味辛，平。主 疟，寒热、邪气，泄利，阴不起，病酒，头痛。生汉中。
《吴普》曰∶小豆花，一名腐婢（旧作付月，误）。神农∶甘，毒。七月采，阴干四十
日。
治头痛，止渴（《御览》）。
《名医》曰∶生汉中。即小豆花也。七月采，阴干。
上米、谷，下品一种。旧同。
味苦，寒。主大水，面目四肢浮肿，下水，令人叶。生川泽。
《名医》曰∶生晋地。
案∶《说文》云∶瓠匏，匏瓠也。《广雅》云∶匏，瓠也。《尔雅》云∶瓠，栖瓣。《
毛诗》云∶瓠有苦叶。《传》云∶匏，谓之瓠。又九月断壶。《传》云∶壶，瓠也。《古今
注》云∶瓠，壶芦也。壶芦，瓠之无柄者。瓠，有柄者。又云∶瓢，瓠也。其 ，曰匏。
瓠则别名。
味甘，平。主女子赤沃，止血养精，保血脉，益气，令人肥健、嗜食。一名水英。生池
泽。
《名医》曰∶生南海。
案∶《说文》云∶芹，楚葵也；近，菜类也。《周礼》有近菹。《尔雅》云∶芹，楚葵。
郭璞云∶今水中芹菜。《字林》云∶芹草，生水中。根，可缘器。又云∶ 菜，似蒜，
生水
中。
上菜，下品二种。旧同。
味甘，温。主腹中邪气，去三虫、蛇螫、蛊毒、鬼注、伏尸。生山谷（旧在《唐本》退
中）。
《名医》曰∶生永昌。
案∶陶弘景云∶方家，从来无用此者。古今诸医及药家，子不复识。又，一名熊子，不
知其形何类也。掌禹锡云∶树，似杉；子，如槟榔。《本经》虫部云∶彼子，芝注云∶彼字
合从木。《尔雅》云∶彼，一名 。
三品，合三百六十五种，法三百六十度，一度应一日，以成一岁（倍其数，合七百三十
名也）。
掌禹锡曰∶本草例，《神农本经》以朱书，《名医别录》以墨书。《神农》药三百六十五
种，今此言倍其数，合七百三十名，是并《名医别录》副品而言也。则此下节《别录》之文
也，当作墨书矣。盖传定浸久，朱墨错乱之所致耳。
案∶禹锡说，是也，改为细字。
药有君、臣、佐、使，以相宣摄合和宜。用一君，二臣，三佐，五使；又可一君，三臣
，九佐、使也。
药有阴阳配合，子母兄弟，根茎花实，草石骨肉；有单行者，有相须者，有相使者，有
相畏者，有相恶者，有相反者，有相杀者。凡此七精，合和时之，当用相须、相使者良，勿
用相恶、相反者。若有毒宜制，可用相畏、相杀者。不尔，勿合用也。
药有酸、咸、甘、苦、辛五味，又有寒、热、温、凉四气，及有毒无毒，阴干曝干，采
造时月，生熟土地所出，真伪陈新，并各有法。
药性有宜丸者，宜散者，宜水煮者，宜酒渍者，宜膏煎者；亦有一物兼宜者；亦有不可
入汤酒者，并随药性，不得违越。
欲疗病，先察其原，先候病机。五脏未虚，六腑未竭，血脉未乱，精神未散，服药必活
。若病已成，可得半愈；病势已过，命将难全。
若用毒药疗病，先起如黍粟，病去，即止。不去，倍之；不去，十之。取去为度。
疗寒，以热药；疗热，以寒药；饮食不消，以吐下药；鬼注蛊毒，以毒药；痈肿创瘤，
以创药；风湿，以风湿药。各随其所宜。
病在胸膈以上者，先食，后服药；病在心腹以下者，先服药而后食；病在四肢血脉者，
宜空腹而在旦；病在骨髓者，宜饱满而在夜。
夫大病之主，有中风伤寒，寒热温疟，中恶霍乱，大腹水肿，肠 下利，大小便不通；
贲肫上气，咳逆呕吐；黄疽消渴，留饮癖食，坚积症瘕，惊邪 痫；鬼注喉痹、齿痛，
耳聋目盲；金创 折，痈肿恶创，痔 瘿瘤；男子五劳七伤，虚乏羸瘦；女子带下崩中，血
闭阴蚀；虫蛇蛊毒所伤。此大略宗兆。其间变动枝叶，各宜依端绪以取之。
上药，令人身安命延，升天神仙，遨游上下，役使万灵，体生毛羽，行厨立至（《抱朴
子·内篇》引《神农经》，据《太平御览》校）。
中药，养性；下药，除病。能令毒虫不加，猛兽不犯，恶气不行，众妖并辟（《抱朴子
·内篇》引《神农经》）。
太一子曰∶凡药，上者，养命；中者，养性；下者，养病（《艺文类聚》引《本草经》）。
太一子曰∶凡药，上者，养命；中药，养性；下药，养病。神农乃作赭鞭、钩 （尺制
切）。从六阴阳，与太乙外（巡字）五岳四渎，土地所生草石，骨肉心灰，皮，毛羽，万千
类
，皆鞭问之，得其所能治主，当其五味，一日（一字旧误作百）七十毒（《太平御览》引《本
草经》）。
