（本经上品）
希世异种服食致仙上品上生与天合化。
【气味】甘温，无毒。
【主治】主耳聋，利关节，保神，益精气，坚筋骨，好颜色。久服轻身，不老延年。
（本经上品）
【气味】酸平，无毒。
【主治】主明目，补肝气，安精魂，仁恕。久服轻身不老，延年神仙。
（本经上品）
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主胸中结，益心气，补中，增智慧不忘。久服轻身不老，延年神仙。
（本经上品）
【气味】甘平，无毒。
【主治】主心腹五邪，益脾气，安神，忠信和乐。久服轻身不老，延年神仙。
（本经上品）
【气味】辛平，无毒。
【主治】主咳逆上气，益肺气，通利口鼻，强志意，勇悍，安魄。久服轻身不老，
延年神仙。
（本经上品）
盘绕层台，寄生于土者，此草芝；凡芝也，不足数耳。
【气味】咸平，无毒。
【主治】主癃，利水道，益肾气，通九窍，聪察。久服轻身不老，延年神仙。
【核】曰∶出五岳名山者贵，尝以六月生，应六月之卦以表德也。神农经云∶山川云雨，
四时五行阴阳之精，以生五色神芝，为圣王休祥。瑞命礼云∶王者仁慈，则芝草生。论
衡云∶芝生于土，土气和则芝草生，不假种识，随处寄生，随缘现相。先人云∶灵异无根，
如优昙一现，若盘绕层台，寄生于土者，此其尝也。本经惟标六芝，然其色相奇异，不可不
识，存录以广见闻。菌芝，生深山大木之上，渊泉之侧，五色无尝，或如宫室龙虎，车马飞
鸟之形。木威喜芝，生千年茯苓上，上生小木，状似莲花，夜视有光，持之甚滑，烧之不焦。
飞节芝，生千岁松树上，皮中有脂，形状如飞。木渠芝，寄生大木，如莲花，九茎一丛，味
甘且辛。黄柏芝，生千年黄柏根下，下有细根如缕。建木芝，其皮如缨，其实如鸾。 成芝，
赤色有光，扣其枝叶，作金石音。樊桃芝，其木如笼，其花如丹，其实如翠鸟。千岁芝，生
枯木下，根如人形跌坐，刻之有血，涂人两足，能行水上，亦可隐形。以上皆木芝也。独摇
芝，有风不动，无风自摇，一茎直上，中空外赤，贴茎杪之半，生细小尖叶，稍头成穗，作
花灰白，结子十二枚，至秋不落，却透虚入茎中，还筒而下，根大如斗，更有游子十二枚，
相为环绕。牛角芝，生虎寿山，及吴凌，状似葱，特出如角，色青翠，长三四尺。龙仙芝，
宛如升龙相负之形。紫珠芝，叶黄实赤，状似紫李色。白符芝，大雪而花，季冬而实。朱草
芝，其茎如针，九曲三叶，叶有实也。五德芝，状似楼殿，五色具备，方茎紫色，以上皆草
芝也。玉暗芝，生有玉之山，状如鸟兽，色无尝彩，多似山水苍玉，亦如鲜明水晶。七孔九
光芝，生临水石崖间，状如盘盎，有茎有叶，叶有七孔，夜视有光，食之七孔洞彻。石蜜芝，
生少室石户中。桂芝，生石穴，似桂，乃石也，其色光明。石脑芝，石中黄，亦石芝类也。
石芝，石象，生于海隅及石山岛屿之涯。肉芝，其状如肉，附于大石，头尾俱有，乃生物也
，赤如珊瑚，白如截肪，黄如紫金，黑如重漆，青如翠羽，光明洞彻，俨若坚冰，大者重十
多斤。千岁燕、千岁蝙蝠、千岁龟、万岁蟾蜍、山中小人，皆肉芝类也。凤凰芝，生名山金
玉间。燕胎芝，形如紫葵，紫色如燕状。黑云芝，生山谷之阴，黑盖赤理，茎黑味咸。又有
五色龙芝、五方神芝、甘露芝、青云芝、云气芝、白虎芝、车马芝、太乙芝，名状不一，皆
服食仙去者也。抱璞子云∶欲求芝草，当入名山，必以三月、九月，乃山开出神药之月也。
忌山 日，用天辅时，出三奇吉门。到山须六阴之日，明堂之时。带灵宝符，牵白犬，抱
白鸡，包白盐一斗，及开山符檄，着大石上。入山执吴唐草一把，山神喜，芝乃得见。禹步
往采，以旺相专和、支干上下相生之日，刻以骨刀，阴干为末，服有神异。若人不致精久斋，
行秽德薄，又不晓入山之术，虽得其图，鬼神不与，终不可得。郭璞云∶一岁三华，瑞草也
。昔四皓采芝，群仙服食者也。智者大师云∶服食石药，但可平疾，服食芝草，并可得仙。
陶隐居云∶凡得芝草，正尔食之，无余节度，故皆不云服法也。
（天有五气，御五方，而生五岳，此指神芝所生缘。山川云雨，四时五行阴阳之精，此
指神芝能生因，则神芝不惟为五芝首，且独为五岳主矣。故欲尽神芝希有功德，须从生成能
所中，看得广大圆满。）
先人云∶芝草为仙家服食，药之上品上生者也。从山石水木之灵气，郁蒸所结，亦草亦
木，亦石亦土，而非草非木，非石非土，与菌杨 别。要在名山大川，古木仙境中得者，服
之自然灵妙。李濒湖以为可食，溷置菜部，是何异高隐灌园耶。予从固陵山中，获小黄芝，
细咀微咽，顷之喉间凉润如云，盘绕五内，信是气钟；非灌溉滋生之比，灵异无根，如优昙
一现，宜特尊诸首。
又云∶神农为民疾，遍尝草木，以起夭扎。芝则可以养性移情，进之于德，如仁慈忠信，
和乐勇悍，非草木所能滋益也。感天地氤氲之和，属精神，不属形质，故主治如此耳。
【 】曰∶阴阳合和，地气上为云，天气下为雨，雨霁云彻则芝生。气味凉润，体相旋
绕，不假种识，以无成有，故益五藏。有中之无，藏形为有，藏神为无也。如神芝具五色味，
则五藏咸入。紫芝赤黑相间，则交通心肾，偏得一色一味，则各从其类矣。与滋培有形者别
异。澄彻性灵，久而得仙，设非烟霞静隐之流，外息诸缘，内心无喘，不堪僭服耳。
（雨霁云彻，阴阳必清必净矣。不与阴阳蒸郁，而作杨菌者反乎。）
【《神农本草经》上品】
世间罕见的奇异品种，服用可致成仙，属上品中的上生类，能与天道化合。
【气味】味甘，性温，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗耳聋，通利关节，安定神志，补益精气，坚固筋骨，使面色红润。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年益寿。
【《神农本草经》上品】
【气味】味酸，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要明目，补益肝气，安守精魂，培养仁爱宽恕之心。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年成仙。
【《神农本草经》上品】
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗胸中郁结，补益心气，充实中焦，增加智慧且不忘事。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年成仙。
【《神农本草经》上品】
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗心腹部的各种邪气，补益脾气，安定神志，使人忠信和乐。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年成仙。
【《神农本草经》上品】
【气味】味辛，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗咳嗽气逆，补益肺气，通利口鼻，坚定意志，使人勇敢强悍，安守魂魄。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年成仙。
【《神农本草经》上品】
盘绕于层层台阶之上，寄生在土壤中的，属于草芝；一般的芝草，都不足为道了。
