神农以赭鞭鞭百草，尽去其毒，而后辨其气味，察其寒温，着《本草经》三卷。后虽积
渐增加，
然至汉末，亦仅传三百六十五种，至明东璧氏，汇集诸家，辑《纲目》书，多至一千八百十
二种，而歧误亦多。余谓古书简而多阙，今书繁而多讹，近惟澉水吴氏之《从新》，去取适
中，便于检阅，宜为人所脍炙。然届今甫百年，而品味已多变，异甚至有是名而无是物，肆
中遂以他药代之。在医者但知某药治某病，泛取而浪用之，贻误尚有穷乎。余不揣固鄙，尝
欲明出处，辨气味，诠真伪，去所无，补所阙，更勒一书，名曰《本草时宜》，以切于用。
然必考证详确而后笔之，故二十年来，仅得七十余种。今年逾周甲虑不能竟其事，倘得假吾
数年，庶于是书无憾云。
人参在古本草云，生上党山谷及辽东，形长而色黄，状如防风。产百济者，形细而坚白
，气味
薄于上党，此皆言党参也。濒湖李氏辑《本草纲目》广搜诸品，而未及于参，至我朝澉水吴氏
，订《从新》一书，如分人参、党参为两种，知明时尚无人参。百济、新罗、高丽等国，来
中土互市者，皆上党之类。按《谈苑》载邵化及为高丽国王治药，言参质极坚，用斧断之，
香馥一殿。又《涵海续编》云，辽东有鞑参，色红泽，体实有心，味甘微苦，断之有金井玉
阑纹，人衔之走，气息自若，则都指人参而言矣。时以中国未行，故不入内地，国初始见用
，其名乃着于时，嗣后采者多而产渐少，入山每无所得，至弃其业。道光初，近山农户取子
种之，伪充人参，遂以乱真，渐至真者几绝，医家以是物多伪，亦将弃此勿用，是亦参之一
厄也。今宁古塔参，久已罕见，惟船厂为上，凤凰城次之。风产质嫩而糖重，故价亦较贱，
但昔以光圆短熟为佳，今则以糙熟兼均为贵，是又参之小变。尝观《瓯北集》云，曩阅国史，
我朝以参贸高丽，定价十两一斤，迨定鼎中原，售者多而价渐贵。然考康熙甲午查悔余谢揆
恺功惠参诗，有十金易一两，盖是时参价不过十倍。乾隆十五年，余应京兆式，虑精力不
支，以白金一两六钱，易参一钱，二十八年，因病服参，则其价贵已过半，三十年来，何啻
更增十倍云云。按今之市价，虽不甚相悬，而物产则远不如前矣。余尝悉心辨别，始知是物
真伪，固非难识。在今之医士，寻常草木尚不深求气味，况非习见之品，有终其身未尝一堵
庐山面目者，犹何可与言哉！究之真非绝无，特其价过昂，识者亦罕，故非富贵家，素讲服
饵者，鲜克知其味矣。然于痘科产科，及元气欲脱之症，实有起死回生之力，断非他药所能
代也。忆昔某戚妇，每产血必大下，服参则止。道光壬辰复娩时，次参甚行，某置两许，意
十倍服之，功力足以相抵，及服，崩血愈甚，气竭欲脱，急市山参一钱，服之即止。按参之
功用，固在诸药之上，行之中土，百有余年，活人无算。自为奸民私种，以致鱼目混珠，遂
见疑于世，而弗可不惜哉！
经云∶五谷为养，五蔬为充。蔬者收也，所以佐谷气而疏通壅滞也。时珍曰∶凡草木之
可茹
者，为韭、薤、葵、葱、藿五菜。然菜固不止于五，说原蔬植三百有六十，《纲目》仅收一
百五种，余俱不可考。今民生日用之常，更不及十之三四耳。按蔬品惟蒜、胡荽、苜蓿。汉
时得之西域，唐贞观中泥婆罗国，又献菠 菜、浑提葱，至今传种不绝。近通泰西诸国，其
蔌果携入内地，土人觅种植之，市以获利，而华人亦有以之充馔者。今略摘数种，辨其气
味，以备考证。卷心菜，俗名哈喇菜，叶卷如球，色青，经霜后微紫，去数层，内叶嫩黄脆
美，俟其自放，其大如盖，气味甘平，利肠清胃，大抵似菘而味不及耳。花菜来自花旗，故
名，叶缺刻如细芥，色浅黄，味甘淡，润肺化痰，性亦和平。笋，色白细长形如玉箸，味淡
微辛，中实无节，固非竹类，土人因其形似笋芽，故名之耳。然南菘北植，即化芜菁，今隔
数万里重洋，而仍不失色味，是亦不可解也。
古人春食凉夏食寒以养阳，秋食温冬食热以养阴，此四时之宜，以合阴阳，而安六腑。然天
生果品，亦应候以益人，如春生梅，酸敛以平肝木；夏生瓜，甘寒以清暑热；秋生梨，甘凉
以肃肺金；冬熟杞，甘温以益肾水。此即经言五果为助，五味为色，以应五脏也。
方伎之流，以法取童女初行经水，谓之红铅。多方制炼以惑人，而尤盛行于明末，有术
士制一粒丹，用乳调匀，使人仰卧，从鼻灌之，美其名曰进大药，朝贵多趋之。李可灼红
丸之案
，即此物也。按妇人月水咸热有毒，服之伤脑，术士之言，岂足信哉！观萧了真金丹诗，亦
可悟矣。
竹根木屑，贤者注意，世固无弃物也，惟医亦然。苟明其意，凡物皆可疗疾。如徐嗣伯
尝以
棺中死人枕，治尸疰、石疣，及多见鬼物，均应手取效。或问三症不同，何皆用枕而瘥？嗣
伯曰∶尸疰鬼气也，伏而未起，故令人沉滞，以枕治之，魂气飞越，不附体矣；石疣甚僻，
虫性转坚，非药石可遣，因亦以鬼物驱散之；至眼痛而见魍魉者，邪气入肝也，以邪引邪，
固当用枕钩之。三者不相同而适相似，得其意之所在而治之，故皆验也。大抵自宋以前，未
尝用此，嗣后灵鞋尸席，与自经死绳，咸用以治病，而本草亦收之耳。
药有雷丸之名，本草谓与雷斧雷楔。皆霹雳击物时，精气所化。若埋于向阳之处，数年
后即
大如卵，坚如铁矣。按雷火本地中湿蒸之气，郁久勃发，随地气升起，泄为阴中之阳。雷丸
得其余气，故能除胃火，散皮中结热。然久服则令人阴痿，盖亦性阴所致。元至正间，邑
农
家有老妪，为雷击死，顷之复苏，口中含药一丸，吐以示人。比邻俞某，意为神丹，夺而吞
之，遂患喉痛。物格格然若不化，后因怒咳，随痰以出，视之状如李核，质光润而色黄，斧
击不碎，数年之咽痛遂止。意此即雷丸之类。俞吞时，其升腾之气方盛，迫火上炎，故患咽
痛。迨为怒所激，随气涌出，物既去，宜其痛之顿失也。
古无烟草，昔闽人自海外得淡巴菰燃之，以管吸其烟，云能辟瘴。故明时征滇军中咸服
之，
至我朝始盛行于内地。今虽担夫农工之家，无不备以供客。按本草云，其性纯阳，能得能散
，故可化湿御寒，其气入口，顷刻而周一身，令人通体俱快。然火气熏灼，大损肺气，今之
多患喉舌诸疮，未必非嗜烟所致。近人欲避其火热，以铜为器，置水于中，使烟从水底起，
名曰水烟袋。以为得既济之法，一吸三吸，更伤气分。卫生者，还宜远之。
蜀地产椒分五色，以按五行。服饵家谓是草中之大丹，炼服能坚齿发，调关节耐寒暑，
久则轻
身益寿。按椒性辛热，能损肺泄气，炼服亦非所宜。今人因其馨香快膈，每用以蘸食腥膻，
不知其助火动血，因以致病者伙矣。浙宁陈彦生好食椒，年未五十齿落，此其验也。
诸凡含血之物，其骨皆难长。在人自胚胎至成人，必二十年，方坚骨髓。惟麋鹿角自生
至坚
，不过两月，计一日夜能长数寸。虽草木之易生，犹不能及。所以能坚筋骨，强阳道，益精
髓。旧有髓道士斑龙丸歌曰∶尾闾不禁沧海竭，九转灵丹都慢说，惟有斑龙顶上珠，能补玉
堂并下穴。其丸盖鹿茸所合也。但鹿则喜山而属阳，故夏至解角；麋乃喜泽而属阴，故冬至
解角。今采茸不分麋鹿，岂知阴阳既别，功用亦殊，而可混用乎？