神农稽首再拜，问于太乙子曰∶曾闻之时寿过百岁，而徂落之咎，独何气使然也？太乙
子曰∶天有九门，中道最良。神农乃从其尝药，以拯救人命。（《太平御览》引《神农本草
》）。
按∶此诸条，与今《本经》卷上文略相似，诸书所引，较《本经》文多。又云是太一子
说，今无者，疑后节之。其云赭鞭、钩 ，当是煮辨、候制之假音，鞭问之，即辨问之。无
怪说也。
药物有大毒，不可入口鼻耳目者，即杀人。一曰钩吻（卢氏曰∶阴地黄精，不相连，根
苗独生者，是也），二曰鸱（状如雌鸡，生山中），三曰阴命（赤色，着木县其子，生海中），
四曰内童（状如鹅，亦生海中），五曰鸩羽（如雀，墨头赤喙），六曰 （生海中，雄曰 ，
雌
曰也。《博物志》引《神农经》）。
药种有五物∶一曰野狼毒，占斯解之；二曰巴头，藿汁解之；三曰黎，卢汤解之；四曰天
雄、乌头，大豆解之；五曰班茅，戎盐解之。毒菜害小儿，乳汁解，先食饮二升（《博物志》
引《神农经》）。
五芝及饵丹砂、玉札、曾青、雄黄、雌黄、云母、太乙禹余粮，各可单服之，皆令人飞
行、长生（《抱朴子·内篇》引《神农四经》）。
春夏为阳，秋冬为阴（《文选》注引《神农本草》）。
春为阳，阳温，生万物（同上）。
黄精与术，饵之却粒；或遇凶年，可以绝粒。谓之米脯（《太平御览》引《抱朴子》、《神
农经》）。
五味，养精神，强魂魄。五石，养髓，肌肉肥泽。诸药，其味酸者，补肝、养心，除肾
病；其味苦者，补心、养脾，除肝病；其味甘者，补肺、养脾，除心病；其味辛者，补肺、
养肾，除脾病；其味咸者，补肺，除肝病。故五味，应五行；四体，应四时。夫人性生于四
时，然后命于五行，以一补身，不死命神。以母养子，长生延年；以子守母，除病究年（《太
平御览》引《养生要略》、《神农经》）。
案∶此诸条，当是玉石、草木三品前总论，而后人节去。
【腐婢】
味辛，性平。主治疟疾、寒热往来、邪气侵袭、泄泻痢疾、阴部痿弱不起、酒疸病以及头痛。产于汉中地区。
《吴普》记载：即小豆花，又名腐婢（旧版误作“付月”）。神农本草认为其味甘，有毒。七月采集，阴干四十日。
能治疗头痛，止渴（引自《太平御览》）。
《名医别录》记载：产于汉中地区。就是小豆花。七月采集，阴干。
以上为米谷类药材，属上品中的一种。旧本分类相同。
【彼子】
味苦，性寒。主治大水病（严重水肿），面目四肢浮肿，能利水消肿，使人身体轻健。产于川泽之地。
《名医别录》记载：产于晋地。
考证：《说文解字》说：瓠和匏是同类植物。《广雅》说：匏就是瓠。《尔雅》说：瓠，指栖瓣。《毛诗》说：瓠有苦叶。《传》注说：匏，称为瓠。又说九月断壶。《传》注说：壶，就是瓠。《古今注》说：瓠，就是葫芦。葫芦，是没有柄的瓠。瓠，是有柄的。又说：瓢，也是瓠的一种。其中无柄的称为匏。瓠则是别名。
【芹】
味甘，性平。主治女子赤白带下，能止血养精，保护血脉，益气，使人肥胖健壮、食欲旺盛。又名水英。产于池泽之地。
《名医别录》记载：产于南海地区。
考证：《说文解字》说：芹，就是楚葵；近，属于菜类。《周礼》中有“近菹”。《尔雅》说：芹，就是楚葵。郭璞注释说：现在水中的芹菜。《字林》说：芹草，生长在水中。根可以缠绕器物。又说：某菜，形状像蒜，生长在水中。
以上为蔬菜类药材，属下品中的两种。旧本分类相同。
【彼子】（此处原文重复出现彼子条目，实指另一种药，根据上下文及后世考证多指榧子或类似坚果，但依原文直译）
味甘，性温。主治腹中邪气，驱除三虫、蛇咬伤、蛊毒、鬼注病、伏尸病。产于山谷（旧版将其归入《唐本草》退位中）。
《名医别录》记载：产于永昌地区。
考证：陶弘景说：方术之家，从来不用此药。古今各位医生及制药专家，已不再认识这种种子。另外，它又名熊子，不知道它的形状像什么。掌禹锡说：树，像杉树；种子，像槟榔。《本经》虫部云：彼子，郑玄注说：彼字应当从木旁。《尔雅》说：彼，又名某物。
上、中、下三品，合计三百六十五种，对应天道的三百六十度，一度对应一天，以此构成一年（若加倍计算，合七百三十种名目）。
