“青娥丸”为古今补肾良方， 相传其来历与唐代相国郑姻有关。 郑姻（762—829）在唐宪宗时居相位四年而罢。
“Turning Hair Black Pill” [also known as “Young Maiden Pill”] is an ancient recipefamous for its kidney tonifying effects. It was said to be invented by ZhengYin (762–829), a Prime Minister for four yearsunder the Tang Dynasty Emperor Xianzong [reign 805–820].
唐元和七年（812），郑姻奉朝廷之命，出任岭南节度使。因其年高体弱，加之南方气候潮湿，任职不久，即因湿邪感伤内外，引起多种疾病发作,阳气日渐衰微。
Zheng Yin had been at court for seven years when, in 812, he wasnominated for the position of provincial governor of Ling Nan [south of theFive Ridges region].However, because of his age and frail constitution he would easily be affectedby the humid southern climate and contract pathogenic dampness diseases thatwould deplete his yang qi.
此时，恰逢一位来自东南亚的船主献上一方，并附有已配好的药，嘱其服之。药后七八日，郑觉得病情开始减轻， 坚持服用后竟痊愈了，身体也强壮了许多。
Just then, a ship-owner from Southeast Asiawho knew this gave Zheng Yin a herbal prescription. He was dubious at first,but after taking the prescription for seven or eight days Zheng Yin’s conditionimproved, so he continued taking it and his body became much stronger.
青娥丸配方
3年后，郑相国归京，将此方录下，传于他人，经多人服用后，发现该方不仅对腰痛有良效，而且经常服用，还能“壮筋骨、活血脉、乌鬓须、益颜色”。对老年人可起延年益气的作用，特别是服此药可使人鬓发变黑。因此，后人将此方命名为“青娥丸”。取“青娥者，古代指少女美貌，也指耳前鬓发”之意。
When Zheng Yin returned to the capital three years later heoffered the prescription to many people. According to those who took themedicine it had many good effects: it not only treated their lumbago, it also “strengthened thebones, quickened blood circulation, blackened the hair and improved thecomplexion”. It was named “Qing E Pill” because it could prolong life anddarken the hair, and because “‘Qinge’ refers to a beautiful young maiden of the past, as well as meaningthe hair on the temples”.
——何靖摘自《中医原来这么有趣》
From InterestingStories of Chinese Medicine
Translator: He Jing