（本经上品）
宛如生物，当与肉芝同一种类。
【气味】甘，微温，无毒。
【主治】主五劳七伤，茎中寒热痛，养五脏，强阴，益精气，多子，妇人症瘕。久服轻
身。
【核】曰∶出河西山谷，及代郡雁门，陕西州郡多有之。丛生 落树下，并土堑上。春
时抽苗，似肉色而红有鳞甲，第一出陇西者，形扁红黄，柔润多花，味甘且肥也；次出北国
者，形短花少。巴东建平间，亦有而不佳。有言马精落地所生，观 落树下，并土堑上，此
非马交之处，或说误耳。今人多以金莲根，用盐盆制而伪充。又有以草苁蓉充之者宜审。修
治，先须清酒浸一宿，至明，以棕刷去沙土浮甲，劈破中心，去白膜一重，如竹丝草样者。
有此能隔人心气，致令气上也。以甑蒸之，从午至酉，取出，又令酥炙得所用。
【 】曰∶柔红美满，膏释脂凝，肉之体也。燕休受盛，外发夫容，肉之用也。具体及
用，名肉苁蓉。喜生西地，外被鳞甲，藉土金相生，诚培形藏之上品药也。故主藏室倾颓，
致藏形之劳与伤者。用强体阴之精，以益阳生之用，则凝者释，释者凝矣。何患症瘕寒热者
哉。
经云∶肌肉若一，则形与神俱。故久服轻身。
（本经上品）
亦可以胆为主，当入少阳。经云∶十一脏腑皆取决于胆。少阳胆，厥阴肝，府也。
【气味】酸平，无毒。
【主治】主安五脏，益精气，长阴令坚，强志，倍力，有子。久服轻身不老。
【核】曰∶出荆山平泽，及冤句。今处处有之，秦吴尤多。时珍曰∶此类凡五种。予尝
亲采，以尔雅所列者较之，始得其的。诸家所说，皆未可信。一种藤蔓繁衍，蔓有棘刺，逐
节生叶，叶大如掌，状类小葵叶，面青背白，浓而有毛，六七月白花碎小，就蒂结实，三四
十粒而成簇，生时青黄，熟则黑黯，微有黑毛，状如桑椹而扁。冬月蔓叶不凋者，俗名割田
，即本草所谓蓬者是 也。一种蔓小于蓬 ，亦有钩刺，一枝五叶，叶小，面背皆青，光
泽无毛，开白花，四五月结实成子，亦小于蓬 ，不簇生而稀疏、生时青黄，熟则乌赤。冬
月苗凋者，俗名插田 ，本草所谓覆盆子，尔雅所谓 、缺盆者是也。二种俱可入药。一种
蔓小于蓬 ，一枝三叶，面青背淡白，微有毛，开小白花，四月实熟，红如樱桃，似覆盆而
色大赤，酢甜可食，不入药用，俗名 田 。尔雅所谓 者是也。一种树生者，树高四五尺，
叶
陈藏器所谓悬钩子者是也。一种就地生蔓，长数寸，开黄花，结实如覆盆，色鲜红，亦可食
者，本草所谓蛇莓者是也。若以五类互为辨析，则蓬 覆盆自定矣。诸家立论多端，皆近是
而非。更有以蓬 为根，覆盆为子，及覆盆为子，蓬 为苗，与树生为覆盆，草生为蓬
，并以蓬 覆盆为一物者，恐出臆说，难以为据也。颐曰∶顾名思义，蓬 族类繁多，因名
蓬，宜别子母兄弟，以及雌雄，则覆盆亦一支派矣。但禀气有优劣，功用有异同，不可不
细为辨析也。否则差之毫厘，失之千里，诸家臆说纷出，独蕲阳立言遵古，特表而录之。
曰∶凡使用东流水，淘去黄叶并皮蒂，取子，以酒拌蒸一宿，东流水再淘两次。晒干用。
先人云∶一名覆盆。又名阴 ，阴有覆义，知斯嘉美，便可发覆。又云∶津汁为味，甘
中之酸，为肝用药，咸具生成，裨少火生阳之机，逢形气淫业之累。又云∶生机勃发，用可
驻颜。
【 】曰∶草之不理，风辙轮旋曰蓬，田谐草木，在草木之间曰 ，故蓬 有藤蔓草木，
繁疏整棘之别。 田三候，色味性情之殊，盖以易生多变，而能五脏咸入。各随所受，以
从类尔。虽入五脏，以肝为主，当入厥阴。厥阴者，阴之尽，阳之始也。是以入厥阴之经，
长阴令坚、强志倍力，益精之气而有子。此体用双彰之效也。即腑脏之经，亦莫不终于此，
始于此耳。久服轻身不老，即生变之征。但肝主疏泄，服之过多，虽得其用，而戕其体。天
和损矣，慎之。
（《神农本草经》列为上品）
外形宛如活物，应当与“肉芝”属于同一类别。
【气味】味甘，性微温，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗五劳七伤，尿道中寒热疼痛，滋养五脏，强壮阴精，补益精气，促进生育（多子），治疗妇女腹内结块（症瘕）。长期服用可使身体轻盈。
【考证】曰：产于河西山谷，以及代郡雁门一带，陕西各州郡也多有出产。丛生在落叶树下，以及土坑之上。春季抽苗，颜色像肉一样红且有鳞甲，其中第一等出自陇西的，形状扁平、红黄色，质地柔润且花朵多，味道甘甜且肉质肥厚；其次出自北方地区的，形状短小且花朵少。巴东建平地区也有，但品质不佳。有人说这是马精液落地所生，观察其生长在落叶树下和土坑上，这里并非马匹交配之处，或许是说法有误罢了。现在的人常用金莲根，用盐盆腌制来伪充。又有用草苁蓉来冒充的，应当仔细辨别。炮制方法，先需用清酒浸泡一夜，到第二天早晨，用棕刷去掉沙土和表面的浮甲，劈开中心，去掉一层白色的膜，那种像竹丝草样的东西。这种东西能阻隔人心气，导致气机上逆。用甑蒸它，从午时到酉时，取出后，再用酥油炙烤至适宜的程度使用。
【注释】曰：质地柔嫩红润丰满，膏脂释放凝结，这是肉的形体。燕息休息时受纳盛满，向外发散如芙蓉花般，这是肉的作用。具备形体与作用，所以名叫肉苁蓉。喜欢生长在西方之地，外部覆盖鳞甲，借助土金相生的原理，确实是培补形体脏腑的上品药物。所以主治脏腑衰败，导致形体劳损和受伤的情况。运用强健体魄阴精的作用，以增益阳气生发的功能，那么凝滞的就会化解，化解的又会重新凝聚。还担心什么症瘕和寒热病呢。
经文说：“如果肌肉协调统一，那么形与神就俱备。”所以长期服用可以使身体轻盈。
（《神农本草经》列为上品）
