（卵生类上二十三种）
（《本经》上品）
【释名】蜂糖（俗名）生岩石者名石蜜（《本经》）、石饴（同上）、岩蜜。
时珍曰∶蜜以密成，故谓之蜜。《本经》原作石蜜，盖以生岩石者为良耳，而诸家反致
疑辩。今直题曰蜂蜜，正名也。
【正误】恭曰∶上蜜出氐、羌中最胜。今关中白蜜，甘美耐久，全胜江南者。陶以未见
，故以南土为胜耳。今以水牛乳煎沙糖作者，亦名石蜜。此蜜既蜂作，宜去石字。
宗 曰∶《嘉 本草》石蜜有二∶一见虫鱼，一见果部。乳糖既曰石蜜，则虫部石蜜，
不当言石矣，石字乃白字误耳，故今人尚言白沙蜜。盖新蜜稀而黄，陈蜜白而沙也。
藏器曰∶岩蜜出南方岩岭间，入药最胜，石蜜宜改为岩字。苏恭是荆襄间人，地无崖险
，不知石蜜之胜故也。
时珍曰∶按∶《别录》云∶石蜜生诸山石中，色白如膏者良。则是蜜取山石者为胜矣。
苏恭不考山石字，因乳糖同名而欲去石字；寇氏不知真蜜有白沙而伪蜜稀黄，但以新久立说
，并误矣。凡试蜜以烧红火箸插入，提出起气是真，起烟是伪。
【集解】《别录》曰∶石蜜生武都山谷、河源山谷及诸山石中。色白如膏者良。
弘景曰∶石蜜即崖蜜也，在高山岩石间作之，色青赤，味小 ，食之心烦，其蜂黑色似
虻。又木蜜悬树枝作之，色青白。土蜜在土中作之，色亦青白，味 。人家及树空作者亦白，
而浓浓味美。今出晋安檀崖者多土蜜，云最胜。出东阳临海诸处，及江南向西者多木蜜。出
于潜、怀安诸县者多崖蜜。亦有树木及人家养者。诸蜜例多添杂及煎煮，不可入药。必须亲
自看取，乃无杂耳。凡蜂作蜜，皆须人小便以酿诸花，乃得和熟，状似作饴须 也。
藏器曰∶寻常蜜亦有木中作者、土中作者。北方地燥，多在土中，南方地湿，多在木中
。各随土地所宜，其蜜一也。崖蜜别是一蜂，如陶所说出南方崖岭间，房悬崖上，或土窟中
。人不可到，但以长竿刺令蜜出，以物承取，多者至三、四石，味 色绿，入药胜于凡蜜。
张华《博物志》云∶南方诸山，幽僻处出蜜蜡。蜜蜡所着，皆绝岩石壁，非攀缘所及。
惟于山顶以篮舆悬下，遂得采取。蜂去余蜡在石，有鸟如雀，群来啄之殆尽，名曰灵雀。至
春蜂归如旧，人亦占护其处，谓之蜜塞。此即石蜜也。
颂曰∶食蜜亦有两种∶一在山林木上作房，一在人家作窠，槛收养之，蜜皆浓浓味美。
近世宣州有黄连蜜，色黄，味小苦，主目热。雍、洛间有梨花蜜，白如凝脂。亳州太清宫有
桧花蜜，色小赤。柘城县有何首乌蜜，色更赤。并蜂采其花作之，各随花性之温凉也。
宗 曰∶山蜜多在石中木上，有经一、二年者，气味醇浓。人家者，一岁二取，气味不
足，故不及，且久收易酸也。
时珍曰∶陈藏器所谓灵雀者，小鸟也。一名蜜母，黑色。正月则至岩石间寻求安处，群
蜂随之也。南方有之。
【修治】 曰∶凡炼蜜一斤，只得十二两半是数。若火少、火过，并用不得。
时珍曰∶凡炼沙蜜，每斤入水四两，银石器内，以桑柴火慢炼，掠去浮沫，至滴水成珠
不散乃用，谓之水火炼法。又法∶以器盛，置重汤中煮一日，候滴水不散，取用亦佳，且不
伤火也。
【气味】甘，平，无毒。《别录》曰∶微温。
颖曰∶诸蜜气味，当以花为主。冬、夏为上，秋次之，春则易变而酸。闽、广蜜极热，
以南方少霜雪，诸花多热也。川蜜温，西蜜则凉矣。
刘完素曰∶蜜成于蜂，蜂寒而蜜温，同质异性也。
时珍曰∶蜂蜜生凉熟温，不冷不燥，得中和之气，故十二脏腑之病，罔不宜之。但多食
亦生湿热虫 ，小儿尤当戒之。王充《论衡》云∶蜂虿禀太阳火气而生，故毒在尾。蜜为蜂
液，食多则令人毒，不可不知。炼过则无毒矣。
宗 曰∶蜜虽无毒，多食亦生诸风也。
朱震亨曰∶蜜喜入脾。西北高燥，故人食之有益。东南卑湿，多食则害生于脾也。
