《白雲仙人靈草歌》

The Songs of Numinous Herbs by Immortal White Cloud is a Daoist text documenting sacred herbs used in alchemical practices. Here is a modern interpretation of selected passages:

【Dao-Attaining Herb】 (purple flowers, blue-green stems and leaves)

Never overlook the efficacy of numinous herbs in alchemy. This herb can directly condense into cinnabar (a crucial material in Neidan, internal alchemy).

【White Blessing Herb】 (blue-green) & 【Sea Treasure Herb】 (red flowers, blue-green stems)

Even after a decade of cultivation, one might not recognize these herbs. The White Blessing Herb serves as an ideal vessel for alchemy, while the Sea Treasure Herb can soften metals. They grow on sandy hills and are highly valued by practitioners. The red pistils yield true mercury, and their deep roots symbolize stability.

【Purple-Stemmed Herb】 (pale black flowers, blue-green stems)

This rare herb emerges with three branches. When combined with cinnabar, it significantly enhances the refinement of mercury.

【United-Ear Herb】 (red-purple flowers, blue-green stems)

A divine gift from heaven. Unaffected by frost or seasonal extremes, it sharpens wisdom after calcination and is vital for elixir preparation.

【Immortal-Gazing Herb】 (red flowers, green leaves)

Harvested in spring, its juice extracts cinnabar essence, rapidly solidifying mercury.

【Golden Lotus Herb】 (red flowers, green leaves)

Exceptionally potent in alchemy, it serves as a versatile vessel for medicines with extraordinary effects.

【Jade Nectar Herb】 (red flowers, green leaves)

Resonates with the Great Medicine (advanced elixirs), particularly effective in processing cinnabar.

【Great Mystery Herb】 (red flowers, green leaves)

Practitioners must remember: this herb subdues the Four Deities (directional spirits) and harmonizes Yin-Yang energies.

【Golden Wind Herb】 (black seeds, white roots, blue-green flowers)

Treasured by cultivators. Boiling it with true mercury yields hardened cinnabar; its white substance symbolizes the density of metallic nature.

【Immortal’s Choice Herb】 (red flowers, green leaves, horned fruit)

Grows in dense forests with a sweet taste, specifically used to subdue white sulfur (an alchemical ingredient).

【Sword Herb】

(Original text missing; likely an herb resembling a sword in form.)

Note: These herbs were specialized plants employed by ancient Daoists in Waidan (external alchemy). Terms like "mercury condensation" and "mercury boiling" refer to alchemical mercury-processing techniques, while "vessel" denotes functions of containment or medicinal harmonization.

This scripture records various mystical herbs with special properties, primarily describing their growing environments, physical characteristics, and alchemical applications:

1. Nameless Grass (Three-Stemmed Yellow Flower)

Grows on sandy soil, bearing yellow flowers and black seeds, with a bitter taste and white sap. Particularly suitable for subduing cinnabar (an alchemical material), its sap can withstand high temperatures.

2. Forest Spring Grass

Resembles daylilies, grows in forests, with red flowers, green leaves, and a sweet taste. Capable of subduing realgar (an alchemical material).

3. Earth Elm Grass (Green)

Thrives on wasteland edges, with an astringent taste. Can subdue sal ammoniac (a mineral medicine); boiling it with stones and consuming the decoction alleviates illness and lightens the body.

4. Golden Thread Grass

Grows by mountain streams, with yellow flowers, green leaves, and a pungent taste. Wrapping various sand and mineral materials in its flowers and leaves can protect them from intense fire.

5. Earth Treasure Grass (Slender Leaves, Straight Stem, Dark Green)

Found near water, with thin leaves and a bitter taste. Exceptionally effective for subduing male sand (xiongsha), producing an amber-colored sap that resists high heat.

6. Great Passage Grass

Red flowers, green leaves, black seeds, sweet taste, grows by rivers. Its natural sap can congeal into sand-like substances. A variant, Great Passage Flower, has white roots and lacks pungency, specifically used for congealing sand.

7. Heaven-Sent Grass

Grows on yellow sandy soil, with green flowers, red seeds, and a spicy taste. Can subdue the Four Divine Elixirs (high-grade alchemical pills).

8. Robe-Tangling Grass

Grows at forest edges, with a pungent taste. Capable of subduing powdered frost (an alchemical material) and resisting high heat; its five-branched green leaves are ideal for refining mercury into sand.

9. Great Dao Grass

Thrives on sandy soil, sweet-tasting with green leaves and white seeds, one flower bearing two seeds. Highly effective for refining large quantities of sand and extracting mercury. The text particularly emphasizes its "one flower, two seeds" characteristic as harmonizing with the two Qi of Yin and Yang.

10. Longevity Grass

Grows by water, sweet-tasting with red seeds. Exceptionally potent in subduing arsenic (a mineral medicine).

The text concludes by noting that all these mystical herbs can be used in elixir refinement. It specifically mentions "Zhi Grass" (Ganoderma) as capable of prolonging life, with terms like "Five Phoenixes," "Six Dragons," and "Seven Treasures" symbolizing their preciousness. These records reflect ancient Daoist practitioners' empirical observations of natural plant properties to aid their alchemical practices.

