海螵蛸，味咸，微温，无毒。主女子漏下赤白，经行血闭，阴蚀肿痛。又治妇人寒热瘕
症，
惊风入腹，环腹痛，去目肿浮翳，收疮口腐脓，治哮症最神效。亦药笼中宜备之物。
或问海螵蛸即乌贼鱼骨，他本云服之令人有子，先生何不言也？曰∶男子肾虚则精涸，
女子
肝伤则血枯，皆非有子之兆。乌贼鱼骨虽入肝肾，不能大补其精血，徒借此物，即终年饱食
，又何能生子哉。（〔批〕翻前人旧案，实有至理，非好辨也。）
紫河车，味甘，气大温，无毒。入五脏六腑。初产者良，亦不必尽拘。焙干可用，不可
洗去
筋膜，洗去反不佳，以泄其元气也。疗诸虚百损，痨瘵传尸，治五痨七伤，骨蒸潮热，喉咳
喑哑，体瘦发枯，吐衄赤红，并堪制服，男女皆益。世有埋藏地下，久化为水，名曰河车水
，则无功效矣。祛狂祛疫，亦虚言也。
或问紫河车乃胞衣，儿已脱离于胞，则胞中元气尽泄，胞宜无用矣，何以古来《本草》
尽称
其补益，而神农乃尊之为上品乎？曰∶人之初生，先生胞而后生人。及胞之破，先产人而后
下胞，是胞乃先天之母气，亦后天之父气也。故儿虽脱离于胞，而阴阳之气未散，仍存于胞
也。人得此胞而生身体，自然可得此胞而生气血也。或者曰∶胞在腹中，则元气未漓，胞落
地下则元气尽失。总之，胞是先后天之父母，又安能生无根之气血乎？虽然胞成于阴阳之气
，是胞即阴阳之根也。凡花木之根，得土气而重生，人身何独不然，胞入于脾胃之中，自然
生气勃发，况又益之以补气、补血、补精之品，则气得根而再壮，血得根而再溢，精得根而
再满矣。古人所定大造丸，尚未得天地之奥，服之效验亦是平常，遂疑紫河车非出奇之物，
弃而不用，为可惜也。铎蒙岐天师秘传乾坤化育丹，用熟地、人参、白术为君，用当归、山
茱萸、巴戟天为臣，用茯苓、苁蓉、枸杞子、麦冬、北五味、山药、芡实、柏子仁、枣仁、
巨胜子、牛膝为佐，用沙参、甘菊、覆盆子、远志、莲子心、附子为使，以治下寒无火、元
阳不举之客，绝非大造丸功效可比。铎虽不尽载分两，而智者见君臣佐使之分明，亦可意会
而心得之也。（〔批〕紫河车实生人之根，故用之可以接续命根，实非虚语。乾坤化育丹较
大造丸，更奇十倍。）
或疑紫河车既为先天之母、后天之父，与紫河车同生之脐带，又何独非乾坤化育之丹乎？
曰
∶脐带之功，虽不及于紫河车，而补益之功，大非草木可比，盖脐带为接续之关，实性命之
根蒂也。儿虽堕地，已离于胎元，而先天之祖气尚未绝于带内。凡气弱者，可接之以重壮；
气短者，可接之以再延；气绝者，可接之以再活。后天既老，得先天而再造者，其斯之谓乎
。然修合服食之不得其法，终亦不能获效。
铎受奇方，共传于世，名为造化丹。用脐带二十条，文火焙干为末，入人参、黄 、白
术、
玄参、沙参、五味子、麦冬、山茱萸、熟地、沙苑蒺藜、菟丝子、淫羊藿、巴戟天、炒枣仁
、远志、砂仁、茯神、肉桂、枸杞、当归、杜仲、牛膝之末，共蜜捣为丸，每日吞食。其方
如此，其分两可酌定矣。倘照方修服，必返少为童也。（〔批〕脐带与胞胎之功相同，而造
化丹与乾坤化育丹，正不相上下也。）
或谓紫河车乃人之胞也，食胞以图资益，不犹食人以供口腹乎。吾恐获罪于天，又何延
年之
有？曰∶此知一而昧一也。天地无弃物，即无弃功，胞胎虽人之命根，然人既堕于胞胎之中
，则胞胎弃而无用矣。神农取无用者。而指之为延生之具，后圣即体神农之意，而造为方法
，以续人之命，是无用者成有用，非参赞造化之大功乎，又何获罪于天之有哉。
或疑紫河车乃大热之物，食之最能动火，凡阴虚火动之人，恐不宜食耳。曰∶紫河车大
温，
非大热也，阴虚火动，正宜食之。盖火动由于水衰，水衰者精少也。紫河车乃生人之母，即
生精之母也。精生于温，而不生寒，大寒不生精，而大温至生精也，况紫河车又生精之母气
乎。其相得之宜，不啻如水银之见金。倘以大热疑之，不治阴虚火动之人则惑矣。（〔批〕
紫河车生精之母气，即生火之母气也。火生于精之中，何疑乎。）
或疑紫河车为生精之母气，亦因其藏子而言之也。夫儿已堕矣，破釜安能煮物乎？曰∶
紫河
车为生人之母，子虽生，而母气未绝也。母能生子，自是阴阳之至理，况紫河车天性温热，
温热之物，未有食之而不生精者也，况又是先天之母气乎。
海螵蛸，味咸，性微温，无毒。主要治疗妇女漏下赤白带下，月经闭止，阴部蚀烂肿痛。又治疗妇人寒热往来及腹中结块（瘕症），惊风入腹，环绕腹痛，去除眼部肿胀浮翳，收敛疮口腐脓，治疗哮喘症状最为神效。也是药箱中应当常备的药物。
有人问：海螵蛸就是乌贼鱼的骨，其他本草书籍说服用它让人有子嗣，先生为何不提这一点呢？回答说：男子肾虚则精液枯竭，女子肝伤则血液枯槁，这些都不是能生育的征兆。乌贼鱼骨虽然入肝肾经，但不能大补其精血，仅仅凭借此物，即使终年饱食，又怎能生子呢？（〔批注〕推翻前人旧案，实有至理，并非好辩。）
紫河车，味甘，气大温，无毒。入五脏六腑。以初产者为佳，也不必完全拘泥于此。焙干后可用，不可洗去筋膜，洗去反而不好，因为会泄掉其元气。治疗各种虚损百病，痨瘵传尸，五劳七伤，骨蒸潮热，喉咳喑哑，身体消瘦头发枯黄，吐血衄血赤红，都能制服，男女皆有益处。世间有埋藏地下，久化为水，名叫河车水的，就没有功效了。说是能祛狂祛疫，也是虚言。
有人问：紫河车是胞衣，胎儿已经脱离于胞，那么胞中的元气已尽泄，胞应该没有用了，为什么自古以来《本草》都称其补益，而神农将其尊为上品呢？回答说：人刚出生时，先形成胞而后生成人。等到胞破裂，先产出人而后排出胞，这说明胞是先天之母气，也是后天之父气。所以胎儿虽然脱离了胞，但阴阳之气未散，仍存于胞中。人得到这个胞而生出身体，自然能得到这个胞而产生气血。有人说：胞在腹中，则元气未流失，胞落地下则元气尽失。总之，胞是先后天的父母，又怎么能生出无根的气血呢？虽然如此，胞成于阴阳之气，所以胞即是阴阳之根。凡花木之根，得到土气而重生，人身难道唯独不是这样吗？胞进入脾胃之中，自然生气勃发，况且又加上补气、补血、补精的药物，那么气得根而再壮，血得根而再溢，精得根而再满。古人所定的大造丸，尚未得到天地之奥妙，服用后效验也是平常，于是怀疑紫河车不是出奇之物，弃而不用，太可惜了。我蒙岐天师秘传乾坤化育丹，用熟地黄、人参、白术为君药，用当归、山茱萸、巴戟天为臣药，用茯苓、肉苁蓉、枸杞子、麦冬、北五味子、山药、芡实、柏子仁、酸枣仁、巨胜子（黑芝麻）、牛膝为佐药，用沙参、甘菊、覆盆子、远志、莲子心、附子为使药，来治疗下寒无火、元阳不举的患者，绝非大造丸的功效可比。我虽不完全记载分量，但聪明人见君臣佐使分明，也可意会而心得之。（〔批注〕紫河车实为生人之根，所以用它可接续命根，实非虚语。乾坤化育丹较之大造丸，更神奇十倍。）
有人怀疑紫河车既是先天之母、后天之父，与紫河车同生的脐带，又为何独独不是乾坤化育的丹药呢？回答说：脐带的功效，虽然不及紫河车，但补益之功，大大非草木可比，大概脐带是接续的关键，实为性命之根蒂。胎儿虽然落地，已离于胎元，但先天之祖气尚未绝于带内。凡是气弱的，可接之以重壮；气短的，可接之以再延；气绝的，可接之以再活。后天既老，得先天而再造的，说的就是这个道理。然而修合服食不得其法，终究也不能获效。
我受奇方，共传于世，名为造化丹。用脐带二十条，文火焙干为末，加入人参、黄芪、白术、玄参、沙参、五味子、麦冬、山茱萸、熟地黄、沙苑蒺藜、菟丝子、淫羊藿、巴戟天、炒酸枣仁、远志、砂仁、茯神、肉桂、枸杞、当归、杜仲、牛膝之末，共蜜捣为丸，每日吞食。其方如此，其分量可酌定。倘若照方修服，必返少为童。（〔批注〕脐带与胞胎之功相同，而造化丹与乾坤化育丹，正不相上下也。）
