Bi Xi Hu Ma (Flaxseed) (Round-flat and skewed, brownish-red, blunt round and smooth with luster, yellowish-white and oily cross-section)

Hu Ma (Black Sesame) (Flat oval, black with white inner kernel, one end blunt round and the other pointed, smooth reticulated surface, brownish dot-like hilum at one end, thin skin and oily cotyledons)

(Top left) Bi Xi Hu Ma (Top right) Black Sesame (Bottom left) White Sesame (Bottom right) Bai Zi Ren (Semen Platycladi)

【Naming】

Hu Ma

n 【Source】n

Ming Yi Bie Lu, Top Grade

n 【Commonly Used Degree】n

B

n 【Botanical Origin】n

Hu Ma is the dried ripe seed of the Hu Ma family, Sesamum indicum L. Bi Xi Hu Ma is the dried ripe seed of the flax family, Linum ustissimum L.

n 【Characteristics】n

(1) Hu Ma (Black Sesame): The seeds are flat and oval, blunt and round at one end, and pointed at the other, 2-4mm long, 1-2mm wide, and about 1mm thick. The surface is black, with or without reticulated wrinkles, and there is a round, dot-shaped brown hilum at the pointed end. The seed coat is thin and papery. The longitudinal section shows a thin film-like endosperm, with two large, whitish cotyledons, rich in oil. The odor is slightly weak, the taste is bland, and it has a refreshing aroma when chewed.n(2) Bi Xi Hu Ma: The seeds are flat and oval, about 4mm long and about 2mm wide, with a brown-red appearance and luster. One end is slightly pointed, and the other end is blunt and round. The hilum is located on the edge below the pointed end, and the seed ridge is light yellow. The texture is hard, and there are two cotyledons inside, light yellow, containing a lot of fatty oil, the smell is faint, and the taste is fishy.

n 【Preparation】n

Stir-fried black sesame

n 【Identification】n

《Annotations to Materia Medica》: “Among the eight grains, only this is good.” 《Yi Xin Fang》: “Su Jing’s note says: This sesame with eight-edged corners is called Ju Sheng, and four-edged corners are called Hu Ma. Black ones are good and white ones are inferior.” “Tao Jing’s note says: Among the eight grains, only this is good. Pure black ones are called Ju Sheng, which is a great victory. Also, stems that are square are called Ju Sheng, and stems that are round are called Hu Ma.” 《Compendium of Materia Medica》: “Shi Zhen said: Black sesame oil is the best for medicinal use.” 《Compendium of Materia Medica》: “Si Miao said: The best is harvested in July.” 《Essentials of Materia Medica》: “Those with both black skin and flesh, and those with chestnut color, are called Bi Xi Hu Ma, which is even better.” 《Seeking Truth in Materia Medica》: “Those with purple brocade patterns are the best.” 《Essentials of Materia Medica》: “Those with both black skin and flesh are good,” “White sesame is the best for extracting oil.” 《Distinguishing Good and Bad》: “The black Hu Ma seeds that are shiny and heavy are the best.” 《Distinguishing Good and Bad》: “Those that are shiny, brown in color and large in shape are the best. Those that are dark in color, or have an earthy smell, or have debris mixed in are useless.”nIt is best to use seeds that are plump, do not float on the surface of the water, and have a smooth and shiny surface.

n 【Chapter】n

Seed Category