掌禹锡说：本草体例，《神农本草经》用朱砂红字书写，《名医别录》用墨字书写。《神农本草经》药物三百六十五种，如今这里说加倍数量，合七百三十种名目，这是并入了《名医别录》的副品而言。那么这一节以下的文字属于《别录》的内容，应当是用墨书写的了。大概是流传定稿时间久远，朱墨字迹错乱所致。
考证：掌禹锡的说法是正确的，改为小字标注。
药物有君、臣、佐、使之分，用来相互宣导摄取、调和配合。适宜使用一君、二臣、三佐、五使；也可以是一君、三臣、九佐、使。
药物有阴阳配合，子母兄弟关系，根茎花实，草石骨肉类别；有的单独使用有效（单行），有的相互依赖增强疗效（相须），有的相互辅助提高疗效（相使），有的相互畏惧抑制毒性（相畏），有的相互厌恶降低疗效（相恶），有的相互对抗产生毒性（相反），有的相互消除毒性（相杀）。凡这七种配伍关系，在调和使用时，应当选用相须、相使的药物为好，不要选用相恶、相反的药物。如果有毒性的药物需要制约，可以使用相畏、相杀的方法来化解。否则，不要混合使用。
药物有酸、咸、甘、苦、辛五味，又有寒、热、温、凉四气，以及有毒无毒的区别，阴干曝干的加工方法，采集制作的时节，产地真伪新旧，都有各自的规范。
药性有的适宜制成丸剂，有的适宜制成散剂，有的适宜水煮，有的适宜酒浸，有的适宜膏煎；也有一种药物兼有多种适宜剂型的；也有不可入汤剂或酒剂的，都要随顺药性，不得违背。
想要治疗疾病，先要考察病因，先要诊察病机。五脏尚未虚弱，六腑尚未衰竭，血脉尚未紊乱，精神尚未耗散，服药必定能治愈。如果疾病已经形成，只能治好一半；如果病势已过，生命将难以保全。
如果使用毒药治疗疾病，起始剂量如黍粟般微小，病去即停药。如果病未去，加倍剂量；如果仍未去，增至十倍。以病去除为限度。
治疗寒证，用热性药物；治疗热证，用寒性药物；饮食不消化，用催吐或泻下药；鬼注蛊毒，用毒药；痈肿疮瘤，用外科专用药；风湿病，用祛风湿药。各自随其所宜。
病位在胸膈以上的，先吃饭，后服药；病位在心腹以下的，先服药，后吃饭；病位在四肢血脉的，宜空腹并在早晨服用；病位在骨髓的，宜饱腹并在夜晚服用。
大病的主题，主要有中风伤寒、寒热温疟、中恶霍乱、大腹水肿、肠澼下利、大小便不通；贲豚上气、咳逆呕吐；黄疸消渴、留饮癖食、坚积症瘕、惊邪癫痫；鬼注喉痹、齿痛耳聋目盲；金创骨折、痈肿恶创、痔瘿瘤；男子五劳七伤、虚乏羸瘦；女子带下崩中、血闭阴蚀；虫蛇蛊毒所伤。这是大概的纲领征兆。其间变化的枝叶细节，各应依据端绪来辨别处理。
上品药，能让人身体安宁寿命延长，飞升成仙，遨游天地，役使万灵，体生毛羽，行厨立至（引自《抱朴子·内篇》，据《太平御览》校勘）。
中品药，保养性情；下品药，祛除疾病。能使毒虫不侵害，猛兽不侵犯，恶气不流行，众妖都避开（引自《抱朴子·内篇》，引自《神农经》）。
太一子说：凡是药物，上品的养命；中品的养性；下品的养病（引自《艺文类聚》，引自《本草经》）。
太一子说：凡是药物，上品的养命；中品的养性；下品的养病。神农于是制作了赭鞭、钩绳（尺制切音）。顺应六阴阳之道，与太乙巡游五岳四渎，考察土地所生的草木、金石、骨肉、心灰、皮毛等万千种类，都用鞭子抽打询问，得到它们所能主治的功能，对应它们的五味，一天之内识别七十种毒性（一字旧误作百）（引自《太平御览》，引自《本草经》）。
神农叩头再拜，问太一子说：曾听说人的寿命超过百岁，而死亡的原因，究竟是什么气造成的呢？太一子说：天有九门，中间的道路最好。神农于是跟随他尝百草，以拯救人命（引自《太平御览》，引自《神农本草》）。
按：这些条文，与现今《本经》卷上的文字大致相似，其他书籍引用的，比《本经》文字更多。又说是太一子的说法，现在没有这段内容，怀疑是后加的。其中提到的赭鞭、钩绳，应当是煮辨、候制的假音，鞭问之，即辨问之。没有什么奇怪的解说。
药物有大毒，不可入口鼻耳目的，即刻杀人。一说：钩吻（卢氏说：阴地黄精，不相连，根苗独生的，就是这种），二曰鸱（形状像雌鸡，生于山中），三曰阴命（红色，附着树上悬挂其果实，生于海中），四曰内童（形状像鹅，也生于海中），五曰鸩羽（像雀鸟，黑头红嘴），六曰某物（生于海中，雄的叫某，雌的叫某。《博物志》引《神农经》）。
