（本经上品）
曲直仆伛，靡不怒生，枝干叶实，各有专精。具木性之全体者，无出其右；此独拈叶
中丝缕而言，其枝干皮根理文丝缕，亦各各井然。
【气味】甘寒，无毒。
【主治】主伤中，五劳六极，羸瘦，崩中，绝脉，补虚益气，除寒热，出汗。
【核】曰∶所在有之，花椹枝皮，功无差等，叶频摘频发，枝频剪频生，虽去枝纯干，
干尤生枝，叶充蚕食，材多适用，全体专精，灌木易生之上品也。尔雅云∶桑辨自葚者栀。
又云∶女桑， 桑， 桑，山桑。郭璞注云∶辨，半也。葚，与椹同。半有椹，半无椹，曰
栀。干小条长，曰女。叶细岐锐，皮理粗戾，曰 。 桑，丝中琴瑟。山桑，似桑，材中弓
弩，皆材之美者，他木鲜及之矣。李时珍云∶桑有数种∶ 条而分者，椹少叶繁；白桑叶大
而浓；山桑叶尖而长；鸡桑叶花而薄；子桑先椹后叶；望海桑，高数丈，枝干茂盛，亭亭如
车盖。桑生黄衣，曰金桑，其本必将槁矣。种树书云∶桑根下，尝培龟甲，易茂不蛀。典术
云∶箕星之精，散而为桑。箕，水星也。龟神在坎，故桑以龟为食。东坡曰∶琴弦旧而声暗，
桑叶揩之，发声如新。本草云∶桑根见地上者，曰马额，有毒杀人。旁行出土者，曰伏蛇，
亦有毒。转治心痛，故吴淑类赋云∶伏蛇治痛，马额杀人。修治，采十年以上，向东畔嫩根，
铜刀刮去青黄薄皮一重，取里白皮切焙。皮中涎，甚勿去之。续断、桂心、麻子为之使。忌
铁，及铅。
（王盘曰∶桑种甚多，不可遍举。世所名者，荆与鲁也。荆桑多椹，鲁桑少椹，叶薄而
尖，其边有瓣者，荆桑也。凡枝干条叶坚劲者，皆荆之类也。叶员浓而多津者，鲁桑也。凡
枝干条叶丰腴者，皆鲁之类也。荆之类根固而心实，能久远，宜为树；鲁之类根不固，心不
实，不能久远，宜为地桑，然荆之条叶，不如鲁叶之盛茂，当以鲁桑条接之，则能久远，而
又盛茂也。鲁为地桑，而有压条之法，传转无穷，是亦可久远也。荆桑所饲蚕，甚丝坚韧，
用最上也，禹贡称厥筐 丝。注曰， ，山桑，此荆之美而尤者也。鲁桑之类，宜饲小蚕；
荆桑宜饲大蚕。凡桑果以接传为妙，一曰身接，二曰根接，三曰皮接，四曰枝接，五曰靥业
接，六曰搭接。今夫种植之功，其利既溥，又加之以接传，犹变稂莠而为嘉禾，易 而为
美玉也，既接传矣。复须剔其虫蠹，柳子所谓吾闻养树，得养人术，此长民为国者，所当视
效也。夫民为国本，本斯立矣。既兴其本，又除其害，为治之道，无以外是。苟审行之，不
惟得劝课之法，抑亦知教政之本与。
辑要曰∶桑之种性，惟在辨其刚柔。得树艺之宜，使之各适其用。种树之宜，惟在审其
时月。又合地方之宜，使之不失其中。又曰∶种椹而后移栽，移栽而后布行；布行而后修莳；
修莳而后科斫；科斫者，种桑惟在稀科时斫，使其条叶丰腴而蚤发，不致蚕之稚也。科斫尤
在接换；接换之法，惟在时之和融，手之审密，封系之固，拥包之浓，使不至疏浅而寒凝也。
郭子章曰∶月令季春之月，命野虞无伐桑柘。鸣鸠拂羽，戴胜降桑，具曲植 筐，后妃
斋戒，亲东乡躬桑，禁妇女毋观，省妇使，劝蚕事，蚕事既登，分茧称丝，效功，以供郊庙
之服，无有敢惰，所以为天下蚕事劝也。木各有所宜土，惟桑无不宜。桑亡不宜，故蚕亡不
可事，豳风之诗曰∶女执懿筐，遵彼微行，爰求柔桑，则豳可蚕。将仲子之诗曰∶无折我树
桑，则郑可蚕。车辚之诗曰∶阪有桑，隰有杨，则秦可蚕。氓之诗曰∶桑之未落，其叶沃若，
桑之落矣，其黄而陨。桑中之诗曰∶期我乎桑中，则卫可蚕。皇矣之诗曰∶攘之剔之，其
其桑。桑柔之诗曰∶菀彼桑柔，其下侯甸，则周可蚕，禹贡兖州，桑土既蚕，厥篚织文，则
鲁可蚕。青州厥篚 丝。管子亦曰∶五粟之土，其 其桑，则齐可蚕；荆州厥篚玄 ，则楚
可蚕。孟子策梁曰∶五亩之宅，树之以桑，则梁可蚕，蚕丛都蜀，衣青衣，教民蚕桑，则蜀
可蚕，犹之农夫之于五谷，非龙堆狐塞极寒之区，犹可耕且获也。今天下蚕事疏阔矣。东南
之机，三吴越闽最伙，取给于湖茧，西北之机，潞最工，取给于阆茧。予道湖阆，女桑 桑、
参差墙下，未尝不羡二郡女红之KT ，而病四远之惰也。夫一女不绩，天下必有受其寒者
，而
岂第五十之老，帛无所出，不绩则逸，逸则淫，淫则男子为所蛊蚀，
而风俗日以颓坏。公父文伯母曰∶王后亲织玄 ，公侯夫人加之以 ，卿之内子为大带，
命妇成祭服。列士之妻，加
之以朝服，自庶士以下，皆衣其夫，社而赋事， 而献功。男女效绩，愆则有辟，古之制也。
彼大夫之家，而主犹绩，
奈何令天下女习于逸，以趋于淫乎？国家蚕桑，载在令甲，凡民田五亩，至十亩者，栽桑麻
木棉各半亩；十亩以上者倍
之；田多者，以是为差，特废不举耳。故月令躬蚕之礼，鲁母绩愆之辟，与令甲桑麻之数，
