《太上肘後玉經方》

Interpretation of the "Supreme Jade Elixir Formulas"

This scripture was compiled by the Tang Dynasty Daoist master Xia Xizi Lu Zunyuan, documenting secret longevity formulas transmitted by multiple practitioners of the Dao.

The story begins with Chao Juzi, who served the immortal Qingtong Jun of the Eastern Sea for twenty years. Through unwavering devotion—enduring both bitter cold and scorching heat—he finally received the secret teachings of immortality directly from the divine. The immortal told him: "Ascending to transcendence as an immortal is difficult, but if you preserve the vast righteous Qi within, your countenance will never age, your eyes and ears will remain clear, and you may live for centuries."

Later, during the Chang'an era, Chao Juzi transmitted these secret methods to Han Xizi, a man of noble character. By the eighth year of the Zhenyuan era (792 CE) of the Tang Dynasty, Han Xizi, recognizing my (Lu Zunyuan’s) humble origins but pure heart, passed these formulas on to me. Subsequently, Yin Xizi, a scholar who abandoned worldly pursuits to cultivate the Dao, studied under me for six or seven years and also received these esoteric teachings.

Finally, in the year 815 CE (the Yimao year of the Baoli era), I, Lu Zunyuan, bestowed this scripture—containing the eight precious elixir formulas of Lord Lao (the deified Laozi)—upon Yin Xizi, Master Shi, urging him to practice with sincere devotion.

Among the formulas recorded is the "Seven Essences Powder of Heaven the Father and Earth the Mother," which includes:

1. Bamboo fruit (steamed and sun-dried for nine days to harmonize Wood Qi)

2. Kochia seeds (to regulate the liver and brighten the eyes)

3. Solomon’s seal (to nourish the spleen)

4. Chastetree fruit (to dispel pathogenic influences and improve vision)

5. Pine resin (refined to treat rheumatism and joint pain)

6. Peach resin (to ward off malevolent spirits)

7. Superior grains (the essence of the Five Grains, requiring nine cycles of sun-drying)

Each ingredient requires specialized preparation, corresponding to specific health benefits. When combined, they aid practitioners in prolonging life and enhancing cultivation.

This scripture records two secret Daoist longevity prescriptions handed down from the Yellow Emperor's era, both considered precious medicinal formulas. The text particularly emphasizes that transmitting these recipes requires solemn rituals and strict confidentiality.

The first prescription, called "Earthly Wind Minister's Fourfold Powder" (Kun refers to earth, while Wind Minister was a subordinate of the Yellow Emperor), contains the following ingredients:

• Trogopterus dung (three large liang, extends lifespan)
• Epimedium (three large liang, strengthens tendons and bones)
• Pine resin (three large liang, treats wind-induced epilepsy)
• Alisma rhizome (three large liang, tonifies kidneys)
• Atractylodes (two large liang, enhances physical strength)
• Dried ginger (two large liang, supplements Qi)
• Fresh rehmannia root (five large liang, nourishes marrow and blood)
• Acorus calamus (three large liang, nurtures heart and Shen)
• Cinnamon heartwood (three large liang, repairs deficiencies)
• Mica powder (four large liang, whitens and softens skin)

Preparation method: Grind each ingredient separately into powder, mix thoroughly, then pound thirty thousand times. Alternatively, form into pills using honey. An oath of secrecy must be sworn before transmitting this formula.

The second prescription, named "Mountain Immortal's Placenta Formula" (Gen represents mountains, while Immortal Wang refers to a transcendent being), primarily uses:

• Human placenta (one complete specimen, specifically from a healthy primipara, called "maiden's placenta" in the text. Must be cleansed of blood, washed fifty times with wine, then dried in shade)

Accompanied by:

• Fresh rehmannia root (eight large liang)
• Achyranthes root (four large liang, treats lumbar and knee issues)
• Chrysanthemum (three large liang, dispels wind)
• Schisandra (three large liang, nourishes five viscera)
• Cistanche (three liang, boosts male potency—omit for female recipients)
• Raspberry (four large liang, supplements yin)
• Morinda root (two large liang, male-specific ingredient)
• Chebulic myrobalan peel (three large liang, regulates Qi)
• Calystegia flower (two liang, strengthens sinews and bones)
• Sophora root (two large liang, detoxifies)
• Licorice or acorus (three large liang, calms Shen)
• Dried lacquer (three liang, expels wind)
• Arborvitae seeds (three liang, replenishes Jing)
• Poria fungus

The scripture warns: These formulas may only be transmitted after incense offerings to heaven and sworn oaths, with transmission permitted just once every forty years. Unauthorized disclosure will cause the Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) to shorten the lifespan of the violator's descendants for seven generations, while the Water Official (Daoist deity governing aquatic domains) will inflict punishment.