药物解毒有五物：一曰野狼毒，用占斯解之；二曰巴头，用藿汁解之；三曰黎，用卢汤解之；四曰天雄、乌头，用大豆解之；五曰班茅，用戎盐解之。毒菜伤害小儿，乳汁可解，先喝两升乳汁（《博物志》引《神农经》）。
五芝以及饵丹砂、玉札、曾青、雄黄、雌黄、云母、太乙禹余粮，都可以单独服用，都能让人飞行、长生（引自《抱朴子·内篇》，引自《神农四经》）。
春夏为阳，秋冬为阴（《文选》注引《神农本草》）。
春为阳，阳气温暖，生养万物（同上）。
黄精与白术，服用它可以辟谷；如果遇到凶年饥荒，可以绝粒。称之为米脯（《太平御览》引《抱朴子》、《神农经》）。
五味，滋养精神，强健魂魄。五石，滋养骨髓，使肌肉肥润光泽。各种药物，味道酸的，补肝、养心，除肾病；味道苦的，补心、养脾，除肝病；味道甘的，补肺、养脾，除心病；味道辛的，补肺、养肾，除脾病；味道咸的，补肺，除肝病。所以五味，对应五行；四体，对应四时。人本性生于四时，然后命运于五行，以一补身，不死命神。以母养子，长生延年；以子守母，除病究年（《太平御览》引《养生要略》、《神农经》）。
考证：这些条文，应当是玉石、草木三品之前的总论，而后人被删节去了。
[Fubi]
Taste: Acrid (Xin). Nature: Neutral (Ping). Indications: Malaria (Nüe), alternating chills and fever (Hanre), pathogenic factors (Xieqi), diarrhea and dysentery (Xieli), impotence or failure of the genitalia to rise (Yin bu qi), wine jaundice (Bing jiu), headache (Toutong). Habitat: Hanzhong region.
Wu Pu states: It is the flower of Vigna angularis (Azuki bean flower), also known as Fubi (formerly miswritten as "Fuyue"). Shennong Bencao Jing records its taste as Sweet (Gan) and toxicity as Toxic (Du). Harvested in the seventh lunar month, dried in shade for forty days.
Treats headache, relieves thirst (cited from Taiping Yulan).
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Hanzhong. It is indeed the Azuki bean flower. Harvested in the seventh lunar month, dried in shade.
Category: Grains and Rice. Grade: Upper. Same as old classification.
[Bizi]
Taste: Bitter (Ku). Nature: Cold (Han). Indications: Severe water retention disease (Dashui), edema of face, eyes, and limbs, promotes urination to reduce swelling, makes the body light and healthy. Habitat: Rivers and marshes.
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Jin region.
