神农本草经·下卷
蟲獸部上品
發髲 味苦溫。主治五癃關格不通，利小便水道，療小兒癇，大人痓，仍自還神化。
龍骨 味甘平。主治心腹鬼注，精物老魅，咳逆，洩利膿血，女子漏下，癥瘕堅結，小兒熱氣驚癇。齒，主治小兒大人驚癇癲疾狂走，心下結氣，不能喘息，諸痙。殺精物。久服輕身通神明延年。生山谷。
牛黃 味苦平。主治驚癇寒熱，熱甚狂痓，除邪逐鬼。牛角鰓*，下閉血，瘀血疼痛，女子帶下血。髓，補中填骨髓，久服增年。膽，可丸藥。生平澤。
麝香 味辛溫。主闢惡氣，殺鬼精物，溫瘧，蠱毒癇痓，去三蟲。久服除邪不夢寤魘寐。生川谷。
熊脂 味甘微寒。主治風痺不仁筋急，五藏腹中積聚，寒熱羸瘦，頭瘍百禿，面鼾*皰。久服強志不饑輕身。生山谷。
白膠 味甘平。主治傷中勞絕，腰痛羸瘦，補中益氣，婦人血閉無子，止痛安胎。久服輕身延年。一名鹿角膠。
阿膠 味甘平。主治心腹內崩，勞極灑灑如瘧狀，腰腹痛，四肢酸疼，女子下血，安胎。久服輕身益氣。一名傳致膠。
丹雄雞 味甘微溫。主治女子崩中漏下，赤白沃，補虛，溫中，止血通神，殺毒，闢不祥。頭，主殺鬼。肪，主治耳聾。腸，主治遺溺。肶胵裹黃皮，主治洩利。屎白，主治消渴，傷寒寒熱。翮羽，主下血閉。雞子，除熱火瘡，癇痓，可作虎魄神物。雞白蠹，肥豬。生平澤。
雁肪 味甘平無毒。主治風攣拘急，偏枯，氣不通利。久服益氣不饑，輕身耐老。一名鶩肪。生池澤。
石蜜 味甘平。主治心腹邪氣，諸驚癇痓，安五藏諸不足，益氣補中，止痛解毒，除眾病，和百藥。久服強志輕身，不饑不老。生山谷。
蜜蠟 味甘微溫。主治下利膿血，補中，續絕傷，金創，益氣，不饑耐老。生山谷。
蜂子 味甘平。主治風頭，除蠱毒，補虛羸，傷中。久服令人光澤，好顏色，不老。大黃蜂子，主治心腹脹滿痛，輕身益氣。土蜂子，主治癰腫。一名蜚零。生山谷。
牡蠣 味咸平。主治傷寒寒熱，溫瘧灑灑，驚恚怒氣，除拘緩，鼠瘺，女子帶下赤白。久服強骨節，殺邪鬼，延年。一名蠣蛤。生池澤。
鯉魚膽 味苦寒。主治目熱赤痛，青盲，明目。久服強悍益志氣。生池澤。
鱧魚 味甘寒。主治濕痺面目浮腫，下大水。一名酮魚。生池澤。
蟲獸部中品
犀角 味苦寒。主治百毒蠱注，邪鬼瘴氣，殺鉤吻鳩羽蛇毒，除邪，不迷惑魘寐。久服輕身。生川谷。
羚羊角 味咸寒。主明目益氣起陰，去惡血注下，闢蠱毒惡鬼不祥，安心氣，常不魘寐。久服強筋骨輕身。生川谷。
羖羊角 味咸溫。主治青盲、明目，殺疥蟲，止寒洩，闢惡鬼虎狼，止驚悸。久服安心益氣輕身。生川谷。
白馬莖 味咸平。主治傷中脈絕，陰不起。強志益氣，長肌肉，肥健生子。眼，主治驚癇腹滿瘧疾。懸蹄，主治驚邪瘈疭，乳難，闢惡氣鬼毒蠱注不祥。生平澤。
狗陰莖 味咸平。主治傷中，陰痿不起，令強熱大生子，除女子帶下十二疾。膽，明目。一名狗精。生平澤。
鹿茸 味甘溫。主治漏下惡血，寒熱驚癇，益氣強志，生齒不老。角，主治惡瘡癰腫，逐邪惡氣，留血在陰中。
伏翼 味咸平。主治目暝，明目，夜視有精光。久服令人喜樂媚好無憂。一名蝙蝠。生太山川谷。
蝟皮 味苦平。主治五痔陰蝕，下血赤白，五色血汁不止，陰腫痛引腰背。酒煮殺之。生川谷。
石龍子 味咸寒。主治五癃，邪結氣，破石淋，下血，利小便水道。一名蜥蜴。生川谷。
桑螵蛸 味咸平。主治傷中，疝瘕陰痿，益精生子，女子血閉腰痛，通五淋，利小便水道。生桑枝上，採蒸之。一名蝕肬。
蚱蟬 味咸寒。主治小兒驚癇，夜啼，癲病，寒熱。生楊柳上。
白殭蠶 味咸。主治小兒驚癇夜啼，去三蟲，滅黑鼾*，令人面色好，男子陰瘍病。生平澤。
木虻 味苦平。主治目赤痛，眥傷淚出，瘀血血閉，寒熱酸斯*，無子。一名魂常。生川澤。
蜚虻 味苦微寒。主逐瘀血，破下血積堅癖癥瘕寒熱，通利血脈及九竅。生川谷。
