Distinguish between grains and taste hundreds of herbs, and Shennong will eventually obtain four treasures

According to legend, in ancient times, the Yan Emperor Shennong was seriously ill. In order to seek medical treatment, he led hundreds of civil and military officials to travel through mountains and rivers, and traveled widely among the people. In a season of crisp autumn and refreshing morning air, the Shennong family traveled to Huaichuan (today's Jiaozuo County area). "When seeing the beautiful scenery of green leaves and flowers, as well as the beautiful and wonderful mountain scenery, I exclaimed, 'It's really a land of immortals and blessings!'"

"The Shennong family then distinguished grains and tasted hundreds of herbs here, and ascended the altar to offer sacrifices to heaven. Finally, they obtained four kinds of grass roots, flower stamens, and water, and soon recovered.". "It is also called" Huai Yam, Huai Dihuang, Huai Achyranthes Bidentata, Huai Chrysanthemum "due to the protection of the four official values of mountain, land, cattle, and chrysanthemum.". This is the early origin of the "Four Huai Medicines". With its authentic medicinal materials and miraculous therapeutic effects, it has become a profound cultural treasure of traditional Chinese medicine, and has been performing for 3000 years now.

According to historical records, in 734 BC, Duke Huan of Wei presented Huai yam as a tribute to the Zhou royal family and was praised as a "divine object.". Since then, until the Qing Dynasty, all dynasties have listed Huaishan medicine as a tribute granted by the emperor, and collected it year after year.

Why did the "Four Huai Medicines" get their name?

The four major Huai medicines refer to the four traditional Chinese medicines produced by the ancient Huaiqing Prefecture (now Wenxian, Qinyang, Wuzhi, Mengzhou, Jiaozuo Prefecture, Henan Province), namely, yam, achyranthes bidentata, rehmannia glutinosa, and chrysanthemum. "The earliest Chinese classic of pharmacology, the Shennong Classic of Materia Medica, listed the yams (dioscorea officinalis), rehmannia glutinosa, achyranthes bidentata, and chrysanthemum produced by" Qin Huaidi "(Huaichuan) as top grade. Later, famous medical experts of various dynasties further discovered the excellent original nature of the four major Huai medicines by going from the outside to the inside, removing the rough and refining.". As the saying goes, "One side of water and soil nourishes one side of people, and one side of water and soil nourishes one side of herbs.". "Four Huai Medicines" (Huai Shan Yao, Huai Di Huang, Huai Chrysanthemum, Huai Achyranthes), that is, with their authentic medicinal materials and miraculous therapeutic effects, have become the treasures of the profound Chinese medicine culture.

So, how did the four major pregnant drugs come from?

1、 The Origin of "Huai" in the Four Huai Medicines

"Huai" in the embrace of mountains and rivers

To the north lies the majestic Taihang Mountains, to the south lies the surging Yellow River, and to the west lies the Wangwu Mountain, which is shielded and shaped like ox horns. It is known as "Niujiaochuan" in the world. The name "Huai" is used throughout the name, implying the embrace of Taihang, Wangwu, and the Yellow River.

2. Take "Huai" from Huaiqing Mansion

In the summer, the area under the jurisdiction of Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, was known as "Qin Huai" in ancient times. According to the records of "Yu Gong in the Book of Shang", "Qin Huai Di Ji, as for Hengzhang", it belonged to Jizhou at that time. During the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, it was Hanoi County and the seat of Huaizhou, so it was called "Huaizhou". In the Yuan Dynasty, it was called "Huaiqing Road".

2、 Introduction to the Four Huai Medicines

1. "Huai Shan Yao: Medicinal root, also known as" Huai Shen "due to its medicinal effect comparable to ginseng, is a model of the same origin between medicine and food. It has a mild and sweet nature, and is an important nourishing medicine. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, tonifying weakness, eliminating cold and heat evil, supplementing qi, building muscle, and nourishing kidney yin. After taking it for a long time, it can make people hear and see clearly, and lighten their body without hunger.".

2. Huai Chrysanthemum: The stems, leaves, stems, roots, and flowers can be used as medicine. They are slightly cold in nature, and have a sweet and bitter taste. They have the efficacy of sterilization, heat clearing, thirst quenching, liver calming, and eye brightening.

3. Achyranthes bidentata: Also known as Baibei, it has the power of medicine, such as the strength of cattle. It tastes sweet and slightly sour, and is cool. It enters the heart, liver, and large intestine. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation and dispersing stasis, eliminating dampness and diuresis, clearing heat and detoxifying, and has a therapeutic effect on rheumatic arthritis, bruises, and edema.

4. Huai Dihuang: It can be divided into two types: raw and cooked. The raw rehmannia glutinosa has a sweet taste and a cold nature. It can return to the heart, liver, and kidney meridians, and has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, nourishing yin, and promoting fluid production. Prepared Rehmannia glutinosa has a sweet and slightly warm taste, which is beneficial to the liver and kidney meridians. It has the effects of nourishing yin and blood, benefiting essence and marrow, darkening hair, and dredging blood vessels. It is a good product for removing diseases and prolonging life.