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Chapter 8 of 33
神农本草经
This chapter covers the six animal-derived substances listed in the Upper Grade of the Animals section in the Shennong Bencao Jing: Longgu (Fossil Bone), Shexiang (Musk), Niuhuang (Bezoar), Xiongzhi (Bear Fat), Baijiao (Deerhorn Glue), and Ejiao (Ass-hide Glue). The ancients classified these medicines derived from animals or their products as Upper Grade, believing that they were relatively mild in nature and possessed functions such as tonifying, calming the spirit, warding off evil influences, and prolonging life. Below is an item-by-item paraphrase.
Original Meaning: Longgu is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature. The ancients believed it could treat cardiovascular and abdominal disorders, guizhu (what the ancients called ghost-induced consumptive diseases), ailments caused by goblins and ancient spirits, cough with reversed qi flow, diarrhea and dysentery, passage of pus and blood in the stool, uterine bleeding in women, zhengjia hard masses (accumulated lumps) in the abdomen, and febrile convulsions in children. Among its variants, Longchi (Dragon Teeth) was said to treat convulsions in both children and adults, manic episodes with wild running, qi stagnation beneath the heart, inability to breathe, and various spasmodic conditions. It was also believed to be able to kill spirit entities. It was further said that prolonged use could make the body light and agile, the spirit clear and bright, and extend one's lifespan. The substance grows in mountain valleys.
Commentators' Additions: Wu Pu said that Longgu is produced in the damp, shady areas of mountain valleys in the Jin region, in places where great waters once flowed. It is the bone left behind after a dragon dies; those that are blue-white in color are of superior quality. It should be collected in the twelfth month, though collection is not strictly fixed to a specific time. Longgu fears ganqi (dried lacquer), Sichuan pepper, and lishi (alum stone). Longchi is greatly cold in nature, treats convulsions, and prolonged use lightens the body. The Famous Physicians said it is produced in the Jin region and in soil caves at the shores of rocks and water on Mount Tai, in places where dead dragons lie; collection time is not restricted. Fan Zi Jiran said that Longgu originates from Hedong.
(Note: The "dragon" in the original text mostly refers to the mythological naming of large mammal fossils by the ancients, not an actual dragon.)
Original Meaning: Shexiang is pungent in flavor and warm in nature. The ancients used it to dispel foul and pestilential qi, to kill ghost-spirit entities, and to treat warm malaria, gu poison, epilepsy with convulsions, and to expel the three worms (what the ancients called various intestinal parasites). It was said that prolonged use could eliminate pathogenic qi, prevent frightening dreams, and prevent one from being oppressed by nightmares. It grows in riverside valleys.
Commentators' Additions: The Famous Physicians said it is produced in Zhongtai Mountain and in the mountains of Yizhou and Yongzhou. It should be collected at the spring equinox; fresh ones are better. The Shuowen Jiezi says the musk deer resembles a small sika deer, with fragrance at its navel, and is a black river deer. Guo Pu's commentary to the Erya says its feet resemble those of the sika deer and it possesses musk.
Original Meaning: Niuhuang is bitter in flavor and neutral in nature. It mainly treats convulsions, alternating chills and fever, manic delirium from extreme heat with convulsions; the ancients believed it could eliminate evil influences and expel ghosts. It grows in meadow marshes.
Commentators' Additions: Wu Pu said that Niuhuang is bitter in flavor and non-toxic. When an ox exhibits abnormalities such as loud bellowing or visible light glowing from its eyes at night, it may be obtained from the ox's gallbladder after death, shaped like an egg yolk. The Famous Physicians say it is produced in the Jin region. Once obtained from the ox, it should be dried in the shade for one hundred days, kept dry, and not exposed to sunlight or moonlight.
Original Meaning: Xiongzhi is slightly cold in nature. It treats wind-bi with numbness (numbness of the limbs), tendon and vessel tightness and contraction, accumulations in the five viscera and abdomen, alternating chills and fever, emaciation, scalp sores, tinea capitis (white bald patches), facial dark spots and pustular sores. With prolonged use, the ancients believed it could strengthen the mind and will, eliminate hunger, and make the body light and agile. It grows in mountain valleys.
Commentators' Additions: The Famous Physicians say it is produced in Yongzhou and collected in the eleventh month. The Shuowen Jiezi says the bear resembles a pig, dwells in the mountains, and hibernates in winter.
Original Meaning: Baijiao is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature. It treats internal injuries and consumptive fatigue, lower back pain, and emaciation. It can supplement the middle and replenish qi, treats blood blockage and infertility in women, stops pain, and calms the fetus. Prolonged use lightens the body and extends life. It is also known as Lujiaojiao (deerhorn glue).
Commentators' Additions: The Famous Physicians say it is produced in the Yunzhong region and is made by boiling deer antlers. The Shuowen Jiezi says that "jiao" (glue) carries the meaning of bonding, and is made from hides. The Kaogongji records that deer glue is blue-white in color and ox glue is fire-red. Zheng Xuan's commentary says both are made by boiling their hides or using their antlers.
Original Meaning: Ejiao is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature. It treats cardiovascular and abdominal disorders, internal collapse with bleeding, extreme consumptive fatigue, chills and shivering like the onset of malaria, pain in the lower back and abdomen, soreness in the four limbs, and uterine bleeding in women. It can calm the fetus. Prolonged use lightens the body and boosts qi. It is also known as Fuzhijiao.
Commentators' Additions: The Famous Physicians say it is produced in Pingdong Commandery and is made by boiling cowhide; it originates from Dong'e. Later commentators note that in the original Bencao Jing, Baijiao and Ejiao were not annotated with their places of origin, and it is suspected that the original Bencao Jing simply wrote "jiao" (glue), with later generations adding the characters "bai" (white) and "e" (the E of Dong'e), thus dividing it into two entries.
All medicinal indications in ancient texts are historical records provided for study purposes only and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. 🚑
Most of these substances are not suitable for daily health preservation. Even though Ejiao appears commonly in food products, it should be viewed rationally — "substances entering the body" does not mean they can be taken for prolonged periods without differentiation.
Related Concepts: Upper Grade medicines, four qi and five flavors, meridian tropism, guizhu, gu poison, three worms, zhengjia, febrile convulsions, wind-bi, fetal calming, supplementing the middle and replenishing qi, blood-and-flesh substances.
Further Reading:
— Bu Gua This content is based on classical Chinese medical texts and is provided solely for the study of traditional culture. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, medication, or treatment advice. Please consult a doctor promptly if you feel unwell.