蜚廉 味咸。主治血瘀，癥堅寒熱，破積聚，喉咽痺，內寒無子。生川澤。
蠐螬 味咸微溫。主治惡血血瘀，痺氣，破折血在脅下堅滿痛，月閉，目中淫膚，青翳白膜。一名憤（蟲旁）蠐。生平澤。
蛞蝓 味咸寒。主治賊風喎僻，軼筋及脫肛，驚癇攣縮。一名陵蠡。生池澤。
海蛤 味苦平。主治咳逆上氣，喘息煩滿，胸痛寒熱。一名魁蛤。生池澤。文蛤，主治惡瘡，蝕五痔。
龜甲 味咸平。主治漏下赤白，破癥瘕，痎瘧，五痔陰蝕，濕痺，四肢重弱，小兒囟不合。久服輕身不饑。一名神屋。生池澤。
鱉甲 味咸平。主治心腹癥瘕，堅積寒熱，去痞、息肉，陰蝕，痔，惡肉。生池澤。
鮀魚甲 味辛微溫。主治心腹癥瘕，伏堅積聚，寒熱，女子崩中下血五色，小腹陰中相引痛，疥瘡死肌。生池澤。
烏賊魚骨 味咸微溫。主治女子漏下赤白經汁，血閉，陰蝕腫痛，寒熱，癥瘕，無子。生池澤。
蟹 味咸寒。主治胸中邪氣，熱結痛，喎僻面腫。敗漆。燒之致鼠。生池澤。
蝦蟇 味辛寒。主治邪氣，破癥堅血，癰腫陰瘡。服之不患熱病。生池澤。
蟲獸部下品
六畜毛蹄甲 味咸平。主治鬼注蠱毒，寒熱，驚癇，癲痓狂走。駱駝毛尤良。
鼯鼠 主墮胎，令易產。
麋脂 味辛溫。主治癰腫惡瘡死饑，寒風濕痺，四肢拘緩不收，風頭腫氣，通湊理。一名宮脂。生山谷。
豚卵 味甘溫。主治驚癇癲疾，鬼注蠱毒，除寒熱，賁豚，五癃，邪氣，攣縮。懸蹄，主治五痔，伏熱在腸，腸癰內蝕。一名豚顛。
鷰屎 味心平。主治蠱毒，鬼注，逐不祥邪氣，破五癃，利小便。生高谷山平谷。
天鼠屎 味辛寒。主治面目癰腫，皮膚洗洗時痛，腹中血氣，破寒熱積聚，除驚悸。一名鼠沽，一名石肝。生合浦山谷。
露蜂房 味苦平。主治驚癇瘈疭，寒熱邪氣，癲疾，鬼精蠱毒，腸痔。火熬之良。一名蜂場。生山谷。
樗雞 味苦平。主治心腹邪氣，陰痿，益精強志，生子，好色。補中輕身。生川谷。
蟅蟲 味咸寒。主治心腹寒熱洗洗，血積癥瘕，破堅，下血閉，生子大良。一名地鱉。生川澤。
水蛭 味咸平。主逐惡血瘀血月閉，破血瘕積聚，無子，利水道。生池澤。
石蠶 味酸無毒。主治五癃，破五淋，墮胎。肉，解結氣，利水道，除熱。一名沙虱。生池澤。
蛇蛻 味咸平。主治小兒百二十種驚癇，瘈疭，癲疾，寒熱，腸痔，蟲毒，蛇癇。火熬之良。一名龍子衣，一名蛇符，一名龍子單衣，一名弓皮。生山谷。
吳公 味辛溫。主鬼注蠱毒，噉諸蛇蟲魚毒，殺鬼物老精，溫瘧，去三蟲。生川谷。
馬陸 味辛溫。主治腹中大堅蒸，破積聚，息肉惡瘡，白禿。一名百足。生川谷。
翳螉 味辛平。主治久聾，欬逆，毒氣，出刺，出汗。生川谷。
雀甕 味甘平。主治小兒驚癇，寒熱結氣，蠱毒，鬼注。一名躁舍。
彼子 味甘溫。主治腹中邪氣，去三蟲，蛇螫，蠱毒，鬼注，伏尸。
鼠婦 味酸溫。主治氣癃不得小便，婦人月閉血瘕，癇痓寒熱，利水道。一名蟠貞，一名伊咸。生平谷。
螢火 味辛微溫。主明目，小兒火瘡傷，熱氣，蠱毒鬼注，通神精。一名夜光。生池澤。生池澤。
衣魚 味咸溫無毒。主治婦人疝瘕，小便不利，小兒中風項強，皆宜摩之。一名白魚。生平澤。
白頸蚯蚓 味咸寒。主治蛇瘕，去三蟲，伏尸，鬼注蠱毒，殺長蟲。仍自化作水。生平土。
螻蛄 味咸寒。主治產難，出肉中刺，潰癰腫，下哽噎，解毒，除惡瘡。夜出者良。一名蟪蛄，一名天螻，一名螜。生平澤。
蜣蜋 味咸寒。主治小兒驚癇瘈疭，腹脹寒熱，大人癲疾狂易。火熬之良。一名吉（蟲旁）蜣。生池澤。
螌蝥 味辛寒。主治寒熱鬼注蠱毒，鼠瘺，惡瘡，疽蝕，死肌，破石癃。一名龍尾。生川谷。
地膽 味辛寒。主治鬼注寒熱，鼠瘺惡瘡，死積，破癥瘕，墮胎。一名元青。生川谷。
馬刀 味辛微寒有毒。主治漏下。
果菜部上品