也可以以胆为主，应当归属于少阳经。经文说：“十一脏腑都取决于胆。”少阳胆与厥阴肝，互为表里之腑脏。
【气味】味酸，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要安养五脏，补益精气，使阴部生长并变得坚挺，增强意志，加倍体力，有助于生育。长期服用可使身体轻盈且不衰老。
【考证】曰：产于荆山平原沼泽地带，以及冤句。如今到处都有，秦地和吴地尤其多。李时珍说：这类植物共有五种。我曾经亲自采集，用《尔雅》所列的内容进行比较，才得到确切的认识。各家所说的，都不可信。一种藤蔓繁衍，蔓上有棘刺，逐节生叶，叶子大如手掌，形状类似小葵叶，正面青色背面白色，浓密且有毛，六七月开细小白花，在蒂处结实，几十粒聚成一簇，生时青黄色，熟则黑暗，微有黑毛，形状像桑葚但较扁。冬季蔓叶不凋落的，俗名割田藟，即本草所说的蓬藟。一种蔓比蓬藟小，也有钩刺，一枝五叶，叶子小，正反两面都是青色，光泽无毛，开白花，四五月结实成籽，也比蓬藟小，不簇生而是稀疏分布，生时青黄色，熟则乌赤色。冬季苗叶凋落的，俗名插田藟，本草所说的覆盆子，《尔雅》所说的蘡薁、缺盆就是这种。这两种都可以入药。一种蔓比蓬藟小，一枝三叶，正面青色背面淡白，微有毛，开小白花，四月果实成熟，红如樱桃，似覆盆但颜色更红，酸甜可食用，不入药用，《尔雅》所说的某种名称就是这种。一种树生的，树高四五尺，叶子……陈藏器所说的悬钩子就是这种。一种就地生长的蔓，长几寸，开黄花，结实像覆盆子，颜色鲜红，也可食用的，本草所说的蛇莓就是这种。如果对这五类互相辨析，那么蓬藟和覆盆子自然就能确定了。各家立论繁多，都似是而非。更有把蓬藟当作根，覆盆当作子，或者把覆盆当作子，蓬藟当作苗，以及把树生的当作覆盆，草生的当作蓬藟，并把蓬藟和覆盆视为一物的，恐怕出于主观臆测，难以作为依据。我说：顾名思义，蓬藟族类繁多，因名为蓬，应该区分子母兄弟，以及雌雄，那么覆盆也是其中一支派系了。只是禀受的气有优劣之分，功用有异同之别，不能不仔细辨析。否则差之毫厘，失之千里，各家主观臆测纷纷出现，只有蕲阳（李时珍）立言遵循古法，特别表彰并记录于此。
【修治】曰：凡使用时用东流水，淘去黄叶和皮蒂，取果实，用酒拌蒸一夜，再用东流水淘洗两次。晒干后使用。
前人云：一名覆盆。又名阴藟，阴有覆盖之意，知道这种美好，就可以发挥覆盖（固摄）的作用。又说：津汁为味，甘中带酸，是入肝经的药，兼具生成之功，补助少火生阳的机理，应对形体之气淫乱业障的累赘。又说：生机勃发，作用可以驻颜。
【注释】曰：草木杂乱无序，风车旋转称为蓬，田间和谐的草木，在草木之间称为藟，所以蓬藟有藤蔓草木，繁疏整棘的区别。三种田藟，颜色、味道、性情的差异，大概是因为容易生长多变，而能进入五脏。各自随着所受的特性，以同类相应。虽然进入五脏，但以肝为主，应当进入厥阴经。厥阴，是阴的尽头，阳的开始。所以进入厥阴经脉，使阴部长久坚挺、增强意志加倍体力，补益精气从而有子嗣。这是体用双重彰显的效果。即使是腑脏的经脉，也没有不是终结于此，开始于此的。长期服用身体轻盈不老，就是产生变化的征兆。但肝主疏泄，服用过多，虽然得到了功效，却损害了本体。天和受损，务必谨慎。
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
Its appearance resembles a living organism; it should be classified in the same category as Rouzhi (Meat Lingzhi).
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats five exhaustions and seven injuries, cold-heat pain in the urethra, nourishes the five zang organs, strengthens yin, benefits essence and qi, promotes fertility, and treats abdominal masses (Zhengjia) in women. Long-term use makes the body light.
[Verification] It is said: Produced in the valleys of Hexi, and in Yanmen of Dai Commandery; there are many such plants in various prefectures of Shaanxi. They grow in clusters under fallen leaves and on soil trenches. In spring, shoots emerge, resembling meat in color with scales. The first grade comes from Longxi, which is flat, red-yellow, soft, moist, abundant in flowers, sweet in taste, and fleshy. The second grade comes