四时草木，应候而生，采取亦必及时。非其时则气味异，而功用亦差。即血肉之品，
亦不
宜生取，以失其性。尝闻今之市麝脐者，生而割之，其香未蕴，脐秽尚腥，入药多至损人。
按麝食芳草，至冬香蕴于脐，入春脐痒，自以爪剔出，采芳妇女，拾以相赠馨香染袖，经年
不退，名曰生香，颇不易得。今山中猎户，尝取麝粪曝干，得麝生割脐香，以粪实之，或
取
飞虻去首足翅，入脐封固，久之香亦不散，名曰当门子，是以一麝而获五脐之利也。虻且有
毒，不良可知，以之和香料犹可，若入药饵，不反有所损乎？
今市卖有所谓醋鳖者，云出普陀山。似螺而扁，大如豆粒，言能催生。产妇于临蓐时吞
之，
儿即持以出。然余尝试之，恰无验也。按《海槎余录》谓是相思子，生海中，好事者，取藏
箧笥，终岁不坏，出投醋中，则能转旋不已，而无催生之说。据此盖耍物耳，正如闽部疏载
莆田所产小白石，状如杏仁，擘之腹文如虫，取两石离立盘中，须臾自相迎合，名曰雌雄石
。近亦有市卖者，谓能治目疾，且可合媚药，其价故甚昂贵，而不知其藉此愚人，亦无佐验
也。
木鳖子，本草言其无毒，能治泻痢疳积，而发明下又载蓟门人有二子，服此俱毙，特着
为
戒。近闻南门外有农人曹某，年已半百，子仅九龄，患腹痛，时发时止，经年不愈。或言此
疳积，木鳖可疗，曹即市五文，尽数煎与其子服，不超时乃肉颤筋弛，骨节尽解而死。按木
鳖有二种，一产南中，形细而底凸，又名木虱子。昔人用以治痢，审其性味，不过苦参子之
类耳。此种今已绝少，现肆中所卖者，皆番木鳖，出回回国，外科尝用以敷疮，服之能杀人
，切勿入药以尝试也。
夏子益曰∶天地川树木，皆有脂。此系阴阳气化之余，结而成髓。饮天脂者，成上仙；
地脂
成地仙，山川树木之脂，寿俱无量。《鬼谷子语仙录》云∶取天脂须于危峰绝顶，人迹罕到
之处，置金盘盛明珠，每于寅卯之交往探，有清露即倾去，得浆色白，芳香不散，味极清甘
者，是也。地脂于地脉流行聚合之处，从土涌出，不收仍入地。大抵天地之脂，每六十年一
泄，山脂即钟乳之类，钟乳乃石之汗液，脂其髓也。水脂出大海中，高喷百丈，还落水中，
介类吞之得为神。树脂数千年老树，枯而复荣者
再，始有脂，能化婴儿，游行不定，颇不易得。《方镇编年》载高展为井州判官，一日见砌
间沫出，以手撮之，试涂一老吏面上，皱皮顿改，颜色如少。展问承天道士，曰∶此名地脂
，食之不死，展乃发砖，已无有矣。
国朝康熙间，顺德有民入山樵采。忽闻树顶有儿啼声，仰视，见古木上有气缕缕如烟，
飞鸟
过之皆堕，斫视其中有人，状类凝脂，问之不应，拂之则笑。一同伴曰∶此名树脂，非恶物
也。遂蒸食，食已觉热，寻浴溪中，肉尽溃裂而死。余谓仙佛之书，大都渺茫，固不足信。
凡异常之物，智者不食，信然。
使君子之名，相传有潘州郭使君，疗小儿腹痛，每用此取效，因有是称。按小儿腹痛
，虫
患为多，而凡杀虫药多苦辛，惟使君子味甘，孩提服饵，不损脾胃，故尤相宜也。至民俗谓
虫无尽杀，尽则无以消食，此真愚俗之言。李时珍尝譬之树有蠹；屋有蚁；国有盗，是福是
祸，不问可知矣。余亦谓修养之家，必以去三尸，即此类推，虫固宜杀而不宜留也。
今人好食白沦鸡子，言能安五脏，益气血，而不知其颇不易化，非煮之极熟，多致停滞
。《
南史》载李道念一病五年，发治未效，丞相褚澄诊之曰∶非冷非热，当是过食白沦鸡子耳。
煮蒜令食。遂吐一物，形如卵，视之鸡雏也，翅足俱全。澄曰∶未尽以蒜更吐之。计出十二
枚而愈。又李时珍尝见一朝贵，每晨必进鸡子数枚，久而无恙。因询其庖，此外尚有何好？
庖言食不撤蒜。李曰∶赖有此耳。观此足知是物不宜多食，而蒜之能消肉积，亦信然矣。
释道家有五辛之禁，道以韭、薤、蒜、芸、薹、胡荽为五荤，而释家则葫小蒜兴渠慈葱
葱也。所禁虽有异同，然皆辛熏之品，生食增恚，熟食发淫，以其有损性灵，故屏绝也。
丝瓜《本蔬》中佳品，世俗相传，其性至寒，食之败阳。按本草言甘平能除热，利肠解
毒通
络，而《生生编》又谓暖胃助阳。余尝考其性味，不过甘凉之品。因其凉血，故治肠风崩漏
；其络贯串如人脉络，故能通络；其质软滑，故曰败阳。暖胃之说，抑何反也。
狗蝇牛虱，古方未尝用之，而近世医家每以此治痘，盖出齐东野语。周密言同僚括苍
陈坡
，老儒也，其孙三岁出痘，半浆倒压，势已不治。遇一士授药少许，服之移时即红润，乃乞
其方以寿世。盖用狗蝇和醅，以酒调服耳。按药中虫蚁，不过取其飞扬走散之功，故多施于
伤科外症，以通血闭。痘症全赖气血以成浆结痂，元虚之症，必当以参、 培养元气，切勿
以此为法也。
尝见幼科取青蒿中虫和药，以治小儿急慢惊风，云有奇验。遍阅古方，未见用此。惟《
保婴
集》极言其功效，并有诗云∶一半朱砂一半雪，其功只在青蒿节，任教死去也还魂，服时须
用生人血。盖用朱粉和之，乳汁点服也。
今人冬月，每以酒和牛乳炖食，而薛立斋言酒不可与乳同饮，盖乳汁下咽，得酒则凝，
颇不易
化。若以酒炖食，乳已热而成块，本无害也。胡筱园太守晨起食乳，不耐膻气，急呼酒饮，
神农用赭鞭鞭打百草，去除它们的毒性，然后辨别它们的气味，观察它们的寒热属性，撰写了《本草经》三卷。后来虽然药物种类逐渐增加，但到了汉朝末年，也只流传三百六十五种。到了明代李时珍（号东璧），汇集各家学说，编纂《本草纲目》，多达一千八百一十二种，但其中的错误和谬误也很多。我认为古书简略且多有缺漏，今书繁杂且多有讹误，近来只有浙江澉水吴氏的《本草从新》，取舍适中，便于查阅，应当为人们所喜爱。然而到现在刚过百年，药物的品种已经多有变化，甚至有只有名称而没有实物的情况，药铺中就用其他药物来代替。医生们只知道某种药治疗某种病，随意选取而滥用，造成的延误和危害哪有穷尽呢？我不自量力，曾想明确药物的产地，辨别气味，考证真伪，去掉虚假的，补充缺失的，重新编写一本书，名叫《本草时宜》，以切合实际使用。但必须经过详细考证确凿后才动笔，所以二十年来，只完成了七十多种。今年我超过六十岁，担心不能完成这部书，如果能借给我几年时间，或许对这本书就没有遗憾了。
