怜悯南方蛊惑人心的妖邪，于是作《庆历普救方》赐予他们；思考下层百姓资用的缺乏，于是作《简要济众方》示给他们。现在又扩充药谱的未备之处，图示地产的适宜之物，万物色彩千差万别，指掌间即可看见。将使调和药物者得到十全的效果，服用药物者没有未能通达的疑惑。将百姓纳入寿康之中，在穷困之地召致和气。太平的达成，这也有助于此。（臣）学识不通达，职务参与编纂，仰奉皇上的旨意，深深惭愧见闻寡陋。嘉祐六年九月日，朝奉郎太常博士充集贤校理新差知颖州军州兼管内劝农及管开治沟洫河道事骑都尉借紫（臣）苏颂谨上。
In ancient times, Shennong tasted the flavors of hundreds of herbs to save the people from their illnesses. Later generations emulated this ancestor, and thus the study of Materia Medica (Bencao) arose. Since the Han and Wei dynasties, famous physicians have appeared successively. Those who transmitted their works include Wu Pu and Li Dangzhi's *Yao Lu* (Record of Medicinals), as well as annotations by Tao Hongjing and Su Gong. At the beginning of our dynasty, two imperial edicts ordered close ministers to lead chief physicians and compile theories from various schools, resulting in the *Kaibao Revised and Collated Materia Medica*. Its discussions on the efficacy and toxicity of drugs, their cold and warm natures, and sweet and bitter tastes were indeed comprehensive and detailed. However, products vary across five regions, and climatic conditions differ; with numerous names and categories, distinguishing authentic items from counterfeits is difficult. For instance, using *Hui Chuang* (likely a local herb) to substitute for *Mi Wu* (Angelica pubescens var. biserrata), or confusing *Qi Cai* (Shepherd's purse) with *Ren Shen* (Ginseng), has been a concern since ancient times. Moreover, the medicines used by physicians today are purchased from markets, generally harvested at will by mountain dwellers without tracing their origins. Using such materials for treatment makes it unlikely to hit the disease accurately, does it not?
Previously, during the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty, besides revising the *Materia Medica*, a *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Canon) was produced to assist it. The illustrations recorded shapes and colors, while the text explained similarities and differences. Emperor Xuanzong also personally authored the *Tianbao Single Prescription Medicine Illustrations*. All these served to clarify the authenticity of substances, making them easy to understand, so that diagnosis and prescription had a basis. These two books have been lost for a long time, scattered almost completely; even the imperial library lacks copies. Only one volume of the *Tianbao Formulas* remains, showing rough categories and traceable origins. It is fitting for the sage ruler and wise ministers to pay attention to collecting and compiling them. Previously, an edict ordered scholar-officials to re-collate eight books including the *Shennong Bencao*. Guanglu Qing and Direct Scholar of the Secret Pavilion (Minister) Yuxi, Shangshu Cibu Langzhong and Scholar of the Secret Pavilion (Minister) Yi, Taichang Boshi and Scholar of the Jixian Academy (Minister) Song, Dianzhong Cheng (Minister) Jian, and Guanglu Si Cheng (Minister) Baoheng were selected in succession. They were led by medical officials Qin Zonggu and Zhu Youzhang, etc., to compile over several years. Subsequently, the *Supplemented and Annotated Materia Medica* was completed and presented to the throne. Another edict commanded all prefectures and counties to submit illustrated maps of locally produced medicinal plants, following the Yonghui precedent, and ordering new compilation. Minister Yuxi argued that correcting books benefits from collective insight for easier achievement, but texts written by different hands lack uniform style. The thousand submissions currently received contain explanations based on what contemporary physicians have heard or seen; details vary, and language is often vulgar. Without specialized organization and literary embellishment, they would be inconsistent and hard to read. Therefore, it was proposed that Minister Song, who had previously devoted himself to this subject, should be appointed to write it exclusively. Upon receiving the decree, Minister Song collected various statements, classified and arranged them, establishing a basic framework. Regarding names of stones, jade, metals, and earth, and distinctions among plants, trees, insects, and fish, some substances appear mixed across groups, while others share names but differ entirely in form. Thus, ancient and modern theories were consulted to illuminate each other. Details of stems and leaves, flowers and fruits, though sometimes contradicting old records, were included together. Where outlines were incomplete, old annotations were cited to complete the meaning. If annotations were insufficient, references were extended to classics, histories, medical formulas, and novels to thoroughly investigate origins. For example, if Luying is the flower of Shuoyu, the explanation follows the definition in *Erya*. If various aromatics share the same origin, *Lingbiao Luyi* is used for verification. Places of production prioritize the original classic, followed by current sources. For instance, Tusizi (Cuscuta) originally grew in Chaoxian but now comes from Yuanju; Xidu originally grew on Mount Shaoshi but now comes from San Shu. Differences in harvesting months are preserved in both accounts. For example, Chijian (Astragalus membranaceus root) originally specified only roots, but now stems and leaves are also taken. Substances from foreign lands rely on current reports or textual records. For instance, regarding Yuxie and Yuquan, although people say jade comes from Khotan without investigating the cause, Pingjuhui's travelogue is used as evidence. Medicines are categorized into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades, following the order of the original classic. Items with similar properties but indistinguishable to people, or those from distant places with no clear resemblance, are attached to previous entries. For example, Susu is attached to Gouqi, and Hupo is attached to Fuling. Additionally, concise and important formulas from older texts, whose efficacy was proven by ancients and still used today, along with effective medicines recommended by local physicians, are recorded with their prescriptions, following the Tianbao example. Anything not found in texts and unknown to current physicians is not speculated upon or forced into the text, but left blank. New medicines used by current physicians but absent from old classics are added to the final volume under the title "External Categories of the Original Classic." Among these, those with notable efficacy and similar names to old ones are listed after relevant entries. For example, Tongtuomu is listed after Mutong, and Shishe after Shixie. The work totals twenty volumes, plus one volume of contents, just completed for imperial review. We respectfully acknowledge that Your Majesty, possessing supreme benevolence and virtue, embraces all things related to life preservation. If even one thing is misplaced, you feel sorrow. You recognize that epidemics occur frequently across seasons, and no relief is greater than medical art. In your early years, you repeatedly ordered close ministers to collate the *Neijing* of Qibo and Huangdi, redefine acupuncture points, casting bronze statues or carving stone steles, or printing woodblocks. Pitying the demonic bewitchment in the south, you issued the *Qingli Pujiu Fang* (Universal Prescriptions for Relief in the Qingli Era). Concerned about the lack of resources for the common people, you issued the *Jianyao Jizhong Fang* (Essential Prescriptions for Helping the Masses). Now, you further expand the incomplete pharmacopoeia and illustrate suitable local products. With myriad variations in nature, everything can be seen at a glance. This will allow compounders to achieve perfect cures and drinkers to avoid confusion. It brings longevity and health to the people and harmony to remote lands. This contributes to the attainment of peace and prosperity. I, [Minister] Song, whose learning is inadequate and whose duty involves compilation, humbly receive the imperial mandate and deeply regret my limited knowledge. On the day of the ninth month in the sixth year of Jiayou, Chao Feng Lang, Taichang Boshi, Scholar of the Jixian Academy, newly appointed Prefect of Yingzhou, responsible for agriculture and water conservancy, Knight Commander, wearing purple silk, [Minister] Su Song respectfully submits.