思邈曰∶七月勿食生蜜，令人暴下霍乱。青赤酸 者，食之心烦。不可与生葱、莴苣同
食
【主治】心腹邪气，诸惊痫 ，安五脏诸不足，益气补中，止痛解毒，除众病，和百药
。久服，强志轻身，不饥不老，延年神仙（《本经》）。养脾气，除心烦，饮食不下，止肠
，肌中疼痛，口疮，明耳目（《别录》）。牙齿疳 ，唇口疮，目肤赤障，杀虫（藏器）。治卒
心痛及赤白痢，水作蜜浆，顿服一碗止；或以姜汁同蜜各一合，水和顿服。常服，面如花红
（甄权）。治心腹血刺痛，及赤白痢，同生地黄汁各一匙服，即下（孟诜）。同薤白捣，涂汤
火
，调脾胃（时珍）。
【发明】弘景曰∶石蜜道家丸饵，莫不须之。仙方亦单炼服食，云致长生不老也。
时珍曰∶蜂采无毒之花，酿以小便而成蜜，所谓臭腐生神奇也。其入药之功有五∶清热
也，补中也，解毒也，润燥也，止痛也。生则性凉，故能清热；熟则性温，故能补中。甘而
和平，故能解毒；柔而濡泽，故能润燥。缓可以去急，故能止心腹、肌肉、疮疡之痛；和可
以致中，故能调和百药，而与甘草同功。张仲景治阳明结燥，大便不通，蜜煎导法，诚千古
神方也。
诜曰∶但凡觉有热，四肢不和，即服蜜浆一碗，甚良。又点目中热膜，以家养白蜜为上
，木蜜次之，崖蜜更次之也。与姜汁熬炼，治癞甚效。
【附方】旧十四，新六。大便不通∶张仲景《伤寒论》云∶阳明病，自汗，小便反利，
大
热捻作挺，令头锐，大如指
细辛（为末）少许，尤速。
噫不下食∶取崖蜜含，微微咽下。（《广利方》）
产后口渴∶用炼过蜜，不计多少，熟水调服，即止。（《产书》）
难产横生∶蜂蜜、真麻油各半碗，煎减半服，立下。（《海上方》）
天行虏疮∶比岁有病天行斑疮，头面及身，须臾周匝，状如火疮，皆戴白浆，随决随生。
不即疗，数日必死。瘥后疮瘢黯色，一岁方灭，此恶毒之气。世人云∶建武中，南阳击
虏所得，仍呼为虏疮。诸医参详疗之，取好蜜通摩疮上，以蜜煎升麻，数数拭之。（《肘后》）
痘疹作痒∶难忍，抓成疮及 ，欲落不落。百花膏∶用上等石蜜，不拘多少，汤和，时时
翎刷之。其疮易落，自无瘢痕。（《全幼心鉴》）
瘾疹瘙痒∶白蜜不以多少，好酒调下，有效。（《圣惠方》）
五色丹毒∶蜜和干姜末敷之。（《肘后》）
口中生疮∶蜜浸大青叶含之。（《药性论》）
阴头生疮∶以蜜煎甘草，涂之瘥。（《外台》）
肛门生疮∶肛门主肺，肺热即肛塞肿缩生疮。白蜜一升，猪胆汁一枚相和。微火煎令可
丸，丸三寸长作挺，涂油纳下部，卧令后重，须臾通泄。（《梅师》）
热油烧痛∶以白蜜涂之。（《梅师》）
疔肿恶毒∶用生蜜与隔年葱研膏，先刺破涂之。如人行五里许，则疔出，后以热醋汤洗
去。（《济急仙方》）
大风癞疮∶取白蜜一斤，生姜二斤（捣取汁）。先秤铜铛斤两，下姜汁于蜜中消之，又
秤
之
平旦服枣许大一丸，一日三服，温酒下。忌生冷、醋、滑、臭物。功用甚多，不能一一具之
。（《食疗方》）
面上 点∶取白蜜和茯苓末涂之，七日便瘥也。（《孙真人食忌》）
目生珠管∶以生蜜涂目，仰卧半日，乃可洗之。日一次。（《肘后方》）
误吞铜钱∶炼蜜服二升，可出矣。（葛氏方）
诸鱼骨鲠∶以好蜜稍稍服之令下。（葛氏）
拔白生黑，治年少发白∶拔去白发，以白蜜涂毛孔中，即生黑发。不生，取梧桐子捣汁
涂上，必生黑者。（《梅师方》）
（卵生类昆虫中的第二十三种）
（被列为《神农本草经》上品）
【名称解释】蜂糖（民间俗称）。生长在岩石上的称为石蜜（出自《神农本草经》）、石饴（同上）、岩蜜。
李时珍说：蜂蜜因为由蜜蜂密集酿造而成，所以叫作蜜。《神农本草经》原文写作“石蜜”，大概是因为生长在岩石上的品质最好罢了，但各家反而对此产生怀疑和辩论。现在直接题名为“蜂蜜”，这才是正名。
