白花蛇出蕲州者佳黄州者次之其尾有佛指甲者为真虽死而两目光彩用之治风疾甚验(张
文潜明道杂志)
白花蛇出蕲州者佳黄州者次之其尾有佛指甲者为真虽死而两目光彩用之治风疾甚验(张
文潜明道杂志)
泽兰产于吴中开白花叶似火麻其根名为地笋能解斑蝥毒妇人胎前产后一切诸病之圣药(
苏州志)
胡麻主肠中虚羸补五内益气力长肌肉填髓脑坚筋骨去虚热久服明目轻身不老延年一名巨
胜四
棱为胡麻八棱为巨胜陶弘景云八谷之中唯此为良又云味甘在米豆部此正是乌麻也今时所用巨
胜茎荚虽小类麻而叶子大极味苦其性甚冷夫味苦不可入米谷性冷不可为补益其叶又与麻不同
阴晦日则低日烈则起此当别是一物非巨胜胡麻也俗医但用不辩其非正当用乌油麻味甘而叶有
四棱者为胡麻八棱者曰巨胜正合本经不当用苦而冷者也
洪州西山有谌母观母乃许旌阳
授道之师也观有母所种仙茅与今山野中所产不相远但采以作汤则香味差别耳若少年者饮之至
于口鼻皆出血其性极热也此说出吴曾能改斋漫录
五加皮性微寒无毒其树身干皆有刺叶如楸俗呼为刺楸在在有之春采芽可食味辛而微苦食
之极能
益寿古人以此酿酒本草云主治风痹四肢挛急补中益精坚筋骨强志意能消皮肤间瘀血又云宁得
一把五加不用金玉满车此药有益于人故珍重如此
出自蕲州的白花蛇品质最佳，黄州出产的次之。其尾部有类似佛指甲特征的为真品，即使蛇已死亡，双眼仍有光彩。用此药治疗风疾非常有效。（引自张文潜《明道杂志》）
泽兰产于吴中地区，开白花，叶子形状像火麻。它的根被称为地笋，能够解斑蝥毒。它是妇女怀孕前和产后各种疾病的圣药。（引自《苏州志》）
胡麻主要治疗肠道中的虚弱消瘦，补益五脏，增强气力，促进肌肉生长，填补髓脑，坚固筋骨，去除虚热。长期服用可以明目、轻身、不老、延年益寿。胡麻又名巨胜。四棱的是胡麻，八棱的是巨胜。陶弘景说：“在五谷之中，只有这种作物优良。”又说它味甘，属于米豆部，这正是乌麻。现在市面上所用的巨胜，茎荚虽然小像麻，但叶子很大且极苦，其性质非常寒冷。味道苦不能入米谷类，性质寒冷不能作为补益之用。它的叶子又与麻不同，阴天时下垂，烈日时翘起。这应当是另一种东西，不是巨胜或胡麻。世俗医生只知使用而不加辨别，正当使用的是乌油麻，味甘且叶有四棱的是胡麻，八棱的叫巨胜，这才符合《本经》的标准，不应当使用味苦性冷的品种。
洪州西山有谌母观，谌母是许旌阳传授道法的老师。观中有谌母种植的仙茅，与当今山野中产出的相差不远，但若采摘来煮汤，香味则有差别。如果是年轻人饮用，会导致口鼻出血，因为其性质极其炎热。此说法出自吴曾《能改斋漫录》。
五加皮性微寒，无毒。其树干和枝条都有刺，叶子像楸树，俗称刺楸，到处都有。春天采集嫩芽可以食用，味道辛而微苦。食用它能极大地益寿。古人用此药酿酒。《本草》记载：主治风痹、四肢挛急，补中益气，坚固筋骨，强意志，能消除皮肤间的瘀血。又有说法称：“宁得一把五加，不用金玉满车。”因为此药对人有益，所以如此珍重。
Baihua She (White-spotted Snake) from Qizhou is of the best quality, while that from Huangzhou is secondary. The genuine species can be identified by the "Buddha's fingernail" feature on its tail; even after death, its eyes retain luster. It is highly effective in treating wind diseases (Zhang Wenqian, *Mingdao Zazhi*).
Zelan (Eupatorium fortunei) is produced in the Wuzhong region. It bears white flowers and has leaves resembling those of Huoma (Hemp). Its root is called Disun (Ground Bamboo Shoot) and can detoxify Banmao (Blister Beetle). It is regarded as a miraculous medicine for all ailments before and after childbirth in women (*Suzhou Zhi*).
Humax (Sesame) primarily treats emaciation and weakness in the intestines, tonifies the five zang organs, boosts qi and strength, promotes muscle growth, fills the marrow and brain, strengthens sinews and bones, and clears deficiency heat. Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, lightens the body, prevents aging, and prolongs life. Humax is also known as Jusheng. The variety with four ridges is Humax, while the one with eight ridges is Jusheng. Tao Hongjing stated: "Among the eight grains, only this one is excellent." He further noted that its flavor is sweet and it belongs to the category of rice and beans; this is precisely Wu Ma (Black Sesame). However, the Jusheng currently in use has small pods resembling sesame but large leaves with an extremely bitter taste and a very cold nature. Bitter flavors do not belong in grain categories, and cold natured substances are unsuitable for tonification. Furthermore, its leaves behave differently from hemp: they droop on cloudy days and rise under intense sun. This must be a different substance, not Jusheng or Humax. Lay physicians often use it without discrimination. The correct variety should be Wu You Ma (Black Oily Sesame), which has a sweet taste and four-ridged leaves (Humax) or eight-ridged leaves (Jusheng), conforming to the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. The bitter and cold variety should not be used.
On Mount Xi in Hongzhou, there is the Chenmu Guan (Chenmu Temple). Chenmu was the master who transmitted the Dao to Xu Jingyang. The temple contains Xian Mao (Curculigo rhizome) planted by Chenmu, which is similar to that found in mountains and fields today, though the aroma and flavor differ when decocted. If consumed by young people, it may cause bleeding from the mouth and nose due to its extreme heat property. This account comes from Wu Zeng’s *Nenggai Zhai Manlu*.
Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex) has a slightly cold nature and is non-toxic. The tree trunk and branches are covered with thorns, and the leaves resemble those of the Catalpa tree; it is commonly called Ci Qiu (Thorny Catalpa). It is widespread. In spring, the buds can be harvested for food; they taste pungent and slightly bitter. Consumption greatly contributes to longevity. Ancients used it to brew wine. The *Bencao* states that it mainly treats wind-bi syndrome (wind-dampness obstruction) and spasms/contracture of the four limbs, tonifies the middle jiao and essence, strengthens sinews and bones, fortifies the will, and resolves blood stasis in the skin. Another saying goes: "Better to have a handful of Wujia Pi than a cart full of gold and jade." Because this herb benefits humans, it is so highly valued.