蒲陶 味甘平。主治筋骨濕痺，益氣倍力強志，令人肥健，耐饑忍風寒。久食輕身不老延年。可作酒。生山谷。
蓬蔂 味酸平。主安五藏，益精氣，長陰令堅，強志倍力，有子。久服輕身不老。一名覆盆。生平澤。
大棗 味甘平。主治心腹邪氣，安中養脾，助十二經，平胃氣，通九竅，補少氣少津液，身中不足，大驚，四肢重。和百藥。久服輕身長年。葉覆麻黃，能令出汗。生平澤。
藕實莖 味甘平。主補中養神，益氣力，除百疾。久服輕身耐老，不饑延年。一名水芝。生池澤。
雞頭 味甘平。主治濕痺，腰脊膝痛，補中，除百疾，益精氣，強志，耳目聰明。久服輕身不饑，耐老神仙。一名雁喙。生池澤。
甘瓜子 味甘平。主令人悅澤，好顏色，益氣不饑。久服輕身耐老。
瓜蒂味苦寒。主治大水，身面四肢浮腫，下水，殺蠱毒，欬逆上氣；食諸果不消，病在胸腹中，皆吐下之。一名土芝。生平澤。
冬葵子 味甘寒。主治五藏六腑寒熱羸瘦，破五淋，利小便。久服堅骨長肌肉，輕身延年。
莧實 味甘寒。主治青盲明目，除邪，利大小便，去寒熱。久服益氣力，不饑輕身。一名馬莧。生川澤。
苦菜 味苦寒。主治五藏邪氣，厭榖胃痺。久服安心益氣，聰察少臥，輕身耐老。一名荼草，一名選。生川谷。
果菜部中品
櫻桃 味甘平無毒。主調中，益脾氣。令人好顏色，美志。
梅實 味酸平。主下氣，除熱煩滿，安心，肢體痛，偏枯不仁，死肌。去青黑志，惡疾。生川谷。
蓼實 味辛溫。主明目溫中，耐風寒，下水氣，面目浮腫，癰瘍。馬蓼，去腸中蛭蟲。輕身。生川澤。
蔥實 味辛溫。主明目、補中不足。其莖，可作湯，主治傷寒寒熱，出汗，中風面目腫。薤，味辛，主治金創創敗。輕身不饑耐老。生平澤。
水蘇 味辛微溫。主下氣殺榖，闢口臭，去毒，闢惡氣。久服通神明，輕身耐老。生池澤。
杏核 味甘溫。主治欬逆上氣，雷鳴，喉痺，下氣，產乳，金創，寒心，賁豚。生川谷。
果菜部下品
桃核 味苦平。主治瘀血，血閉，瘕，邪氣，殺小蟲。桃華，殺注惡鬼。令人好顏色。桃梟，微溫，殺百鬼精物。桃毛，主下血瘕，寒熱積聚，無子。桃蠹，殺鬼邪惡不祥。生山谷。
苦瓠 味苦寒。主治大水面目四肢浮腫，下水。令人吐。生山澤。
水靳 味甘平。主治女子赤沃，止血，養精，保血脈，益氣，令人肥健嗜食。一名水英。生池澤。
米穀部上品
胡麻 味甘平無毒。主治傷中虛羸，補五內，益氣力，長肌肉，填腦髓。久服輕身不老。葉名青蘘，一名巨勝。生川谷。
麻蕡 味辛平。主治七傷，利五藏，下血寒氣，多食令人見鬼狂走。久服通神明輕身。麻子，味甘平。主補中益氣。久服肥健不老。一名麻勃。生川谷。
米穀部中品
大豆黃卷 味甘平無毒。主治濕痺筋攣膝痛。生大豆，塗癰腫。煮汁飲，殺鬼毒，止痛。赤小豆，主下水，排癰腫膿血。生平澤。
粟米 味苦無毒。主養腎氣，去胃脾中熱，益氣。陳者味苦，主治胃熱，消渴，利小便。
黍米 味甘無毒。主益氣補中，多熱令人煩。
米穀部下品
腐婢 味辛平。主治痎瘧寒熱，邪氣，洩利，陰不起，病酒頭痛。
Insects and Animals — Superior Grade
Processed human hair (Fabi) — taste bitter, warm. Indicated for the five stranguries with impassable blockage; promotes urination; treats infantile epilepsy and adult tetany. It also has the marvelous property of transforming back into its original substance.