此三者，不可谓迂而不讲也。）
先人云∶桑为蚕食，桑是蚕之天矣。蚕质作丝，丝是蚕之精矣。丝丝缕缕，如人身外之
毛发，身内之经络，毛发广之须眉，经络广之肉腠，又深之广之，如经络为营血流行之处，
或经脉损而营血崩，或营血去而经脉涸，从脉生病，咸可以桑。
【 】曰∶季夏取桑柘之火，桑当入脾，为脾之心药，以丝缕如脉，心主脉故也。丝发
五音，皮坚似革，色白属金，亦可入肺，脾之肺药也。曲直仆伛，靡不怒生，得木全性，亦
可入肝；脾之肝药也。精英在椹，色黑气寒，亦可入肾，脾之肾药也。虽入五脏，以脾为主，
然
伤中央土，致五脏之劳与极耳。羸瘦即肉极；崩中绝脉即脉极。桑司中央火，且丝缕专胜，
故治肉脉之极，其功特着。补虚者，补脾土之虚。益气者，益中央之气。丝缕在叶，叶可通
心以除寒热，汗乃心液故也。
【本草经列为上品】
桑树无论曲直、倒伏或弯曲，无不蓬勃生长，其枝、干、叶、果实，各自具有独特的专长。具备木行完整特性的植物中，没有能超过它的；这里特别选取叶中的丝缕来论述，其实它的枝、干、皮、根的纹理丝缕，也各自井然有序。
【气味】味甘，性寒，无毒。
【主治功效】主要治疗内伤，五种劳损和六种极度虚损，身体消瘦，妇女崩漏，脉象断绝，补益虚弱，益气，消除寒热，发汗。
【考证】曰：各地都有桑树，花、椹（桑葚）、枝、皮的功效没有差别。叶子频繁采摘又能频繁再生，枝条频繁修剪又能频繁生长，即使去掉枝条只留主干，主干上尤其容易生出新的枝条。叶子充足供蚕食用，木材大多适用，全体都具有专精的特性，是灌木中易于生长的上品。《尔雅》说：桑根据是否有椹来辨别，有椹的叫“栀”（zhī）。又说：女桑，[一种桑]，[一种桑]，山桑。郭璞注释说：“辨”意为一半。“椹”与“葚”同义。有一半有椹，一半无椹的，叫做“栀”。树干小、枝条长的，叫做“女”。叶子细、分叉尖锐、树皮纹理粗糙的，叫做[一种桑]。这种桑树的丝可以制作琴瑟。山桑，形状像桑树，其木材适合制作弓弩，都是优质的木材，其他树木很少能比得上。李时珍说：桑有好几种：枝条分明且分叉多的，椹少而叶繁茂；白桑叶子大而浓密；山桑叶子尖而长；鸡桑叶子花纹状且薄；子桑先结椹后长叶；望海桑，高达数丈，枝干茂盛，亭亭如车盖。桑树生出黄色菌类，叫做金桑，其根部必将枯死。《种树书》说：种植桑树根部下，常培龟甲，容易茂盛且不生虫蛀。《典术》说：箕星精气，散落化为桑树。箕星属水星。龟神位于坎位（北方水），所以桑树以龟为食。苏东坡说：琴弦旧了声音暗淡，用桑叶擦拭，声音就能像新的一样响亮。《本草》说：桑根露出地面的部分，叫做马额，有毒，能杀人。横向生长出土的部分，叫做伏蛇，也有毒。因为能转治心痛，所以吴淑在《类赋》中说：伏蛇治疗疼痛，马额能杀人。修治方法：采集十年以上、向东侧生长的嫩根，用铜刀刮去一层青黄色的薄皮，取里面的白皮切片焙干。皮中的黏液，千万不要去除。续断、桂心、麻子是它的引经药。忌铁，以及铅。
（王盘说：桑的品种很多，无法一一列举。世间所知的，主要是荆桑和鲁桑。荆桑多椹，鲁桑少椹，叶子薄而尖，边缘有瓣状的是荆桑。凡是枝干、枝条、叶子坚硬劲挺的，都属于荆桑一类。叶子圆厚且多津液的，是鲁桑。凡是枝干、枝条、叶子丰腴肥厚的，都属于鲁桑一类。荆桑类的根系牢固且中心坚实，能活得长久，适宜作为高大的树；鲁桑类的根系不牢固，中心不实，不能活得长久，适宜作为低矮的地桑。然而荆桑的枝条叶子，不如鲁桑茂盛，应当用鲁桑的枝条进行嫁接，这样就能活得长久，而又茂盛。鲁桑作为地桑，有压条繁殖的方法，传承无穷，这也是可以长久的。荆桑所饲养的蚕，吐出的丝非常坚韧，是最上等的，《禹贡》称“厥筐纤丝”。注解说，“纤”指山桑，这是荆桑中特别优良的品种。鲁桑这类，适宜饲养小蚕；荆桑适宜饲养大蚕。凡是桑果通过嫁接传代最为巧妙，一叫身接，二叫根接，三叫皮接，四叫枝接，五叫靥业接，六叫搭接。如今种植的功劳，利益既广泛，再加上嫁接传代，就像把杂草变成嘉禾，把石头变成美玉一样。既然已经嫁接传代，还必须剔除虫害柳宗元曾说：我听说养树之道，如同养人之道，这是治理百姓、管理国家的人应当效法的。百姓是国家的根本，根本确立了，国家就稳固了。既振兴了根本，又除去了危害，治理的方法，没有超出这个范围的。如果审慎地实行它，不仅得到了鼓励耕织的方法，也知道了教化政令的根本所在。
