Chinese Medical Great Works (10)

Author: Cao Bingzhang
Editor: Wu Shaozhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1997-10-01
Features:
Summary of the Shennong Bencao Jing
The Bencao Jing in three volumes is traditionally attributed to Shennong, hence the name Shennong Bencao Jing. However, it is not recorded in the Book of Han·Bibliography. Examining the Book of Han·Records of Emperor Ping, it states: In the fifth year of the Yuanshi era, candidates knowledgeable in medical arts and bencao (herbal medicine) were summoned to the capital. The Biography of Lou Hu mentions that he had memorized hundreds of thousands of words on medical classics, bencao, and medical arts, thus encountering the name bencao. Some say: In ancient times, before the invention of writing, knowledge was passed down orally, referred to as bencao. Since the Han Dynasty, with the emergence of many renowned physicians, scholars like Zhang Hua began to study ancient texts and incorporate new theories, compiling them into books. Thus, bencao was recorded in classical texts. Kou Zongxiao said: Although the Book of Han mentions bencao, it does not specify the era in which it was written. The Huainanzi mentions Shennong tasting herbs to harmonize medicine, but it does not use the term bencao. However, the Records of Emperors states that Emperor Huangdi sent Qi Bo to taste herbs and determine the Bencao Jing, creating medical formulas to treat illnesses, thus originating the name bencao with Huangdi. Han Baosheng said: Medicines include stones, plants, birds, animals, insects, and fish, but they are called bencao because plants are the most abundant among them. Li Shizhen said: The Shennong Bencao classifies medicines into three grades, totaling 365 species, corresponding to the number of days in a year. The top grade consists of 120 species, known as the "principals," which nourish life to align with the heavens, being harmless even with long-term use, and capable of lightening the body and boosting energy. The middle grade comprises 120 species, known as the "assistants," which nurture vitality to align with humanity, being harmless or slightly toxic, and suitable for controlling diseases and strengthening the body. The lower grade consists of 125 species, known as the "adjuvants," which treat diseases to align with the earth, often toxic, and unsuitable for long-term use, intended to dispel cold and heat, eliminate accumulations, and cure illnesses. This book was initially compiled by Wu Jun of Wei, later expanded by Sun Xingyan and others, who extensively collected materials from the Biographies of Famous Physicians, the Taiping Imperial Collection, and various classical texts. Regarding pharmacological theories, although it is comprehensive, its references on properties and functions offer little enlightenment. This is not surprising, as Sun was not a physician, and there is nothing unusual about it. However, he meticulously listed names and descriptions, though without discerning their accuracy. For example, water hyacinth is listed alongside algae, and willow flowers are grouped with tamarisks, both of which are inconsistencies. We have recorded the (examinations) of various scholars for future study. The reason we follow Sun’s edition over Gu’s is its richer citations. As for the debates of renowned scholars and the variations in functions, they are left to the discernment of the diligent reader.
Excerpt:
Micaceous stone has a sweet and neutral taste. It treats dead skin, wind-cold fevers, and discomfort in vehicles, dispels evil qi, calms the five organs, benefits the kidneys, sharpens the eyes, and promotes longevity when taken long-term. It is also known as cloud pearl, cloud flower, cloud crystal, cloud liquid, cloud sand, and phosphorus stone, growing in mountain valleys. The Biographies of Famous Physicians states: It grows on Mount Tai and Qiulu Mountain, as well as in Lao’er and Beiding Mountains, collected in February. (This records the views of the Biographies of Famous Physicians, which include those of Zhang Zhongjing and Wu Jun, but they were later combined by later scholars, making it impossible to distinguish. It is included here to supplement Wu’s work.)
Case: The Biographies of Immortal Transcendents mentions Fang Hui refining and consuming micaceous stone. The Baopuzi’s Chapter on Immortal Medicines states: Micaceous stone comes in five varieties, all five colors, but predominantly blue is called cloud crystal, suitable for spring consumption. Those with all five colors but predominantly red are called cloud pearl, suitable for summer consumption. Those with all five colors but predominantly white are called cloud liquid, suitable for autumn consumption. Those with all five colors but predominantly black are called micaceous stone, suitable for winter consumption. Those with only blue and yellow are called cloud sand, suitable for late summer consumption. Crystalline white is called phosphorus stone, which can be consumed year-round. Li Shan’s annotations cite , stating micaceous stone is also called cloud essence, which is immortal in the earth and sky. Shuowen Jiezi does not have the character for phosphorus. Yupian defines phosphorus as thin, and it is an alias for micaceous stone.