关于人参，古代本草记载说，它生长在上党山谷及辽东地区，形状细长而颜色黄，样子像防风草。产自百济的人参，形状细而质地坚实洁白，气味比上党产的淡薄，这些说的都是党参。明代李时珍编纂《本草纲目》广泛搜集各种药材，却没有涉及人参，到了本朝浙江澉水的吴氏，修订《本草从新》一书，将人参、党参分为两种，知道明代时尚无真正的人参。百济、新罗、高丽等国，来到中原互市的，都是上党产的人参一类。据《谈苑》记载，邵化及为高丽国王治病用药，说人参质地极坚硬，用斧头砍断它，香气充满整个宫殿。又据《涵海续编》记载，辽东有鞑靼人参，颜色红亮，体质充实有心材，味道甘甜微苦，折断时有“金井玉阑”的纹路，含在嘴里行走，气息自如，这都指人参而言。当时因为中国没有流通，所以不进入内地，清朝初年才开始被使用，它的名字才在当时著名。后来采挖的人多，产量逐渐减少，进山往往一无所获，以至于放弃这个职业。道光初年，附近的农户采集种子种植，假冒充作人参，于是以假乱真，渐渐地真品几乎绝迹，医家因为这个物品大多为假货，也将要抛弃它不用，这也是人参的一劫难啊。现在宁古塔的人参，早已罕见，只有船厂产的最好，凤凰城产的次之。风产的人参质地嫩而糖分重，所以价格也比较便宜，但过去以光洁圆润短小成熟为佳，现在则以粗糙成熟兼有为贵，这又是人参的小变化。曾经看《瓯北集》记载，以前阅读国史，我们朝代用参交换高丽，定价十两银子一斤，等到定鼎中原后，出售的人多，价格逐渐变贵。然而考证康熙甲午年查悔余写的《谢揆恺功惠参诗》，有“十金易一两”的诗句，大概是那时参价不过十倍。乾隆十五年，我参加京兆考试，担心精力不支，用一两六钱白银换了一钱人参，到二十八年，因病服用人参，那么它的价格已经贵了一半以上，三十年来，何止增加了十倍等等。按现在的市价，虽然相差不大，但物产则远不如从前了。我曾经悉心辨别，才知道这个物品的真伪，本来并不难识别。现在的医生，寻常草木尚且不深入探究气味，何况是不常见的物品，有的人终身都没有见过庐山真面目，怎么可以跟他们谈论呢！归根结底，真品并非完全没有，只是价格过高，识货的人也少，所以如果不是富贵人家，平时讲究服用滋补品的，很少能知道它的滋味了。然而在痘科、产科，以及元气欲脱的病症中，确实有起死回生的力量，绝对不是其他药物所能替代的。记得过去某亲戚家的妇人，每次生产血必大量流出，服用人参就能止血。道光壬辰年再次分娩时，次等人参很流行，某人放了两许（约60克），心想十倍剂量足以抵消药效，等到服用后，崩漏出血更加严重，气竭欲脱，急忙去市场买山参一钱（约3克），服用后立即止血。按人参的功效，固然在所有药物之上，传入中原一百多年，救活的人无数。自从被奸民私自种植，以致鱼目混珠，于是被世人怀疑，这难道不可惜吗！
经文说：五谷作为滋养，五蔬作为补充。蔬就是收的意思，用来辅助谷气而疏通壅滞。李时珍说：凡是草木中可以食用的，是韭、薤、葵、葱、藿五种蔬菜。然而蔬菜固不限于这五种，据说蔬菜植物有三十六种，《本草纲目》仅收录一百五十种，其余都无法考证。如今百姓日常饮食常用，更不到十分之三四。按蔬菜品种只有蒜、胡荽（香菜）、苜蓿是在汉代从西域得到的，唐贞观年间泥婆罗国又献上了菠菜、浑提葱，至今传承不绝。近来通晓泰西各国，他们的蔬菜果实带入内地，当地人寻找种植，上市获利，而华人也有用来做饭的。现在略摘几种，辨别它们的气味，以备考证。卷心菜，俗名哈喇菜，叶子卷曲如球，颜色青，经过霜冻后微紫，剥去几层，内叶嫩黄脆美，等它自然展开，大小如伞盖，气味甘平，利肠清胃，大体类似白菜但味道不及。花菜来自花旗（美国），所以得名，叶子缺刻像细芥菜，颜色浅黄，味道甘淡，润肺化痰，性质也平和。笋，颜色白细长形如玉筷，味道淡微辛，中间实心无节，本来不是竹类，土人因为它形状像笋芽，所以叫它这个名字。然而南方的白菜移到北方种植，就变成芜菁了，现在隔着几万里的重洋，而仍然不失颜色和味道，这也是无法解释的。
古人春天吃凉性食物，夏天吃寒性食物以养护阳气，秋天吃温性食物，冬天吃热性食物以养护阴气，这是四季的适宜做法，以符合阴阳，而安和六腑。然而天生果品，也应该顺应时令来益人，如春天生长的梅，酸收敛以平抑肝木；夏天生长的瓜，甘寒以清除暑热；秋天生长的梨，甘凉以肃降肺金；冬天成熟的枸杞，甘温以补益肾水。这就是经文所说的五果作为辅助，五味对应五色，以应合五脏的道理。
方技这类人，用方法获取童女初次来的月经水，叫做红铅。多方炼制来迷惑人，尤其在明末盛行，有术士制作一粒丹药，用乳汁调匀，让人仰卧，从鼻子灌入，给它起个好听的名字叫进大药，朝廷权贵多趋之若鹜。李可灼红丸案，就是这个东西。按妇女月经咸热有毒，服用会损伤大脑，术士的话，哪里值得相信呢！看萧了真的金丹诗，也可以悟到了。
竹根木屑，贤者注意，世间本来没有废弃之物，只有医生也是这样。如果明白其中的道理，凡物都可以治疗疾病。如徐嗣伯曾用棺材里死人睡的枕头，治疗尸疰、石疣，以及多见鬼物，都应手取效。有人问三种病症不同，为什么都用枕头而痊愈？徐嗣伯说：尸疰是鬼气，潜伏而未发作，所以使人沉滞，用枕头治疗，魂气飞越，不依附身体了；石疣非常偏僻，虫性转坚，非药物可驱除，因此也用鬼物来驱散它；至于眼痛而见魍魉的，是邪气侵入肝脏，以邪引邪，当然应该用枕头钩出它。三者不相同而恰好相似，得到其中意旨所在而治疗，所以都灵验。大概宋朝以前，未曾使用这个，此后灵鞋、尸席，以及自缢死的绳子，都用来治病，而本草也收录了它们。
药有雷丸的名称，本草说它与雷斧、雷楔，都是霹雳击物时，精气所化。如果埋在向阳的地方，几年后就大如蛋卵，坚硬如铁了。按雷火是本地的湿蒸之气，郁积久了勃发，随地气升起，泄出为阴中之阳。雷丸得到它的余气，所以能清除胃火，散发皮中的结热。然而久服则令人阳痿，大概也是性质属阴所致。元代至正年间，县农家有一位老妪，被雷击死，一会儿复苏，口中含着一丸药，吐出来给人看。邻居俞某，以为是神丹，抢过来吞下，于是患喉痛。物体格格作响好像不消化，后来因为生气咳嗽，随着痰吐出，看它的形状像李子核，质地光润而颜色黄，斧头击打不碎，几年的咽痛于是停止。我想这就是雷丸之类。俞某吞下时，那升腾之气正盛，迫火上炎，所以患咽痛。等到被怒气激发，随着气涌出，物体既然去了，疼痛顿时消失是应该的。
古代没有烟草，过去福建人从海外得到淡巴菰点燃，用管子吸它的烟，说能辟除瘴气。所以明朝时征讨云南的军队都服用它，到了本朝开始在内地盛行。现在虽然是挑夫农工之家，无不备有以供客人。按本草说，它的性质纯阳，能得能散，所以可以化湿御寒，它的气入口，顷刻间周遍全身，令人通体舒畅。然而火气熏灼，大大损伤肺气，如今很多人患喉舌诸疮，未必不是嗜好吸烟所致。近人想避开它的火热，用铜做器具，在里面放水，让烟从水底升起，名叫水烟袋。以为得到了既济的方法，一吸三吸，更伤气分。注重养生的人，还是应该远离它。
四川产的花椒分五种颜色，以对应五行。服饵家说是草中的大丹，炼制服用能坚固牙齿头发，调和关节耐寒暑，久了则轻身益寿。按花椒性质辛热，能损伤肺泄气，炼制服用也不适宜。如今人们因为它馨香快膈，常用来蘸食腥膻，不知道它助火动血，因此导致生病的人很多。浙江宁波陈彦生喜欢吃花椒，年纪不到五十牙齿脱落，这就是验证。
凡是含血之物，它们的骨头都难长。在人从胚胎到成人，必须二十年，才坚固骨髓。只有麋鹿角从生长到坚硬，不过两个月，算起来一日夜能长数寸。即使是容易生长的草木，也不能赶上。所以能坚固筋骨，强阳道，益精髓。旧有髓道士斑龙丸歌说：尾闾不禁沧海竭，九转灵丹都慢说，惟有斑龙顶上珠，能补玉堂并下穴。那个丸子大概是鹿茸合成的。但鹿喜欢山而属阳，所以夏至解角；麋喜欢沼泽而属阴，所以冬至解角。现在采集鹿茸不分麋鹿，难道不知道阴阳既然不同，功用也不同，怎么能混用呢？