Interpretation of Several Longevity Formulas from The Supreme Jade Scripture of Elbow-Pocket Methods:

1. Complexion-Nourishing Formula (original unnamed prescription):

This formula combines calming Yunying powder (3 liang ≈112.5g), spleen-nourishing Dendrobium stems (2 liang ≈75g), digestive-regulating Polygonatum rhizome (2 liang), diuretic Alisma rhizome (3 liang, particularly beneficial for men), memory-enhancing Alpinia fruit (2 liang, also called Yizhiren), blood-activating apricot kernels (4 liang ≈150g), and longevity-promoting black sesame (4 liang). These ingredients are ground into powder, mixed with honey to form pills. Legend claims three courses of this formula could restore maiden-like rosy complexion. The ancient adept Fu Sulin reportedly swore an oath to keep this formula secret.

2. The Four Youths Powder of Queen Mother from Xun Turtle Platform:

Comprising cinnabar (7 liang ≈262.5g), vermilion (3 liang), sesame seeds (4 liang), Asparagus root (4 liang), Poria mushroom (5 liang ≈187.5g), Atractylodes rhizome (3 liang), Polygonatum (5 liang ≈187.5g), and peach kernels (4 liang). After 30,000 pestle strikes, it's taken as powder in winter or formed into pills in summer. Eight years of continuous use allegedly restores infant-like complexion. The adept Mao Ai supposedly pledged never to disclose this formula.

3. Peng Jun's Elk Antler Powder:

Using three pairs of elk antlers (quantity adjustable), impurities removed and soaked in rice-wash water (changed every 3 days in summer, 10 days in winter), then steamed, sun-dried, and powdered. Each jin (≈600g) of powder mixes with 1 liang of sulfur. Legend states Practitioner Peng lived 779 years after using this, later disappearing into Difu Mountain. Discovered in a Crane-Cry Mountain cave, recipients swore secrecy oaths.

4. Xia Ji's Golden Elixir Apricot Formula:

Six dou (≈60 liters) of apricot kernels are ground with water to extract 1.8 dan (≈180 liters) of juice, boiled in mutton-fat-treated iron cauldrons (requiring 3 jin ≈1.8kg fat for coating). This was the beauty secret of ancient beauty Xia Ji.

(Note: Ancient measurements: 1 liang≈37.5g, 1 dou≈10 liters. These formulas reflect Daoist longevity practices emphasizing oath-bound secrecy, embodying the ancient tradition of "transmitting prescriptions but not their essential techniques." Modern use requires professional medical supervision.)

The Supreme Jade Formulas for the Elbow contains several longevity prescriptions that can be summarized in modern terms as follows:

The first formula involves simmering a certain plant extract over low heat for forty-nine days, then adding mulberry seeds to continue decocting. The final product is formed into pill-sized beads the size of soybeans, with one pill taken daily—three liang (about 150g) constituting a full course. The text claims that consuming three courses during summer can restore youth to middle-aged women, ultimately enabling daytime ascension to immortality. This formula originates from the Upper Scripture of Xianmenzi (an ancient immortal), but sternly warns that practitioners must swear an oath of secrecy, lest calamity befall them—a crucial admonition.

The second is Chisongzi's (the Southern Peak Perfected Being) wolfberry formula: Take thirty jin (about 18kg) of wolfberry roots, remove the bark, then undergo nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying before pounding into powder. Simmer with root marrow until reduced to about three dou (6 liters), achieving a syrup-like consistency. Combine with the prepared powder to form pills the size of phoenix tree seeds. A single course allegedly extends lifespan by a century. Transmitted by immortal Li Babai, this formula similarly demands a secrecy oath—violation invites heavenly punishment.

The third is Master Qingjing's rice formula: Soak one dan (about 60kg) of white millet in nanzhu juice, then subject to nine steamings and sun-dryings until reduced to three dou. Begin by consuming one spoonful daily, increasing dosage after one month, reaching one-third spoonful after two months. Said to turn white hair black and render skin jade-smooth, this formula was allegedly consumed by celestial maidens to command the Six Ding heavenly soldiers as protectors. However, immortality can only be achieved through strict confidentiality—utmost caution is required.

These formulas share two emphases: First, their preparation involves extremely elaborate procedures (like ninefold steaming-drying cycles); second, they absolutely must not be divulged, with severe consequences for violations. This reflects ancient Daoism's treasuring and mystification of longevity secrets.