from northern regions, which is short with few flowers. There are also some in Baidong Jianping area, but they are not of good quality. Some say they are generated from horse semen falling to the ground. Observing that they grow under fallen trees and on soil trenches, this is not where horses mate; perhaps this explanation is erroneous. Nowadays, people often use Jinlian root, processed with salt in basins, to falsely pass them off. Others use grassy Congrong to substitute; careful examination is required. For processing, first soak in clear wine for one night. At dawn, brush off sand, soil, and floating scales with a palm fiber brush. Split the center and remove a layer of white membrane, which looks like bamboo silk grass. This substance can block heart qi, causing qi to ascend improperly. Steam it in a steamer from Wu hour (11 am–1 pm) to You hour (5–7 pm), take it out, and then roast it with su (animal fat/butter) until suitable for use.
[Annotation] It is said: Soft, red, full, and plump, with oozing paste and coagulated fat, this is the form of flesh. During rest, it receives and holds; externally emitting like a lotus flower, this is the function of flesh. Possessing both form and function, it is named Roubongcongrou (Cistanche). It prefers growing in western regions, covered externally by scales, relying on the mutual generation of earth and metal. It is indeed a superior herb for cultivating form and storing essence. Therefore, it treats the collapse of the storage chambers, leading to labor and injury of the stored form. By using its power to strengthen the body's yin essence, thereby benefiting the function of yang generation, what was coagulated becomes dissolved, and what was dissolved becomes coagulated again. Why worry about zhengjia (masses) or cold-heat disorders?
The Classic states: "If muscles are harmonious, then form and spirit are together." Thus, long-term use makes the body light.
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
It can also be primarily associated with the Gallbladder, entering the Shaoyang channel. The Classic states: "All eleven zang-fu organs depend on the Gallbladder." Shaoyang Gallbladder and Jueyin Liver are interior-exterior paired fu-zang organs.