四季草木，顺应时令而生，采取也必须及时。不是时候则气味不同，而功用也有差异。即使是血肉之品，也不宜生取，以免失去其本性。曾经听说现在的市场上卖麝脐的，活着割取，它的香气未蕴蓄，脐部污秽尚腥，入药多至损害人。按麝吃芳草，到冬天香气蕴藏在脐中，入春脐痒，自己用爪子剔出，采集芳香的妇女，拾起来赠送，香气染袖，经年不退，名叫生香，颇不易得。现在山中猎户，曾取麝粪晒干，得到麝生割脐香，用粪便填充，或者取飞虻去掉首足翅，放入脐中封固，久了香气也不散，名叫当门子，是以一只麝获得五个脐的利益。虻还有毒，不良可知，把它和香料还可以，如果入药饵，不反而有所损害吗？
现在市面上卖有所谓醋鳖的，说出自普陀山。像螺而扁，大如豆粒，说能催生。产妇在临产时吞下它，孩子就拿着它出来。然而我曾尝试过，恰恰没有验证。按《海槎余录》说这是相思子，生长在海中，好事者，取来藏在箱子里，整年不坏，拿出来投入醋中，就能旋转不停，而没有催生的说法。据此大概是玩物罢了，正如福建地方志记载莆田所产小白石，形状像杏仁，掰开里面纹理像虫，取两块石头分立盘中，一会儿自动相互迎合，名叫雌雄石。近来也有卖的，说能治眼疾，而且可配合媚药，所以价格很昂贵，而不知道借此愚弄愚人，也没有佐证。
木鳖子，本草说它无毒，能治泻痢疳积，而在发明下面又记载蓟门人有二子，服用这个都死了，特别著录作为警戒。最近听说南门外有个农民曹某，年纪已半百，儿子仅九岁，患腹痛，时发时止，经年不愈。有人说这是疳积，木鳖可以治疗，曹某就买五文钱，全部煎给儿子服用，不超过时辰就肉颤筋弛，骨节尽解而死。按木鳖有两种，一种产于南方，形状细而底部凸，又名木虱子。前人用来治痢，审察它的性味，不过是苦参子之类。这种现在已极少，现药铺中所卖的，都是番木鳖，出自回回国，外科曾用来敷疮，服用能杀人，切勿入药以尝试。
夏子益说：天地山川树木，都有脂。这是阴阳气化之余，凝结而成髓。饮天脂的，成为上仙；地脂成地仙，山川树木的脂，寿命都无量。《鬼谷子语仙录》说：取天脂必须在危峰绝顶，人迹罕到的地方，放置金盘盛明珠，每于寅卯之交往探，有清露即倾去，得到浆色白，芳香不散，味道极清甘的，就是这个。地脂在地脉流行聚合之处，从土中涌出，不收仍入地。大概天地之脂，每六十年一泄，山脂即钟乳之类，钟乳乃石的汗液，脂是它的髓。水脂出大海中，高喷百丈，还落水中，介类吞之成为神。树脂数千年老树，枯而复荣再发生，才有脂，能化婴儿，游行不定，颇不易得。《方镇编年》记载高展担任井州判官，一天看见砖缝间沫出，用手撮之，试涂在一个老吏脸上，皱纹顿改，脸色如少年。高展问承天道士，说：这叫地脂，吃了不死，高展于是挖开砖，已没有了。
本朝康熙年间，顺德有百姓进山砍柴。忽然听到树顶有婴儿啼哭声，仰视，见古木上有气缕缕如烟，飞鸟经过都坠落，砍开看其中有人，形状像凝脂，问他不应答，抚摸他就笑。一个同伴说：这叫树脂，不是恶物。于是蒸着吃，吃完觉得热，随即在溪中洗澡，肉尽溃裂而死。我认为仙佛之书，大都渺茫，本来不值得相信。凡是异常之物，智者不吃，确实如此。
使君子的名字，相传有潘州郭使君，治疗小儿腹痛，每用这个取效，因此有这个称呼。按小儿腹痛，虫患居多，而凡杀虫药多苦辛，惟使君子味甘，孩童服用，不损脾胃，所以尤其适宜。至于民俗说虫无尽杀，尽则无以消食，这真是愚俗之言。李时珍曾比喻树有蠹虫；屋有蚂蚁；国有盗贼，是福是祸，不问可知了。我也认为修养之家，必须以去三尸，即此类推，虫固宜杀而不宜留。
如今人喜欢食用白沦鸡子（鸡蛋），说能安五脏，益气血，而不知道它颇不易消化，不是煮至极熟，多致停滞。《南史》记载李道念生病五年，发散治疗无效，丞相褚澄诊断说：不是冷不是热，应该是过食白沦鸡子吧。煮蒜让他吃。于是吐出一个东西，形状像卵，看它是鸡雏，翅膀脚都齐全。褚澄说：没吃完再用蒜催吐。共吐出十二枚而痊愈。又李时珍曾见一位朝中贵人，每天早晨必吃几枚鸡蛋，长久而无恙。于是询问他的厨师，此外还有什么喜好？厨师说吃饭不撤蒜。李时说：幸亏有这个。看这些足以知道这个物品不宜多吃，而蒜能消肉积，也确实可信。
释道家有五辛的禁忌，道家以韭、薤、蒜、芸、薹、胡荽为五荤，而佛家则是葫、小蒜、兴渠、慈葱、葱。所禁虽有异同，但都是辛熏之品，生食增怒，熟食发淫，因为它们有损性灵，所以屏绝。
丝瓜是《本蔬》中的佳品，世俗相传，它的性质至寒，食用败阳。按本草说甘平能除热，利肠解毒通络，而《生生编》又说暖胃助阳。我曾考察它的性味，不过是甘凉的物品。因为它凉血，所以治肠风崩漏；它的络贯串如人的脉络，所以能通络；它的质地软滑，所以说败阳。暖胃的说法，为何相反呢？
狗蝇牛虱，古方未曾使用，而近世医家常以此治疗痘症，大概出自齐东野语。周密说同僚括苍陈坡，是老儒，他的孙子三岁出痘，半浆倒压，势已不治。遇到一个读书人授药少许，服用移时即红润，于是乞求他的方子以传于世。是用狗蝇和醅，用酒调服。按药中虫蚁，不过是取其飞扬走散之功，所以多施于伤科外症，以通血闭。痘症全赖气血以成浆结痂，元虚之症，必当以人参、黄芪培养元气，切勿以此为法。
曾经见儿科取青蒿中的虫子配药，以治疗小儿急慢惊风，说有奇验。遍阅古方，未见使用这个。惟《保婴集》极言其功效，并有诗说：一半朱砂一半雪，其功只在青蒿节，任教死去也还魂，服时须用生人血。大概是用朱粉混合，乳汁点服。
如今人冬天，常以酒和牛乳炖食，而薛立斋说酒不可与乳同饮，大概乳汁下咽，得酒则凝固，颇不易消化。如果用酒炖食，乳已热而成块，本来无害。胡筱园太守晨起喝奶，不耐膻气，急忙叫酒喝，
Shennong used a red whip to strike the hundred herbs, removing their toxicity, and then distinguished their flavors and scents, observed their cold and warm properties, and compiled the *Ben Cao Jing* (Classic of Materia Medica) in three volumes. Although the number of drugs gradually increased later, by the end of the Han Dynasty, only 365 types were transmitted. By the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen (courtesy name Dongbi) collected works from various schools and compiled the *Ben Cao Gang