【纠正错误】苏恭说：上等的蜜出产在氐、羌地区。如今关中的白蜜，甘甜美味且耐久保存，完全胜过江南的蜜。陶弘景因为没有见过关中蜜，所以认为南方的蜜更好。如今用水牛乳煎熬沙糖制作的，也叫石蜜。这种蜜既然是蜜蜂酿造的，应该去掉“石”字。
寇宗奭说：《嘉祐本草》中记载的石蜜有两种：一种见于虫鱼部，一种见于果部。既然乳糖被称为石蜜，那么虫部的石蜜就不应当再称“石”了，“石”字其实是“白”字的误写，所以现在人们还常说白沙蜜。大概是新蜜稀薄而呈黄色，陈蜜洁白如沙。
陈藏器说：岩蜜出产于南方山崖岭间，入药效果最好，石蜜应该改为岩字。苏恭是荆襄之间的人，当地没有悬崖险阻，不知道石蜜的优越之处，所以如此说。
李时珍说：查考《名医别录》说：石蜜生长在各山的石穴中，颜色白如膏脂的为良。这说明取用山石间产的蜜为优。苏恭不考察“山石”二字，因为乳糖同名就想去掉“石”字；寇氏不知道真蜜有白沙色而伪蜜稀黄，只以新旧来立论，都错了。凡是检验蜜的方法，用烧红的火箸插入，提出时冒气的是真蜜，冒烟的是假蜜。
【集解】《名医别录》说：石蜜生长在武都山谷、河源山谷及各山石穴中。颜色白如膏脂的为良。
陶弘景说：石蜜就是崖蜜，在高山的岩石间酿造，颜色青赤，味道稍淡，吃了让人心烦，它的蜂黑色像虻。又有木蜜，悬挂在树枝上酿造，颜色青白。土蜜在土中酿造，颜色也是青白，味道淡。人家及树洞中酿造的也是白色，但浓厚味美。现在晋安檀崖出产的多为土蜜，据说最好。东阳临海各处，以及江南向西的地方多出产木蜜。出于潜、怀安各县的多为崖蜜。也有树木中和人家饲养的。各种蜜大多掺杂杂质或经过煎煮，不能入药。必须亲自查看选取，才没有杂质。大凡蜜蜂酿蜜，都必须用人小便来发酵各种花，才能酿成成熟，状似制作饴糖需要搅拌一样。
陈藏器说：寻常的蜜也有在木中酿造的、在土中酿造的。北方地燥，多在土中；南方地湿，多在木中。各随土地适宜，其蜜是一样的。崖蜜是另一种蜂，像陶弘景所说出产于南方崖岭间，房巢悬在悬崖上，或在土窟中。人不可到达，只能用长竿刺破让蜜流出，用器物承接，多的可达三、四石，味道甜，颜色绿，入药胜过普通蜜。
张华《博物志》说：南方各山，幽僻处出产蜜蜡。蜜蜡附着的地方，都是绝壁岩石，不是攀爬能达到的。只在山顶用篮舆悬吊下来，才得以采取。蜂飞走后留下余蜡在石头上，有鸟像麻雀，成群飞来啄食殆尽，名叫灵雀。到了春天蜂群归来如旧，人也占据保护那个地方，叫做蜜塞。这就是石蜜。
苏颂说：食用蜜也有两种：一种在山林木上筑房，一种在人家里筑巢，栏杆里收养，蜜都浓厚味美。近代宣州有黄连蜜，颜色黄，味道微苦，主治目热。雍州、洛阳之间有梨花蜜，白如凝脂。亳州太清宫有桧花蜜，颜色微红。柘城县有何首乌蜜，颜色更红。都是蜜蜂采集它们的花酿造的，各随花性的温凉而定。
寇宗奭说：山蜜多在石头中或木上，有的经历一、二年，气味醇厚浓郁。人家养的，一年采收两次，气味不足，所以不及山蜜，而且久存容易变酸。
李时珍说：陈藏器所说的灵雀，是小鸟。一名蜜母，黑色。正月时就到岩石间寻找安身之处，群蜂跟随它。南方有这种鸟。
【炮制】苏颂说：凡是炼制一斤蜜，只得十二两半的数量。如果火小、火大，都用不得。
李时珍说：凡是炼制沙蜜，每斤加入水四两，在银器或石器内，用桑柴火慢慢熬炼，撇去浮沫，直到滴水成珠不散时才使用，这叫水火炼法。又一种方法：用容器盛放，放在重汤中煮一天，等到滴水不散，取出使用也很好，且不伤火气。
【性味】甘，平，无毒。《名医别录》说：微温。
