\r白棘\ph352.bmp\r,棘针也。生雍州。棘刺花生道旁,今近京皆有之。棘,小枣也,
丛高三、四尺,花、
叶、茎、实都似枣,而有赤、白二种。苏恭云∶白棘,茎白如粉,子、叶与赤棘同,赤棘中
时复有之,亦为难得耳。然有钩直二种∶直者,宜入补药;钩者入痈肿药。针采无时。花冬
至后百二十日采,实四月采。又枣针疗喉痹不通,药中亦用。陈子
昂《观玉篇》云∶在张掖郡时,有人以仙人杖为白棘,同旅皆信之。二物都不相类,不知何
故疑惑若此,其说见枸杞条。
棘刺花,文具白棘条下。
\r龙脑香\ph353.bmp\r,出婆律国,今惟南海番舶贾客货之。相传云∶其木高七、八
丈,大可六、七围,如
积年杉木状,旁生枝,叶正圆而背白,结实如豆蔻,皮有甲错,香即木中脂,似白松脂,作
杉木气。膏乃根下清液耳,亦谓之婆律膏。段成式《酉阳杂俎》说∶此木有肥瘦,瘦者出龙
脑香,其香在木心。波斯断其木剪取之。肥者出婆律膏,其膏于木端流出,斫木作坎而承之
。两说大同而小异。亦云∶南海山中亦有此木。唐天宝中,交趾贡龙脑,皆如蝉、蚕之形。
彼人云∶老根节方有之,然极难得。时禁中呼为瑞龙脑,带之衣衿,香闻十余步外,是后不
闻有此。今海南龙脑,多用火 成片,其中亦容杂伪。入药惟贵生者,状若梅花瓣,甚佳也
。
Sanghua (Mulberry Flower), see details under the entry for Sanggen Baipi (Cortex Mori).
Baiji (White Thorn), refers to the thorns of the Zhi tree. It is produced in Yongzhou. The flowers of the Zhi tree grow by the roadside and are now found everywhere near the capital. Zhi is a small jujube tree; it grows in clumps three or four chi high, and its flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits resemble those of the jujube tree, but there are red and white varieties. Su Gong stated: The stem of Baiji is white as powder; its fruits and leaves are the same as those of Chiji (Red Thorn). Chiji occasionally contains Baiji, which is considered rare. However, there are two types of thorns: straight and hooked. Straight thorns are suitable for tonifying prescriptions; hooked thorns are used for prescriptions treating carbuncles and swellings. There is no fixed time for collection. Flowers are collected 120 days after the Winter Solstice; fruits are collected in April. Additionally, Jiaozhen (Jujube Thorns) can treat obstruction of the throat (Houbi) and are also used in medicinal formulas. Chen Zi'ang wrote in "Guan Yu Pian": When I was in Zhangye Commandery, someone passed off Xianrenzhang (Immortal Staff) as Baiji, and all travelers believed it. These two substances are completely dissimilar; it is unknown why such confusion arose. This explanation is detailed under the entry for Gouqi (Lycium Fruit).
Jicihua (Thorn Flower), see details under the entry for Baiji.
Longnaoxiang (Borneol), originates from Bolu Guo (Balut). Currently, it is only traded by foreign merchants arriving on ships from the South Sea. It is said that this tree is seven or eight zhang high and six or seven wei in circumference, resembling old cedar wood, with branches growing from the sides. The leaves are perfectly round with white undersides, and the fruit resembles cardamom. The bark is cracked. The fragrance is the resin within the wood, similar to white pine resin, emitting an odor like cedar. The paste is the clear fluid from the roots, also called Polv Gao (Balut Paste). Duan Chengshi, in "Youyang Zazu," stated: This tree has fat and lean varieties. The lean variety produces Longnaoxiang, with the fragrance located in the heart of the wood. Persians cut the wood to harvest it. The fat variety produces Polv Gao, which flows from the top of the tree; trees are cut and hollowed out to collect it. The two accounts are largely similar with minor differences. It is also said that this tree exists in the mountains of the South Sea. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, Jiaozhi presented tribute of Longnaoxiang, shaped like cicadas and silkworms. Locals stated that it is found only at the nodes of old roots, making it extremely rare. At that time, it was called Ruilongnao (Auspicious Dragon Brain) in the palace; when worn on the lapel, its fragrance could be detected more than ten paces away. Since then, such quality has not been heard of again. Current Longnao from Hainan is often processed into pieces using fire, allowing for adulteration. For medicinal use, natural raw material is prized; shapes resembling plum blossom petals are considered excellent.