Mu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), which included up to 1,812 types, but contained many errors and inaccuracies. I believe that ancient texts are concise yet often lacking, while modern texts are elaborate but prone to errors. Recently, only Wu's *Ben Cao Cong Xin* (New Revision of Materia Medica) from Ganshui has appropriate selections and is convenient for reference, making it worthy of popular appreciation. However, within just a century, the varieties of drugs have changed significantly; some exist only in name without corresponding substances, leading pharmacies to substitute them with other medicines. Physicians, knowing only that certain drugs treat certain diseases, indiscriminately select and misuse them, causing endless harm. Presuming on my own limited knowledge, I once intended to clarify the origins, distinguish flavors and scents, verify authenticity, remove false entries, and supplement missing ones, compiling a new book titled *Ben Cao Shi Yi* (Timely Materia Medica) for practical use. Yet, requiring detailed and accurate verification before writing, I have completed only over seventy types in twenty years. Now that I have passed sixty, I fear I cannot finish this work. If granted a few more years, perhaps I would have no regrets regarding this book.
Regarding *Renshen* (Ginseng Root), ancient materia medica states it grows in the valleys of Shangdang and Liaodong, with a long shape and yellow color, resembling *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikovia Root). Ginseng from Baekje is slender, hard, and white, with a weaker flavor and scent than that from Shangdang; these descriptions refer to *Dangshen* (Codonopsis Root). Li Shizhen, in compiling the *Ben Cao Gang Mu*, extensively searched for various items but omitted Ginseng. It was not until our dynasty, when Wu from Ganshui revised the *Ben Cao Cong Xin*, distinguishing *Renshen* and *Dangshen* as two different types, that it became clear that true Ginseng was unknown during the Ming Dynasty. Goods traded from Baekje, Silla, and Goryeo were all similar to Shangdang Ginseng. According to *Tan Yuan*, Shao Huaji treated the King of Goryeo with medicine, noting that Ginseng is extremely hard; chopping it with an axe releases a fragrance filling the palace. Also, according to *Hanhai Xubian*, there is "Tatar Ginseng" in Liaodong, which is reddish-bright, solid with a central core, sweet with a slight bitterness, and shows a "golden well and jade railing" pattern when broken; chewing it allows one to walk without altering breathing. These all refer to Ginseng. At that time, because it did not circulate in China, it did not enter the interior. It began to be used in the early Qing Dynasty, and its fame spread subsequently. As collectors increased, production decreased, and entering