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Capítulo 3 de 33
神农本草经
The general introduction of the "Upper Class" in Shennong Bencao Jing states: Upper-grade medicinal substances (a category of drugs classified in ancient times as tending toward nourishment and gentleness) total 120 kinds. In compounding, they belong to the level of "monarch drugs" (the principal medicine in a formula), whose main function is to nourish life, follow the natural Way of Heaven, and are mild in nature with no toxicity. The ancients believed that taking such substances in large amounts or over long periods would not harm the body. Those who seek to lighten the body, replenish vitality, delay aging, and prolong life should base their practice on the Shang Jing (Upper Canon).
This is followed first by a list of eighteen upper-grade jade and mineral substances: Dansha (now commonly written as "cinnabar"), Yunmu (mica), Yuquan (jade spring), Shizhongru (stalactite), Nieshi (alum), Xiaoshi (niter/saltpeter), Puxiao (mirabilite/Glauber's salt), Huashi (talc), Shidan (chalcanthite/bornite), Kongqing (azurite), Zengqing (malachite/azurite), Yuyuliang (limonite), Taiyi Yuliang (a type of limonite), Baishiying (white quartz), Zishiying (purple quartz), Wuse Shizhi (five-colored clays/kaolin), Baiqing (white azurite), Bianqing (flaky azurite).
Then listed are the upper-grade herbal remedies, including: Changpu (Acorus calamus), Juhua (chrysanthemum flower), Renshen (Panax ginseng), Tianmendong (Asparagus cochinchinensis), Gancao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis/licorice), Gandihuang (Rehmannia root), Zhu (Atractylodes), Tusi zi (Cuscuta seed), Niuxi (Achyranthes bidentata), Chongwei zi (Leonurus japonicus seed), Nüwei (Polygonatum falcatum/Bistorta), Fangkui (Peucedanum), Chaihu (Bupleurum), Mainendong (Ophiopogon japonicus), Duhuo (Angelica pubescens), Cheqian zi (Plantago seed), Muxiang (Saussurea costus/Aucklandia lappa), Shuyu (common yam/Chinese yam), Yiyi ren (Coix lacryma-jobi seed), Zexie (Alisma orientalis), Yuanzhi (Polygala tenuifolia), Longdan (Gentiana scabra), Xixin (Asarum sieboldii), Shihu (Dendrobium), Bajitian (Morinda officinalis), Baiying (Solanum lyratum), Baihao (Artemisia), Chijian (Gastrodia elata), Yanlü zi (a plant seed), Ximing zi (Thlaspi arvense seed), Shishi (Achillea millefolium seed), Chizhi (red Ganoderma/lingzhi), Heizhi (black lingzhi), Qingzhi (green/blue lingzhi), Baizhi (white lingzhi), Huangzhi (yellow lingzhi), Zizhi (purple lingzhi), Juanbai (Selaginella), Lan shi (Platycodon/fruit of blue-dye plant), Xiongqiong (the original text may omit the character "qiong" after "xiong"; Ligusticum chuanxiong/Szechuan lovage), etc.
This passage reflects the most important "Three-Grade Classification" concept of Shennong Bencao Jing: dividing medicines into upper, middle, and lower grades. Upper-grade substances are positioned as "monarch," in charge of nourishing life, and correspond to Heaven, being mild and harmonious in nature — hence the ancients believed they could be used for long-term consumption. The underlying medical rationale is that the human body's life force depends on maintaining "upright qi" (vital energy), and upper-grade substances help support that corrective qi and delay wear-and-tear, thus linking to the health goals of "lightening the body, replenishing qi, averting aging, and prolonging years."
From a modern point of view, many upper-grade substances are mineral drugs, such as cinnabar (containing mercury sulfide) and stalactites, which do not all conform to the description of "non-toxic and safe for prolonged use"; some mineral drugs, if taken long-term or in excess, could present risks of heavy-metal accumulation. Among the plant-based upper-grade substances, such as ginseng, licorice, Rehmannia root, shuyu (Chinese yam), and Coix seed, modern research suggests they have certain tonic, immunoregulatory, or nutritional value; however, "averting aging and lengthening life" belongs to ancients' ideal of health cultivation and lacks evidence from modern evidence-based medicine. Therefore, the items in the upper-grade catalog should be studied for reference only and not used as a basis for self-medication.
One can draw on the ancient principle of "upper-class nourishes life" and its preventive outlook: emphasize daily cultivation of well-being, rather than waiting until the body becomes noticeably unwell. Concretely, implement this through regular daily routines, a moderated diet, emotional balance, and moderate exercise. Do not indiscriminately take certain herbs on a long-term basis merely because they are "upper-grade, non-toxic," especially mineral substances; health maintenance should not rely on any single "miracle drug" but instead return to holistic improvement of lifestyle.
Note: Buguajing (Banggua reminder): This content is based on ancient Chinese medical classics and is intended solely for the study and research of traditional culture; it does not constitute any medical diagnosis, medication, or treatment advice. If you feel unwell, please seek medical attention promptly.