Ranking the Superdrugs of Wuxia Fiction

[Ken Cheng]

One of the overlooked (or at least, seldom discussed) conventions of wuxia fiction were "superdrugs" capable of curing otherwise uncurable injuries and diseases that even modern medicine probably couldn't cope with. Famous examples of such superdrugs are the "Thousand Year Ginseng" and "Icy Mountain Snow Lotus."

So if you were to rank the great superdrugs of wuxia, what would they be?

[Extremer88]

I think in Ode to Gallantry, the wine used by Ding Bu San which was drank by Shi Potian was kind of useful.

[darkchoki]

The Icy Jade Bed in Return of the Condor Heroes!
Although it is not really a drug, it could enhance healing process and not to mention, improving the inner power.

[Temujin]

The snow lotus in Tian Can Bian (Reincarnated)

The snake blood drunk by GJ in LOCH

The fire frogs eaten by Zhang Wuji in HSDS

[Tazzy1972]

The toad and centipede eaten by DY

[MrIllusion]

The most potent superdrug in wuxia fiction that I know of is the essence of the divine beasts in Feng Yun (Wind and Cloud).

Bu Jingyun consumed only a small fragment of 'Long Yuan' (Dragon's Essence), and it not only made him super-powerful, it made him immortal.

[TommyH]

There's too many of these Superdrugs in Wuxia novels and fiction. I don't think the Thousand Year Ginseng is anything because there are usually a lot of it and are used by rich people from Wuxia.

I think the Thousand Year Ginseng could enchance your health and all but I think those are the only things they could do for you...

[Dirt]

The snake gall bladders that made Yang Guo into a Great by age 36.

[Han Solo]

The fire frogs eaten by Zhang Wuji in HSDS

That's 1st ed. stuff.

[Siven]

What about ancient Viagras like the kind given to Duan Yu and his unfortunate "half-sister?"

The "Spring Drug..."

[SolidSnake]

What about those 3 pills that can revive dead people in Tian Xia Di Yi?

[Extremer88]

What about ancient Viagras like the kind given to Duan Yu and his unfortunate "half-sister?"

The "Spring Drug..."

Ancient viagras?? It was already invented in Song Dynasty???

[Ken Cheng]

Ancient viagras?? It was already invented in Song Dynasty???

Well, not *Viagara* obviously, but the use of aphrodisiacs go back to prehistory.

[danshu_]

Ancient viagras?? It was already invented in Song Dynasty???

not just aphrodisiacs, but lots of traditional tonics to improve male sexual health. Traditional chinese lit. is full of that stuff.

[Siven]

But the aphrodisiacs featured in wuxia stories are surely more powerful than your average aphrodisiacs...