mountains yielded little, leading people to abandon the trade. In the early Daoguang era, nearby farmers planted seeds, passing them off as Ginseng, leading to widespread counterfeiting. Genuine Ginseng nearly disappeared. Physicians, seeing so many fakes, were about to discard it entirely, marking a disaster for Ginseng. Today, Ginseng from Ningguta is rare; the best comes from Chuan Chang, followed by Fenghuang Cheng. Wind-produced Ginseng is tender and sugary, hence cheaper. Previously, smooth, round, short, and mature specimens were prized; now, rough, mature, and mixed qualities are valued, representing a minor shift in Ginseng standards. Reading *Ou Bei Ji*, I recall state history stating that our dynasty traded Ginseng with Goryeo at ten taels per jin. After stabilizing the realm, increased sales drove prices up. However, checking the poem "Thanking Kui Kai Gong for Gifted Ginseng" by Cha Huiyu in the Jiawu year of Kangxi, which mentions "ten gold for one qian," suggests the price was only ten times higher then. In the 15th year of Qianlong, fearing exhaustion for the metropolitan exam, I exchanged 1.6 taels of silver for one qian of Ginseng. By the 28th year, due to illness, I took Ginseng, and its price had already risen by more than half. Over thirty years, the increase exceeded tenfold. Current market prices are not vastly different, but production is far inferior to before. I have carefully distinguished authenticity, finding it not difficult to identify. However, modern physicians often do not deeply investigate the flavors of common herbs, let alone rare ones. Some have never seen the real thing in their lives; how can such people be discussed? Ultimately, genuine Ginseng is not non-existent, but its high price and scarcity among experts mean that only wealthy families accustomed to tonic use know its true taste. Nevertheless, in treating smallpox, obstetrics, and conditions of impending collapse of Yuan Qi (Primary Qi), it possesses the power to revive the dying, irreplaceable by other drugs. I recall a relative's wife who suffered heavy bleeding during childbirth, which stopped upon taking Ginseng. In the Renchen year of Daoguang, during another delivery, inferior Ginseng was prevalent. Someone placed two liang (approx. 60g), intending ten times the dose to compensate for lower quality. Upon ingestion, bleeding worsened, and Qi depleted dangerously. Urgently, one qian (approx. 3g) of wild mountain Ginseng was purchased and administered, stopping the bleeding immediately. The efficacy of Ginseng surpasses all other drugs. Circulating in China for over a century, it has saved countless lives. Since being privately cultivated by unscrupulous individuals, leading to confusion between fake and real, it has been suspected by the world, which is truly regrettable!
