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The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) names it Song Gao (Pine Resin), commonly known as Song Xiang (Pine Rosin).
Bitter, sweet, warm, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats carbuncles, malignant sores, head ulcers and alopecia capillitii (white baldness on the scalp), scabies and itching caused by wind-pathogens, calms the five zang organs, eliminates heat, and long-term use makes the body light, delays aging, and extends longevity.
[Invention/Commentary] Pine resin inherits the tough and vigorous qi of the wind-wood element. Its fluids flow within the bark, accumulating over years to form an aromatic, dry, and acrid substance, truly being a superior medicine for Daoist practitioners for grain avoidance and life extension. However, it must be steamed and refined before it is suitable for consumption. The various diseases mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* all utilize its wind-dry nature to dispel damp-heat pathologies. Currently, in medicines that generate flesh, it is used for its astringent property to consolidate wounds.

Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
[Invention/Commentary] Song Jie (Pine Joint) has a hard texture and vigorous qi, remaining unrotted even after a long time; thus, it is suitable for wind-dampness diseases in the bones and sinews, but should be avoided by those with blood dryness. Song Hua (Pine Flower) moistens the heart and lungs, tonifies qi, and dispels wind-dampness. Nowadays, physicians use it for treating wet and ulcerated smallpox lesions, taking advantage of its cool and drying properties.

Acrid, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Invention/Commentary] Shan Mu (Chinese Fir Wood) has a fragrant aroma; boiling thin slices into a decoction for fumigation and washing of sores yields excellent results. Its nature acts directly upward, and its nodes are tough and vigorous. There is a Chinese Fir Decoction treating Hong Kong Foot (podagra/gouty swelling of the foot) with obstruction, where masses under the hypochondrium feel like stones. The formula uses one sheng each of Shan Jie (Chinese Fir Nodes) and Ju Ye (Tangerine Leaves), seven Da Fu Bing Lang (Areca Seed with Husk), crushed together with the skin, boiled in three sheng of Tong Bian (Child's Urine) until reduced by half, then taken orally. This causes three bowel movements, dispersing the qi stagnation and masses. This is the method used by Zheng Jianmei to treat Liu Zongyuan. Shan Ye (Chinese Fir Leaves) treat wind-worm toothache; decocted with wine with Xiong Chuang (Ligusticum Rhizome) and Xi Xin (Asarum Root) for gargling. Shan Zi (Chinese Fir Seeds) treat hernia pain; one seed ground and taken with wine for a one-year-old child.

Acrid, sweet, very warm, non-toxic. Use after removing the coarse bark. All types of Gui (Cinnamon) should avoid green onions and fire, as the acrid-aromatic nature becomes more intense when heated, potentially disturbing yin-blood. Those with deep purple color, where sweetness outweighs acridity, and whose shape is narrow, long, semi-curling, and loose are of good quality. If hard, thick, but with a faint taste, it is called Ban Gui (Board Cinnamon), now known as Xi Gui (Western Cinnamon), and is not used in decoctions. Merchants from overseas often mix Ding Pi (Clove Skin) to pass it off, which must be distinguished carefully.
[Invention/Commentary] Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) is acrid and hot, acting downward into the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, connecting the Yin Wei Vessel and Du Mai (Governing Vessel). With both flavor and qi being dense, it benefits fire and dissipates yin, greatly tonifying yang qi, making it suitable for those with insufficient fire in the lower jiao. Its nature directs downward, guiding the source of fire, as stated: "The kidney suffers from dryness; urgently eat acrid substances to moisten it." It benefits the liver and kidneys, stops cold pain in the waist and abdomen, cold phlegm, cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea with muscle spasms. It strengthens bones and sinews, and unblocks blood vessels. Li Guo (Yuan Su) said it tonifies deficiency in the lower jiao and treats entrenched cold diseases; lower abdominal pain cannot be stopped without this herb. Li Shizhen treated cold bi (painful obstruction) with wind-dampness, hemorrhage due to yin excess, dysentery, convulsions, and epilepsy, utilizing its acrid-warm power to dissipate nodules. Ancient formulas for pediatric convulsions and diarrhea recommended Wu Ling San (Five Ingredient Powder with Poria), to drain Bing Fire (Heart Fire) and seep out dampness from Earth. It contains Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) to suppress Liver Wind and support Spleen Earth, and guide water-draining herbs into the Bladder. For red eyes with swelling and pain, spleen deficiency preventing eating, with a full Liver pulse and weak Spleen pulse: using cool herbs to treat the Liver further weakens the Spleen, while using warm herbs to assist the Spleen further excites the Liver. However, by doubling the amount of Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) in spleen-warming herbs to subdue the Liver and benefit the Spleen, both goals are achieved simultaneously. Combined with Ding Xiang (Clove) to treat collapsed smallpox lesions, because it can warm and promote suppuration. Furthermore, Gui (Cinnamon) is acrid and dispersing, able to unblock the uterus, break blood stasis, regulate menstruation, eliminate zheng jia (masses), break blood stasis to induce abortion, treat internal tuochu (prolapse) with yin abscesses, chronic ulcers that do not heal, and false yang floating upward causing facial flushing and Dai Yang (true cold/false heat syndrome), hematemesis, and epistaxis with a fluttering, empty, large, and powerless pulse; these conditions all require its use. In cases of fetal qi deficiency and cold with sinking sensation, if Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) fail to calm the fetus, and lower abdominal pain and sinking worsen with a wiry-thin or floating-leather pulse, only Shen Qi Quan Gong Wan (Ten Complete Tonics with Ginseng and Deer Antler, Cinnamon, and Aconite) applied with warming and tonifying methods will be effective. Ancients believed that patients with blood loss and deficiency should not use Gui (Cinnamon); however, Li Shizhen used it to treat hemorrhage due to yin excess. Only those who thoroughly understand the principles of yin and yang could know this. It is strictly contraindicated for those with yin-deficiency hemorrhage and a wiry-thin-rapid pulse. Nowadays, people mix it with Duan Shi (Calcined Gypsum) in equal parts, grind into powder, sprinkle on black plaster, and apply to pi kuai (subcutaneous nodules) with effect, also utilizing its acrid-warm power to dissipate nodules. However, it is only suitable for commoners with rough and thick skin.