Dragon bone (Longgu, fossilized bone) — taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for ghost-attachment of the heart and abdomen, malevolent spirits and old demons; cough with counterflow; diarrhea with pus and blood; women's flooding and spotting; concretions and hardened masses; infantile fright-epilepsy from heat qi. The teeth treat fright-epilepsy, mania and running madness in children and adults, bound qi below the heart with inability to breathe, and various convulsions; they kill malevolent spirits. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, opens spirit-brightness, and prolongs life. Grows in mountain valleys.
Bovine bezoar (Niuhuang, ox gallstone) — taste bitter, neutral. Indicated for fright-epilepsy with chills and fever, and severe heat with mania and tetany; dispels evil and expels ghosts. The base of the ox horn treats blocked blood, static blood with pain, and women's vaginal discharge with bleeding. The marrow supplements the middle and fills the bone marrow; taken long-term, it prolongs life. The gallbladder can be made into pills. Grows in level marshes.
Musk (Shexiang) — taste pungent, warm. Governs warding off malign qi, and killing ghosts and malevolent spirits; treats warm malaria, gu-poison, epilepsy and tetany; removes the three worms. Taken long-term, it dispels evil influences and prevents nightmares and sleep paralysis. Grows in river valleys.
Bear fat (Xiong Zhi) — taste sweet, slightly cold. Indicated for wind-bi with numbness and sinew spasm; accumulations and masses in the five viscera and abdomen; chills and fever with emaciation; scalp sores and various forms of baldness; facial spots and blemishes. Taken long-term, it strengthens the will, suppresses hunger, and lightens the body. Grows in mountain valleys.
White glue (deer-antler glue, Baijiao) — taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for internal injury and exhaustion, lower-back pain with emaciation; supplements the middle and boosts qi; women's amenorrhea and infertility; stops pain and calms the fetus. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and prolongs life. Also called Deer Antler Glue (Lujiaojiao).
Donkey-hide glue (Ejiao) — taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for internal collapse of the heart and abdomen, extreme exhaustion with chills resembling malaria, lower-back and abdominal pain, aching of the four limbs, and women's vaginal bleeding; calms the fetus. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and boosts qi. Also called Chuanzhijiao.
Red rooster (Dan Xiong Ji) — taste sweet, slightly warm. Indicated for women's flooding and spotting, and red or white vaginal discharge; supplements deficiency, warms the middle, stops bleeding, opens the spirit, kills toxin, and wards off inauspicious influences. The head kills ghosts. The fat treats deafness. The intestines treat enuresis. The yellow lining of the gizzard treats diarrhea. The white droppings treat wasting-thirst and cold-damage with chills and fever. The wing feathers treat blocked menstruation. The egg removes heat and fire-sores, epilepsy and tetany, and can be made into an amber-like marvelous substance. White grubs found on chickens fatten pigs. Grows in level marshes.
Wild goose fat (Yan Fang) — taste sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Indicated for wind contracture and spasm, hemiplegia, and impeded qi flow. Taken long-term, it boosts qi, suppresses hunger, lightens the body, and resists aging. Also called Wufang. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Honey (Shimi) — taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for evil qi in the heart and abdomen, and various fright-epilepsy and tetany conditions; calms deficiencies of the five viscera; boosts qi, supplements the middle, stops pain, resolves toxin, treats the multitude of diseases, and harmonizes the hundred medicines. Taken long-term, it strengthens the will, lightens the body, suppresses hunger, and prevents aging. Grows in mountain valleys.
Beeswax (Mila) — taste sweet, slightly warm. Indicated for diarrhea with pus and blood; supplements the middle, mends severed injuries and metal wounds, boosts qi, suppresses hunger, and resists aging. Grows in mountain valleys.
Bee larvae (Fengzi) — taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for wind-head disorders; dispels gu-poison; supplements deficiency and emaciation, and internal injury. Taken long-term, it gives one a lustrous glow and good complexion, and prevents aging. The larvae of large hornets treat distension and pain of the heart and abdomen, lightening the body and boosting qi. The larvae of ground wasps treat carbuncles and swellings. Also called Feiling. Grows in mountain valleys.
Oyster shell (Muli). Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for cold-damage fever and chills, shivering in warm-type malaria, and fright and anger qi. Relieves muscle spasm and flaccidity, scrofula, and women's red and white vaginal discharge. Taken long-term, strengthens the bones and joints, wards off evil spirits, and prolongs life. Also called Ligé. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Carp gallbladder. Taste bitter, cold. Indicated for red, painful eyes from heat, and blue-blindness; brightens the eyes. Taken long-term, strengthens vigor and boosts the will and vital energy. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Snakehead fish. Taste sweet, cold. Indicated for damp bi-syndrome with facial and eye swelling; drains excess water. Also called Tong fish. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Insects and Animals — Middle Grade
Rhinoceros horn. Taste bitter, cold. Indicated for the hundred poisons and gu-toxin infestations, evil spirits and miasmic qi; neutralizes the poisons of gouwen (Gelsemium), toxic bird feathers, and snake venom. Dispels evil influences and prevents confusion and nightmares. Taken long-term, lightens the body. Grows in river valleys.