【气味】味咸，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗小便不通（癃闭），通利水道，补益肾气，通达九窍，使人耳聪目明、聪慧敏锐。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延缓衰老，延年成仙。
【考证】曰：出产于五岳名山的灵芝珍贵，通常在六月生长，对应六月的卦象以彰显其德行。《神农经》说：山川云雨，是四季、五行、阴阳的精气所化，由此生出五色神芝，作为圣王吉祥的瑞兆。《瑞命礼》说：君王仁慈，灵芝就会生长。《论衡》说：灵芝生于土中，土气调和则灵芝生长，不需要种植识别，随处寄生，随缘显现形态。先辈说：灵异之物没有固定的根，如同优昙花一现，像那种盘绕层台、寄生于土的，就是它的常态。《本经》只标明了六种芝，但其颜色和形态奇异，不可不辨识，记录下来以广见闻。菌芝，生长在深山大树之上，深渊泉水之侧，颜色多样无常，有的形状像宫室、龙虎、车马飞鸟。木威喜芝，生长在千年的茯苓上面，上方长出小木，形状像莲花，夜间看有光，拿起来很滑，烧它不会焦。飞节芝，生长在千年的松树上，皮中有脂液，形状像飞翔。木渠芝，寄生在大树上，像莲花，九茎一丛，味道甘甜且辛辣。黄柏芝，生长在千年的黄柏根下，下面有细根如丝线。建木芝，它的皮像缨络，果实像鸾鸟。成芝，赤色有光泽，敲击它的枝叶，发出金石般的声音。樊桃芝，它的树干像笼子，花朵像丹砂，果实像翠鸟。千岁芝，生长在枯木下，根部像人打坐的形状，刻它有血流出，涂在人的两只脚上，能在水上行走，也可以隐形。以上都是木芝。独摇芝，有风时不动，无风时自摇，一茎直立向上，中空外红，贴近茎梢的一半处，生出细小尖叶，梢头结成穗，开灰白色的花，结十二颗子，到秋天不落，反而透过空心进入茎中，再从筒状茎下端出来，根大如斗，还有十二个“游子”环绕周围。牛角芝，生长在虎寿山及吴凌，形状像葱，特别突出如角，颜色青翠，长三四尺。龙仙芝，宛如升龙相互背负的形状。紫珠芝，叶子黄果实红，形状像紫色的李子。白符芝，大雪时节开花，季冬时节结果。朱草芝，它的茎像针，九曲三叶，叶上有果实。五德芝，形状像楼殿，五色具备，方形的茎紫色，以上都是草芝。玉暗芝，生长在产玉的山上，形状像鸟兽，颜色没有常彩，多像山水苍玉，也像鲜明的水晶。七孔九光芝，生长在水边的石崖间，形状像盘盎，有茎有叶，叶上有七个孔，夜间看有光，吃了之后七孔洞彻透明。石蜜芝，生长在少室山的石户中。桂芝，生长在石穴中，像桂树，其实是石头，颜色光明。石脑芝，石中黄色，也是石芝的一类。石芝，石象，生长在海边及石山岛屿的边缘。肉芝，形状像肉，附着在大石头上，头尾都有，是生物，红如珊瑚，白如截断的脂肪，黄如紫金，黑如重漆，青如翠羽，光明洞彻，俨然像坚冰，大的重十多斤。千岁燕、千岁蝙蝠、千岁龟、万岁蟾蜍、山中小人，都属于肉芝类。凤凰芝，生长在名山的金玉之间。燕胎芝，形状像紫葵，紫色像燕子。黑云芝，生长在山谷的阴面，黑色的盖红色的纹理，茎黑味咸。又有五色龙芝、五方神芝、甘露芝、青云芝、云气芝、白虎芝、车马芝、太乙芝，名称形状不一，都是服用后成仙而去的。抱璞子说：想要寻找灵芝，应当进入名山，必须在三月、九月，这是山神开启神药的月份。忌讳山日，使用天辅时辰，从三奇吉门出入。到达山上必须是六阴之日，明堂之时。携带灵宝符，牵着白狗，抱着白鸡，包着一斗白盐，以及开山符檄，放在大石上。进山手里抓一把吴唐草，山神喜欢，灵芝才能被看见。用禹步走向前去采摘，选择旺相专和、支干上下相生的日子，用骨刀刻取，阴干研末，服用有神异效果。如果人不做到精心久斋，品行污秽道德浅薄，又不懂得入山的方法，即使得到了图录，鬼神也不会给予，终究得不到。郭璞说：一年三华，是瑞草。昔日四皓采芝，是群仙服食的对象。智者大师说：服用石药，只能平息疾病；服用灵芝草，可以得道成仙。陶隐居说：凡是得到灵芝草，直接食用即可，没有其他节制法度，所以都没有记载服法。
（天有五气，驾驭五方，而生出五岳，这里指神芝生成的缘起。山川云雨，是四季、五行、阴阳的精气，这里指神芝能生的原因，那么神芝不仅是五芝之首，而且独自成为五岳的主宰。所以要穷尽神芝稀有的功德，必须从生成、能、所的关系中，看得广大圆满。）
先辈说：灵芝是仙家服食的，属于药的上品上生类。从山石水木的灵气，郁蒸凝结而成，也是草也是木，也是石也是土，但又非草非木，非石非土，与菌杨不同。关键在于要在名山大川、古木仙境中获得，服用自然灵妙。李濒湖认为可以食用，混杂放置在菜部，这何尝不是把高隐之人当作灌园农夫呢？我从固陵山中，获得小黄芝，细细咀嚼慢慢咽下，不久喉间凉润如云，盘绕五脏，确实是气钟聚之所；不是灌溉滋生能比的，灵异无根，如优昙花一现，应该特别尊崇为首选。
又说：神农为了百姓的疾病，遍尝草木，以挽救夭折。灵芝则可以修养性情，提升品德，如仁慈、忠信、和乐、勇悍，这不是普通草木所能滋益的。感应天地氤氲的和气，属于精神层面，不属于形质层面，所以主治功效如此。
【考证】曰：阴阳合和，地气上升为云，天气下降为雨，雨停云散则灵芝生长。气味凉润，体态盘旋缠绕，不需要种植识别，从无到有，所以能补益五脏。有中之无，隐藏形体成为有，隐藏神志成为无。如果神芝具备五色五味，则五脏都能入受。紫芝赤黑相间，则交通心肾，偏得一种颜色一味，则各自从其同类。这与滋养培补有形之物不同。澄澈性灵，长久服用可得仙，如果不是烟霞静隐之辈，外息诸缘，内心无喘息杂念，不堪僭越服用罢了。
（雨停云散，阴阳必定清静。不与阴阳蒸郁结合，而变成菌杨的，则是相反的。）
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
Rare and extraordinary varieties; consumption leads to immortality. It belongs to the upper class of the upper grade, capable of harmonizing with the Heavenly Dao.
【Flavor and Nature】Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats deafness, unblocks joints, calms the spirit, benefits essence and qi, strengthens bones and sinews, and improves complexion. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