辑要说：桑树的种性，关键在于辨别其刚柔。得到种植养殖的适宜方法，使它们各得其所。种植桑树的适宜方法，关键在于审察时节月份。又结合地方的适宜条件，使它们不失其中正。又说：先种植桑葚然后移栽，移栽之后才布行推广；布行推广之后才进行修整培育；修整培育之后才进行砍伐整理；砍伐整理，种植桑树关键在于稀疏行列时砍伐，使其枝条叶子丰腴而且早发生长，不至于让蚕幼小时缺乏食物。砍伐整理尤其在于嫁接换种；嫁接换种的方法，关键在于气候的和暖融合，手法的审慎严密，封系牢固，包裹浓厚，使不至于疏浅而受寒凝滞。
郭子章说：《月令》记载季春之月，命令野虞不要砍伐桑柘。鸣鸠振动羽毛，戴胜鸟降落在桑树上，准备曲植和采桑筐，后妃斋戒，亲自面向东方躬行采桑礼，禁止妇女观看，省察妇役，劝勉蚕事。蚕事成功后，分茧称丝，考核功绩，以供祭祀郊庙的服饰，没有人敢懈怠，以此来劝勉天下的蚕事。树木各有适宜的土壤，只有桑树没有不适宜的。桑树如果没有不适宜的土壤，那么蚕也就没有不可侍奉的。《豳风》的诗说：女子拿着深筐，沿着小路，去寻找柔嫩的桑叶，那么豳地可以养蚕。《将仲子》的诗说：不要折我的桑树，那么郑地可以养蚕。《车辚》的诗说：山坡上有桑树，洼地里有杨树，那么秦地可以养蚕。《氓》的诗说：桑树还没落叶，叶子润泽；桑叶落下了，变黄坠落。《桑中》的诗说：约我在桑林中相会，那么卫地可以养蚕。《皇矣》的诗说：砍伐它修剪它，那些桑树。《桑柔》的诗说：茂盛的桑树，下面就是甸服之地，那么周地可以养蚕。《禹贡》记载兖州，桑土已经适合养蚕，进贡的筐里装着织文，那么鲁地可以养蚕。青州进贡细丝。管子也说：五种粟米之土，那里长着桑树，那么齐地可以养蚕；荆州进贡黑色丝绸，那么楚地可以养蚕。孟子对梁惠王说：五亩宅院，种上桑树，那么梁地可以养蚕。蚕丛建都于蜀，穿青衣，教百姓养蚕种桑，那么蜀地可以养蚕。这就像农夫对于五谷，如果不是龙堆、狐塞等极寒之地，仍然可以耕种收获。如今天下蚕事疏阔了。东南的织机，三吴越闽最多，依靠湖茧供给；西北的织机，潞州最精巧，依靠阆中茧供给。我经过湖广和阆中，看到女桑参差不齐地长在墙下，未尝不羡慕这两个郡女子纺织的精巧，而担忧四方偏远地区的懒惰。如果一个女子不纺织，天下必定有人受冻，何况五十岁的老人，没有帛可出，不纺织就会安逸，安逸就会淫逸，淫逸男子就会被蛊惑侵蚀，风俗日益颓坏。公父文伯的母亲说：王后亲自编织黑色丝绸，公侯夫人加上装饰，卿的内子做大带，命妇制成祭服。列士的妻子，加上朝服，自庶士以下，都穿丈夫的衣服，社日分配事务，秋收献纳功绩。男女效仿功绩，有过错就有刑罚，这是古代的制度。那些大夫的家庭，主妇还在纺织，怎么能让天下女子习惯于安逸，从而趋向淫逸呢？国家蚕桑事业，记载在法令中，凡民田五亩到十亩的，栽桑麻木棉各半亩；十亩以上的加倍；田地多的，以此类推，只是废弃没有实行罢了。所以《月令》中躬行蚕礼，鲁母纺织的过错刑罚，与法令中桑麻的数量，这三者，不能说迂腐而不加以讲求。）
先祖说：桑被蚕食用，桑就是蚕的天敌（或指赖以生存之源，此处语境似指桑为蚕之本源/天，需结合下文“天”字理解，通常“天”指主宰或本源，但前句“桑为蚕食”，后句“桑是蚕之天”，逻辑上若指天敌则矛盾，若指上天/本源则通。参考上下文“丝丝缕缕...如人身...”，此处“天”应解为“本源”或“主宰”，即桑是蚕生命的来源）。蚕质化作丝，丝就是蚕的精气。丝丝缕缕，如同人身外的毛发，身内的经络。毛发扩展开来须眉，经络扩展开来肉腠，再深入扩展，如同经络是营血流行的地方。或者经脉受损而营血崩漏，或者营血流失而经脉枯竭，从脉生病，都可以用桑来治疗。
【归经/脏腑归属】曰：季夏取桑柘燃烧的火，桑应当入脾经，作为脾经的心药，因为丝缕像血脉，心主血脉的缘故。丝发对应五音，皮坚似皮革，色白属金，也可以入肺经，是脾经的肺药。曲直仆伛，无不蓬勃生长，得到木行的全部性质，也可以入肝经；是脾经的肝药。精华在椹中，色黑气寒，也可以入肾经，是脾经的肾药。虽然入五脏，但以脾为主，然而损伤中央土，导致五脏的劳损与极度虚弱。羸瘦就是肉极；崩中绝脉就是脉极。桑主管中央火（注：此处原文逻辑可能有误或特指，通常脾属土，但文中提到“司中央火”，可能指通过补土以生金或某种特定理论，依原文翻译），且丝缕特性专胜，所以治疗肉极和脉极，功效特别显著。补虚，是补脾土的虚损。益气，是益中央之气。丝缕在叶中，叶可以通心以消除寒热，因为汗是心液的关系。
[Classified as Top Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