Jade spring has a sweet and neutral taste. It treats all diseases of the five organs, softens tendons, strengthens bones, calms the soul, promotes muscle growth, boosts energy, and makes one resistant to cold and heat (the Taiping Imperial Collection often uses “able” instead of “resistant,” as they were interchangeable in ancient times), free from hunger and thirst, and immortal. If taken five catties before death, the body remains unchanged for three years. It is also known as jade scroll (Taiping Imperial Collection cites jade dense; Initial Studies cites jade peach, consuming which leads to immortality; the Taiping Imperial Collection also cites jade peach, consuming which leads to immortality. If not taken early, consuming it on the day of death ensures the body remains immortal). It grows in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Jade spring is also called jade powder. Shennong, Qi Bo, and Lei Gong considered it sweet; Li considered it neutral. It is incompatible with donghua (a plant) and harmful to green bamboo (Taiping Imperial Collection). White jade is like an elderly man with white hair (Taiping Imperial Collection, Similar Matters cites this).
Case: The Rites of Zhou’s Jade Treasury mentions supplying jade for the king’s fasts. Zheng said: Jade is the pure essence of yang, and consuming it protects against water qi. Zheng Si’ning said: The king’s fasts should include jade powder. The Baopuzi’s Chapter on Immortal Medicines states: Jade can be used to ferment wu (black rice wine) and (dysentery tree wine), turning it into water. It can also be used with scallions to make a decoction, or ground into powder. Consuming it for a year makes one immune to water and fire, unharmed by blades, and immune to poisons. It cannot be used in already refined vessels, as it is useless, but raw jade is suitable. The best is white jade from the Tarim Basin. Next is jade from Nanyang’s Xu Shanting area, as well as from Jinnan’s Lurong waters, which are also excellent.
Micaceous stone has a sweet and warm taste. It treats coughing, shortness of breath, sharp eyesight, benefits the five organs, relieves joint pain, opens the nine orifices, and promotes lactation (Taiping Imperial Collection cites it as Liu Gong milk, the Great View edition writes Gong milk in black). It grows in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Micaceous stone is also called (empty center). Shennong considered it pungent; Tongjun (a legendary figure) and Huangdi’s physician He considered it sweet; Bianque considered it sweet and harmless (Taiping Imperial Collection excludes Li’s views). It grows in mountain valleys (Taiping Imperial Collection cites it as growing in Tai Shan’s valleys). Found in shaded cliffs where liquid drips like milk, yellowish-white, with internal channels, collected in February or March and dried in the shade (For all Wu Jun’s Bencao cited by Zhang Yuxi, no further notes are added, only those from the Taiping Imperial Collection are annotated). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called Gong milk and Lu stone, growing in Shaosi and Tai Shan, collected at any time.
Case: Fan Ziyuan said: Micaceous stone comes from Wudu, with yellowish-white being the best. (Most references to Fan Ziyuan come from Arts and Literature Collection, Annotations to the Wenxuan, the Taiping Imperial Collection, and the Great View Bencao). The Biographies of Immortal Transcendents mentions Yang Shu boiling stone marrow and consuming it, calling it micaceous stone. The character “” should be “,” referring to the Cloud Milk account.
Niter (formerly written as fenshi, but according to Gu Pu’s annotations, the Shanhaijing cites niter). It has an acidic and cold taste. It treats fevers, diarrhea, leukorrhea, vaginal erosion, wounds, eye pain, and strengthens tendons, bones, and teeth. Refining and consuming it promotes longevity and increases years. It is also known as fei niter, growing in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Fenshi is also called fei ze, fei zhe, and fei shi. Shennong considered it acidic; Qi Bo considered it acidic; Bianque considered it salty and harmless. It grows in Hexi or Longxi or Wudu, at the Stone Gate. Collected at any time, Qi Bo noted that long-term consumption harms the bones (Taiping Imperial Collection). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called fei zhe, growing in Hexi and Longxi, Wudu, and the Stone Gate, collected at any time.
Case: Shuowen Jiezi does not have the character for fenshi. Yupian defines fenshi as fensi. The West Mountain Jing states: The mountain of Nuchang has much niter on its north side. Gu Pu says it is fenshi, called niter by Chu people and fei ze by Qin people. The Bencao Jing also calls it niter. Fan Ziyuan said: Fenshi comes from Wudu. The Huainanzi’s Chapter on True and False states: Dyeing black cloth with niter. Gao You said: Niter is fenshi. The old version wrote niter as fenshi, and fei ze as fei ze, which is incorrect.
Saltpeter has a bitter and cold taste. It treats accumulated heat in the five organs, stomach stagnation, dissolves stagnations and food, promotes renewal, dispels evil qi. When refined like ointment, long-term consumption promotes longevity (Taiping Imperial Collection cites it as mangxiao, the Great View edition writes mangxiao in black). It grows in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Saltpeter is bitter for Shennong; sweet for Bianque (the Great View edition cites danhao from Zhang Yuxi, also seen in the Taiping Imperial Collection, but not noted as to its source). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called mangxiao, growing in Yizhou and the five capitals, Longxi, and the Western Qiang, collected at any time.