有人说：紫河车是人的胞，吃胞来图谋资益，不就像吃人来供口腹吗？我恐怕获罪于天，又有什么延年之效呢？回答说：这是知一而昧一。天地无弃物，即无弃功，胞胎虽然是人的命根，但人既堕于胞胎之中，则胞胎弃而无用。神农取无用者，而指之为延生之具，后圣即体察神农之意，而造为方法，以续人之命，是无用者成有用，非参赞造化之大功乎，又何获罪于天之有哉。
有人怀疑紫河车是大热之物，食用最容易动火，凡阴虚火动之人，恐怕不宜食用。回答说：紫河车大温，非大热，阴虚火动，正宜食用。大概火动由于水衰，水衰者是精少。紫河车乃生人之母，即生精之母。精生于温，而不生于寒，大寒不生精，而大温至生精，何况紫河车又是生精之母气呢。其相得之宜，不啻如水银之见金。倘若以大热疑之，不治阴虚火动之人则惑矣。（〔批注〕紫河车生精之母气，即生火之母气也。火生于精之中，何疑乎。）
有人怀疑紫河车为生精之母气，也是因其藏子而言之。胎儿已经堕地，破釜安能煮物乎？回答说：紫河车为生人之母，子虽生，而母气未绝。母能生子，自是阴阳之至理，何况紫河车天性温热，温热之物，未有食之而不生精者也，何况又是先天之母气乎。
Haipiaoxiao (Sepiae Endoconcha), salty in flavor, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats leukorrhea with red and white discharge in women, amenorrhea (closure of menstrual blood flow during menstruation), and erosion with swelling and pain in the genital area. It also treats alternating chills and fever in women, abdominal masses (zheng syndrome), convulsive wind entering the abdomen, peri-umbilical abdominal pain, removes eye swelling and floating nebula, dries pus from sores, and is most effective in treating asthma. It is also an item that should be kept ready in the medicine cabinet.
Someone asked: Haipiaoxiao is the bone of the cuttlefish; other materia medica texts claim that taking it enables one to have children. Why does Master not mention this? I replied: When a man's kidney essence is deficient, his semen becomes dry; when a woman's liver is injured, her blood becomes depleted. Neither of these are signs conducive to conception. Although the cuttlefish bone enters the Liver and Kidney meridians, it cannot greatly tonify their essence and blood. Merely relying on this substance, even if one eats full meals all year round, how could one conceive? ([Commentary] Overturning previous cases, this holds profound truth, not mere argumentation.)
Ziheche (Placenta Humanum), sweet in flavor, strongly warm in qi, non-toxic. It enters the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Those delivered first are superior, though one need not strictly adhere to this. After baking dry, it can be used; do not wash away the fascia, as washing it off is detrimental because it leaks the primordial qi. It treats various deficiencies and hundred damages, tuberculosis and corpse-transmission diseases, five labors and seven injuries, bone-steaming tidal fever, hoarseness due to throat cough, emaciation with withered hair, hematemesis and epistaxis with bright red blood; it can subdue all these conditions, benefiting both men and women. In the world, some bury it underground until it turns into water over time, named Hecheshui (River Car Water), which has no efficacy. Claims that it dispels madness and epidemics are empty words.
