即木笔花
辛温无毒。剥去毛瓣,取仁用,忌火焙。
《本经》主五脏身体寒热,头风脑痛、面 。
发明 鼻气通于天,肺开窍于鼻,辛夷之辛温走气而入肺利窍。其体轻浮,能开胃中清
阳,上行通于天。故《本经》治阳气郁遏,身体寒热,头风脑痛、面 。辛温能解肌表,芳
香上窜头目逐阳分之风邪,则诸证自愈。轩岐之后,能达此理者,东垣一人而已。凡鼻鼽、
鼻渊、鼻塞及痘后鼻疮,并研末,入麝香少许,以葱白蘸入甚良,脑鼻中有湿气久窒不通者
宜之。但辛香走窜,虚人血虚火炽而鼻塞,及偶感风寒,鼻塞不闻香臭者禁用。
辛甘苦微温,无毒。咀嚼香甜者性平,辛辣者性热。修制忌火。香
药皆然,不独沉香也。产海南者色黄,锯处色黑,俗谓铜筋铁骨者良。产大宜白粽纹者次之
。近有新山产者,色黑而坚,质不松,味不甘苦,入药无效。番舶来者,气味带酸,此为下
品。其浮水者曰速香,不入药。
发明 沉水香性温,秉南方纯阳之性,专于化气,诸气郁结不伸者宜之。温而不燥,行
而不
泄,扶脾达肾,摄火归源。主大肠虚秘,小便气淋及痰涎,血出于脾者,为之要药。凡心腹
卒痛霍乱中恶,气逆喘急者并宜。酒磨服之,补命门三焦,男子精冷,宜入丸剂。同广藿香
、香附治诸虚寒热。同丁香、肉桂治胃虚呃逆。同紫苏、白豆寇治胃冷呕吐。同茯苓、人参
治心神不足。同川椒、肉桂治命门火衰。同广木香、香附治妇人强忍入房,或过忍尿以致转
胞不通。同肉苁蓉、麻仁治大肠虚秘。昔人四磨饮、沉香化气丸、滚痰丸用之,取其降泄也
。沉香降气散用之,取其散结导气也。黑锡丹用之,取其纳气归元也。但多降少升,气虚下
陷人不可多服,久服每致失气无度,面黄少食,虚证百出矣。一种曰蜜香,与沉香大抵相类
,故《纲目》释名沉水香、蜜香,二者并称,但其性直者,毋论大小皆是沉水。若形如木耳
者,俗名将军帽,即是蜜香,其力稍逊,仅能辟恶去邪气尸疰一切不正之气,而温脾暖胃纳
气归元之力不如沉香也。
It is also known as the Magnolia Flower (Mubihua).
Acrid and warm, non-toxic. Remove the hairy petals and use only the core; avoid roasting with fire.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it treats cold and heat sensations in the five viscera and body, head wind and brain pain, and facial [symptoms].
Innovation: Nasal qi connects to Heaven, and the Lung opens into the nose. The acrid and warm nature of Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower) moves Qi, enters the Lung, and benefits the orifices. Its texture is light and floating, capable of opening the clear Yang in the stomach and ascending to connect with Heaven. Therefore, the *Bencao Jing* uses it to treat stagnant Yang Qi, cold and heat sensations in the body, head wind and brain pain, and facial [symptoms]. Its acrid and warm nature can release the muscle layer; its aromatic quality ascends to the head and eyes to expel Wind-Evil from the Yang divisions, thus curing various symptoms. Among those after Xuanqi (Yellow Emperor and Qibo), only Dongyuan (Li Dongyuan) could fully grasp this principle. For rhinorrhea (Biqiu), sinusitis (Bi Yuan), nasal congestion, and nasal sores after smallpox, grind into powder, add a small amount of Moschus (Shexiang), dip scallion white into it, and insert into the nose; this is very effective for cases where dampness in the brain and nose has been obstructed for a long time. However, due to its pungent and aromatic penetrating nature, it is contraindicated for deficient individuals with blood deficiency and blazing fire causing nasal congestion, as well as for those who have accidentally caught Wind-Cold and suffer from nasal congestion without smell.
Acrid, sweet, bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic. Those that taste sweet when chewed are neutral in nature; those that taste spicy are hot in nature. Processing forbids fire. This applies to all aromatic herbs, not just Chenxiang (Agarwood). Those produced in Hainan are yellow in color with black cut surfaces; those commonly referred to as "copper tendons and iron bones" are considered superior. Those from Dayi with white palm-like patterns are of secondary quality. Recently, Agarwood from Xinshan is black and hard, with a dense texture and lacking sweet-bitter taste, making it ineffective for medicinal use. Imported by foreign ships, if the odor carries an acidic note, it is considered inferior grade. Those that float on water are called Suxiang (Fast Fragrance) and are not used medicinally.
Innovation: Shenshui Xiang (Sunken Agarwood) is warm in nature, inheriting the pure Yang nature of the South, specializing in transforming Qi, and is suitable for cases of stagnant and unexpressed Qi. It is warm but not drying, moving but not draining, supports the Spleen, reaches the Kidney, and guides Fire back to its source. It is a key herb for treating deficiency-type constipation of the Large Intestine, Qi-type stranguria, phlegm-saliva, and bleeding originating from the Spleen. It is suitable for sudden heart and abdominal pain, cholera, evil invasion, rebellious Qi, wheezing, and urgency. Grind with wine and take orally; it supplements the Mingmen (Gate of Life) and Sanjiao (Triple Burner); for men with cold semen, it is suitable for inclusion in pill formulations. Combined with Guang Huoxiang (Patchouli Herb) and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), it treats various deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat conditions. Combined with Dingxiang (Clove) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), it treats Stomach deficiency and hiccups. Combined with Zisu (Perilla Leaf) and Ba Doukou (Black Cardamom), it treats Cold-Stomach vomiting. Combined with Fuling (Poria) and Renshen (Ginseng Root), it treats insufficiency of Heart-Mind. Combined with Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), it treats decline of Mingming Fire. Combined with Guang Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), it treats women who forcibly restrain sexual intercourse or hold urine too long, leading to retention of urine (Zhuanbao). Combined with Roushouyu (Cistanche) and Mahuangren (Hemp Seed), it treats deficiency-type constipation of the Large Intestine. In ancient formulas such as Simo Yin (Four-Grip Decoction), Chenxiang Huaqi Wan (Agarwood Qi-Transforming Pill), and Guntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill), it is used for its descending and purgative properties. In Chenxiang Jiangqi San (Agarwood Qi-Descending Powder), it is used for its ability to dissipate nodules and guide Qi. In Heixi Dan (Black Tin Pill), it is used for its ability to gather Qi and return it to the origin. However, it descends more than it ascends; individuals with Qi deficiency and sinking should not take it in large amounts. Long-term use often leads to excessive passage of gas, sallow complexion, poor appetite, and various deficiency syndromes. One type is called Mixiang (Honey Fragrance), which is largely similar to Chenxiang. Therefore, the *Bencao Gangmu* explains both Shenshui Xiang and Mixiang together. Generally, straight pieces, regardless of size, sink in water. If shaped like wood ear fungus, commonly known as General's Hat, it is Mixiang; its efficacy is slightly inferior, capable only of dispelling evil, removing pathogenic factors, and warding off all abnormal Qi such as corpse transmission, but its power to warm the Spleen, warm the Stomach, and gather Qi to return to the origin is less than that of Chenxiang.