Library

[Background Information]
Book: *Bencao Huihui Jingyao* (Essential Compilation of Materia Medica) Author: Wang Haogu Dynasty: Yuan Chapter: Fragrances / ... / Soap Pods (Total 4 sections) Category: Materia Medica

Non-toxic. *Douloupo Xiang* (Styrax Benzoin, 兜娄婆香) treats head furuncles and toxic swellings. Grind into powder, mix with sesame oil (*Mayou*, 麻油), apply topically; the necrotic tissue will fall off after seven days (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Name] Douloupo Xiang. [Origin] (Li Shizhen states) Douloupo Xiang grows in the mountains of Jianghuai and Huling regions. [Morphology] The trees are nearly one zhang tall when large, while smaller ones are often harvested by woodcutters. The leaves are green, long, and serrated. [Texture/Quality] Resembles the leaves of *Cirsium japonicum* (Xiaoji, 小蓟), growing opposite each other; the roots resemble those of *Lycium chinense* (Gouqizi, 枸杞) but are larger, emitting a strong fragrance when roasted. [Usage] (As stated in the *Shurangama Sutra*) Small stoves were placed before the altar, and water boiled with Douloupo Xiang was used for bathing; this is that fragrant resin. [Taste] Bitter and astringent. [Nature] Neutral.

Non-toxic. *Nounou Xiang* (Elemi Resin, 笃耨香) treats darkened complexion. Mix equally with *Baifuzi* (Arisaema cum Bile, 白附子), *Dongguazi* (Benincasae Semen, 冬瓜子), *Baiji* (Bletillae Rhizoma, 白芨), and *Shiliupi* (Punicae Pericarpium, 石榴皮), grind into powder, soak in wine for three days, wash the face, then apply. With prolonged use, the complexion becomes lustrous like jade (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin] (Li Shizhen states) Nounou Xiang originates from Chenla Kingdom and is the resin of a tree. [Morphology] The tree resembles a pine; the resin overflows when mature. The white and transparent variety is called Nounou Xiang. It does not melt in midsummer and has a pure, distant fragrance. Locals collect it, bake the tree in summer to induce further resin flow, which solidifies in winter. It is stored in gourd scoops in cool places to prevent melting. Mixed with bark, it turns black and is called Black Nounou, classified as inferior grade. [Season] Melts in summer, solidifies in winter.

*Daban Xiang* (Canarium Resin variant, 胆八香) (Li Shizhen states) The Daban tree grows in Jiaozhi and various southern barbarian regions. The tree resembles *Osmanthus fragrans* (Muxi, 木犀) with fresh red leaves similar to frost maple. Its fruit is pressed for oil and mixed with various spices to dispel malodor.

Slightly toxic. *Fanzao Jia* (Soap Pods, 肥皂荚) treats wind-dampness, dysentery, bloody stool, sores, tinea, and toxic swellings (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin] (Li Shizhen states) Soap Pods grow in high mountains. [Texture/Quality] The tree is tall and robust. Leaves resemble those of *Dalbergia odorifera* (Tanmu, 檀木) and *Gleditsia sinensis* (Zaojia, 皂荚). In May and June, white flowers bloom, producing pods three to four cun long. They resemble pods of *Caesalpinia decapetala* (Yunshi, 云实) but are plump and fleshy. Inside are several black seeds, finger-sized, irregularly round, lacquer-black, and very hard. The inner kernel is white like a chestnut, edible when roasted, and can be planted. Pods are harvested in October, boiled, pounded, mixed with wheat flour and various spices to make pills for bathing body and face. They remove dirt and leave skin soft and moist, superior to Zaojia. (*Xianggan Zhi* states) Water from Soap Pods kills goldfish, repels ants, and causes bran to avoid contact, which is due to its inherent nature. [Taste] Pungent. [Nature] Warm. [Indications] Intestinal wind with bloody stool: Use one single-seed Soap Pod, calcined to retain character, ground to powder, made into pills with paste, take one qian per dose with rice water. ○ Early-stage bubo: Pound fresh Soap Pod and apply externally; highly effective. Itchy glans penis: Calcine one Soap Pod to retain character, mix with sesame oil, and apply; heals immediately. [Combined Treatments] Dysentery with inability to eat: Take one Soap Pod, fill with salt, calcine to retain character, grind to powder, add a small amount to white rice porridge and eat; effective immediately. ○ Wind-deficiency tooth swelling: For elderly with kidney deficiency or pain caused by cooling herbs applied to teeth, use single-seed Soap Pod filled with green salt, calcine to retain character, grind to powder and apply, or add 3-4 qian of natural borneol. ○ Sores on head and ears, eyebrow tinea, swallow's nest tinea: Use 1 qian of Soap Pod calcined to retain character, 1 fen of alum, grind uniformly, mix with sesame oil, and apply. ○ Infantile head sores with pus and continuous discharge from scalds: Use Soap Pod calcined to retain character, add calomel, mix with sesame oil, and apply. ○ Pear-head sores (furuncles): Regardless of adult or child, use single-nut Soap Pod, remove nut, fill with rock sugar, insert two beans, tie tightly, wrap in salt mud, calcine to retain character, add 5-7 fen of Areca Seed and Calomel, grind uniformly, mix with sesame oil, and apply. First wash with ash water, then rinse with warm water, dry, then apply. Effective overnight, no need to wash again. ○ Refractory tinea: Decoct *Chuanjinpi* (Callicarpa leaf), soak deseeded and de-membraned Soap Pod in the decoction, and apply frequently.