Someone asked: Ziheche is the placenta. Since the fetus has already separated from the womb, the primordial qi within the placenta should be exhausted, making the placenta useless. Why do ancient Bencao texts all praise its tonifying properties, and why did Shennong rank it as a Superior grade herb? I replied: At the beginning of human birth, the placenta forms first, then the person. When the placenta ruptures, the person is born first, followed by the expulsion of the placenta. Thus, the placenta is the Mother Qi of the Pre-heaven and the Father Qi of the Post-heaven. Therefore, although the child has separated from the placenta, the Qi of Yin and Yang has not dissipated and still remains within the placenta. Humans obtain this placenta to generate their bodies, and naturally, they can obtain this placenta to generate Qi and Blood. Some say: While the placenta is in the abdomen, the primordial qi is not diluted; once it falls to the ground, the primordial qi is entirely lost. In short, the placenta is the parent of Pre-heaven and Post-heaven; how can it generate rootless Qi and Blood? Nevertheless, the placenta is formed from the Qi of Yin and Yang, so the placenta is the root of Yin and Yang. Just as the roots of flowers and trees regain life by receiving Earth Qi, why should the human body be different? When the placenta enters the Spleen and Stomach, it naturally generates vigorous Qi. Moreover, when supplemented with herbs that tonify Qi, Blood, and Essence, the Qi gains a root and becomes stronger again, the Blood gains a root and flows more abundantly, and the Essence gains a root and becomes fuller again. The Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill) formulated by the ancients had not yet grasped the mysteries of Heaven and Earth; its efficacy upon consumption was merely ordinary. Thus, people doubted that Ziheche was an extraordinary substance and discarded it without use, which is a pity. I received the secret transmission of Qiankun Huayu Dan (Universe Nurturing Pill) from Master Qi Tai Shi. It uses Shudi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) as Sovereign drugs; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), and Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix) as Minister drugs; Fuling (Poria), Rongshu (Cynomorii Herba), Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Bei Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Qianshi (Euryales Semen), Baiziren (Platycladi Semen), Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Jushengzi (Sesami Fructus Niger), and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) as Assistant drugs; Shashen (Glehniae Radix), Ganju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Fupenzi (Rubiae Fructus), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Lianzixin (Nelumbinis Plumula), and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) as Guide drugs. It treats patients with lower coldness lacking fire and failure of the Primordial Yang to rise, whose efficacy is incomparable to Da Zao Wan. Although I do not record all dosages, wise individuals can understand the clear distinction of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Guide roles through contemplation and insight. ([Commentary] Ziheche is truly the root of generating humans, so using it can continue the root of life; this is indeed not empty talk. Qiankun Huayu Dan is ten times more miraculous than Da Zao Wan.)