苏颂说：各种蜜的气味，应当以花的性质为主。冬、夏产的上等，秋季次之，春季则容易变质变酸。福建、广东的蜜极热，因为南方少霜雪，各种花多属热性。四川的蜜温，西方的蜜则凉。
刘完素说：蜜由蜂形成，蜂寒而蜜温，是同体异性的表现。
李时珍说：蜂蜜生吃性凉，熟吃性温，不冷不燥，得中和之气，所以十二脏腑的疾病，无不适宜。但多吃也会生湿热虫积，小儿尤其应当戒除。王充《论衡》说：蜂蝎禀受太阳火气而生，所以毒在尾部。蜜是蜂液，吃多了会让人中毒，不可不知。炼制过后就没有毒了。
寇宗奭说：蜜虽然无毒，多吃也会生各种风邪。
朱震亨说：蜜喜欢入脾经。西北地势高燥，所以人吃了有益。东南地势卑湿，多吃则伤害脾脏。
孙思邈说：七月不要吃生蜜，会让人突发霍乱腹泻。青赤色且发酸的，吃了让人心烦。不可以与生葱、莴苣同食。
【主治】心腹邪气，各种惊痫抽搐，安定五脏及诸般不足，益气补中，止痛解毒，消除众病，调和百药。长期服用，能增强意志，身体轻健，不饥不衰老，延年益寿如神仙（出自《神农本草经》）。滋养脾气，除心烦，饮食不下，止泻痢，肌肉疼痛，口疮，明目聪耳（出自《名医别录》）。治疗牙齿疳积，唇口疮，目肤赤障，杀虫（陈藏器）。治疗突然心痛及赤白痢疾，用水调蜜浆，一次性喝一碗可止；或用姜汁同蜜各一合，加水一次性服用。常服，面色如花红（甄权）。治疗心腹血刺痛，及赤白痢疾，同生地黄汁各一匙服用，即排出（孟诜）。同薤白捣碎，涂抹烫伤（李时珍），调理脾胃。
【发明】陶弘景说：石蜜是道家丸药饵剂，无不需要它。仙方也单独炼制服用，说是能致长生不老。
李时珍说：蜜蜂采集无毒之花，用人小便酿造成蜜，所谓臭腐生神奇。它入药的功效有五种：清热，补中，解毒，润燥，止痛。生则性凉，所以能清热；熟则性温，所以能补中。甘而和平，所以能解毒；柔而濡泽，所以能润燥。缓可以去除急迫，所以能止心腹、肌肉、疮疡之痛；和可以致中和，所以能调和百药，与甘草功效相同。张仲景治疗阳明结燥，大便不通，用蜜煎导法，真是千古神方。
孟诜说：但凡觉得有热，四肢不和，就服蜜浆一碗，很好。又点眼中热膜，以家养白蜜为上品，木蜜次之，崖蜜更次。与姜汁熬炼，治疗癞病很有效。
【附方】旧方十四，新方六。大便不通：张仲景《伤寒论》说：阳明病，自汗，小便反利，大便干硬难出。用蜜七合，于铜器内微火煎，令如饴状，搅之勿令焦著，欲可丸，并手捻作挺，令头锐，大如指，长二寸许，当热使柔急捻，令头锐。趁热纳下部中，以手急抱，欲大便时乃去之。疑非仲景意，已试甚良。另加细辛（研末）少许，效果更好。
呃逆不止，无法进食：取崖蜜含在口中，微微咽下。（《广利方》）
产后口渴：用炼制过的蜜，不计多少，用热水调服，即刻停止。（《产书》）
难产横生：蜂蜜、真麻油各半碗，煎至减半服用，胎儿立即落下。（《海上方》）
天行虏疮（天花）：近年有病天行斑疮，头面及全身，片刻周匝，状如火疮，都戴白浆，随破随生。不及时治疗，数日必死。痊愈后疮瘢黯色，一年才灭，这是恶毒之气。世人说：建武年间，南阳从击虏那里得到，仍呼为虏疮。各位医生参详治疗它，取好蜜通涂疮上，用蜜煎升麻，多次擦拭。（《肘后备急方》）
痘疹作痒：难以忍受，抓成疮及脓疱，欲落不落。百花膏：用上等石蜜，不拘多少，用汤化开，时时用翎毛刷涂。其疮易落，自然无瘢痕。（《全幼心鉴》）
瘾疹瘙痒：白蜜不限多少，用好酒调下，有效。（《圣惠方》）
五色丹毒：蜜和干姜末敷之。（《肘后备急方》）
口中生疮：蜜浸大青叶含之。（《药性论》）
阴头生疮：以蜜煎甘草，涂之痊愈。（《外台秘要》）