The Classic states: "Five grains for nourishment, five vegetables for supplementation." Vegetables (Shu) imply gathering, assisting grain Qi and clearing stagnation. Li Shizhen said: Edible plants include Leek, Scallion, Okra, Garlic, and Broad Bean Leaves. However, vegetables are not limited to these five; records mention 360 types, yet the *Ben Cao Gang Mu* only lists 150, with the rest unverified. Current daily consumption covers less than 30-40%. Among vegetables, Garlic, Coriander, and Alfalfa were obtained from the Western Regions in the Han Dynasty. During the Zhenguan era of Tang, Naluo Kingdom offered Spinach and Allium hookeri, which continue to be cultivated today. Recently, vegetables and fruits from Western countries have been introduced, planted locally for profit, and consumed by Chinese people. I will briefly list a few, distinguishing their flavors and scents for reference. Cabbage, commonly known as Halacai, has leaves rolled like a ball, green in color, turning slightly purple after frost. Removing outer layers reveals tender, yellow, crisp inner leaves. When fully expanded, it resembles an umbrella. Its flavor is sweet and neutral, benefiting the intestines and clearing the stomach, similar to Chinese Cabbage (Songcai) but less flavorful. Cauliflower originates from America (Huabi), hence the name. Leaves are lobed like mustard greens, pale yellow, with a sweet and bland flavor, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, possessing a mild nature. Bamboo Shoots are white, slender, and jade-like, with a bland and slightly pungent flavor, solid inside without nodes, distinct from bamboo. Locals named them for their resemblance to shoot buds. Southern Chinese Cabbage transplanted north becomes Turnip (Wujing); yet, across oceans, these varieties retain their color and taste, which is inexplicable.
Ancients ate cooling foods in spring and cold foods in summer to nourish Yang, and warming foods in autumn and hot foods in winter to nourish Yin, aligning with the four seasons, harmonizing Yin and Yang, and calming the Six Fu Organs. Naturally produced fruits also benefit humans according to the seasons: Spring produces Plums, sour and astringent to calm Liver Wood; Summer produces Melons, sweet and cold to clear summer heat; Autumn produces Pears, sweet and cool to descend Lung Metal; Winter produces Goji Berries, sweet and warm to tonify Kidney Water. This corresponds to the Classic's statement: "Five fruits for assistance, five flavors corresponding to five colors, aligning with the Five Zang Organs."
Practitioners of esoteric arts obtain menstrual blood from young virgins, called "Red Lead." They refine it through various methods to deceive people, a practice especially prevalent in the late Ming Dynasty. A sorcerer prepared a pill using milk, administered via nasal instillation to supine patients, calling it "Administering Great Medicine." Many court nobles sought it. The case of Li Kezhuo's Red Pill involved this substance. Menstrual blood is salty, hot, and toxic; ingestion damages the brain. Sorcerers' claims are unreliable. The Golden Dan Poem by Xiao Liao Zhen also illustrates this.
Bamboo roots and wood shavings are noted by sages, as nothing in the world is useless. Medicine is the same. Understanding the principle, any object can treat disease. Xu Sibai once used pillows from corpses to treat Corpse Transmission (Shizhu), Stone Warts, and hallucinations, achieving immediate results. Asked why different ailments responded to the same pillow, Xu Sibai explained: Corpse Transmission involves ghostly Qi lying dormant, causing stagnation; the pillow causes the soul's Qi to scatter, detaching from the body. Stone Warts are stubborn, hardened by insect nature, resistant to medicine; thus, ghostly objects disperse them. Eye pain with visions of spirits indicates evil Qi invading the Liver; using evil to attract evil, the pillow hooks it out. Though different, the similarities allow effective treatment when the underlying intent is grasped. Before the Song Dynasty, such practices were unknown. Later, spirit shoes, corpse mats, and ropes from suicides were used for treatment and recorded in Materia Medica.
Lei Wan (Thunder Pill) is named so because, according to Materia Medica, it forms from the essence condensed during lightning strikes, similar to Thunder Axes or Wedges. Buried in sunny spots for years, it grows egg-sized and iron-hard. Lightning fire arises from damp earth vapor,郁积 (accumulated) and erupting with earth Qi, releasing Yin-Yang energy. Lei Wan absorbs this residual Qi, clearing Stomach Fire and dispersing heat in the skin. However, long-term use causes impotence due to its Yin nature. In the Zhizheng era of Yuan, an old woman in a county farm was struck by lightning, died, then revived with a pill in her mouth. Neighbor Yu mistook it for a divine elixir, swallowed it, and developed throat pain with a sensation of indigestion. Anger induced coughing, expelling the object, which resembled a plum pit, smooth, yellow, and unbreakable by axe. Years of throat pain ceased. This likely was Lei Wan. Yu ingested it when ascending Qi was strong, forcing fire upward, causing throat pain. Anger triggered expulsion, removing the object and relieving pain.
Tobacco was unknown in antiquity. Fujian people obtained Tabacum from overseas, burning it and inhaling smoke through tubes, claiming it repelled miasma. Ming Dynasty troops in Yunnan used it. It became popular in the interior in our dynasty. Now, even laborers and farmers keep it for guests. Materia Medica states its nature is purely Yang, capable of dispersing, thus transforming dampness and resisting cold. Its aroma spreads instantly throughout the body, providing comfort. However, smoke burns and severely damages Lung Qi. Many current throat and tongue ulcers may stem from smoking. To avoid heat, people recently invented water pipes (Shuiyan Dai), filtering smoke through water, claiming it achieves balance (Ji Ji). However, inhalation further damages Qi. Health-conscious individuals should avoid it.
Pepper from Sichuan has five colors corresponding to the Five Elements. Tonic practitioners call it the "Great Elixir of Herbs," claiming refined consumption strengthens teeth and hair, regulates joints against cold and heat, and promotes longevity. Pepper is acrid and hot, damaging Lung Qi and depleting energy; refined consumption is unsuitable. People use its fragrance to mask fishy odors, unaware it promotes fire and moves blood, causing illness. Chen Yansheng of Ningbo loved pepper and lost his teeth before fifty, verifying this.
All blood-containing creatures have slow-growing bones. Humans take twenty years from embryo to adult for bone marrow to harden. Only Elk and Deer antlers harden in two months, growing inches daily, faster than fast-growing plants. Thus, they strengthen sinews and bones, enhance Yang function, and replenish essence and marrow. An old Daoist song for Banlong Wan (Spotted Dragon Pill) says: "If the tailgate cannot stop the ocean from drying, nine-turn elixirs are slow; only the pearl on the Spotted Dragon's head can nourish the Jade Hall and lower caves." The pill contains Deer Antler Velvet. Deer prefer mountains and belong to Yang, shedding antlers at Summer Solstice. Elks prefer marshes and belong to Yin, shedding at Winter Solstice. Modern collectors mix Elk and Deer antlers, ignoring that differing Yin-Yang natures yield different effects.