【Flavor and Nature】Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily brightens the eyes, tonifies Liver Qi (Liver Qi), stabilizes essence and soul, and fosters benevolence and forbearance. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life to attain immortality.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats chest constriction, tonifies Heart Qi (Heart Qi), supplements the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), enhances wisdom, and prevents forgetfulness. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life to attain immortality.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
【Flavor and Nature】Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats various pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen, tonifies Spleen Qi (Spleen Qi), calms the spirit, and fosters loyalty, trustworthiness, harmony, and joy. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life to attain immortality.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
【Flavor and Nature】Pungent, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats cough and rebellious Qi (Rebellious Qi), tonifies Lung Qi (Lung Qi), unblocks the mouth and nose, strengthens willpower, fosters courage and bravery, and stabilizes the魄 (Po). Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life to attain immortality.
[Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Class]
Those that coil around layered terraces and parasitize on soil belong to Grass Lingzhi (Grass Mushroom); ordinary mushrooms are not worth mentioning.
【Flavor and Nature】Salty, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats strangury (difficulty in urination), promotes water passages, tonifies Kidney Qi (Kidney Qi), opens the nine orifices, and enhances hearing, vision, and acuity. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life to attain immortality.
【Commentary】It is said: Lingzhi produced from the Five Great Mountains is precious. It typically grows in the sixth month, corresponding to the hexagram of the sixth month to manifest its virtue. The Shennong Classic states: Mountain rivers, clouds, and rain are the essence of the four seasons, five phases, yin, and yang, which generate the five-colored divine Lingzhi, serving as an auspicious omen for sage kings. The Ruling Life Rites state: When a ruler is benevolent, Lingzhi grass grows. Lunheng states: Lingzhi grows in the earth; when the earth qi is harmonious, Lingzhi grows without need for planting or identification, parasitizing wherever it may, manifesting forms according to conditions. Ancestors stated: Spiritual entities have no fixed roots, appearing briefly like the Udumbara flower. Those that coil around terraces and parasitize on soil represent their common form. The Bencao Jing only lists six types of Lingzhi, but their colors and forms are extraordinary and must be recognized. They are recorded here to broaden knowledge. Jun Lingzhi (Mushroom Lingzhi) grows on deep mountains and large trees, near abyssal springs, with variable colors, sometimes resembling palaces, dragons, tigers, chariots, horses, flying birds, etc. Muweixi Lingzhi (Wood Weixi Mushroom) grows on thousand-year-old Poria cocos (Fu Ling), sprouting small wood above, resembling a lotus flower, glowing at night, slippery to hold, and does not burn