肛门生疮：肛门主肺，肺热即肛塞肿缩生疮。白蜜一升，猪胆汁一枚相和。微火煎令可丸，丸三寸长作挺，涂油纳下部，卧令后重，须臾通泄。（《梅师方》）
热油烧痛：以白蜜涂之。（《梅师方》）
疔肿恶毒：用生蜜与隔年葱研膏，先刺破涂之。如人行五里许，则疔出，后以热醋汤洗去。（《济急仙方》）
大风癞疮：取白蜜一斤，生姜二斤（捣取汁）。先秤铜铛斤两，下姜汁于蜜中消之，又秤铛重，减者即是姜汁尽。微火煎令可丸，丸如枣核大。平旦服枣许大一丸，一日三服，温酒下。忌生冷、醋、滑、臭物。功用甚多，不能一一具之。（《食疗方》）
面上黑点：取白蜜和茯苓末涂之，七日便瘥也。（《孙真人食忌》）
目生珠管（胬肉）：以生蜜涂目，仰卧半日，乃可洗之。日一次。（《肘后方》）
误吞铜钱：炼蜜服二升，可出矣。（葛氏方）
诸鱼骨鲠：以好蜜稍稍服之令下。（葛氏）
拔白生黑，治年少发白：拔去白发，以白蜜涂毛孔中，即生黑发。不生，取梧桐子捣汁涂上，必生黑者。（《梅师方》）
(Class of Oviparous Insects, Part 23)
(Listed as a Superior Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
【Names and Etymology】Fengmi (Bee Honey) (common name). Those growing on rocks are called Shimian (Rock Honey) (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Shi Yi (Rock Syrup) (ibid.), Yanmi (Cliff Honey).
Li Shizhen says: Honey is named "Mi" because it is formed densely by bees. The original text of the *Bencao Jing* writes "Shimian," likely because those growing on rocks are considered superior, yet various scholars have raised doubts and debates about this. Now, directly titling it "Fengmi" (Bee Honey) establishes the correct name.
【Correction of Errors】Su Gong says: The finest honey comes from the Di and Qiang regions. Currently, white honey from Guanzhong is sweet, delicious, and durable, completely surpassing that from Jiangnan. Tao Hongjing, having not seen it, considered southern honey superior. What is now made by boiling rock sugar with water buffalo milk is also called Shimian. Since this honey is produced by bees, the character "Shi" (Rock) should be removed.