The Spiritual Herbs of Immortal White Cloud: A Modern Interpretation

Dragon World Herb (Herb of Longevity)

This rare spiritual herb is scarcely known except to those with authentic transmission. Daoist adepts call it the "Herb of Longevity," particularly suited for refining subdued-fire arsenic (a key material in Waidan, external alchemy).

White Crane Herb

Growing in deep forests, it tastes bitter with red blossoms and blue-green leaves, yielding solitary cinnabar grains. The White Crane Herb possesses unique efficacy—its blue-green leaves paired with red flowers can refine true mercury alone, concealing the secrets of immortality within the forest depths.

Mara Herb (Blue Stems, Green Leaves)

With purple blossoms and abundant white sap, it is called the "Great Dao's Mara." Not only does it prolong life, but it is also essential for elixir refinement.

Five Clouds Herb Phoenix Blue Herb (Red Flowers, Green Leaves)

Those seeking ascension through cultivation must study the Scripture of Divine Herbs. Sacred objects demand reverence—never treat them lightly. This herb resembles a treasure in the palm, capable of preventing the loss of Yang lifespan. To master the alchemical secret (mercury refinement), one must gather the Phoenix Blue Herb.

Manifestation Herb

Thriving in deep forests, it tastes sweet with yellow blossoms and black seeds. The sap from its green leaves can refine true cinnabar sand. Truly miraculous, it blooms with yellow flowers even in snow, unaffected by seasonal extremes, and can form cinnabar sand independently.

Jade Pillar Herb (Jade Flowers, Blue Leaves)

Mix its natural sap with sulfur until achieving optimal moisture, then place it in a Dingzhou crucible (alchemical vessel). First temper it with gentle heat until it reddens, then smelt with fierce fire overnight to produce fire-resistant white sulfur (a specialized alchemical material).

Bright Moon Herb Water Red Herb (Red Flowers, Blue Leaves, Crimson Stems)

Naturally called "Water Red," its mercury-subduing effects are modest, but it excels in processing arsenic sand and harmonizing Yin-Yang. This herb can also be ingested to treat edema.

Blazing Flame Herb

Growing in water, its red flowers and green leaves taste pungent. This herb can coagulate cinnabar grains, achieving absolute certainty in mineral consolidation—never failing.

Earth Banana Herb (Red Flowers, Black Seeds, Blue Stems and Leaves)

The noblest among subduing agents, nothing surpasses gathering Earth Banana Herb. Not only does it refine true mercury, but it also processes saltpeter. Indeed, it can subdue saltpeter and extract mercury.

Treasure Mountain Herb (Red Flowers, Green Leaves)

This spiritual herb, hailed as "Treasure Mountain," grows in deep forests. Daoist adepts particularly treasure it, valuing it beyond countless riches. Boiling mercury with its sap transforms it into hardened cinnabar grains, while also serving to authenticate precious objects.

(Note: Terms like "subdued mercury" and "cinnabar coagulation" refer to specialized Waidan techniques—processes for treating minerals like mercury to achieve alchemical effects.)

The Song of Numinous Herbs by Immortal Baiyun records the properties of several miraculous medicinal plants:

1. Small White Deer Herb (red stem with green leaves)

This red-flowered herb with green leaves grows on high mountain peaks and has a pungent taste. It is particularly suitable for concocting medicines to subdue birds and beasts. When refining it with materials like lead carbonate and mercury, complete combustion is required to activate its potency.

2. Small Golden Thread Herb (red flowers with green leaves)

This luminous plant has strikingly vibrant colors, with stems as tough as golden threads. Its leaves dry naturally and contain rare cinnabar components. Growing deep in mountain forests, its pungent flavor makes it essential for refining mercury elixirs - transforming into treasure the moment it meets fire.

3. True Pearl Herb

No medicinal herb surpasses the True Pearl Herb. When used in prescriptions, it guarantees safety and extends lifespan upon consumption. With sweet-tasting sap and yellow blossoms, it thrives in dense forests. Those who encounter it enjoy health and longevity.

4. Golden Phoenix Herb

This immortal herb (yellow flowers with green leaves) growing by riversides is a Daoist secret for refining supreme elixirs, more precious than gushing springs. Particularly effective for processing gold and mercury-based medicines.

5. Sea Pomegranate Herb (red flowers with green leaves)

The most potent herb for mercury refinement. Though bitter itself, its fruits are sweet. Its unique property: instantly solidifying liquid mercury, hence its alternate name "Mercury-Withering Herb."

6. Treasure-Gathering Herb (entire plant green)

A heavenly gift remaining evergreen through all seasons. Ordinary people cannot recognize this treasure comparable to gold in one's palm. Consumed to prolong life, eaten raw to nourish the heart. This sweet herb growing on sandy hills preserves other medicinal components during refinement.

7. Sea Peach Herb

The forest-growing Sea Peach Herb (yellow flowers with green leaves, bitter taste) specifically treats debility and exhaustion, extending life while softening metals. Exceptionally suitable for processing heavy metals like mercury and lead.

