（别录上品）
黄精一名戊己芝，当与黄芝交相匹配。充九土之精，以御八风之侮。
【气味】甘平，无毒。
【主治】主补中益气，除风湿，安五脏。久服轻身，延年不饥。
【核】曰∶隋羊公云∶黄精，芝草之精也。五符经云；黄精获天地之纯精，故一名戊己
芝。南北皆有，以嵩山、茅山者佳。三月生苗，高一二尺。一根只一茎，茎梗柔脆，本黄末
赤。叶如竹，不尖而短，或两叶三叶，四、五、六叶，俱两两相对，若偏生不对者，偏精也。
四月开花青白，状如小豆花。结子白色如黍粒，即名垂珠，言象形也。根如嫩姜而色黄，亦
如鬼臼黄连辈。一年一节，节大不平，大者如拳，小者如拇指。一种茎叶根形俱相似，但茎
不紫赤，叶尖有毛钩二枚者，钩吻也，误服杀人。博物志云∶黄帝问于天老曰，天地所生，
有食之令人不死者乎？对曰∶太阳之草名黄精，食之可以长生；太阴之之精名钩吻，不可食，
令人立死。今人但信钩吻杀人，不信黄精益寿，不亦惑乎？修治，以溪水洗净，蒸之，从巳
至子，薄切曝干，可入药用。服食宜生，初时只可食一寸半，多则刺人咽喉，渐渐增之，十
日不食，服止三尺五寸。三百日后，尽见鬼神，久则轻身飞行矣。忌梅实。
【 】曰∶无缘自生，独得土大之体用，故名黄精。一名戊己芝也。土位乎中，故补中
而益中气。为风所侵而土体失，濡湿泥泞而土用废者，黄精补土之体，充土之用，即居中府
藏，亦借以咸安矣。形骸躯壳，悉土所摄，轻身延年不饥，总属土事耳。
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
黄精又名戊己芝，应当与黄芝相互对应匹配。它汇聚了九州的土气精华，用来抵御八方风邪的侵袭。
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治功效】主要补益中焦脾胃之气，祛除风湿，安定五脏。长期服用可使身体轻盈，延年益寿，且不易感到饥饿。
【考证】有人说：隋朝羊公认为，黄精是芝草中的精华。《五符经》记载：黄精获得了天地纯粹的精华，所以又名戊己芝。南北各地都有生长，以嵩山、茅山出产的为佳。三月生苗，高一二尺。一根只长一茎，茎梗柔嫩易折，根部呈黄色，梢部呈赤色。叶子像竹子，不尖而短，有的两片、三片、四片、五片或六片叶子，都两两相对生长；如果偏生而不相对，则是“偏精”（有毒或无效）。四月开青白色花，形状像小豆花。结出的种子白色如黍米粒，名叫垂珠，这是取象形之意。根像嫩姜但颜色发黄，也像鬼臼、黄连之类。一年长一节，节大且不平整，大的像拳头，小的像拇指。有一种茎叶根的形态都相似，但茎不呈紫红色，叶尖有两枚毛钩的是钩吻，误服会致死。《博物志》记载：黄帝问天老说：“天地间生长的植物，有吃了能让人不死的吗？”天老回答说：“太阳之草名叫黄精，吃了可以长生；太阴之精名叫钩吻，不可食用，吃了会让人立刻死亡。”现在的人只相信钩吻杀人，不相信黄精益寿，不是很糊涂吗？炮制方法：用溪水洗净，蒸制，从巳时到子时（约12小时），切成薄片晒干，可以入药使用。作为食物服用宜生吃，开始时每次只能吃一寸半，多了会刺伤咽喉，逐渐增加量，十天不吃其他食物，仅服用黄精可达三尺五寸。三百天后，就能看见鬼神，久了就能身体轻盈飞行。忌食梅实。
【按语】黄精无缘无故不能自然生长，独得土行的大体和大用，所以名叫黄精。又名戊己芝。土位居于中央，所以能补中焦并增益中气。被风邪侵犯导致土体受损，或因湿泥泞泞导致土的功能废弛的，黄精能补益土的形体，充实土的功能，即使居于中焦脏腑，也能借此使其安宁。人的形骸躯壳，都由土所统摄，身体轻盈、延年、不饥，总归都属于土行的作用罢了。
[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma), also known as Wuji Zhi (Pentad-Earth Mushroom), should correspond and match with Huangzhi (Yellow Mushroom). It gathers the essence of the Nine Earths to defend against the invasion of the Eight Winds.
【Flavor and Nature】Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
【Indications】Primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner) and supplements Qi, dispels wind-dampness, and calms the Five Viscera. Long-term consumption makes the body light, prolongs life, and prevents hunger.
【Verification】It is said: Yang Gong of the Sui Dynasty stated that Huangjing is the essence among mushroom herbs. The *Wufu Jing* records: "Huangjing obtains the pure essence of Heaven and Earth, hence its name Wuji Zhi." It grows in both the north and south, with those from Songshan and Maoshan being superior. Seedlings emerge in the third lunar month, growing one to two chi high. Each root produces only one stem; the stem is soft and brittle, yellow at the base and reddish at the tip. The leaves resemble bamboo, are not sharp but short, and may appear in pairs, threes, fours, fives, or sixes, always opposite each other. If they grow asymmetrically without opposing pairs, it is called "Pianjing" (biased essence). In the fourth lunar month, it blooms with pale green-white flowers, resembling small bean flowers. The seeds are white like millet grains, named Chuizhu (Hanging Pearls), named for their shape. The rhizome resembles young ginger but is yellow, similar to Jiujiao (Podophyllum) and Huanglian (Coptis). It has one node per year; the nodes are large and uneven, with large ones the size of a fist and small ones the size of a thumb. There is a variety where the stem, leaves, and root look similar, but the stem is not purplish-red, and the leaf tips have two hooked hairs; this is Gouwen (Gelsemium elegans), which is fatal if ingested by mistake. The *Bowuzhi* records: The Yellow Emperor asked Tian Lao, "Among plants born of heaven and earth, is there any that, when eaten, makes one immortal?" Tian Lao replied, "The herb of the Sun is named Huangjing; eating it can lead to longevity. The essence of the Yin is named Gouwen; it must not be eaten, as it causes immediate death." Today, people believe only that Gouwen kills, but do not believe that Huangjing extends life; is this not confusing? Processing: Wash clean with stream water, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM), slice thinly, and dry in the sun for medicinal use. For dietary consumption, it is best eaten raw. Initially, only one and a half cun can be consumed; excessive amounts will pierce the throat. Gradually increase the dosage. After ten days of fasting from other foods, consuming up to three chi five cun of Huangjing is possible. After three hundred days, one may see spirits and ghosts; over time, the body becomes light and capable of flight. Avoid plums.
【Commentary】Huangjing cannot arise spontaneously; it uniquely possesses the great form and function of the Earth element, hence its name Huangjing. Also known as Wuji Zhi. Since Earth resides in the center, it tonifies the center and benefits Central Qi. When invaded by wind, causing the Earth's form to be lost, or when rendered ineffective by damp mud, Huangjing replenishes the substance of Earth and fulfills its function. Even within the central viscera, it helps to stabilize them. The human body and shell are all governed by Earth; becoming light, prolonging life, and avoiding hunger are all matters pertaining to Earth.