Textual Research: Shuowen Jiezi says: Hu and Pao are similar gourds. Guangya says: Pao is Hu. Erya says: Hu refers to the gourd with a handle. Mao Shi says: The leaves of the gourd are bitter. Zhuan commentary says: Pao is called Hu. Also mentions cutting the gourd in the ninth month. Zhuan commentary says: Hu (pot) is the gourd. Gujin Zhu says: Hu is the gourd. Hulu is the gourd without a handle. Hu is the gourd with a handle. Also says: Ping (ladle) is a type of Hu. The one without a handle is called Pao. Hu is another name.
[Qin]
Taste: Sweet (Gan). Nature: Neutral (Ping). Indications: Leukorrhea (Chiwō) in women, stops bleeding, nourishes essence, protects blood vessels, tonifies Qi, makes the body robust and strong, increases appetite. Another name: Shuiying. Habitat: Ponds and marshes.
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Nanhai region.
Textual Research: Shuowen Jiezi says: Qin is Chu Kui; Jin belongs to vegetable categories. Zhou Li mentions "Jin Zu". Erya says: Qin is Chu Kui. Guo Pu comments: It is the celery growing in water today. Zilin says: Qin grass grows in water. Its roots can wrap around vessels. Also says: A certain vegetable resembles garlic and grows in water.
Category: Vegetables. Grade: Lower. Two species. Same as old classification.
[Bizi] (Note: Text repeats Bizi, likely referring to Torreyas seed/Feizi based on context of "Bear Seed" and shape description)
Taste: Sweet (Gan). Nature: Warm (Wen). Indications: Pathogenic factors in the abdomen, expels three types of parasites (San Chong), snake bites, gu poison, Gui Zhu disease, Fusshi disease. Habitat: Mountain valleys (Previously placed in Tang Bencao lower tier).
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Yongchang region.