when ignited. Feijie Lingzhi (Flying Joint Mushroom) grows on thousand-year-old pine trees, with resin in the bark, shaped like flying creatures. Muqu Lingzhi (Wood Canal Mushroom) parasitizes on large trees, resembling a lotus, with nine stems in one cluster, sweet and pungent in taste. Huangbai Lingzhi (Phellodendron Mushroom) grows under the roots of thousand-year-old Phellodendron amurense (Huang Bai), with fine thread-like roots below. Jianmu Lingzhi (Jian Wood Mushroom) has bark like tassels and fruits resembling Luan birds. Cheng Lingzhi is red and luminous; striking its branches and leaves produces sounds like metal and stone. Fantao Lingzhi has a trunk like a cage, flowers like cinnabar, and fruits like kingfishers. Qiansui Lingzhi (Thousand-Year Mushroom) grows under dead wood, with roots resembling a person sitting in meditation; cutting it reveals blood, which, if applied to the soles of feet, enables walking on water and invisibility. All the above are Wood Lingzhi. Duyao Lingzhi (Solo-Shaking Mushroom) does not move in wind but shakes spontaneously without wind; it has a single straight stem, hollow inside and red outside; half-way up the stem tip, it bears small sharp leaves, forming spikes at the tips, blooming gray-white flowers, bearing twelve seeds that do not fall in autumn, instead penetrating back into the hollow stem and exiting from the bottom; the root is as large as a bushel, accompanied by twelve "wanderers" surrounding it. Niujiao Lingzhi (Ox Horn Mushroom) grows on Hushou Mountain and Wuling, resembling scallions, protruding uniquely like horns, green and emerald, three to four chi long. Longxian Lingzhi (Dragon Immortal Mushroom) resembles ascending dragons carrying each other. Zizhu Lingzhi (Purple Pearl Mushroom) has yellow leaves and red fruits, resembling purple plums in color. Baifu Lingzhi (White Talisman Mushroom) blooms during heavy snow and fruits in late winter. Zhucuo Lingzhi (Cinnabar Grass Mushroom) has stems like needles, nine curves, three leaves, with fruits on the leaves. Wude Lingzhi (Five Virtues Mushroom) resembles pavilions, possessing all five colors, with square purple stems. All the above are Grass Lingzhi. Yu'an Lingzhi (Jade Dark Mushroom) grows in jade-producing mountains, resembling birds and beasts, lacking constant color, mostly resembling mountain landscape nephrite, or clear crystal. Qikong Jiuguang Lingzhi (Seven-Holed Nine-Light Mushroom) grows on cliff sides near water, resembling plates or basins, with stems and leaves; leaves have seven holes, glow at night, and eating them makes the seven holes transparent. Shimii Lingzhi (Stone Honey Mushroom) grows in the stone caves of Mount Shaoshi. Guizhi (Cinnamon Mushroom) grows in stone crevices, resembling cinnamon, but is actually stone, luminous in color. Shinao Lingzhi (Stone Brain Mushroom) is yellow within stones, also a type of Stone Lingzhi. Shizhi (Stone Mushroom) appears as stone elephants, growing at sea edges and on stone mountain islands. Rouzhi (Meat Mushroom) resembles