Whether crooked, upright, fallen, or bent, mulberry trees grow vigorously. Their branches, trunks, leaves, and fruits each possess unique specialties. Among plants that fully embody the characteristics of Wood, none surpass it; here, we specifically discuss the silk threads within the leaves. Indeed, the textures and fibers of its branches, trunks, bark, and roots are also orderly and distinct.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats internal injuries, five types of chronic fatigue (Wu Lao), six types of extreme exhaustion (Liu Ji), emaciation, metrorrhagia (Beng Zhong), interrupted pulse, tonifies deficiency, benefits Qi, eliminates chills and fever, and induces sweating.
[Examination] It is said: Mulberry trees are found everywhere. The flowers, fruits (mulberries), branches, and bark have equal efficacy. Leaves can be picked frequently and regenerate quickly; branches can be pruned frequently and regrow rapidly. Even if branches are removed leaving only the trunk, new branches sprout abundantly from the trunk. With abundant leaves for silkworms to eat and versatile timber, the whole plant possesses specialized qualities, making it a top-grade herb that is easy to cultivate among shrubs. The *Erya* states: Mulberries are distinguished by their fruit. Those with fruit are called "Zhi" (Zhī). It also says: There are female mulberries, [specific type], and mountain mulberries. Guo Pu's commentary notes: "Bian" means half. "Zhen" is synonymous with "Shen" (fruit). Half have fruit, half do not, called "Zhi". Trunks small with long branches are called "Female". Leaves slender with sharp lobes and rough bark texture are called [specific type]. The silk from this mulberry can make qin and se instruments. Mountain mulberry resembles mulberry but its wood is suitable for bows and crossbows; both are excellent materials, rarely matched by other trees. Li Shizhen states: There are several types of mulberry: Branches distinct and forked yield few fruits but