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[Asafoetida]
Non-toxic. Vining growth habit.
Historically, it was recorded by famous physicians that when used for traumatic injuries with bone fractures and dislocations, it promotes tissue regeneration, invigorates blood to resolve stasis, and alleviates pain; it is prepared by boiling the root in wine or water to make a concentrated decoction for oral administration. [Seedling/Herb part] [Tang Ben Zhu notes]: It is a vine that climbs around trees; its leaves resemble those of Metaplexis japonica (Luomo). [Geography] [Tu Jing says]: Grows in the valleys of Zizhou. [Seasons] [Growth]: Leaves emerge in spring. [Harvesting]: Roots are collected in February and August. [Function]: Promotes tissue regeneration and alleviates pain. [Preparation]: Crushed before use.

Non-toxic. Herbaceous plant.
Asafoetida primarily kills various small parasites, eliminates foul odors, breaks up mass accumulations (Zheng Ji), directs downward rebellious Qi, and expels evil spirits, ghosts, and gu poison (recorded by famous physicians). [Names] Xingyu, Ayu. [Seedling/Herb part] [Tu Jing says]: The seedlings, leaves, and roots closely resemble Angelica dahurica (Baizhi); the best quality is made by crushing the roots, extracting the juice, and sun-drying it into cakes; cutting the roots and drying them on strings is of secondary quality. Its nature is extremely malodorous yet capable of stopping odor, which is also a remarkable property. Those produced in Guangzhou today are said to be tree sap/gum resin dripped and fermented into shape; these two explanations differ. According to Duan Chengshi's Youyang Zazu, it grows in Persia and is called Ayu Wood; it is eight or nine chi tall, with greenish-yellow bark; leaves appear in March resembling mouse ears; it has no flowers or fruits. When branches are broken, the juice flows out like maltose syrup and hardens over time. Or it is said that its juice is mixed with rice and bean bran and fermented together, which is similar to the product from Guangzhou. [Bie Lu says]: It is the sap of the tree, resembling peach gum in texture; those with black color are inferior, while those that are yellow and scattered are superior. Also, some arrive via ships from the Long River in the south; the taste is similar but lacks the yellow color. [Geography] [Tu Jing says]: Comes from Xifan and Kunlun. [Bie Lu says]: Jia Country. [Authentic Origin]: Persia and Guangzhou. [Seasons] [Growth]: Leaves emerge in spring. [Harvesting]: No fixed time. [Storage]: Sun-dried. [Usage]: The liquid that is yellow-red is preferred. [Lei Gong says]: There are three tests for authenticity: First test, place half a zhu on a polished copper vessel overnight; by morning, the area touching the asafoetida will turn white as silver and never show redness. Second test, place one zhu in the natural juice of Wudoucao overnight; by morning, it will turn bright red like fresh blood. Third test, place one zhu on a pomelo tree; if it dries immediately, it is genuine. [Quality]: Resembles Myrrh but softer. [Color]: Yellow, black, or white; some have agate-like spots. [Taste]: Pungent. [Nature]: Neutral and dispersing. [Qi/Energy]: Both aroma and taste are strong; it belongs to Yang. [Odor]: Malodorous. [Primary Action]: Eliminates foul odors and wards off evil influences. [Preparation] [Lei Gong says]: When using it, first grind it in a clean mortar until fine as powder, then pass it through a sieve over a hot wine vessel before incorporating it into medicinal preparations. [Treatment] [Ri Hua Zi says]: Treats consumption disease (Chuan Shi), breaks up masses and partialities (Zheng Pi), dispels cold qi, wards off warmth, removes malaria, and treats cholera with heart and abdominal pain, kidney heat, and miasma. [Hai Yao says): Primarily treats wind-evil, ghost fixation (Gui Zhu), and cold in the heart and abdomen. [Antidote]: Resolves all mushroom and vegetable toxins. [Counterfeits]: Sun-dried garlic cakes are fake.