meat, attached to large stones, with heads and tails, being living organisms; red like coral, white like cut fat, yellow like purple gold, black like heavy lacquer, green like kingfisher feathers, luminous and transparent, firm as ice; large ones weigh over ten jin. Qiansui Yan (Thousand-Year Swallow), Qiansui Bianfu (Thousand-Year Bat), Qiansui Gui (Thousand-Year Turtle), Wansui Chan Chu (Ten-Thousand-Year Toad), and Shan Zhong Xiaoren (Little People in Mountains) all belong to the Meat Lingzhi category. Fenghuang Lingzhi (Phoenix Mushroom) grows between gold and jade in famous mountains. Yantai Lingzhi (Swallow Egg Mushroom) resembles Zi Kui, purple in color like swallows. Heiyun Lingzhi (Black Cloud Mushroom) grows in shady valleys, with black caps and red veins, black stems, and salty taste. There are also Wu Se Longzhi (Five-Color Dragon Mushroom), Wu Fang Shenzi (Five-Direction Divine Mushroom), Ganlu Zhi (Sweet Dew Mushroom), Qingyun Zhi (Blue Cloud Mushroom), Yunqi Zhi (Cloud Qi Mushroom), Baihu Zhi (White Tiger Mushroom), Chema Zhi (Chariot Horse Mushroom), Taiyi Zhi (Great One Mushroom), with varied names and shapes, all consumed to achieve immortality. Bao Pu Zi stated: To seek Lingzhi, one must enter famous mountains, specifically in the third and ninth months, when the mountain opens to reveal divine medicines. Avoid days of the mountain, use Tian Fu hours, exit through the Three Wonders Auspicious Doors. Upon arrival, it must be a Six Yin day, during the Ming Tang time. Carry the Lingbao talisman, lead a white dog, hold a white chicken, wrap one dou of white salt, along with mountain-opening edicts, placing them on large stones. Enter the mountain holding a handful of Wutang grass; the mountain god will be pleased, and the Lingzhi will become visible. Use Yu Bu (Yu's Steps) to approach and harvest, selecting days of Wang Xiang Zhuan He where heavenly stems and earthly branches generate each other upwards and downwards. Carve with bone knives, dry in shade, grind into powder, and consume for miraculous effects. If one does not maintain pure fasting for a long time, possesses impure conduct and thin virtue, and does not understand the method of entering the mountain, even with diagrams, spirits and gods will not grant access, and it cannot be obtained. Guo Pu stated: Sanhua (Three Flowers) per year is a auspicious grass. In ancient times, the Four White Hermits gathered Lingzhi, which was consumed by group immortals. Master Zhizhe stated: Consuming mineral drugs can only calm diseases; consuming Lingzhi grass can lead to immortality. Tao Hongjing stated: Whenever Lingzhi grass is obtained, it can be eaten directly without further restrictions, hence no specific dosage methods are recorded.