Antelope horn. Taste salty, cold. Brightens the eyes, boosts qi, and revives sexual vigor. Removes malign blood flowing downward, wards off gu-toxin, evil spirits, and inauspicious influences, calms the heart-qi, and prevents nightmares. Taken long-term, strengthens the sinews and bones and lightens the body. Grows in river valleys.
Black goat horn. Taste salty, warm. Indicated for blue-blindness; brightens the eyes, kills scabies mites, stops cold-type diarrhea, wards off evil spirits, tigers and wolves, and stops fright palpitations. Taken long-term, calms the heart, boosts qi, and lightens the body. Grows in river valleys.
White horse penis. Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for internal injury with the pulse cut off, and impotence. Strengthens the will, boosts qi, builds muscle, and promotes vigor and fertility. The eye treats fright epilepsy, abdominal fullness, and malaria. The dew-claw treats fright-evil convulsions, difficult labor, and wards off malign qi, ghosts, poison, and gu-toxin infestations. Grows in level marshes.
Dog penis. Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for internal injury and impotence; makes one strong and virile and aids conception, and removes the twelve ailments of women's vaginal discharge. The gallbladder brightens the eyes. Also called Dog Essence. Grows in level marshes.
Deer antler velvet. Taste sweet, warm. Indicated for vaginal spotting with malign blood, chills and fever, and fright epilepsy; boosts qi, strengthens the will, and promotes tooth growth and longevity. The antler (once hardened) treats malignant sores and welling-abscesses, expels evil and malign qi, and clears stagnant blood retained in the vagina.
Bat. Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for dim vision; brightens the eyes and grants clear night vision. Taken long-term, makes one joyful, charming, and carefree. Also called Bianfu. Grows in the river valleys of Mount Tai.
Hedgehog skin. Taste bitter, neutral. Indicated for the five types of hemorrhoids with genital erosion, bleeding with red and white discharge, unceasing multicolored bloody fluid, and genital swelling and pain radiating to the lower back. Kill the hedgehog by boiling it in wine before use. Grows in river valleys.
Skink. Taste salty, cold. Indicated for the five types of urinary blockage and bound evil qi; breaks up stone strangury, stops bleeding, and promotes urination. Also called Xiyi (lizard). Grows in river valleys.
Mantis egg case (Sangpiaoxiao). Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for internal injury, hernia-like masses, and impotence; boosts essence and aids conception. Treats women's amenorrhea with lower back pain, relieves the five types of painful urinary dysfunction, and promotes urination. Grows on mulberry branches; gather and steam before use. Also called Shiyou.
Cicada. Taste salty, cold. Indicated for infant fright epilepsy, night crying, epilepsy, and chills and fever. Grows on willow trees.
White stiff silkworm. Taste salty. Indicated for infant fright epilepsy and night crying; removes the three parasites, clears dark facial blemishes, improves the complexion, and treats genital sores in men. Grows in level marshes.
Wood horsefly. Taste bitter, neutral. Indicated for red, painful eyes, injured canthus with tearing, stagnant blood and amenorrhea, chills and fever with aching, and infertility. Also called Huncháng. Grows in river marshes.
Flying horsefly (Feimeng). Taste bitter, slightly cold. Expels stagnant blood, breaks down hardened blood accumulations, masses and concretions with chills and fever, and frees the blood vessels and the nine orifices. Grows in river valleys.
Feilian (a beetle-like insect). Taste salty. Indicated for blood stasis and hardened masses with chills and fever; breaks up accumulations, treats throat bi-obstruction, and internal cold with infertility. Grows in river marshes.
White grub (dung beetle larva). Taste salty, slightly warm. Indicated for malign blood and blood stasis, bi-syndrome qi; breaks up bruised blood causing hardness, fullness, and pain under the ribs, amenorrhea, and excess tissue growth in the eye with bluish nebula and white membrane. Also called Fenqi. Grows in level marshes.
Slug. Taste salty, cold. Indicated for pathogenic wind causing facial paralysis, tendon injury and rectal prolapse, and fright epilepsy with spasmodic contraction. Also called Lingli. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Sea clam. Taste bitter, neutral. Indicated for cough with rising qi, wheezing with vexation and fullness, and chest pain with chills and fever. Also called Kuige. Grows in ponds and marshes. Wenge (patterned clam) treats malignant sores and erodes the five types of hemorrhoids.