Textual Research: Tao Hongjing says: Practitioners have never used this herb. Modern physicians and pharmacists no longer recognize this seed. Also, it is another name Xiongzi (Bear Seed), but its shape is unknown. Zhang Yuxi says: The tree resembles fir; the seed resembles betel nut. Benjing Insect Section notes: Bizi, Zheng Xuan's commentary states: The character Bi should have the wood radical. Erya says: Bi is another name for [object].
Upper, Middle, and Lower grades total 365 species, corresponding to the 360 degrees of heaven, one degree per day, forming a year (Doubled, totaling 730 names).
Zhang Yuxi states: The format of Bencao, Shennong Bencao Jing uses red cinnabar ink, Mingyi Bielu uses black ink. Shennong Bencao Jing has 365 drugs. The current mention of doubling the number to 730 includes the supplementary items of Mingyi Bielu. Therefore, the text below belongs to Bielu content and should be in black ink. This is likely due to the confusion of red and black ink over long transmission periods.
Research: Zhang Yuxi's explanation is correct; changed to small print.
Drugs have Jun (Monarch), Chen (Minister), Zuo (Assistant), and Shi (Envoy) roles to coordinate and harmonize. Suitable combinations include one Monarch, two Ministers, three Assistants, five Envoys; or one Monarch, three Ministers, nine Assistants/Envoys.
Drugs have Yin-Yang compatibility, parent-child relationships, root/stem/flower/fruit distinctions, and categories of herbs/minerals/meat/bone. Some act alone (Dan Xing), some enhance each other (Xiang Xu), some assist each other (Xiang Shi), some fear/inhibit each other (Xiang Wei), some disgust/reduce efficacy (Xiang Wu), some oppose/create toxicity (Xiang Fan), some kill/toxin-neutralize each other (Xiang Sha). Of these seven interactions, when combining, use Xiang Xu and Xiang Shi for best results; avoid Xiang Wu and Xiang Fan. If toxic drugs need control, use Xiang Wei and Xiang Sha methods. Otherwise, do not combine them.
Drugs have Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, Acrid five flavors, and Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool four natures, plus toxic/non-toxic distinctions. Drying methods (shade/sun), harvesting times, origins, authenticity, and freshness all have specific rules.
Drug properties suit pills, powders, decoctions, wine maceration, or pastes; some suit multiple forms; some cannot be used in decoctions or wine. Follow drug nature, do not violate rules.
To treat disease, first investigate the cause, then observe the disease mechanism. If Zang organs are not deficient, Fu organs not exhausted, blood vessels not chaotic, spirit not scattered, medication will surely cure. If disease is established, only half recovery is possible; if disease stage has passed, life is hard to save.
If using toxic drugs to treat disease, start with a dose like millet grains. Stop when disease leaves. If not gone, double the dose; if still not gone, increase tenfold. Take disease removal as the limit.
Treat cold with hot drugs; treat heat with cold drugs; indigestion with emetics or purgatives; Gui Zhu/Gu poison with toxic drugs; abscesses/tumors with topical/surgical drugs; wind-dampness with wind-damp resolving drugs. Each according to suitability.
Disease above chest/diaphragm: eat first, then take medicine. Disease below heart/abdomen: take medicine first, then eat. Disease in limbs/blood vessels: empty stomach, morning. Disease in bone marrow: full stomach, night.
Major diseases include: Wind-stroke, Shanghan, Hanre Wen Nüe, Zhong E Huo Luan, abdominal edema, intestinal diarrhea, constipation/incontinence; Bentun rising qi, cough/vomiting; Jaundice, Xiao Ke, retained fluid/phlegm, fixed masses, epilepsy; Gui Zhu, sore throat, toothache, deafness, blindness; trauma/fractures, malignant sores, hemorrhoids/goiter; Men's five labors/seven injuries, deficiency/emaciation; Women's leukorrhea/metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, yin erosion; injuries from insects/snakes/poison. These are general outlines. Variations should be addressed by tracing their origins.
Upper grade drugs make people peaceful, extend life, ascend to immortality, roam heavens, command spirits, grow feathers, summon food instantly (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, verified by Taiping Yulan).