(The Heaven has five Qi, governing the Five Directions, generating the Five Great Mountains; this refers to the causes for the generation of Divine Lingzhi. Mountain rivers, clouds, and rain are the essence of the four seasons, five phases, yin, and yang; this refers to the reasons why Divine Lingzhi can be generated. Thus, Divine Lingzhi is not only the head of the five Lingzhi but also the master of the Five Great Mountains alone. Therefore, to fully comprehend the rare merits of Divine Lingzhi, one must view it broadly and perfectly within the framework of generation, ability, and object.)
Ancestors stated: Lingzhi is consumed by immortals, belonging to the upper class of the upper grade of medicines. It is condensed from the spiritual energy of mountains, rocks, water, and wood, steaming and accumulating. It is both grass and wood, both stone and earth, yet neither grass nor wood, neither stone nor earth, distinct from fungi and ferns. It is crucial to obtain it from famous mountains, great rivers, ancient woods, and fairy realms; consuming it naturally yields spiritual efficacy. Li Binhu considered it edible and mixed it into the vegetable section, which is akin to treating a high hermit as a garden laborer. I obtained a small yellow Lingzhi from Guling Mountain; chewing it slowly and swallowing, soon my throat felt cool and moist like clouds, coiling around the five zang organs. Indeed, it is where Qi gathers; it is not comparable to irrigation and growth. Spiritual and rootless, appearing briefly like the Udumbara flower, it deserves special reverence as the foremost.
Furthermore, it is said: Shennong tasted herbs and plants extensively to alleviate people's illnesses and prevent premature death. Lingzhi, however, can nourish nature and transform emotions, advancing towards virtue, such as benevolence, loyalty, trustworthiness, harmony, joy, courage, and bravery, which ordinary plants cannot provide. It resonates with the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth, belonging to the spirit rather than physical substance, hence its indications are as such.
【Commentary】It is said: When Yin and Yang combine, Earth Qi rises to become clouds, and Heaven Qi descends to become rain. When rain stops and clouds clear, Lingzhi grows. Its flavor is cool and moist, its form coils and winds, requiring no planting or identification, emerging from nothingness into somethingness, thus benefiting the five zang organs. The "nothingness within existence" hides form to become existence, and hides spirit to become nothingness. If Divine Lingzhi possesses five colors and five flavors, all five zang organs receive it. Purple Lingzhi, intermingled red and black, facilitates communication between Heart and Kidney; obtaining a single color and flavor means each follows its own kind. This differs from nourishing and cultivating physical forms. It clarifies and purifies the spiritual nature; long-term consumption leads to immortality. Unless one is a recluse of mist and clouds, extinguishing external connections and maintaining inner stillness, they are unfit to presumptuously consume it.
(When rain stops and clouds clear, Yin and Yang must be pure and clean. Not combining with Yin-Yang steaming and郁 accumulation, but transforming into fungi and ferns, is contrary [to the natural order].)