lush leaves; White mulberry has large, thick leaves; Mountain mulberry has pointed, long leaves; Chicken mulberry has patterned, thin leaves; Zi mulberry fruits before leafing out; Wanghai mulberry grows tens of feet tall, lush and canopy-like. If yellow fungus grows on mulberry, it is called Gold Mulberry, indicating the root will soon wither. The *Book of Tree Planting* says: Planting mulberry roots with turtle shell promotes growth and prevents insect damage. The *Dian Shu* states: The essence of the Ji star scatters to form mulberry trees. The Ji star belongs to Water. The Turtle spirit resides in Kan (North/Water), so mulberry consumes turtles. Su Dongpo said: Old lutes lose sound; wiping them with mulberry leaves restores their brightness. The *Bencao* states: Mulberry roots exposed above ground are called "Horse Forehead", toxic and fatal. Roots growing horizontally and emerging are called "Crouching Snake", also toxic. Because it can treat heart pain, Wu Su in the *Lei Fu* wrote: Crouching Snake treats pain, Horse Forehead kills. Processing: Harvest tender roots from the eastern side of trees older than ten years. Scrape off one layer of greenish-yellow thin bark using a copper knife. Take the inner white bark, slice, and bake dry. Do not remove the mucilage in the bark. Duanxuan (Radix Dipsaci), Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex), and Maziren (Cannabis Fructus) act as guides. Avoid iron and lead.
(Wang Pan said: There are many varieties of mulberry, impossible to list all. Commonly known are Jing mulberry and Lu mulberry. Jing mulberry bears much fruit; Lu mulberry bears little. Leaves are thin, pointed, and lobed at the edges in Jing mulberry. Any variety with tough, sturdy branches, twigs, and leaves belongs to Jing mulberry. Leaves round, thick, and juicy belong to Lu mulberry. Any variety with plump branches, twigs, and