Kou Zongshi says: The *Jiayou Bencao* records two types of Shimian: one found in the insect/fish section, and one in the fruit section. Since lactose sugar is called Shimian, the Shimian in the insect section should not use the character "Shi"; "Shi" is likely a typo for "Bai" (White), which is why people still say Baisha Mi (White Sand Honey). Fresh honey is thin and yellow, while aged honey is white and sandy.
Chen Cangqi says: Yanmi (Cliff Honey) comes from the cliffs and ridges of the south, and is best for medicinal use; Shimian should be changed to Yan. Su Gong was from the Jing-Xiang region, where there are no steep cliffs, so he did not know the superiority of Shimian.
Li Shizhen says: According to the *Bielu* [Mingyi Bielu], Shimian grows in the stones of various mountains, and those white like paste are good. This indicates that honey taken from mountain stones is superior. Su Gong failed to examine the characters "Mountain Stone" and, due to the shared name with lactose sugar, wanted to remove the "Shi" character; Kou Zongshi did not know that true honey has a white sand color while fake honey is thin and yellow, relying only on arguments of newness and age, thus both were mistaken. To test honey, insert a red-hot chopstick; if it emits vapor upon removal, it is genuine; if it emits smoke, it is fake.
【Collected Explanations】The *Bielu* states: Shimian grows in the valleys of Wudu, Heyuan, and among the stones of various mountains. Those white like paste are good.
Tao Hongjing says: Shimian is cliff honey, made in high mountain rocks, with a greenish-red color, slightly bland taste, causing mental restlessness when eaten. Its bees are black and resemble horseflies. There is also Mumi (Tree Honey) made hanging on tree branches, with a greenish-white color. Tumi (Earth Honey) is made in the earth, also greenish-white, with a bland taste. Honey made in human dwellings or tree hollows is also white but thick and delicious. Currently, much Tumi comes from Tan Ya in Jin'an, said to be the best. From Dongyang, Linhai, and other places in Jiangnan westward, much Mumi is produced. From Qian and Huaian counties, much Yanmi (Cliff Honey) is produced. There are also those kept in trees or by humans. All kinds of honey often contain impurities or are boiled, making them unsuitable for medicine. One must personally inspect and select them to avoid impurities. Generally, bee-made honey requires human urine to ferment various flowers before it can mature, resembling the stirring process required for making malt syrup.
Chen Cangqi says: Ordinary honey is also made in wood or in the earth. The north is dry, so it is mostly in the earth; the south is humid, so it is mostly in wood. Each follows the local climate, but the honey is the same. Yanmi is a different type of bee, as described by Tao, coming from southern cliffs, with hives hanging on cliffs or in earth caves. Humans cannot reach them, so long poles are used to pierce them to let the honey out, caught with vessels. Yields can reach three or four shi (a unit of volume/weight), with a sweet taste and green color, superior to ordinary honey for medicine.
Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* [Insectary] says: In the secluded parts of southern mountains, melittin (beeswax) is produced. Melittin adheres to sheer rock walls, inaccessible by climbing. Only from the mountaintop using a basket litter suspended down can it be collected. After the bees leave, the remaining wax stays on the stone. Birds like sparrows come in flocks to peck it all away, called Lingque (Spirit Sparrow). In spring, bees return as before, and people guard these spots, called Misai (Honey Pass). This is Shimian.
Su Song says: Edible honey also has two types: one made in houses on forest trees, one made in human dwellings and kept in frames, both thick and delicious. Recently, Xuanzhou has Huanglian Mi (Coptis Honey), yellow with a slight bitter taste, treating eye heat. Yong and Luo areas have Lihua Mi (Pear Blossom Honey), white like congealed fat. Bozhou Taiqing Palace has Guihua Mi (Cypress Flower Honey), slightly reddish. Zhecheng County has Heshouwu Mi (Polygonum Multiflorum Honey), even redder. All are made by bees collecting their flowers, varying according to the warming or cooling nature of the flowers.
Kou Zongshi says: Shanmi (Mountain Honey) is mostly in stones or on wood, sometimes lasting one or two years, with mellow and strong flavor. Human-kept honey is harvested twice a year, lacking in flavor, thus inferior, and prone to souring over time.
