Shennong Bencaojing

Shennong Bencaojing (Chinese: 神农本草经), also known as The Classic of Herbal Medicine, is a legendary Chinese text attributed to Shennong, a mythical figure in Chinese mythology who is said to have lived around 2800 BCE. Shennong is often depicted as a deity with a human body and the head of a bull, and he is revered as the Divine Farmer who taught China agriculture and the use of medicinal plants. The Shennong Bencaojing is considered the earliest and one of the most important works on Chinese herbology and traditional Chinese medicine.

Content and Structure

The Shennong Bencaojing is divided into three volumes and covers 365 entries of medicinal substances. These substances are categorized into three classes based on their properties and potential for causing harm:

• The upper class (herbs), which are non-toxic and can be consumed regularly to maintain balance and health.
• The middle class, which are somewhat toxic and can be used to treat illnesses.
• The lower class, which are toxic and should be used sparingly, only under specific conditions.

Each entry in the Shennong Bencaojing provides information on the name, appearance, habitat, and therapeutic value of the plant, mineral, or animal product, along with instructions on preparation and dosage. The text emphasizes the importance of harmony between humans and nature, and the use of these substances to maintain or restore that balance.

Historical Significance

The Shennong Bencaojing is not only a cornerstone in the field of traditional Chinese medicine but also a significant cultural artifact that reflects ancient Chinese philosophy, particularly Daoism, which stresses living in harmony with the Dao or the way of nature. The text has influenced countless generations of physicians and herbalists in China and across East Asia, laying the foundation for the development of traditional medicine systems in these regions.

Although the original text is believed to have been compiled during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the Shennong Bencaojing has been transmitted through various manuscripts, with the earliest surviving copies dating back to the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). Over the centuries, it has been annotated, commented upon, and expanded by numerous scholars, which has contributed to the evolution of its content and the field of Chinese medicine.

Legacy and Influence

The principles and knowledge contained in the Shennong Bencaojing continue to be of relevance today. It is not only studied as a historical text but also used as a reference in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. The work has also sparked interest in the study of ethnobotany and the conservation of medicinal plants.

The Shennong Bencaojing has inspired further pharmacological works in China, such as the Bencao Gangmu (本草纲目), compiled by Li Shizhen in the 16th century, which expanded on the foundation laid by the Shennong Bencaojing and is considered one of the most comprehensive and authoritative works on traditional Chinese medicine.

See Also

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Herbalism
• Shennong
• Bencao Gangmu

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  Shennong attributed to Sesshu (Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art)