Turtle shell. Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for vaginal spotting with red and white discharge; breaks up masses and concretions, treats chronic malaria, the five types of hemorrhoids with genital erosion, damp bi-syndrome, heaviness and weakness of the limbs, and unclosed fontanelle in infants. Taken long-term, lightens the body and suppresses hunger. Also called Spirit House. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Soft-shell turtle shell. Taste salty, neutral. Indicated for masses and concretions in the chest and abdomen, hardened accumulations with chills and fever; removes epigastric fullness, polyps, genital erosion, hemorrhoids, and malignant flesh growths. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Tuo-fish scale armor (armored fish scales). Taste pungent, slightly warm. Indicated for masses and concretions in the chest and abdomen, latent hardened accumulations, chills and fever, women's flooding with multicolored uterine bleeding, pain linking the lower abdomen and genitals, scabies sores, and necrotic flesh. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Cuttlefish bone. Taste salty, slightly warm. Indicated for women's spotting with red and white menstrual discharge, amenorrhea, genital erosion with swelling and pain, chills and fever, masses and concretions, and infertility. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Crab. Taste salty, cold. Indicated for evil qi in the chest, painful heat binding, and facial paralysis with swelling. Counteracts the toxicity of lacquer. When burned, it draws out rats. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Toad. Taste pungent, cold nature. Indicated for pathogenic qi; breaks up hard masses and stagnant blood, treats abscesses, swellings, and genital sores. Taken long-term, prevents febrile disease. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Insects and Animals — Lower Grade
Hair and hoof-nails of the six domestic animals. Taste salty, neutral nature. Indicated for ghost-attachment and gu poisoning, chills and fever, fright epilepsy, and madness with convulsions and manic wandering. Camel hair is especially good.
Flying squirrel. Induces abortion and eases childbirth.
Elk fat. Taste pungent, warm nature. Indicated for abscesses, swellings, malignant sores, and necrotic flesh; cold-wind damp painful obstruction, stiffness and contracture of the four limbs, wind-swelling of the head with qi stagnation; it opens the skin's interstices. Also called gong fat. Grows in mountain valleys.
Pig testicles. Taste sweet, warm nature. Indicated for fright epilepsy and madness, ghost-attachment and gu poisoning; relieves chills and fever, running-piglet qi surges, the five stranguries, pathogenic qi, and spasmodic contraction. The dew-claw treats the five types of hemorrhoids, hidden heat lodged in the intestines, and intestinal abscess with internal erosion. Also called tún diān.
Swallow droppings. Taste pungent, neutral nature. Indicated for gu poisoning and ghost-attachment; expels inauspicious pathogenic qi, breaks the five stranguries, and disinhibits urination. Found in high valleys and level valleys.
Bat droppings. Taste pungent, cold nature. Indicated for swelling and abscess of the face and eyes, recurring skin pain, blood-qi disorders in the abdomen; breaks up accumulations from cold and heat, and relieves fright palpitations. Also called shǔgū, also called shígān (stone liver). Grows in the mountain valleys of Hepu.
Hornet's nest. Taste bitter, neutral nature. Indicated for fright epilepsy with convulsions, chills and fever from pathogenic qi, madness, ghost essence and gu poisoning, and intestinal hemorrhoids. Best prepared roasted over fire. Also called fēngchǎng. Grows in mountain valleys.
Chū jī (ailanthus lanternfly). Taste bitter, neutral nature. Indicated for pathogenic qi in the heart and abdomen, and impotence; boosts essence, strengthens willpower, aids conception, and enhances sexual vigor. Tonifies the middle and lightens the body. Grows in river valleys.
Zhè chóng (wingless ground beetle). Taste salty, cold nature. Indicated for recurring chills and fever in the heart and abdomen, blood accumulations and abdominal masses; breaks up hardness and expels blocked menstrual blood. Excellent for aiding conception. Also called dìbiē. Grows in river marshes.
Leech. Taste salty, neutral nature. Expels malign and stagnant blood and blocked menstruation; breaks up blood masses and accumulations, treats infertility, and disinhibits the waterways.
Shícán (caddisfly larva). Taste sour, non-toxic. Indicated for the five stranguries; breaks the five types of painful urinary dribbling, and induces abortion. Its flesh resolves bound qi, disinhibits the waterways, and clears heat. Also called shāshī. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Snake slough. Taste salty, neutral nature. Indicated for the 120 kinds of infantile fright epilepsy, convulsions, madness, chills and fever, intestinal hemorrhoids, worm toxicity, and snake-epilepsy. Best prepared roasted over fire. Also called lóngzǐyī, shéfú, lóngzǐdānyī, and gōngpí (bow-skin). Grows in mountain valleys.
Centipede. Taste pungent, warm nature. Indicated for ghost-attachment and gu poisoning; counteracts venom from snakes, insects, and fish, kills malevolent spirits and old specters, treats warm malaria, and expels the three worms. Grows in river valleys.
Millipede. Taste pungent, warm nature. Indicated for severe hard steaming heat in the abdomen; breaks up accumulations and masses, treats polyps, malignant sores, and scalp ringworm. Also called bǎizú (hundred-legs). Grows in river valleys.
Yìwēng (mud-dauber wasp). Taste pungent, neutral nature. Indicated for chronic deafness, cough with counterflow qi, and toxic qi; draws out embedded splinters, and induces sweating. Grows in river valleys.