[Flavor and Properties] Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily calms the five zang organs, benefits essence and qi, promotes growth and firmness of the yin organ, strengthens willpower, doubles strength, and aids conception. Long-term use makes the body light and prevents aging.
[Verification] It is said: Produced in the plains and marshes of Jing Mountain, and Yuanju. Now it grows everywhere, especially in Qin and Wu regions. Li Shizhen said: There are five types in total. I have personally collected them and compared them with those listed in Erya, finally obtaining the correct identification. The explanations by various schools are unreliable. One type has vines that spread extensively, with thorns on the vines, leaves growing at each node, leaves as large as a palm, resembling small hibiscus leaves, green on the front and white on the back, thick and hairy. In June and July, they bloom with small white flowers, bearing fruit at the stem, clustering dozens of seeds together. When fresh, they are yellowish-green; when ripe, they become dark black with slight black hairs, resembling mulberries but flatter. Those whose vines and leaves do not wither in winter are commonly called Goutianlei, which is the Penglei mentioned in Bencao. Another type has vines smaller than Penglei, also with hook-like thorns, five leaves per branch, small leaves, green on both sides, glossy and hairless, blooming white flowers in April and May, bearing seeds that are smaller than Penglei, sparse rather than clustered, yellowish-green when fresh, turning dark red when ripe. Those whose seedlings wither in winter are commonly called Chatianlei, which is Fupenzi (Rubus chingii) in Bencao, and Yingyu/Quepen in Erya. Both types can be used medicinally. Another type has vines smaller than Penglei, three leaves per branch, green front and pale white back, slightly hairy, blooming small white flowers, ripening in April. The fruit is red like cherries, similar to Fupenzi but redder, sour and sweet, edible but not used medicinally; this is the type referred to in Erya. Another type grows on trees, 4-5 chi high... Chen Zangqi refers to Xuanhuzi (Rubus hirsutus) as this type. Another type grows creeping vines on the ground, several inches long, blooming yellow flowers, bearing fruit like Fupenzi, bright red, also edible; this is Shemei (Duchesnea indica) in Bencao. If these five categories are analyzed mutually, Penglei and Fupenzi can be clearly distinguished. Various theories are numerous, mostly plausible yet incorrect. Some mistake Penglei for the root and Fupenzi for the seed, or vice versa; some consider tree-grown as Fupenzi and herb-grown as Penglei; some treat Penglei and Fupenzi as one substance. These are likely subjective speculations and cannot serve as evidence. I say: As the name suggests, Penglei belongs to a diverse family. Named 'Peng' due to its rolling nature, one should distinguish between mother/son, siblings, and male/female variants; thus, Fupenzi is also a branch of this lineage. However, since the qi received varies in quality and functions differ, careful analysis is necessary. Otherwise, a tiny error leads to a thousand-mile deviation. While various schools offer subjective theories, only Qiyang (Li Shizhen) adhered to ancient texts in his statements, which I specially highlight and record here.
[Processing] It is said: When using, wash with east-flowing water to remove yellow leaves, skin, and stems. Take the fruits, mix with wine, steam overnight, wash twice more with east-flowing water. Dry and use.
Predecessors said: Also known as Fupensi. Also called Yinlei. 'Yin' implies covering; understanding this beauty allows one to activate the covering (astringent) function. It is also said: The flavor comes from juices, sour within sweet, making it a liver-targeting herb. It possesses generative powers, assisting the mechanism of 'minor fire generating yang', addressing the burdens of excessive form and qi. It is also said: With vigorous vitality, its use can preserve youth.
[Annotation] It is said: Chaotic grasses, rotating like wind wheels, are called 'Peng'; harmonious grasses in fields, amidst other plants, are called 'Lei'. Thus, Penglei includes distinctions among vines, grasses, density, and thorns. The three types of Tianlei differ in color, taste, and nature. This is likely because they grow easily and vary greatly, allowing entry into all five zang organs. Each enters according to its affinity. Although entering the five zang organs, it primarily targets the Liver, entering the Jueyin channel. Jueyin represents the end of yin and the beginning of yang. Therefore, entering the Jueyin meridian, it causes yin to grow firm, strengthens willpower, doubles strength, benefits essence and qi, and aids conception. This is the effect of manifesting both substance and function. Even the meridians of fu and zang organs end and begin here. Long-term use resulting in a light body and lack of aging is a sign of transformation. However, the Liver governs free flow and drainage; taking too much may achieve the function but damage the substance. Heavenly harmony will be impaired; caution is advised.