（本经上品）
凡湿则重碍，燥则轻泼。
【气味】甘，微寒，无毒。
【主治】主筋急拘挛，不可屈伸，久风湿痹，下气。久服轻身，益气。
【核】曰∶出真定，及平泽田野间，所在亦有。今用梁汉者，但气劣于真定耳；交趾者
最良，彼土呼为竿珠。三月宿根自发。高四五尺，叶如初生芭茅。五月抽茎，开红白花，五
六月结实重累，壳青绿，坚薄而锐，中仁如珠，味甘美，咬着粘齿，可以作粥酿酒。一种形
圆壳浓者，即菩提子。一种大而无味者，即粳 也。修治，每一两，以糯米二两，同拌炒熟，
去
缪仲淳先生云∶久服可以轻身者，湿去则脾胃安；脾胃安，则中焦治；中焦治，则能营养乎
四肢，通利乎血脉经膜矣。
【 】曰∶薏谐意。意者，脾藏之神用，故主脾藏失用，致肝木萎厥，遂成筋急拘挛，
不可屈伸耳。即经所谓∶有伤于筋，欲以吾意纵之屈伸，其若不容，及土失留碍，致己所不
胜之风，吸引同类之湿，相合而成痹闭不通者，仁唯解孚，下行生气而甲拆之。似与乙木之
轴轧而上行者，不可同日而语矣。
（土具体无用，吐生草木以为用也。顾草木之条达，正显地土之为用耳。）
（本经上品）
地性坚固，肤居肌表。
【气味】苦寒，无毒。
【主治】主膀胱热，利小便，补中益精气。久服耳目聪明，轻身耐老。
【核】曰∶出荆州平泽，及田野间，近道亦有。初生薄地，五六寸，一科数十枝，蓬起
蔓延，弱不胜举。根亦如蒿，茎叶皆青，宛如荆芥。三月开淡黄花，结子青白色，极繁盛似
头眠蚕沙状，子落茎老，可以为拂，故一名落帚、独帚、王帚、王彗、扫帚、地葵、地麦、
白地草、涎地衣、鸭舌草、千心妓女。其苗叶烧灰，煎霜制砒石、粉霜、水银、硫黄、 砂。
先人题药云∶地肤子，一干数十枝，攒簇直上，其子繁多，星之精也。其味苦寒，得太阳寒
水气化，盖太阳之气，上及九天，下彻九泉，外弥肤腠。故地肤之功，上治头，而聪耳明目
，下入膀胱而利水去疝，外去皮肤热气，而令润泽。服之病去，必小水通长为外征也。
【 】曰∶蔓延敷布，弱不胜举，因名地肤。主治功力，真能使吾身生气敷布在表，有
宣义，有开义，当入太阳，太阳为开故也。气味苦寒，亦得太阳寒水之化，故可对待太阳阳
象之标，则凡以热为本者，莫不相宜。膀胱，太阳经也，标盛则热，与得寒水之化者逆治之，
热谢而小便澄彻矣。补中者，中补乃能敷布。益精气者，益精乃能化气。盖膀胱者，州都之
官，津液藏焉，气化则能出矣。聪明耳目，轻身耐老者，以开展则窍通，窍通则充实光辉矣。
（《神农本草经》列为上品）
薏苡仁：凡是湿气，就会沉重阻碍；燥气则轻盈泼洒。
【气味】味甘，性微寒，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗筋脉拘急挛缩，不能屈伸，长期的风湿痹痛，以及下气。长期服用可以身体轻健，益气力。
【考证】曰：产于真定，以及平原沼泽和田野间，各地也有出产。现在使用的梁汉产的，只是药气比真定产的要弱一些；交趾产的最好，当地人称它为“竿珠”。三月份宿根自然萌发。植株高四五尺，叶子像初生的芭茅。五月份抽茎，开红花白花，五六月份果实累累，外壳青绿色，坚硬、薄而尖锐，里面的仁像珠子一样，味道甘甜美味，咬起来粘牙，可以用来煮粥或酿酒。还有一种形状圆、壳厚的，就是菩提子。还有一种大而无味的，就是粳米。炮制方法：每一两药材，用糯米二两，一起拌炒熟后，去掉糯米。
缪仲淳先生云：长期服用可以身体轻健，是因为湿气去除则脾胃安宁；脾胃安宁，则中焦功能正常；中焦功能正常，就能滋养四肢，通利血脉和经络膜理了。
【按语】曰：“薏”谐音“意”。意，是脾脏藏神的功能表现，所以主治脾脏功能失常，导致肝木枯萎厥逆，从而形成筋脉拘急挛缩，不能屈伸的情况。这就是经典所说的：如果损伤了筋脉，想要凭我的意志让它屈伸自如，却好像不听从指挥；以及土气失去留滞阻碍的作用（此处指脾失健运），导致自己不能胜过的风邪，吸引同类的湿邪，相结合而成痹症闭塞不通的，薏苡仁只能解开束缚，下行生气并拆解甲胄般的坚结。这与乙木（肝）之轴轧而上行的情况，不可同日而语。
（土的具体形态没有用处，吐生草木来发挥其作用。看草木的条达舒展，正显出地土作为载体的作用罢了。）
地肤子：地性坚固，肤居肌表。
【气味】味苦，性寒，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗膀胱热，通利小便，补益中气，增进精气。长期服用耳目聪明，身体轻健，耐老抗衰。
