气味甘平，无毒。主伤中，除痹，下气，补五脏虚劳羸瘦，强阴益精。久服，浓肠胃
（石斛始出六安山谷水旁石上，今荆襄、汉中、庐州、台州、温州诸处皆有。一种形如
金钗
，谓之钗石斛，为俗所尚，不若川地产者，其形修洁，茎长一二尺，气味清疏，黄白而实，
入药最良。其外更有木斛，长而中虚，不若川石斛之中实也。又有麦斛，形如大麦，累累相
连，头生一叶，其性微冷。又有竹叶斛，形如竹，节间生叶。又有雀髀斛，茎大如雀之髀，
叶在茎头，性皆苦寒，不堪用之。石斛丛生石上，其根纠结，茎叶生皆青翠。干则黄白而软
，折之悬挂屋下，时灌以水，经年不死，俗呼为千年润。）
（愚按∶今之石斛，其味皆苦，无有甘者，须知《本经》诸味，皆新出土时味也，干则
稍变
石斛生于石上，得水长生，是禀水石之专精而补肾。味甘色黄，不假土力，是夺中土之
气化而补脾。斛乃量名，主出主入，治伤中者，营运其中土也。除痹者，除皮脉肉筋骨五脏
外合之
痹证也。夫治伤中则下气，言中气调和，则邪气自下矣。除痹则补五脏虚劳羸瘦，言邪气散
除，则正气强盛矣，脾为阴中之至阴，故曰强阴。肾主藏精，故曰益精。久服则土气营运，
水精四布，故浓肠胃。
《本经》上品，多主除痹，不曰风寒湿，而但曰痹者，乃五脏外合之痹也。盖皮者，肺
之合
。脉者，心之合。肉者，脾之合。筋者，肝之合。骨者，肾之合。故除痹即所以治五脏之虚
劳羸瘦，是攻邪之中而有补益之妙用。治伤中即所以下气，是补益之中而有攻邪之神理云。
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。主治中焦受损，祛除痹证，降逆下气，补益五脏因虚劳导致的消瘦体弱，增强阴液并滋养精髓。长期服用，能使肠胃厚实。
（石斛最初产于六安山谷水边的石头上，如今在荆襄、汉中、庐州、台州、温州等地都有出产。有一种形状像金钗的，称为“钗石斛”，被世俗所崇尚，但不如四川产的石斛好，四川石斛形状修长洁净，茎长一尺到二尺，气味清疏，颜色黄白且质地坚实，入药效果最好。此外还有木斛，茎长且中间空虚，不如川石斛那样中间坚实。又有麦斛，形状像大麦，颗粒相连，顶端生一片叶子，性质微冷。又有竹叶斛，形状像竹子，节间生叶。又有雀髀斛，茎粗大得像鸟的大腿，叶子生在茎头，这些性质都苦寒，不堪药用。石斛丛生在石头上，根部纠结在一起，茎叶生长时都是青翠的。干燥后变成黄白色且柔软，折断后悬挂在屋檐下，时常浇水，经过一年也不会死，俗称为“千年润”。）
（我按语：现在的石斛，味道都是苦的，没有甘味的，必须知道《神农本草经》中记载的各种味道，都是指新出土时的味道，干燥后味道会稍有变化。石斛生长在石头上，依靠水分长久生存，这是禀受了水和石的精专之气而补肾。味道甘甜、颜色发黄，不依赖土的力量，这是夺取了中焦土气的化生作用来补脾。“斛”是量名，主出主入，治疗中焦受损，是因为它能运化中焦土气。祛除痹证，是指祛除皮、脉、肉、筋、骨及五脏外合部位的痹证。治疗中焦受损就能降逆下气，意思是中气调和，邪气自然下行。祛除痹证就能补益五脏虚劳导致的消瘦，意思是邪气散除，正气就强盛了。脾是阴中之至阴，所以说是“强阴”。肾主藏精，所以说是“益精”。长期服用则土气运化正常，水精四布，所以能使肠胃厚实。
《神农本草经》上品药物，多主治祛除痹证，不说风寒湿，只说痹证，指的是五脏外合部位的痹证。大概来说，皮是肺的外合，脉是心的外合，肉是脾的外合，筋是肝的外合，骨是肾的外合。所以祛除痹证就是治疗五脏虚劳消瘦的方法，这是在攻逐邪气中具有补益的妙用。治疗中焦受损就是降逆下气的方法，这是在补益中具有攻逐邪气的神妙道理。）
[Taste and Nature] Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats damage to the middle jiao (middle burner), dispels bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome characterized by pain or stiffness), directs qi downward, tonifies deficiency-wasting conditions causing emaciation of the five zang organs, strengthens yin, and benefits essence. Long-term consumption thickens the stomach and intestines.
