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[Classified as Middle Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
【Indications】Mainly treats five types of strangury (obstructed urination), Guan-Ge syndrome (blockage of both upper and lower orifices with inability to pass urine or stool), promotes the flow of water passages in urination, treats pediatric convulsions (Jing) and adult spasms, and allows the spirit (Shen) to restore itself through transformation.
【Verification】It is stated: "Fa" refers to cut hair. Hair falling from a comb is merely scattered hair. For processing, select hair cut from the vertex of men who are nearly twenty years old, free from disease, and with ruddy and fair complexions. Soak in Sophora flavescens (Kushen) water overnight, place in a bottle, heat over fire until red-hot, allow to cool, then grind for use; another method involves boiling in water for seven days and nights, extracting the juice, and concentrating it into a paste, which is superior.
My ancestors said: Hair resembles blood vessels; it does not ulcerate nor leak, originally generated from Essence (Jing). It is also black in color, possessing an upward-growing form, yet predominantly has downward-moistening power. Thus, it can restrain urgent and reckless surging of Yin, and stabilize the spirit that flies away due to licentiousness and fear.
【Commentary】It is said: The Kidney stores Essence, its flourishing manifestation is in the hair. The Heart governs Blood, and hair is the surplus of Blood. Growing densely on the Yang head, yet hanging downwards, its flaming-upward function embodies the moistening-downward form. This means Yang outside is the servant of Yin; Yin inside is the guardian of Yang. Therefore, it mainly treats Yang losing internal guardianship leading to Yang Guan blockage, and Yin losing external service leading to Yin Ge obstruction. It relates to the closure of Xuanfu (pores) causing Zhoudou (bladder) strangury, and the lack of communication between Yin and Yang causing Jing (convulsion) and Spasms. Originally being the surplus glory of Shen's transformation, it returns to this surplus glory to serve Shen's transformation.

[Classified as Middle Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, sour, salty, cold, non-toxic.
【Indications】Mainly treats various toxins, Gu-Zhu (a chronic wasting disease caused by parasites or evil qi), evil toxins, and miasma. Kills Gouwen (Wolfsbane), Zhen Yu (poisonous bird feathers), and snake venom. Expels evil qi, preventing confusion and nightmare sleep. Long-term consumption makes the body light...
【Verification】It is stated: It originates from valleys in Yongchang and Yizhou. Yongchang is in southern Dian. Currently, it is produced in distant mountains of Wuling, Jiaozhou, and Ningzhou. Those from Qian (Guizhou) and Shu (Sichuan) are secondary; those from Hainan are superior. Its shape resembles a water buffalo, with a pig-like head, large belly, and low-set feet like an elephant. It has three hooves; the front legs are straight without knees, resting against trees, and falls when the tree falls. The skin pores have three hairs like a pig. It may have one, two, or three horns. One on the crown, one on the forehead, one on the nose. The nasal horn is the feeding horn, also called Nu Jiao, small and not shedding. The crown and forehead horns shed annually, burying themselves in the mountain soil, where locals secretly replace them. Two-horned ones have long nasal horns and short forehead horns. One-horned ones have either a nasal horn without a forehead horn, or vice versa. The nasal horn is Hu Mao Xi (Hat-cap Rhinoceros); the forehead horn is Si Xi (Female Rhino). Si is the female rhinoceros. The female has greenish hair and hard skin suitable for armor. There is also Mao Xi (Hairy Rhinoceros) with two horns, which is Maoniu, also known as Gu Xi (Male Rhino). There is also Water Xi, entering and exiting water, most rare, with pearl-like scales in the skin, unlike Mountain Xi. *Yiwuzhi* states: In the East Sea, there are rhinos that enjoy silk and bamboo music; when people play music, they come out to listen. However, the quality of rhino horn is graded by the fineness and continuity of the grain patterns. Patterns resembling fish roe are called Su Wen (Millet Pattern); patterns with eyes within are called Su Yan (Millet Eye); black background with yellow flowers is Zheng Tou (Direct Penetration); yellow