【考证】曰：产于荆州平原沼泽，以及田野间，路边也有。初生在贫瘠的土地上，高五六寸，一丛几十枝，蓬起蔓延，柔弱得拿不起来。根也像蒿草，茎叶都是青色，宛如荆芥。三月开淡黄花，结青白色的子，极其繁盛，像蚕沙状，子落茎老，可以做扫帚，所以又名落帚、独帚、王帚、王彗、扫帚、地葵、地麦、白地草、涎地衣、鸭舌草、千心妓女。它的苗叶烧成灰，煎霜可以炼制砒石、粉霜、水银、硫黄、硇砂。先人题写药性云：地肤子，一干几十枝，簇拥直上，它的子繁多，是星的精华。它的味道苦寒，得到太阳寒水之气化，大概太阳之气，上达九天，下彻九泉，外弥皮肤腠理。所以地肤的功效，上治头部，使耳聪目明，下入膀胱而利水去疝，外除皮肤热气，而使润泽。服用后病去，必然以小便通畅长久为外在征象。
【按语】曰：蔓延敷布，柔弱得拿不起来，因此名叫地肤。主治功效，真能使我身生气敷布在体表，有宣发之义，有开启之义，应当入太阳经，因为太阳主开的原因。气味苦寒，也得到太阳寒水之化，所以可以对待太阳阳象的标证，那么凡是热为本源的病，没有不适宜的。膀胱，是太阳经，标盛则热，与得到寒水之化的药逆向治疗，热退而小便清澈了。补中的，中补才能敷布。益精气的，益精才能化气。大概膀胱，是州都之官，津液藏在那里，气化后才能排出。聪明耳目，轻身耐老的，因为开展则窍通，窍通则充实光辉了。
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
Coix Seed: Wherever there is dampness, it becomes heavy and obstructive; where there is dryness, it is light and splashing.
[Flavor and Property] Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats tendon spasm and contracture, inability to flex or extend, chronic wind-damp bi syndrome, and descending qi. Long-term consumption makes the body light and benefits qi.
[Verification] Says: It grows in Zhending, as well as in plains, marshes, and fields, and is available everywhere. The Lianghan variety currently used has weaker qi than the Zhending variety; the Jiaozhi variety is the best, called "Ganzhu" (Cane Pearl) locally. In March, the perennial roots sprout spontaneously. The plant is four to five chi high, with leaves resembling young banana grass. In May, stems emerge, bearing red and white flowers. In June and July, fruits hang heavily in clusters; the shell is green, hard, thin, and sharp. The kernel inside resembles a pearl, tastes sweet and delicious, sticks to the teeth when bitten, and can be used for porridge or brewing wine. One variety with round shape and thick shell is Bodhi seed. Another large variety without flavor is japonica rice. Processing: For every liang of Coix Seed, mix with two liang of glutinous rice, stir-fry until cooked, then remove the glutinous rice.