leaves belongs to Lu mulberry. Jing mulberry has firm roots and solid cores, living long, suitable for timber trees. Lu mulberry has loose roots and hollow centers, living shorter lives, suitable for ground mulberry. However, Jing mulberry's foliage is less lush than Lu mulberry's. Grafting Lu mulberry branches onto Jing mulberry allows longevity and lushness. Lu mulberry, as ground mulberry, can be propagated via layering, ensuring continuity. Silkworms fed on Jing mulberry produce tough, high-quality silk, referred to in the *Yu Gong* as "fine silk". Commentary notes "Xian" refers to mountain mulberry, the finest of Jing mulberry. Lu mulberry suits small silkworms; Jing mulberry suits large silkworms. Grafting is the best propagation method, including body grafting, root grafting, bark grafting, branch grafting, eye grafting, and splice grafting. Cultivation benefits are vast; adding grafting transforms weeds into fine grain and stones into jade. After grafting, pests must be removed. Liu Zongyuan said: I heard tree cultivation mirrors human governance. Rulers should emulate this. People are the foundation of the state; establishing the foundation stabilizes the state. Promoting the foundation while removing harm is the way of governance. Practicing this diligently not only encourages sericulture but also reveals the root of education and policy.
The *Jiyao* states: The nature of mulberry seeds lies in distinguishing hardness and softness. Proper cultivation ensures appropriate use. Timing and local conditions are crucial. Seedlings are planted, transplanted, spread, cultivated, and pruned. Pruning involves thinning rows to encourage lush, early growth, preventing starvation for young silkworms. Pruning is especially important when grafting. Grafting requires harmonious weather, careful technique, secure binding, and thick wrapping to prevent cold stagnation.