background with black flowers is Dao Tou (Reverse Penetration); flowers within flowers are Chong Tou (Double Penetration). Patterns inserting downwards are Tong Xi (through-horn) if the lower half is clear; patterns inserting upwards are Tong Xi if the upper half is clear; patterns inserting at the waist/thigh are blocked in the middle. All are named Tong Xi. There is Tian Tong Xi (Heaven-Penetrating Horn), completely clear from bottom to top. There is also Tian Tong Xi Jiao; with a white thread running straight to the tip, unaffected by night dew, extremely effective in medicine. *Han Shu* records Hai Ji Xi (Chicken-Frightening Rhinoceros): placed in rice feeding chickens, they startle and dare not peck; placed on roofs, birds dare not land. The largest is Duo Luo Xi, weighing 7-8 jin per piece, said to be the forehead horn of Gu Xi, with patterns resembling scattered bean spots. Night-shining is Ri Ye Ming Xi, penetrating heaven and dividing water; birds fly high, fish dive deep, beasts flee upon seeing it, an absolute supreme product. Patterns forming intricate shapes of hundred things are also superior grade. Patterns like pepper bean spots are next. Pure black Wu Xi (Black Rhinoceros) without patterns is inferior grade. Si Jiao (Female Rhino Horn) has fine texture and distinct black-white patterns, unsuitable for medicine. Gu Jiao (Male Horn) has coarse patterns, while Si Jiao has fine patterns. Processing: Do not use Nu Xi, Si Xi, sick Water Xi, Luan Zi Xi, or dry Xi. Only select those that are jet-black, wrinkled, cracked, and lustrous. File into powder, pound in a mortar, grind ten thousand times before use. Li Shizhen said: When sawing rhino horn, wrap it in thin paper, keep it warm in the bosom to dry, then crush while hot; it turns to powder easily. Thus, *Guitian Lu* says: Emerald melting gold, human breath turning rhino horn to powder, is also strange. Pine resin is its guiding herb. It opposes Lei Wan (Polyporus) and Mo Jun (Lycoperdon). Avoid salt. Pregnant women should not use...
【Commentary】It is stated: Horns grow on the crown, forehead, and nose tip, being the surplus of Brain and Marrow. They resemble the nails of tendons' surplus and the hair of blood's surplus. Nails are solid and distinct; patterns are solemn like bound hair. *Shanhaijing* says: Among beautiful beasts of the south, there is Liangshan Xi, seemingly receiving the orthodox command of Fire transformation. It drinks turbid water and clarifies it; eats toxic thorns and dissolves them. Hence called Xi Li (Sharp/Powerful). *Kaibao Jishi* says: Bi Shu Xi (Summer-Averting Rhinoceros), jade-colored, emits clear qi during humid heat. *Baikong Liutie* says: Bi Han Xi (Cold-Averting Rhinoceros), gold-colored, emits warm qi in severe cold. *Lingbiao Luyi* says: Bi Chen Xi (Dust-Averting Rhinoceros), wearing it keeps dust away. *Duyang Bian* says: Juan Fen Xi (Anger-Eliminating Rhinoceros), eliminates anger. Ye Ming Xi (Night-Bright Rhinoceros) penetrates heaven and divides water; birds fly high, fish dive deep, beasts flee instantly. Such miracles all stem from delusions of root and dust perceiving existence; it can expel them all, emptying all that exists, thus treating all that truly does not exist. Evil ghosts, confusion, nightmares are real illusions in our mind. Miasma, Gouwen, Zhen Yu, snake venoms are real poisons in objects. How to treat? By "Emptying".
(Fire that is full and desires emptiness should be emptied; when Fire is empty, it flares up, meaning to vacate its excess; Fire that is full and desires solidity should be avoided. Full Fire performs flaming-upward functions, manifesting warmth and heat, preserving its nature. Since medicines have their nature, people rely on simplicity, saying it clears heart heat, without examining whether the condition desires fullness or emptiness, indiscriminately administering it. Though avoiding the danger of reinforcing excess, how can one avoid the harm of depleting deficiency?)
(Rhinoceros horn sits high and sharp, clearly embodying the image of Fire. Yet attached to the pure Earth body of Kun Ox, it is the child generating the mother inversely; the child's Qi hides and does not reveal itself. Thus bitter and cold, transforming into Northern Water, hence clearing Heart Heat. Originally belonging to Fire but transforming into Water, possessing the ability to empty, so whatever is falsely existent is naturally dissolved by it.)