Middle grade drugs nurture nature/character; Lower grade drugs eliminate disease. They prevent venomous insects from attacking, fierce beasts from harming, evil qi from spreading, and demons from approaching (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, citing Shennong Jing).
Taiyizi says: Generally, drugs: Upper nourish life (Yang Ming); Middle nourish nature (Yang Xing); Lower nourish disease treatment (Yang Bing) (Cited from Yiwen Leiju, citing Bencao Jing).
Taiyizi says: Generally, drugs: Upper nourish life; Middle nourish nature; Lower nourish disease treatment. Shennong made the Scarlet Whip and Hook Rope (Chi Zhi Qie sound). Following the Six Yin-Yang, touring the Five Mountains and Four Rivers with Taiyi, inspecting plants, stones, meats, ashes, skins, feathers produced by the land, thousands of species, he whipped and questioned them, learning their curative functions and corresponding flavors, identifying seventy poisons per day (One character formerly mistaken for hundred) (Cited from Taiping Yulan, citing Bencao Jing).
Shennong bowed twice, asking Taiyizi: I heard human lifespan exceeds one hundred years, but what causes death? Taiyizi said: Heaven has nine gates, the middle path is best. Shennong followed him tasting herbs to save human lives (Cited from Taiping Yulan, citing Shennong Bencao).
Note: These passages are similar to current Bencao volume texts, but other books cite more text. Attributed to Taiyizi, now missing, suspected to be later addition. "Scarlet Whip/Hook Rope" are likely phonetic loans for "Boiling/Distinguishing" and "Testing/Regulating". Whipping/questioning means distinguishing/questioning. No strange meaning.
Drugs with high toxicity, harmful to mouth/nose/eyes/ears, kill immediately. One: Gougen (Lu Shi says: Yin Di Huang Jing, non-connected, root and shoot separate). Two: Chi (Like hen, mountain born). Three: Yinming (Red, hangs on trees, sea born). Four: Neitong (Like goose, sea born). Five: Zhenyu (Like sparrow, black head red beak). Six: [Name] (Sea born, male/female distinct. Bomowu Zhi cites Shennong Jing).
Antidotes for drug poisoning (Five substances): One: Yelangdu, antidoted by Zansi. Two: Batou, antidoted by Huozhi. Three: Li, antidoted by Lu Tang. Four: Tianxiong/Aotou, antidoted by Da Dou (Soybean). Five: Banmao, antidoted by Rongyan (Rock salt). Poisonous vegetables harming children, antidoted by milk, drink two sheng first (Bomowu Zhi cites Shennong Jing).
Five Zhi (Lichens/Mushrooms) and elixirs of Cinnabar, Jade Chip, Qinghao, Realgar, Orpiment, Mica, Taiyi Yuyuliang can be taken singly, granting flight and longevity (Cited from Baopuzi Neipian, citing Shennong Sijing).
Spring/Summer are Yang; Autumn/Winter are Yin (Wenxuan Zhu cites Shennong Bencao).
Spring is Yang, warm Yang generates all things (Same source).
Huangjing and Baizhu (Atractylodes), taken, stop grain consumption; in famine, can sustain life without grain. Called Miguo (Taiping Yulan cites Baopuzi, Shennong Jing).
Five Flavors nourish spirit, strengthen soul. Five Stones nourish marrow, fatten muscles. Drugs: Sour flavor tonifies Liver, nourishes Heart, removes Kidney disease; Bitter flavor tonifies Heart, nourishes Spleen, removes Liver disease; Sweet flavor tonifies Lung, nourishes Spleen, removes Heart disease; Acrid flavor tonifies Lung, nourishes Kidney, removes Spleen disease; Salty flavor tonifies Lung, removes Liver disease. Thus Five Flavors correspond to Five Elements; Four Limbs correspond to Four Seasons. Human nature born from Four Seasons, fate determined by Five Elements. Tonify body with one, immortality achieved. Mother nourishes Son for longevity; Son guards Mother to remove disease and prolong life (Taiping Yulan cites Yangsheng Yaolüe, Shennong Jing).
Research: These passages were likely the general preface before the three grades of minerals/plants, later deleted by editors.