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(Supplemented during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty)
[Flavor and Property] Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats wind-water toxic swelling, eliminates foul qi, and stops heart and abdominal pain caused by Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea).
[Verification] It is stated that: Huoxiang (Patchouli) originates from countries such as Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, Wuping, and Xinggu. Officials and commoners cultivate it extensively; currently, it is abundant in the Lingnan region and grows in various places.
In February, the perennial roots sprout again, and it can also be propagated by seeds. The seedlings resemble Duliang (a type of aromatic herb). The stem is square-shaped with opposite leaves, hollow in the center and jointed externally. The leaves resemble Rensu (a variety of Perilla), with serrated edges. In July, it shoots up spikes, and the flowers resemble Polygonum (knotweed). The fruit resembles Jiasu (Schizonepeta), and the seeds resemble Chongwei (Motherwort). In May and June, before shooting spikes, the stems and leaves are harvested and dried. They can be placed in clothing to serve as aromatic herbs. If harvested after the appropriate time, its medicinal property becomes mild and ineffective. Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) and Dongyuan (Li Gao) used only Huoye (Patchouli leaves), believing they could spread and disperse; later generations, due to the prevalence of fake Huoye, used branches and stems together, and nowadays, fake branches and stems are even more common. The *History of Tang* states: Dunxun country produces Huoxiang, which takes root when branches are inserted, with leaves resembling Duliang. Fan Ye said: Linghuo is void and dry, and its fragrant aroma remains unchanged for a long time.
My ancestors said: When qi becomes chaotic in the intestines, Huoluan occurs. What causes chaos and stops it is foul qi. Huoxiang is void, dry, and fragrant, possessing qualities of not opposing and not resisting, integrating into herbal formulas without disrupting their nature, thereby stabilizing the chaos, hence named "Huo"; compared to miraculous and urgent prescriptions, it serves as a dispersing, light, and drying agent in dosage forms.
[Verification] It is stated that: Mount Huo in the south refers to "Huo," indicating a specific region and expressing function. Materia Medica lists Buddhist incense terms, such as Douluopoxiang in the *Shurangama Sutra*, Duomaluobaxiang in the *Lotus Sutra*, Bodaluoxiang in the *Golden Light Sutra*, and Jiashuanxiang in the *Nirvana Sutra*; these are all sub-names of Huoxiang. Huoxiang is a woody plant, referring to what Funan described as "five aromas from one tree": the root is Zhentan (Sandalwood), the nodes are Chenxiang (Agarwood), the resin is Xunlu (Frankincense), the flower is Jishe (Clove), and the leaf is Huoxiang. The Huoxiang needed on New Year's Day is an herbaceous plant, corresponding to the growth described in *Southern Flora*, particularly abundant in Lingnan. The *Book of Songs* says: "Eating our field Huo," referring to an aromatic herb. Generally, herbs in the south are called "Ren," implying bearing and nurturing, and in terms of seasonal timing, it belongs to summer. Defining its directional function makes it swift and rapid. Thus, it primarily treats Huoji (Huoluan disease) that erupts suddenly, chaotic and turbulent, easily controlled like turning things over in one's hand. Treating foul qi is a counteracting method; treating wind-water toxic swelling is to unblock Wood qi; stopping heart and abdominal pain and swelling is to disperse Fire qi; settling vomiting and reviving Spleen and Stomach is to drain Earth qi; when Earth is stagnant, drain it; when Fire is stagnant, disperse it; when Wood is stagnant, unblock it. This precisely fulfills the role of nurturing and belonging to summer, serving as the master of the four Qi in the correct position, which is why it is named Huoxiang Zhengqi (Patchouli and Aromatic Herb for Regulating Qi).
(Ying Shao's *Fengsu Tong* states: Mount Heng in the south is also called Huo. "Huo" means all things grow vigorously, drooping branches and spreading leaves, becoming grand and vast. This is indeed what is meant by bearing nurture and being great in summer. Herbs in the south are called Ren, appearing in the Li trigram. The Great Man illuminates the four directions with continuous brightness, fitting to be the master of the four Qi in the correct position.)