Guo Zizhang said: In the late spring month of the *Monthly Ordinances*, officials are ordered not to cut mulberry and zanthoxylum. When turtledoves flutter and hoopoes land on mulberries, queens prepare baskets. Queens fast and personally harvest mulberry facing east, prohibiting women from watching, reducing female labor, and encouraging sericulture. After success, cocoons are sorted and silk weighed to provide garments for sacrifices. No one dares to be lazy, thus encouraging the world. Trees suit specific soils, but mulberry suits all. If mulberry suits all, sericulture is possible everywhere. The *Odes of Bin* says: Women carry deep baskets seeking tender mulberry, implying Bin supports sericulture. The *Ode Jiang Zhongzi* says: Do not break my mulberry trees, implying Zheng supports sericulture. The *Ode Che Lin* says: Mulberry on slopes, poplar in lowlands, implying Qin supports sericulture. The *Ode Meng* describes mulberry leaves falling, symbolizing decline. The *Ode Sang Zhong* mentions meetings under mulberry, implying Wei supports sericulture. The *Ode Huang Yi* mentions pruning mulberry, implying Zhou supports sericulture. The *Yu Gong* records Yanzhou mulberry soil suitable for sericulture, offering woven goods, implying Lu supports sericulture. Qingzhou offers fine silk. Guan Zi states: Soil suitable for five grains supports mulberry, implying Qi supports sericulture. Jingzhou offers black silk, implying Chu supports sericulture. Mencius told King Hui of Liang: Plant mulberry on five mu of land, implying Liang supports sericulture. Can Cong established Shu, wore blue, taught sericulture, implying Shu supports sericulture. Like farmers relying on grains, unless in extremely cold regions like Longdui or Huse, cultivation is possible. Currently, sericulture is sparse. Southeast looms in Sanwu, Yue, and Min rely on Hu cocoons; Northwest looms in Luzhou rely on Lang cocoons. Traveling through Hu and Lang, seeing scattered mulberry bushes, I envy the textile skills of these two commanderies but worry about laziness elsewhere. If one woman does not spin, others suffer cold. How can fifty-year-old men lack silk? Idleness leads to licentiousness, corrupting morals. Gongfu Wenbo's mother said: The Queen weaves black silk; nobles add decorations; ministers' wives make sashes; appointed ladies make sacrificial robes; scholars' wives add court dress; commoners wear husbands' clothes. On She Day, tasks are assigned; in autumn, merits are presented. Men and women show merit; faults bring punishment. This is ancient law. Even in ministerial households, the mistress spins. How can we let women become idle and licentious? Sericulture is codified in laws: 5-10 mu fields plant half acre of mulberry/hemp/cotton; over 10 mu double this. Though neglected, the rituals of the *Monthly Ordinances*, the penalties for neglect in Lu, and the legal quotas cannot be ignored.)
My ancestor said: Mulberry is eaten by silkworms; thus, mulberry is the source (Heaven) of silkworms. Silkworm substance becomes silk; thus, silk is the essence of silkworms. Threads resemble human hair and meridians. Hair expands to eyebrows/beard; meridians expand to muscle layers. Deepening further, meridians are pathways for Ying Blood. If meridians are damaged and Ying Blood collapses, or Ying Blood depletes causing meridian drought, diseases arising from pulses can be treated with mulberry.
[Meridian Tropism/Organ Affinity] It is said: In late summer, fire from burning mulberry and zanthoxylum is used. Mulberry enters the Spleen channel, acting as a Heart medicine for the Spleen, because threads resemble vessels, and the Heart governs vessels. Silk relates to the five tones; bark is hard like leather; white color corresponds to Metal; thus, it can enter the Lung channel, acting as a Lung medicine for the Spleen. Its vigorous growth despite bending reflects full Wood nature, entering the Liver channel, acting as a Liver medicine for the Spleen. Essence in fruits is black and cold, entering the Kidney channel, acting as a Kidney medicine for the Spleen. Although entering the Five Zang organs, it primarily targets the Spleen. However, injury to Central Earth causes Five Zang fatigue and extremity. Emaciation is Muscle Extremity; metrorrhagia and interrupted pulse are Vessel Extremity. Mulberry governs Central Fire (Note: Textual logic may imply Spleen Earth generating Metal or specific theory), and its thread property is supreme, thus treating Muscle and Vessel extremes effectively. Tonifying deficiency tonifies Spleen Earth. Benefiting Qi benefits Central Qi. Threads in leaves allow the leaf to connect to the Heart to eliminate chills and fever, as sweat is the fluid of the Heart.