熟地黃 Rehmannia

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性溫, 味甘微苦, 無毒. 大補血衰, 善黑鬚髮, 塡骨髓, 長肌肉, 助筋骨, 補虛損, 通血脉, 益氣力, 利耳目.

   Its nature is warm, its taste sweet with a touch of bitterness, and it is non-toxic. It greatly supplements declining blood, readily blackens beard and hair, fills the marrow, builds flesh, aids sinew and bone, repairs heoson (虛損, depletion damage), frees the blood vessels, boosts qi and strength, and benefits the ears and eyes.

   HomiclubSukjihwang is jihwang root put through repeated cycles of steaming and drying. The repetition turns it black and pliant — the dark, sticky root seen in herb shops.

2. 蒸造法, 詳見雜方. 《本草》

   The method of steaming and preparing it is set out in detail in the Japbang (雜方, miscellaneous formulas) chapter. 《Boncho (本草)》

3. 生地黃損胃, 胃氣弱者, 不可久服. 熟地黃泥膈, 痰火盛者, 亦不可久服. 《正傳》

   Saengjihwang injures the stomach, so those weak in stomach qi must not take it long. Sukjihwang clogs the diaphragm, so those with exuberant damhwa (痰火, phlegm-fire) likewise must not take it long. 《Jeongjeon (正傳)》

4. 熟地黃, 入手足少陰厥陰經, 性溫而補腎. 《入門》

   Sukjihwang enters the hand and foot soeum and gwoleum channels; its nature is warm and it supplements the kidney. 《Ipmun (入門)》

5. 熟地黃, 以薑汁製之, 無膈悶之患. 《醫鑑》

   If sukjihwang is processed with ginger juice, there is no trouble of oppression in the chest. 《Uigam (醫鑑)》

   HomiclubMoistening a drug with ginger juice before roasting is still practised in Korean pharmacies under the name gangjupje.