Longevità e trascendenza con le droghe naturali

This contribution introduces the Taoist tradition of natural drugs known as zhi 芝, on which those who practice dao 道 feed. The topic is explained through selected passages drawn from different texts. The Taishang Lingbao zhicao pin 太上靈寶芝草品 (Catalogue of Zhi, a Taishang Lingbao Scripture) – an anonymous work accompanied by illustrations in the canonical version – describes form, size, habitat, properties, therapeutic effects, and other aspects of these zhi. The essay continues with excerpts from Ge Hong 葛洪’s Baopuzi 抱樸子 (Master who Embraces Simplicity), and places the zhi tradition in the broader context of Taoist alchemy.