Mr. Miu Zhongchun said: Long-term consumption making the body light occurs because removing dampness stabilizes the Spleen and Stomach; when the Spleen and Stomach are stable, the Middle Jiao functions properly; when the Middle Jiao functions properly, it can nourish the four limbs and unblock the blood vessels and meridians.
[Commentary] Says: "Yi" (Coix) sounds like "Yi" (Intention/Mind). Yi refers to the spiritual function stored in the Spleen. Therefore, it treats Spleen dysfunction leading to Liver Wood withering and rebellious qi, resulting in tendon spasm and contracture, inability to flex or extend. This corresponds to the classic saying: If tendons are injured, one wishes to use their will to flex and extend them, but they do not obey. Also, when Earth fails to retain and obstruct, allowing Wind that the body cannot overcome to attract Dampness of the same kind, combining to form Bi obstruction, Coix Seed can only resolve binding, descend vital qi, and dismantle the armor-like hardness. This is incomparable to the upward movement of the axis of Yi Wood (Liver).
(The specific form of Earth has no utility; its utility lies in giving birth to grass and trees. The spreading nature of plants precisely demonstrates the utility of the Earth.)
Kochia Fruit: Earth's nature is solid; Skin resides on the muscle surface.
[Flavor and Property] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats Bladder heat, promotes urination, tonifies the Middle Jiao, and benefits essence and qi. Long-term consumption improves hearing and vision, makes the body light, and enhances longevity.
[Verification] Says: It grows in Jingzhou plains and marshes, as well as in fields and near roads. Initially growing in poor soil, it reaches five to six cun, with dozens of branches from one clump, spreading and creeping, too weak to lift. The root resembles mugwort, stems and leaves are green, looking like Schizonepeta. In March, pale yellow flowers bloom, producing pale green-white seeds. They are extremely abundant, resembling silkworm frass. When seeds fall, the stems age and can be used as brooms. Hence, it is also known as Luozhou, Duzhou, Wangzhou, Wanghui, Saobu, Di Kui, Di Mai, Bai Dizhao, Xiandi Yi, Yashé Cao, Qianxin Jinü. Its seedlings and leaves burned to ash and decocted into frost can refine realgar, arsenic trioxide, mercury, sulfur, and nansha. An ancestor inscribed on the herb: Kochia fruit, one stem with dozens of branches clustering upwards, its seeds numerous, being the essence of stars. Its bitter-cold flavor obtains the transformation of Taiyang Cold Water Qi. Taiyang Qi reaches up to the highest heavens, penetrates down to the deepest springs, and spreads over the skin and interstices. Thus, Kochia's efficacy treats the head above, benefiting ears and eyes; enters the Bladder below to promote water metabolism and expel hernia; and removes heat from the skin externally, providing moisture. After taking it and the disease recedes, the external sign must be prolonged clear urination.
[Commentary] Says: Spreading and distributing, too weak to lift, hence named "Di Fu" (Earth Skin). Its therapeutic power truly causes the body's vital qi to distribute on the exterior, possessing the meaning of dissemination and opening. It should enter the Taiyang channel because Taiyang governs opening. The bitter-cold flavor also obtains the transformation of Taiyang Cold Water, thus countering the manifest signs of Taiyang Yang heat. Therefore, for diseases rooted in heat, it is suitable. The Bladder is the Taiyang channel; when the manifest aspect is excessive, heat arises. Treating it inversely with herbs obtaining Cold Water transformation, the heat retreats and urine becomes clear. Tonifying the Middle allows distribution. Benefiting essence and qi allows transformation of essence into qi. The Bladder is the Official of the Metropolis, storing fluids; only through qi transformation can they be excreted. Improving hearing and vision, making the body light and enhancing longevity occurs because expansion opens the orifices; open orifices lead to fullness and radiance.