Li Shizhen says: The Lingque mentioned by Chen Cangqi is a small bird, also known as Mimǔ (Honey Mother), black in color. It arrives in January to seek shelter in rock crevices, followed by swarms of bees. It exists in the south.
【Processing】Su Song says: When refining one jin (approx. 500g) of honey, only twelve liang and a half remains. If the fire is too weak or too strong, it is unusable.
Li Shizhen says: To refine Shami (Sand Honey), add four liang of water per jin, place in silver or ceramic vessels, and slowly refine over mulberry wood fire, skimming off foam, until a drop forms a bead that does not scatter. This is called the Water-Fire Refining Method. Another method: Place the vessel in a double boiler and boil for a day. When a drop does not scatter, take it for use. This is also good and does not damage the fire qi.
【Flavor and Properties】Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. The *Bielu* says: Slightly warm.
Su Song says: The flavor of various honeys depends primarily on the flower. Winter and summer harvests are superior, autumn is secondary, and spring changes easily and becomes sour. Fujian and Guangdong honey is extremely hot because the south lacks frost and snow, and many flowers are hot in nature. Sichuan honey is warm, while western honey is cool.
Liu Wansu says: Honey is formed by bees; bees are cold while honey is warm, demonstrating same substance but different properties.
Li Shizhen says: Raw honey is cool, cooked honey is warm, neither cold nor dry, possessing balanced qi. Therefore, it is suitable for diseases of the twelve zang-fu organs. However, excessive consumption generates damp-heat and parasites, especially in children who should avoid it. Wang Chong's *Lunheng* [Balanced Inquiries] states: Bees and scorpions are born from the solar fire qi, so their poison is in the tail. Honey is bee fluid; eating too much can cause poisoning, a fact one must know. Refined honey is non-toxic.
Kou Zongshi says: Although honey is non-toxic, excessive consumption can generate various wind pathogens.
Zhu Zhenheng says: Honey prefers entering the Spleen channel. The northwest is high and dry, so consuming it is beneficial. The southeast is low and damp, so excessive consumption harms the Spleen.
Sun Simiao says: Do not eat raw honey in the seventh lunar month, as it causes sudden diarrhea and cholera. Green or red, sour honey causes mental restlessness when eaten. It should not be consumed with raw green onions or lettuce.
【Indications】Evil qi in the heart and abdomen, various convulsions and epilepsy, stabilizes the five zang organs and deficiencies, tonifies qi and supplements the middle, stops pain and detoxifies, eliminates various diseases, and harmonizes hundred herbs. Long-term use strengthens willpower, lightens the body, prevents hunger and aging, and extends life like an immortal (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Nourishes spleen qi, relieves mental restlessness, treats inability to eat, stops dysentery, relieves muscle pain, mouth ulcers, and brightens eyes and ears (from *Bielu*). Treats dental caries, lip and mouth ulcers, red films on the eyes, kills parasites (Chen Cangqi). Treats sudden heart pain and bloody dysentery; drink one bowl of honey water at once to stop; or mix one he of ginger juice with one he of honey, add water, and drink at once. Regular use makes the face rosy like a flower (Zhen Quan). Treats stabbing pain in the heart and abdomen, and bloody dysentery; take one spoonful each with fresh Rehmannia juice, and it will pass (Meng Shen). Mix with Allium macrostemon (Xiebai) and apply to burns (Li Shizhen); regulates stomach and spleen.
【Elucidation】Tao Hongjing says: Shimian is essential for Daoist pills. Immortal formulas also use refined honey alone for consumption, claiming it leads to longevity and immortality.
Li Shizhen says: Bees collect nectar from non-poisonous flowers and ferment it with urine to create honey, illustrating how the foul transforms into the miraculous. Its medicinal functions are fivefold: clearing heat, tonifying the middle, detoxifying, moistening dryness, and stopping pain. Raw honey is cool, thus clearing heat; cooked honey is warm, thus tonifying the middle. Sweet and peaceful, thus detoxifying; soft and moistening, thus relieving dryness. Slowness relieves urgency, thus stopping pain in the heart, abdomen, muscles, and sores; harmony achieves balance, thus harmonizing hundred herbs, functioning similarly to Licorice Root (Gancao). Zhang Zhongjing's method of using honey suppositories for Yangming constipation and bowel obstruction is truly a divine prescription for millennia.
