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Chapter 17 of 33
神农本草经
Overall Paraphrase
This section is from the Wood Division, Middle Grade of the Shennong Bencao Jing, containing 17 medicinal substances, with additional sub-entries on fruits, barks, roots, leaves, and juices. Below is an item-by-item paraphrase. In classical texts, "addresses/indicates" (zhu) represents empirical records from ancient people, offered solely for traditional cultural study and not constituting modern medicinal advice.
Sweet flavor, cold nature. Classical records indicate it addresses internal injury (shangzhong), five overexertions and six extremes (wulao liuji—various states of deficiency and exhaustion), emaciation, uterine collapse bleeding (bengzhong—heavy non-menstrual bleeding), and faint pulse verging on expiration; it replenishes deficiency and boosts qi. Mulberry leaves are primarily used to relieve aversion to cold with fever and to induce sweating. Black Mulberry Ear (Sang'er) is indicated for women's dribbling uterine bleeding, red and white vaginal discharge, blood disorders, and abdominal masses (zhengjia jiju—masses within the abdomen), and can supplement yin and yang, regulate cold and heat, and address infertility. The Five Fungus (Wumu'er), named Nuo, can boost qi, stave off hunger, lighten the body, and strengthen resolve. It grows in mountain valleys.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators added that Mulberry Ear is also called Mulberry Mushroom (Sangjun) or Wood Wheat (Mumai), produced at Qianwei, harvested in the sixth month during rainy spells and dried in the shade; Shuowen and Erya contain etymological studies on mulberry and tree-ear fungus.
Bitter flavor, neutral nature. Indicated for coughing with qi reversal, upward qi rushing, tendon and vessel cramping, and malignant sores; can kill small parasites. Bamboo root decocted as a drink can boost qi, quench thirst, supplement deficiency, and direct qi downward. Bamboo juice addresses wind-induced rigidity (fengbi—rigidity disorders caused by wind pathogen). Bamboo fruit can communicate with the spirit luminance and lighten the body while boosting qi.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators indicated that Bamboo Leaf is produced in Yizhou; the Shuowen states bamboo is a winter-green plant, pictographic in form.
Pungent flavor, warm nature. It warms the center, directs qi downward, and relieves pain; used for coughing with qi reversal, cold and heat; removes dampness, opens blood bi (obstruction of blood flow); expels wind pathogen; opens the couli (interstitial passageways between skin and muscles). Its root can kill the three worms (sanchong—ancient general reference to multiple parasites). Also named Yi. Grows in mountain valleys.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators said it grows at Yuanju, harvested on the ninth day of the ninth month, dried in the shade; successive dynasties have extensively examined its name, place of origin, and variety.
Bitter flavor, cold nature. Indicated for the five viscera deviant qi, stomach heat, facial flushing, wine-bud nose (rosacea), red nose with papules/pustules (zhabi), white and red skin conditions (bailai, chilai—pigmentary or ulcerative skin ailments), and sores. Also named Mudan. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators said it is also called Yuetao, produced in Nanyang, harvested in the ninth month and dried in the sun; the Shuowen states Gardenia is a wood whose berries can dye yellow.
Pungent flavor. It dissipates the five viscera deviant qi, addresses seeping, wandering warm-heat toxin within the skin and bone joints; removes the three worms; promotes digestion. Also named Wugu and Diantang. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators said it grows on Jin Mountain, harvested in the third month, dried in the shade; they consider Wu Yi to derive from a wild elm type of plant.
Bitter flavor, cold nature. Indicated for "great wind" within the skin itching like hemp-bean eruptions, dissipating binding accumulation of cold and heat, stopping diarrhea, growing flesh, benefiting the five viscera, boosting qi, and lightening the body. Grows in marshes.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu said Zhi Shi is bitter; Master Lei said it is sour and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi said it is greatly cold; harvested in the ninth and tenth months, dried in the shade. The Mingyi Bielu says it grows in Henei. The Rites of Zhou has "The tangerine crossing the Huai becomes trifoliate orange." Shen Kuo pointed out that before the Six Dynasties, only Zhishi was named; only in later times did the division into Zhishi and Zhiqiao (ripe peel) emerge.
Bitter flavor, warm nature. Indicated for wind-stroke, cold damage, headache, cold and heat, palpitations with qi anxiety, blood bi, and dead flesh (siji—numbed, unnourished muscles); removes the three worms.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu said Shennong, Qibo, and Master Lei all said it is bitter and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi said it is mildly warm. Also named Houpi (thick bark) and Chīpǔ; its tree is called Zhen, its seed is called Zhu; produced at Jiaozhi and Yuanju; harvested in the ninth and tenth months, bark dried in the shade.
Bitter flavor, slightly cold nature. Indicated for wind-cold-damp bi, body experiencing paroxysmal chills; clears heat; improves blurred vision with clouding films over the eyes (qingyi, baimo in the eyes). Long-term use prevents gray hair and makes the body feel light and agile. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu said Qin Pi is also called Cen Pi; Shennong, Master Lei, Huangdi, and Qibo said it is sour and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi said it is slightly cold. The Mingyi Bielu says it grows at Lujiang and Yuanju, bark harvested in the second and eighth months. Ancient annotations suggest "Qin Pi" may originally be "Cen Pi," rewritten from popular diction.