Quèwèng (moth cocoon). Taste sweet, neutral nature. Indicated for infantile fright epilepsy, chills and fever with bound qi, gu poisoning, and ghost-attachment. Also called zàoshè.
Bǐzǐ. Taste sweet, warm nature. Indicated for pathogenic qi in the abdomen; expels the three worms, treats snake bites, gu poisoning, ghost-attachment, and hidden corpse (a wasting disease).
Shǔfù (pillbug/woodlouse). Taste sour, warm nature. Indicated for qi strangury with inability to urinate, blocked menstruation and blood masses in women, epilepsy and convulsions with chills and fever; disinhibits the waterways. Also called pánzhēn, also called yīxián. Grows in level valleys.
Firefly. Taste pungent, slightly warm nature. Brightens the eyes; treats fire-sore injuries in children and heat qi, gu poisoning, and ghost-attachment; opens the spirit-essence. Also called yèguāng (night light). Grows in ponds and marshes.
Silverfish. Taste salty, warm nature, non-toxic. Indicated for hernia-like abdominal masses in women, difficult urination, and infantile wind-strike with stiff neck — for all of these it should be applied as a rub. Also called báiyú (white fish). Grows in level marshes.
White-necked earthworm. Taste salty, cold nature. Indicated for snake-type abdominal masses; expels the three worms and hidden corpse, ghost-attachment and gu poisoning; kills long worms (roundworms). It can also dissolve itself into water. Grows in level ground.
Mole cricket. Taste salty, cold nature. Indicated for difficult childbirth; draws out splinters embedded in the flesh, ruptures abscesses and swellings, relieves choking obstruction in the throat, resolves toxicity, and treats malignant sores. Those caught at night are best. Also called huìgū, tiānlóu, and hú. Grows in level marshes.
Dung beetle. Taste salty, cold nature. Indicated for infantile fright epilepsy with convulsions, abdominal distension with chills and fever, and adult madness and erratic behavior. Best prepared roasted over fire. Also called jiéqiāng. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Blister beetle. Taste pungent, cold nature. Indicated for chills and fever from ghost-attachment and gu poisoning, scrofula, malignant sores, erosive ulcers, and necrotic flesh; breaks up stony strangury. Also called lóngwěi (dragon tail). Grows in river valleys.
Dìdǎn (oil beetle). Taste pungent, cold nature. Indicated for chills and fever from ghost-attachment, scrofula and malignant sores, and necrotic accumulations; breaks up abdominal masses, and induces abortion. Also called yuánqīng. Grows in river valleys.
Mǎdāo (a freshwater clam/mussel). Taste pungent, slightly cold; toxic. Indicated for metrorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding).
Fruits and Vegetables — Superior Grade
Grape. Taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for damp painful bi-syndrome of the sinews and bones; boosts qi, redoubles strength, strengthens the will, makes one stout and healthy, and enables one to withstand hunger, wind, and cold. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life. Can be made into wine. Grows in mountain valleys.
Péngléi (wild raspberry). Taste sour, neutral. Mainly calms the five viscera, boosts essence-qi, strengthens and firms yin, strengthens the will and redoubles strength, and aids fertility. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and prevents aging. Also called Fùpén. Grows in flat wetlands.
Chinese date (jujube). Taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for pathogenic qi of the heart and abdomen; calms the middle, nourishes the spleen, assists the twelve channels, calms stomach qi, opens the nine orifices, and supplements deficient qi and fluids, bodily insufficiency, being easily startled, and heaviness of the limbs. Harmonizes the hundred medicinals. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and lengthens life. Its leaves, combined with ephedra, can induce sweating. Grows in flat wetlands.
Lotus seed and rhizome. Taste sweet, neutral. Mainly supplements the middle, nourishes the spirit, boosts qi and strength, and eliminates the hundred diseases. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, resists aging, prevents hunger, and prolongs life. Also called Shuǐzhī ("Water Fungus"). Grows in ponds and marshes.
Qiánshí (foxnut, lit. "chicken head"). Taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for damp painful bi-syndrome, pain of the lower back, spine, and knees; supplements the middle, eliminates the hundred diseases, boosts essence-qi, strengthens the will, and sharpens hearing and vision. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, prevents hunger, and grants immortal-like longevity. Also called Yànhuì ("wild-goose beak"). Grows in ponds and marshes.
Sweet melon seed. Taste sweet, neutral. Mainly makes one glossy and radiant, gives a good complexion, and boosts qi while preventing hunger. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and resists aging.
Melon pedicle. Taste bitter, cold. Indicated for major water [edema] with swelling of the face and limbs; drains water, kills gu-poison, and treats cough with rising qi. For indigestion after eating fruit, when the ailment lies in the chest and abdomen, it induces vomiting and purging to expel it. Also called Tǔzhī. Grows in flat wetlands.
Winter mallow seed. Taste sweet, cold. Indicated for cold-heat and emaciation of the five viscera and six bowels; breaks the five types of painful urinary dysfunction and disinhibits urination. Taken long-term, it strengthens the bones, builds muscle, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Amaranth seed. Taste sweet, cold. Indicated for blindness without visible eye damage; brightens the eyes, eliminates pathogenic influences, disinhibits urination and defecation, and clears cold-heat. Taken long-term, it boosts qi and strength, prevents hunger, and lightens the body. Also called Mǎxiàn. Grows in river wetlands.
