Shennong Ben Cao Jing: The Mythic Divine Farmer of China, Tasting 100 Herbs Daily, and Eastern Botanical Taxonomy

The Divine Farmer of Ancient Huaxia

According to ancient Chinese mythology, the Emperor Shennong (神農)—the "Divine Farmer" who lived around 2800 BCE—is revered as the father of Chinese agriculture and herbal pharmacognosy. Folklore recounts that Shennong possessed a transparent jade-crystal abdomen, allowing him to observe the visceral physiological actions of every wild leaf, root, and mushroom he consumed.

1. The 365 Botanical Substances & The Three-Tier Classification

The canonical treatise Shennong Ben Cao Jing (The Classic of Herbal Medicine), compiled during the Han Dynasty (c. 200 CE), classified 365 natural substances matching the days of the solar year into three distinct hierarchical grades:

1. Superior Grade (Shang Pin - 120 Herbs): "Sovereign Tonics" that can be consumed continuously without toxicity to nourish life (Jing), promote longevity, and lighten the body (e.g., Red Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom, Astragalus).


2. Middle Grade (Zhong Pin - 120 Herbs): "Minister Herbs" that balance human constitution and prevent disease, but possess mild therapeutic intensity requiring dosage care (e.g., Ginger, Licorice, Schisandra).


3. Lower Grade (Xia Pin - 125 Herbs): "Assistant Herbs" with strong, toxic, or purgative properties used strictly short-term to cure acute virulent conditions (e.g., Aconite, Rhubarb).

2. References & Historical Citations

• Yang, S. Z. (1998). The Divine Farmer\'s Materia Medica: A Translation of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Blue Poppy Press.
• Unschuld, P. U. (1986). Medicine in China: A History of Pharmaceutics. University of California Press.

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