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[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
Observing its growth morphology, it fully reveals the image of the functional activity of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) ministerial fire.
[Taste and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, headache with throbbing in the brain, spasms and contractures of all joints, bi-syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome) caused by wind-dampness, and numbness or death of muscle tissue. Long-term use brightens the eyes, benefits the nine orifices, lightens the body, and prolongs longevity.
[Verification and Analysis] It is said: Those produced in the valleys of Huayin and Goryeo are of the highest quality; those produced everywhere now are inferior. Those from Nanyang and Linhai can also be used.
The *Classic of Mountains and Seas* states: "Fuxi Mountain has much Xixin." The *Guanzi* states: "On fertile soil, various medicines grow; Xixin is one of them." In spring, shoots emerge; each root produces a single leaf connected to it. Nowadays, many people use Ducheng (*Dysosma versipellis*) to pass off as Xixin. The *Bowuzhi* states: "Ducheng can confuse Xixin; this has been the case since ancient times." I believe that what confuses Xixin is not limited to Ducheng; one must carefully distinguish them by the color and taste of their roots and shoots. Leaves resembling small hibiscus, stems soft, roots slender, straight and long, purple in color, pungent in taste, and causing a tingling sensation like Sichuan pepper when chewed, is Xixin (*Asari Radix et Rhizoma*). Leaves resembling horse hooves, stems slightly thick, roots resembling Xixin but curved, yellowish-white in color, and pungent in taste, is Ducheng (*Dysosma versipellis*). A single stem growing straight up, with leaves at the tip forming an umbrella shape, roots resembling Xixin but slightly thicker, yellowish-white in color, and pungent with a bitter taste, is Guidu You (*Caulis Aristolochiae debilis*). Roots resembling Guidu You but black in color, is Ji Ji (*Aristolochia contorta*). Leaves resembling small mulberry leaves, roots resembling Xixin but thick and long, deep yellow in color, and pungent with a fishy odor, is Xuzhangqing (*Caulis Cynanchi atrati*). Leaves resembling willow leaves, roots resembling Xixin but thick and long, yellowish-white in color, and bitter in taste, is Baiwei (*Radix Bletillae striatae*). Roots resembling Baiwei but brittle, white in color, and sweet in taste, is Baiqian (*Radix Polygoni avicularis*).
[Processing] Select varieties without double leaves, cut off the buds at the top of the root, soak in melon water overnight, and dry in the sun for use. Zengqing (*Calamina*) and Zaogen (*Radix Ziziphi Spinosae Cortex*) serve as guiding herbs (shi). When combined with Danggui (*Angelicae Sinensis Radix*), Shaoyao (*Paeoniae Radix Alba*), Baizhi (*Angelicae Dahuricae Radix*), Chuanxiong (*Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma*), Mudanpi (*Moutan Cortex*), Gaoben (*Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma*), and Gancao (*Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma*), they jointly treat gynecological diseases. When combined with Juemingzi (*Cassiae Semen*), Liyu Dan (*Carpis Felle*), and Qingyanggan (*Ovis Hepatis*), they jointly treat eye pain.
[Contraindications] Adverse reaction to Huangqi (*Astragali Membranacei Radix*), Yelangdu (*Stellerae Chamaejasme Radix*), and Shanzhuyu (*Corni Fructus*). Avoid raw vegetables and lynx meat. Fear Xiaoshi (*Natrii Sulfas*) and Huashi (*Talcum*). Counteracted by Lilu (*Veratri Radix*).
(People use Xixin today without distinguishing between authentic and fake varieties because they failed to differentiate them early on. The five types—Ducheng, Guidu You, Xuzhangqing, Baiwei, and Baiqian—have roots...
Mr. Wang Shaolong said: Liver wood qi ascends, spring wind rises, which contradicts the characteristic of horizontal distribution. The classic says: "Do not anger your will, lest the essence turn into weeds." Is this the mechanism where spring turns into summer, and ascending turns into exiting?
My father said: Xixin closely connects jing-qi and significantly benefits fire; this is the image of Qingyang (Shaoyang).
[Interpretation] "Xi" refers to its form, and "Xin" refers to its taste. Light, clear, soft, and firm, straight and slender, it should enter the Shaoyang channel, promoting the function of Jia Gallbladder (Yangming/Gallbladder); it moves from bottom to top, executing the Spring command. Therefore, diseases governed by Spring qi manifest in the head, causing headache, throbbing in the brain, blurred vision, and blocked orifices. This belongs to cases where qi attempts to move from bottom to top but fails to disseminate freely. Cough with rebellious qi is where qi moves from bottom to top but does not follow the proper sequence. Spasms of all joints are where qi cannot ascend from bottom to top to follow the seasonal command. Bi-pain and dead muscle are where qi cannot ascend from bottom to top and instead counteracts what it should overcome (reverse restriction). All these belong to the excess or deficiency of Liver function, specifically leaning towards deficiency here.
(Light, clear, soft, firm, straight and slender—this is exactly what the *Neijing* describes: "Spring pulse resembles a string. What makes it a string? The Spring pulse is the Liver pulse. It is when all things begin to grow. Thus, its pulse comes light, empty, floating, straight, and long." This describes the function of Liver wood, imitating the weather's image. Xixin's functions match this perfectly; it is undoubtedly a medicine for the Shaoyang channel.)