Bitter lettuce. Taste bitter, cold. Indicated for pathogenic qi of the five viscera, and aversion to food with stomach bi-syndrome. Taken long-term, it calms the heart, boosts qi, sharpens hearing and perception, reduces the need for sleep, lightens the body, and resists aging. Also called Túcǎo, also called Xuǎn. Grows in river valleys.
Fruits and Vegetables — Middle Grade
Cherry. Taste sweet, neutral; non-toxic. Mainly regulates the middle and boosts spleen qi; gives one a good complexion and a pleasant disposition.
Mume fruit (Chinese plum). Taste sour, neutral. Mainly directs qi downward, relieves heat vexation and fullness, calms the heart, and treats pain of the limbs and body, hemiplegia with numbness, and necrotic flesh. Removes dark blemishes and malignant sores. Grows in river valleys.
Smartweed seed. Taste pungent, warm. Mainly brightens the eyes, warms the middle, and enables one to withstand wind and cold; drains water-qi, swelling of the face and eyes, and sores. Mǎliǎo (a smartweed variety) expels leeches from the intestines. Lightens the body. Grows in river wetlands.
Scallion seed. Taste pungent, warm. Mainly brightens the eyes and supplements insufficiency in the middle. Its stalk can be made into a decoction, indicated for cold-heat of cold-damage disorder, to induce sweating, and for wind-stroke with swelling of the face and eyes. Xiè (Chinese onion), taste pungent, indicated for festering wounds from metal injury. [Scallion] lightens the body, prevents hunger, and resists aging. Grows in flat wetlands.
Shuǐsū (Chinese figwort/betony). Taste pungent, slightly warm. Mainly directs qi downward and aids digestion, eliminates bad breath, removes toxicity, and dispels foul qi. Taken long-term, it opens the spirit-intelligence, lightens the body, and resists aging. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Apricot kernel. Taste sweet, warm. Indicated for cough with rising qi, rumbling [in the chest], and throat bi-syndrome; directs qi downward, aids childbirth and lactation, treats metal-wounds, cold in the heart region, and running-piglet qi. Grows in river valleys.
Fruits and Vegetables — Lower Grade
Peach kernel. Taste bitter, neutral. Indicated for stagnant blood, blood blockage, abdominal masses, and pathogenic qi; kills small parasites. Peach blossom expels possessing malevolent spirits and gives one a good complexion. Táoxiāo (a mummified peach left hanging through winter), slightly warm, kills the hundred ghosts and spirit-things. Peach fuzz treats blood masses with abnormal bleeding, cold-heat accumulations, and infertility. Peach-tree borer kills ghosts and inauspicious evil influences. Grows in mountain valleys.
Bitter gourd. Taste bitter, cold. Indicated for major water [edema] with swelling of the face and limbs; drains water. Induces vomiting. Grows in mountain wetlands.
Water celery (water dropwort). Taste sweet, neutral. Indicated for women's reddish vaginal discharge; stops bleeding, nourishes essence, protects the blood vessels, boosts qi, and makes one stout, healthy, and eager to eat. Also called Shuǐyīng. Grows in ponds and marshes.
Grains — Superior Grade
Sesame. Taste sweet, neutral; non-toxic. Indicated for injury to the middle with deficiency and emaciation; supplements the five internal organs, boosts qi and strength, builds muscle, and fills the brain marrow. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and prevents aging. Its leaf is called Qīngráng; also called Jùshèng. Grows in river valleys.
Hemp flower-fruit clusters. Taste pungent, neutral. Indicated for the seven types of injury; disinhibits the five viscera, and expels stagnant blood and cold qi. Eaten in excess, it makes one see ghosts and run about madly. Taken long-term, it opens the spirit-intelligence and lightens the body. Hemp seed, taste sweet, neutral, mainly supplements the middle and boosts qi. Taken long-term, it makes one stout and healthy and resists aging. Also called Mábó. Grows in river valleys.
Grains — Middle Grade
Fermented soybean sprout. Taste sweet, neutral; non-toxic. Indicated for damp bi-syndrome with sinew spasm and knee pain. Raw soybean is applied to sores and swelling; boiled and drunk as a decoction, it kills gu-poison and stops pain. Red adzuki bean drains water and expels pus and blood from sores and swellings. Grows in flat wetlands.
Foxtail millet. Taste bitter; non-toxic. Mainly nourishes kidney qi, removes heat from the stomach and spleen, and boosts qi. The aged grain, bitter in taste, treats stomach heat, wasting-thirst disorder, and disinhibits urination.
Glutinous millet. Taste sweet; non-toxic. Mainly boosts qi and supplements the middle; in excess it is heating and can cause vexation.
Grains — Lower Grade
Fǔbì. Taste pungent, neutral. Indicated for malarial disorders with cold-heat, pathogenic qi, and diarrhea; treats impotence and headache from wine-drinking.