Case: Fan Ziyuan said: Saltpeter comes from Longdao. According to the Biographies of Famous Physicians, it is called mangxiao, and there is also a separate entry for mangxiao, which is incorrect. The North Mountain Jing states: The mountain of Jing has white yuanshi su on its north side. It is suspected that su is an alternate character for saltpeter.
White niter has a bitter and cold taste. It treats all diseases, dispels cold and heat, eliminates accumulations in the six bowels, solidifies stagnations, and cures 72 types of stones. Refining and consuming it promotes longevity and makes one immortal. It grows in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: White niter stone is harmless for Shennong, Qi Bo, and Lei Gong. It grows in Yizhou or Shanyin, entering the earth, remaining unchanged for a thousand years. It cannot be refined and is unsuitable for consumption (Taiping Imperial Collection). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called puxiao po, growing in Yizhou, with saltwater on the south side, collected at any time.
Case: Shuowen Jiezi defines po as the bark of trees. This may refer to the outer layer of saltpeter like jade’s outer layer. The old version wrote it as xiao, a common character.
Slippery stone has a sweet and cold taste. It treats body heat, dysentery, and difficulty in lactation for women, and relieves strangury. Promotes urination, clears stagnations and cold heat in the stomach, and benefits vitality. Long-term consumption promotes longevity, resistance to hunger, and longevity. It grows in mountain valleys. The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called liquid stone, gong stone, and tu stone, growing in Heyang and the north of Tai Shan, or Yanbei, Baishan, or Juanshan, collected at any time.
Case: Fan Ziyuan said: Slippery stone is best when white and smooth. The Nanyue states: The city of Liaocheng produces liaoshi, which is slippery stone.
Stone gall has an acidic and cold taste. It treats sharp eyesight, eye pain, metal wounds, spasms, vaginal erosion, pain, stone strangury, cold and heat, uterine bleeding, and various toxic qi, making one fertile. Refining and consuming it prevents aging. Long-term consumption extends life and makes one an immortal. It can transform iron into copper and create gold and silver (Taiping Imperial Collection cites it as synthesizing). It is also called bi stone, growing in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Stone gall is acidic for Shennong, slightly cold; for Li, slightly cold; for Tongjun, pungent and toxic; for Bianque, bitter and harmless (Taiping Imperial Collection cites it as black stone, tónglè, growing in Qiangdao or named Qingshan, collected in February on the day of Xinchou). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It is also called black stone, qi stone, and tónglè, growing in Qiangdao, Qiangli, and Juqingshan, collected in February on the day of Xinchou.
Case: Fan Ziyuan said: Stone gall comes from Longxi’s Qiangdao. Tao Hongjing said: The Immortal Classics call it liuzhi stone. The Rites of Zhou’s Physicians mention treating sores with the five poisons, including huangzi, shizha, xunhuang, fensi, and cishi. Zheng said: Modern medical formulas include five-poison medicines, combining huangzi, shizha, xunhuang, fensi, and cishi. Burn them for three days and three nights, and the smoke rises, swept away with a chicken feather to apply to sores. It dissolves harmful flesh and exposes bones, as recorded in the Illustrated Classics. Thus, Han Yu, a Hanlin scholar, once recorded that Yang Yi, a direct historian, had a sore on his cheek. Someone advised him to follow Zheng’s method to prepare the medicine, which healed the sore upon application. It demonstrates the speed of ancient formulas in treating illnesses.
Empty green has a sweet and cold taste. It treats blindness, deafness, sharp eyesight, opens the nine orifices, promotes blood circulation, and nourishes the spirit. Long-term consumption promotes longevity, prevents aging, and makes one immortal. It can transform copper, iron, lead, and tin into gold. It grows in mountain valleys. Wu Jun states: Empty green is sweet for Shennong, slightly acidic for the (a classic text), and long-term consumption attracts immortal jade maidens, elevating one’s aspirations (Taiping Imperial Collection). The Biographies of Famous Physicians state: It grows in Yizhou and the mountains of Yueju with copper, where copper vapor creates empty green. Its interior is hollow, collected in March, or at any time.
Case: The West Mountain Jing states: The mountain of Huangren has much green below it. Gu Pu says it belongs to the category of empty green. Fan Ziyuan said: Empty green comes from Bashan. Sima Qian’s Ode to the Red and Blue mentions danqing. Zhang Yi said: Qing is qinghao. Yan Shigu said: Qinghao is the modern danqing.