Meng Shen says: Whenever one feels heat and limb discomfort, drinking a bowl of honey water is very effective. For applying to hot membranes in the eyes, domesticated white honey is best, tree honey is second, and cliff honey is third. Boiled with ginger juice, it effectively treats leprosy.
【Attached Prescriptions】Fourteen old, six new. Bowel obstruction: Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* [Treatise on Cold Damage] states: Yangming disease, spontaneous sweating, urination is frequent, large intestine is dry and hard. Take seven he of honey, simmer in a copper vessel over mild fire until it resembles malt syrup, stir constantly to prevent burning. While warm, shape into a cone, sharp at the head, finger-thick, about two cun long. Insert into the rectum while warm. Hold tightly with hand. Remove when urge to defecate arises. Suspected not to be Zhang Zhongjing's original intent, but tested and effective. Add a small amount of fine Asarum (Xixin) powder for faster results.
Hiccups preventing food intake: Contain cliff honey and swallow slowly (Guangli Fang).
Postpartum thirst: Use refined honey, any amount, mixed with hot water to drink, stops immediately (Chan Shu).
Difficult labor/breech birth: Half a bowl of honey and half a bowl of pure sesame oil, boil until reduced by half, drink, fetus drops immediately (Haishang Fang).
Epidemic Smallpox (Lu Chuang): In recent years, there has been an epidemic rash covering the head, face, and body rapidly, resembling fire blisters with white pus, breaking and reforming. Without immediate treatment, death occurs within days. Scars remain dark for a year. This is evil toxic qi. People say it originated from captives taken by Nanyang during the Jianwu era, hence called Lu Chuang. Physicians recommend rubbing good honey over the sores, and frequently wiping with decoction of Cimicifuga (Shengma) prepared in honey (Zhouhou Fang).
Itching from Chickenpox/Rash: Unbearable itching, scratching causes sores and pustules that refuse to fall off. Baihua Gao (Hundred Flowers Ointment): Use superior Shimian, any amount, dissolve in hot water, and brush onto sores with feathers periodically. Sores fall off easily without scarring (Quanyou Xinjian).
Urticaria Itching: White honey, any amount, taken with good wine, effective (Shenghui Fang).
Five-Color Erysipelas: Apply mixture of honey and dried ginger powder (Zhouhou Fang).
Mouth Ulcers: Soak Large Leaf Blue Indigo Leaf (Daqing Ye) in honey and hold in mouth (Yaoxing Lun).
Ulcers on Glans Penis: Apply licorice root decocted in honey until healed (Waitai Mi Yao).
Anal Ulcers: The anus corresponds to the Lung; lung heat causes anal swelling, contraction, and ulceration. Mix one sheng of white honey with one pig bile. Simmer gently until moldable. Form into a three-cun long suppository, coat with oil, insert into lower orifice. Lie down with buttocks elevated. Defecation occurs shortly after (Meishi Fang).
Scalds from Hot Oil: Apply white honey (Meishi Fang).
Carbuncles and Toxic Swellings: Grind raw honey with last year's green onion into a paste. Pierce the carbuncle first, then apply. After walking about five li, the toxin emerges. Wash off with hot vinegar water (Jiji Xianfang).
Great Wind Leprosy: Take one jin of white honey and two jin of ginger (crushed for juice). Weigh the copper pot, add ginger juice to honey, re-weigh the pot; the weight loss equals the ginger juice amount. Simmer gently until moldable. Form into pills the size of a jujube. Take one pill at dawn, three times a day, with warm wine. Avoid raw/cold, vinegar, slippery, and smelly foods. Many functions, not listed here (Shiliao Fang).
Facial Freckles/Dark Spots: Mix white honey with Poria (Fuling) powder and apply. Heals in seven days (Sun Taoren Shiji).
Pterygium (Eye Growth): Apply raw honey to the eye, lie on back for half a day, then wash. Once daily (Zhouhou Fang).
Accidental Swallowing of Copper Coin: Drink two sheng of refined honey, it will pass out (Ge Shi Fang).
Fish Bones Stuck in Throat: Slowly consume good honey to help it go down (Ge Shi).
Turning White Hair Black/Treating Premature Graying: Pluck white hairs, apply white honey to the follicle, black hair will grow. If not, crush Chinese Wingtree seeds (Wutongzi) for juice and apply; black hair will definitely grow (Meishi Fang).