8. Golden Lantern Herb

Immortals call it Golden Lantern Herb for its pungent flavor. Direct consumption cures illnesses within a year. It also processes arsenic, transforms mercury properties, and can even extract mercury's quintessential essence.

(Note: The mentioned "mercury," "lead" etc. refer to ancient alchemical terminology - modern readers should never attempt such procedures.)

The White Cloud Immortal's Ode to Magical Herbs (Modern Interpretation):

1. Mercury-Extracting Herb (alchemical term: "mercury" refers to liquid metal, "subduing metal" refers to controlling metallic properties)

Grows on high slopes with a pungent taste, bearing purple flowers and long green leaves. This herb assists in refining mercury and subduing metallic elements.

2. Mountain Verdant Herb

Resembles Polygonatum (a medicinal rhizome). Consuming it can turn white hair black and is particularly effective for treating childhood convulsions. Ideal for alchemical preparations, its leaves remain evergreen through summer and autumn.

3. Omnipresent Herb

Thrives in high mountain forests with a sweet taste, displaying red blossoms amid green foliage. Combines well with sulfur in alchemy. The Daoist path follows immortal footprints - the Three Yellows (orpiment, realgar, and sulfur) can forge the true form, while the White Tiger (lead) serves as crucial material. This spiritual herb is essential for crafting the Golden Elixir (Jindan).

4. Pearl Herb (yellow flowers, green leaves)

Grows in sandy soil with an astringent taste, producing blue flowers with green leaves. Prolongs life without illness when consumed, especially potent when combined with supreme medicines in alchemy.

5. Mountain Crimson Herb

Found on high ridges or earthen hills with sweet-tasting red flowers and green leaves. Consumption grants millennium-long longevity.

6. Dragon Spring Herb

While all things sprout in spring, this herb emerges earliest. Wrapping cinnabar (alchemical material) in its leaves allows natural juices to evaporate mercury. Growing in deep grass with blue flowers and black seeds, it bestows lightness and vitality when ingested.

7. Treasure Peak Herb

Dao cultivation requires no distant quests - the essence lies in mastering lead and mercury (fundamental alchemical materials). This herb bears red flowers, green leaves, and black seeds with a pungent taste. Eternal health, bodily lightness, and preserved youth come through consumption; particularly suited for extracting the Yellow Sprout (essence of elixirs).

8. Golden Coin Herb

Thrives in dense undergrowth with sweet taste, displaying yellow flowers that exude white sap amid green leaves. Extends lifespan while preserving complexion, also processes mercury.

9. Immortal Maiden Herb

Surpasses even human placenta (traditional medicine) in efficacy. Masters volatile substances (like mercury) and serves as vital material for Daoist alchemy.

(Note: Alchemical terms like "lead-mercury" and "Yellow Sprout" represent specialized terminology in Daoist external alchemy (Waidan), denoting specific materials and stages of elixir formation.)

The Songs of Immortal Herbs by White Cloud Immortal records several miraculous celestial plants:

1. Yellow Sprout Herb

Grows in green sandy soil, bearing yellow flowers and long green leaves with a sweet flavor that can subdue (fu) other medicinal substances. Its golden-yellow roots treat toothache, though few recognize this herb.

2. Azure Gold Herb (yellow flowers/green leaves)

Prolonged consumption prevents aging. Found near water sources, it specifically treats malignant sores.

3. Seven Stars Herb

Thrives in famous mountains - those who encounter it may eat it raw to attain longevity. With blue-green flowers and red leaves, its sweet taste also serves for refining superior elixirs (danyao).

4. Mountain Nectar Herb

Sour and astringent with red blossoms, it grows in yellow sandy earth. Specifically treats malaria and can be combined with sulfur.

5. Silver Thread Herb (red flowers/black seeds/green stems and leaves)

Found in renowned mountains, it primarily treats wind disorders. The sweet-tasting red flowers with black seeds can subdue sal ammoniac (a mineral medicine).

6. Son-Blessing Herb (red flowers/green leaves and branches)

Those who find and consume it may live five hundred years. Sweet-flavored with red flowers, green seeds and verdant foliage.

7. Golden Net Herb (yellow flowers/green branches and leaves)

Grows beneath pine trees, with pungent-tasting yellow blossoms. Consumers may live millennia without dying, and it also refines supreme elixirs.

8. Kiwi Vine Herb (purple thorns/blue-green grass)

White sap grows on its thorns, capable of subduing cinnabar and treating malignant sores.

9. Hundred Gold Herb (red flowers/green branches and leaves)

Found in great forests, its sweet red blossoms can subdue true mercury (liquid silver).

Final secret transmission: All seventy-two of these numinous herbs can subdue cinnabar (dansha, an alchemical material), possessing spirit-connecting efficacy. None are ordinary worldly plants, rarely heard of among common people.

(Note: The terms "subdue" [fu] and "control" [zhi] are Daoist alchemical terminology indicating one material's ability to restrain or transform another's properties; "great medicine" [dayao] refers to superior elixirs.)