Some suspect that since Ziheche is the Mother of Pre-heaven and Father of Post-heaven, the umbilical cord born with it should also be considered a pill of Universe Nurturing. I replied: Although the efficacy of the umbilical cord is inferior to that of Ziheche, its tonifying power is vastly superior to that of herbs and plants. The umbilical cord serves as the connection point and is truly the root of life and destiny. Although the infant has landed on the ground and separated from the fetal origin, the Ancestral Qi of Pre-heaven has not yet perished within the cord. For those with weak Qi, it can be connected to strengthen heavily; for those with shortness of breath, it can be connected to prolong life; for those with ceased Qi, it can be connected to revive them. When Post-heaven aging occurs, obtaining Pre-heaven to recreate oneself—this is what is meant. However, if the preparation and consumption methods are not correct, efficacy will ultimately not be achieved.
I received a miraculous prescription and transmitted it to the world, named Zao Hua Dan (Creation Pill). Use twenty umbilical cords, bake dry with gentle fire, grind into powder, and add powders of Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Membranacei Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Shashen (Glehniae Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Shudi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), Shayuanjili (Astragali Complanati Semen), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Yinyanghuo (Epimedii Herba), Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix), Chao Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen Fried), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Sharen (Amomi Fructus), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix). Mix with honey and knead into pills, swallowing daily. The formula is thus, and the dosages can be adjusted accordingly. If prepared and taken according to the prescription, one will surely return to childhood. ([Commentary] The efficacy of the umbilical cord is the same as that of the placenta, and Zao Hua Dan is equal to Qiankun Huayu Dan.)
Some say: Ziheche is the human placenta. Eating the placenta to seek benefit is no different from eating humans to satisfy hunger. I fear offending Heaven; how could there be any longevity? I replied: This is knowing one aspect but ignorant of another. Heaven and Earth have no discarded items, nor discarded functions. Although the placenta is the root of human life, once a person falls into the placenta, the placenta is discarded and becomes useless. Shennong took the useless thing and designated it as a tool for extending life. Later sages embodied Shennong's intent and created methods to continue human life. Turning the useless into the useful is a great merit of assisting creation; how could there be offense to Heaven?
Some suspect that Ziheche is a strongly heating substance, and consuming it easily triggers fire. People with Yin deficiency and moving fire probably should not consume it. I replied: Ziheche is strongly warm, not strongly hot. Yin deficiency with moving fire is precisely suitable for consumption. Fire movement arises from Water decline; Water decline means Essence scarcity. Ziheche is the mother of generating humans, and thus the mother of generating Essence. Essence is generated by warmth, not by cold. Strong cold does not generate Essence, but strong warmth leads to Essence generation. Moreover, Ziheche is the Mother Qi of generating Essence. Their compatibility is like mercury meeting gold. If one doubts it due to being strongly hot, failing to treat people with Yin deficiency and moving fire would be confusing. ([Commentary] The Mother Qi of generating Essence in Ziheche is also the Mother Qi of generating Fire. Fire is born within Essence; why doubt?)
Some suspect that Ziheche is the Mother Qi of generating Essence only because it houses the fetus. The child has already been born; how can a broken pot cook food? I replied: Ziheche is the mother of generating humans. Although the child is born, the Mother Qi has not perished. A mother giving birth to a child is the ultimate truth of Yin and Yang. Moreover, Ziheche has a naturally warm and hot nature. There is no warm and hot substance that, when consumed, does not generate Essence. Furthermore, it is the Mother Qi of Pre-heaven.