Pungent flavor, warm nature. It directs wind pathogen, warms the center, eliminates cold bi; strengthens the teeth and hair; brightens the eyes. Long-term use lightens the body, improves the complexion, delays aging and extends years, and communicates with spirit luminance. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: Ancient commentators say it grows at Mount Tai and the Qinling Range or at Langya; the fruit is harvested in the eighth and ninth months. Throughout ages, philological study has associated it with Qin-Jiao (Sichuan pepper), holding their seeds similar.
Sour flavor, neutral nature. Indicated for deviant qi below the heart, cold and heat; warms the center; expels cold-damp bi; removes the three worms. Long-term use lightens the body. Also named Shu Zao. Grows in mountain valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu said Shan Zhu Yu has the names Jì Shi, Shu Shi, and Jizu; ancient records on its flavor include sour or pungent. Produced at Yuanju, Langya, and Donghai Chengxian. Its leaves resemble plum leaves with barbed hairs; flowers resemble apricot; the fruit resembles sour jujube; harvested in the fifth month.
Sour flavor, slightly cold nature (one edition says salty). Indicated for women's postpartum residual ailments, uterine collapse bleeding, abdominal masses, blood closure, cold and heat, emaciation; also supports fetal nourishment. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu says Zi Wei holds many names: Wu Wei, Qu Mai, Ling Ju Fu, Gui Mu, Long Hua. Produced in Zhengding and other places. Across literature, there are debates whether it is botanically considered the Campsis flower (Lingxiao hua).
Sweet flavor, neutral nature. Indicated for intermittent fevers (jiē nüè—forms of malaria-like illnesses) and is capable of resolving Gu toxicity (parasitic/blighting toxin), inoculation/lingering illnesses (zhu diseares), and inauspicious qi; promotes the water passage. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging. Also named Jiazhuniao. Grows in mountain valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu stated Zhu Ling was said by Shennong to be sweet, while Master Lei said bitter and non-toxic. The Mingyi Bielu says it grows on Mount Heng and at Jiyin Yuanju, collected in the second and eighth months. Sima Biao's commentary on the Zhuangzi indicates Zhen Ling resembles a pig's egg-shaped root and can treat thirst.
Pungent flavor, cold nature. Indicated for midsternal and abdominal pain; treats welling abscesses that suppurate—stops pain. Also named Ji Zhen. Grows in river valleys.
Supplementary note: The Mingyi Bielu records another name Ji Ci and says it grows in Yongzhou. Old annotations distinguish Bai Ji to be spine-thorns of sour jujube (Zao) trees; lirologists say later substitutions use Tian Man Dong tendrils.
Sweet flavor, neutral nature. Addressing deviant qi of the five viscera, calming the spirit, and lessening poor appetite. Long-term use makes the spirit vigorous and agile eyes and accentuated hearing; lightening body, avoiding old age, and thereby channeling with Spirit's clarity. Designately named Yi Zhi. Grows in mountain valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu remarked Long Yan drew from his tongue names "Yi-Chi" and Bi Mu. The Mingyi Bielu declared both large seeded likenesses to the redolent Pin Lang in exotic mango-like shape: flesh from tree clinging Betel bract forests, harvested Southern Sea May pinnacles pine (?) subsequent research—curios these, With the Wudu fu gloss: Longnyan resembles the small lychee; flesh to savor exceeding that, pointing taste superseding lychee nectarine equivalences—
Bitter flavor, neutral nature. Indicated for agitation-evil–"anger po throbbing–Spirit-an impulsion," for void sweat and cephalalgic yang: In herbs eliminating flow persists pale-foxy feminine-"… Yond woman organ-free-Cho-frost. Grows mountain valleys. Also names Nü Luo.
Supplementary note: The Bielu (separate Records)：place rare dwell— mountains Bear-Ear. Old exalges: Usnea pale sib-limbs virgin; whereas tu-Si seed; Lucident distinctions clarified obscure kinship: Lu Chi* maintains Lingp… Songluo sur-strands. Called tum-me-rU species loosely.
Bitter flavor–cold. Indicated uterine hemorrhage (“Ben Zhong，下血,）with ab swell distention exp Sweats－Clearing Shà-Guàng Dyss off blood– de-spirit-parasma-off infect (Gu insect-like spirit factor) - Ghoul—Dem-'d odd-wzh manifest …. Named GuiJuan (Ghost Arrow Thorns). Mountain-reach valleys.
Supplementary note: Wu Pu recaps naming 「“Ye; wit— hu–di,"– et al.,
Se:—Fount-of-Leaf fragile； Herm– '； and branches strip− triplicate wing– arrow-form. Jing hist Hol– hollow arrow “胡”：Li. Such·.
Sweet, neutral. Govern five-zang settle; Soothes-th inner “Yue”— harmonizing attitude toward mental-seren—people sobs. Care-old-spirit eyeclarity-euphoria–light d: achieve-open "as-so desired." Val-val'.
Supplementary note: Old Texts from Retts：Wish-E citize.? “” Alternate appellat:'合昏 - nay "Night-close"—Twain euphonious shifts—known synonyms at twilight swapping.)
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