Shennong

Shennong learned the properties of plants so that he could help people. He taught agriculture, introduced medicine by studying nature, and was credited with the plough and the discovery of medicinal herbs. In Coleman's account, he had a transparent stomach through which he could observe their effects. By watching plants pass through him, he learned which herbs could heal illness and which could harm before teaching them to humans. In Coleman's telling, he gives one death account: while testing a species of grass, the plant cut open his intestines, and he was deified.

In Coleman's telling, the same entry separately says that Shennong died at the age of 168 and was deified. The age statement is a separate formulation, alongside the grass episode. Both forms end with his deification.

Russo gives another version. Shennong swallowed several poisonous plants while teaching himself their medicinal properties. In this telling, he swallowed one poisonous plant too many and could not obtain the antidote in time. Russo says this version solidified Shennong's position as the god of healing and agriculture, the protector of humanity.