*(Deshu [Dendrobii Caulis] originally grew on rocks beside streams in the valleys of Lu'an. Currently, it is produced in Jingxiang, Hanzhong, Luzhou, Taizhou, Wenzhou, and other places. One variety resembles a gold hairpin, called "Chai Deshu" (Hairpin Dendrobium), which is favored by common people, but it is inferior to that produced in Sichuan. Sichuan Deshu has a slender and clean shape, with stems one to two chi long, possessing a clear and sparse aroma, yellowish-white color, and solid texture, making it the best for medicinal use. There is also Mu Hu (Wood Dendrobium), which is long and hollow inside, unlike the solid interior of Sichuan Deshu. There is also Mai Hu (Wheat Dendrobium), shaped like wheat grains, connected in clusters, with a single leaf at the head, having a slightly cold nature. There is also Zhuye Hu (Bamboo Leaf Dendrobium), shaped like bamboo with leaves growing between the nodes. There is also Que Bi Hu (Sparrow Thigh Dendrobium), with stems as thick as a sparrow's thigh and leaves at the stem tip; these all have bitter and cold natures and are unsuitable for use. Deshu grows in clusters on rocks, with tangled roots, and its stems and leaves are green and lush when growing. When dried, it becomes yellowish-white and soft. After breaking, it is hung under eaves and watered occasionally; it can survive for years without dying, hence commonly known as "Thousand-Year Moistener".)*
*(My commentary: Current Deshu tastes bitter, not sweet. One must understand that the flavors recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* refer to the taste when freshly unearthed; the taste changes slightly after drying. Deshu grows on rocks and survives long-term with water, thereby inheriting the refined essence of water and stone to tonify the Kidney. Its sweet taste and yellow color indicate that it does not rely on Earth's power but rather seizes the transformative qi of the Middle Jiao (Earth) to tonify the Spleen. "Hu" is a unit of measurement, governing both exiting and entering. Treating damage to the middle jiao involves regulating the qi of the Middle Jiao. Dispelling bi-syndrome refers to removing bi-syndromes affecting the exterior correspondences of skin, vessels, flesh, sinews, bones, and the five zang organs. Treating damage to the middle jiao leads to directing qi downward, meaning that when middle qi is harmonized, pathogenic qi naturally descends. Dispelling bi-syndrome tonifies the five zang organs' deficiency-wasting emaciation, meaning that when pathogenic qi is scattered and removed, healthy qi becomes strong. The Spleen is the extreme yin within yin, hence "strengthening yin." The Kidney stores essence, hence "benefiting essence." Long-term consumption ensures the normal operation of Earth qi and the distribution of fluid essence throughout the body, thus thickening the stomach and intestines.
The Superior Class drugs in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* mostly treat the dispersion of bi-syndrome. They do not specify wind-cold-dampness but simply say "bi," referring to bi-syndromes of the exterior correspondences of the five zang organs. Specifically, skin corresponds to the Lung, vessels to the Heart, flesh to the Spleen, sinews to the Liver, and bones to the Kidney. Therefore, dispelling bi-syndrome is a method to treat deficiency-wasting emaciation of the five zang organs; this is the subtle efficacy of tonification within the act of expelling pathogens. Treating damage to the middle jiao is a method of directing qi downward; this is the divine principle of expelling pathogens within the act of tonification.)*