Four-season plants grow according to timing; harvesting must be timely. Off-season harvests alter flavor and efficacy. Even blood and flesh products should not be taken raw to preserve their nature. Market sellers of She Abdomen (She Qi) cut it alive; the aroma is unrefined, and the secretion is foul, harming users. She eats fragrant grasses; winter concentrates aroma in the abdomen. In spring, itching causes self-extraction. Women collect this "Raw Incense," which lasts years. Hunters now dry She feces, fill them with live-cut She Qi, or insert stable flies (removing heads/legs/wings) into the sheath, sealing them. The aroma persists, called Dangmenzi, yielding five benefits from one She. Flies are toxic; mixing with incense is acceptable, but adding to medicine is harmful.
Market "Vinegar Turtles" claim origin from Putuo Mountain. Resembling snails, bean-sized, said to induce labor. Pregnant women swallow them during birth, supposedly holding the baby out. I tested this with no effect. *Haicha Yulu* identifies them as Orbea Seeds (Xiangsi Zi) from the sea, kept in boxes for a year without decay. Dropped in vinegar, they spin endlessly, but have no labor-inducing properties. They are toys, like "Male-Female Stones" from Putian, which attract each other. Sellers claim they treat eye diseases and enhance libido, charging high prices, deceiving the ignorant without evidence.
Mu Bie Zi (Momordica Seed) is listed in Materia Medica as non-toxic, treating dysentery and infantile malnutrition. However, a warning notes two sons in Jimen died after taking it. Recently, farmer Cao, whose nine-year-old son suffered chronic abdominal pain, was advised Mu Bie Zi treats malnutrition. He bought five wen worth, boiled it, and gave it to his son. Within hours, the boy's muscles trembled, tendons relaxed, joints disintegrated, and he died. There are two types: Southern type, slender with convex base, also called Mu Shi Zi, used for dysentery, similar to Sophora Seed. This type is rare. Current market sells Fan Mu Bie (Foreign Momordica) from Central Asia, used externally for sores, fatal if ingested. Do not use medicinally.
Xia Ziyi stated: Heaven, Earth, rivers, mountains, trees all have fat/resin. This is residual Yin-Yang Qi condensing into marrow. Drinking Heavenly Fat makes one an Upper Immortal; Earthly Fat makes an Earthly Immortal; Mountain/Tree Fat grants infinite life. *Guiguzi's Record of Immortals* says: Take Heavenly Fat from steep peaks, place gold plates with pearls, check at dawn. Clear dew turns white, fragrant, sweet liquid. Earthly Fat emerges where earth veins gather, returning to earth if not collected. Mountain Fat includes Stalactites (Zhongru), sweat of stone, marrow of fat. Water Fat sprays from the sea, falls back, consumed by shellfish to become divine. Tree Resin appears in millennia-old trees regrowing, able to transform infants, wandering unpredictably, rare. *Fangzhen Bianian* records Gao Zhan, magistrate of Jingzhou, saw foam from bricks, touched it, applied to an old clerk's face, smoothing wrinkles and restoring youth. Daoist Chengtian said it was Earthly Fat, granting immortality. Gao dug up bricks, but none remained.
In Kangxi era, a woodcutter in Shunde heard crying in a tree. Looking up, he saw smoke-like vapor around an ancient tree; birds fell near it. Cutting open revealed a person-like figure of congealed fat, unresponsive to speech, smiling to touch. Companion said it was Tree Resin, not evil. Steamed and eaten, he felt hot, bathed in a stream, and his flesh rotted away. Immortal/Buddhist books are vague and unreliable. Wise men avoid abnormal things.
Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis Indica Fruit) is named after Gu Shijun of Panzhou, who cured children's abdominal pain with it. Children's abdominal pain is often parasitic. Most vermifuges are bitter/acrid; Shi Jun Zi is sweet, safe for children's Spleen/Stomach. Folklore claims killing all worms hinders digestion, a foolish view. Li Shizhen compared worms to termites in trees, ants in houses, thieves in states—clearly detrimental. Cultivators must eliminate the Three Corpses (parasites/demons); worms should be killed, not kept.
People love eating white eggs, claiming they calm organs and boost Qi/Blood, but they are hard to digest unless thoroughly cooked, causing stagnation. *History of Southern Dynasties* records Li Daonian's five-year illness, unresponsive to treatment. Chancellor Chu Cheng diagnosed excessive egg consumption. Boiled garlic induced vomiting of twelve chick-shaped masses, curing him. Li Shizhen noted a noble eating eggs daily without ill effect because he always ate garlic. This confirms eggs should not be overconsumed and garlic resolves meat stagnation.
Buddhism and Daoism prohibit Five Pungent Spices. Daoists forbid Leek, Scallion, Garlic, Allium chinense, and Chinese Chives. Buddhists forbid Garlic, Small Garlic, Asafoetida, and Onion. Though differences exist, all are pungent; raw increases anger, cooked increases lust, damaging spiritual purity, hence avoided.
Loofah is excellent in *Ben Shu*. Folklore claims it is very cold and damages Yang. Materia Medica says it is sweet/neutral, clearing heat, benefiting intestines, detoxifying, and unblocking collaterals. *Shengsheng Bian* claims it warms the Stomach and boosts Yang. My analysis finds it sweet/cool. Cooling blood treats intestinal wind and metrorrhagia; net-like structure unblocks collaterals; soft/slippery texture explains "damaging Yang." The "warming" claim is contradictory.
Dog fleas and cattle lice are absent in ancient formulas but used recently for smallpox, originating from folk tales. Zhou Mi recorded Chen Po, a scholar, whose grandson had severe smallpox. A scholar gave a powder mixed with fermented rice wine, restoring health. The formula used dog fleas. Insects in medicine exploit their flying/scattering nature, used in trauma to open blood blockages. Smallpox relies on Qi/Blood to form pus and scabs. Deficient cases require Ginseng/Astragalus to tonify Yuan Qi; do not use insects.
Pediatricians sometimes use insects from Artemisia to treat convulsions, claiming efficacy. Ancient formulas rarely use this. *Baoying Ji* praises it, with a poem: "Half cinnabar, half snow, power lies in Artemisia joint; even death can be reversed, taken with living blood." Mixed with cinnabar powder, given with milk.
In winter, people stew cow's milk with wine. Xue Lizhang warned against mixing wine and milk, as wine curdles milk, making it hard to digest. Stewing heats the milk, forming curds, which is harmless. Prefect Hu Xiaoyuan drank milk in the morning, disliked the smell, and drank wine urgently,