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Xuan (Dispersing), Regulating Qi
Pungent and warm. Harmonizes the Spleen and Lung, benefits the chest and diaphragm, expels evil influences, can guide Stomach Qi to ascend, promotes appetite, and is a key herb for regulating Qi. (The "Inner Canon" states: Applying sandalwood to the body can eliminate heat and vexation. Wang Ang's note: Internal desires are also called heat and vexation. Generally, most aromatic herbs assist lustful fire, but sandalwood does not, which is why Buddhists burn it. Daoist texts consider sandalwood a secular incense, unsuitable for offering to supreme deities).

Zhong (Heavy), Harmonizing Blood
Salty and cold. A medicine entering the Blood level. Harmonizes Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), reduces swelling and toxicity, applies to metal wounds, stops bleeding, and relieves pain.

Burning it can subdue various deities, hence the name
Xuan (Dispersing), Expelling Evil, Stopping Bleeding, Generating Flesh
Pungent and warm. Expels strange and foul odors, treats fractures and metal wounds, stops bleeding, relieves pain, reduces swelling, and generates flesh. (Zhou Chong was injured while driving away bandits, with unceasing blood loss; applying Huaxin Stone Powder was ineffective. Soldier Li Gao applied Zijin Vine Powder, stopping the bleeding and pain, forming scabs without scars the next day, having saved ten thousand people. Zijin Vine is the best variety of Jiangzhen Xiang/Dragon's Blood Incense).

Zao (Drying), Warming the Stomach, Tonifying the Kidney
Pungent and purely Yang. Drains Lung Qi and warms the Stomach, greatly treats Kidney conditions, strengthens sexual function, and warms the Yin cavity. Treats cold stagnation and distension in the Stomach, vomiting, hiccups, and belching. (Zhu Danxi said: Human Yin Qi is nourished by the Stomach. When Earth [Spleen/Stomach] is damaged, Wood [Liver] carries Ministerial Fire to rush up the clear pathways, causing cough and counterflow qi. Ancients believed this was Stomach cold, using Dingxiang/Clove and Shidi/Kaki Calyx, which cannot clear phlegm or promote Qi flow, but only assist fire. Note: Hiccups may be caused by phlegm obstruction, Qi stagnation, or food impaction preventing ascending and descending; by Fire depression in the Lower Jiao; by severe deficiency of Middle Qi after sweating, vomiting, or purging treatments for Cold Damage; by failure to purge interior Heat in the Yangming stage; or by Yin Fire rushing up due to Stomach deficiency after severe diarrhea from dysentery. Li Shizhen said: One should assess deficiency/excess and Yin/Yang, then either drain heat, direct Qi downward, warm, tonify, induce vomiting, or purge. Ancient formulas used only Shidi for its bitter-warm Qi-directing property. The "Jisheng Fang" added Dingxiang/Clove and Shengjiang/Fresh Ginger to open depression and scatter phlegm. This method of treating contrary symptoms has indeed been effective. Zhu's insistence on using cold to treat heat was an overcorrection) Hypochondriac masses, Ben Tun (Rushing Pig) syndrome, abdominal pain, and bad breath. (Zhu Danxi said: Depressed Fire in the Spleen overflows into the Lung, turbid Qi ascends, causing halitosis. Treating with Dingxiang/Clove is like stirring boiling water to stop it; Xiangru/Elatostema is very effective.) Brain gangrene and dental caries, acneiform eruptions that are gray-white and fail to erupt due to Stomach deficiency. Contraindicated in Heat syndromes. There are female and male varieties (Female is Jiti Xiang/Clove Bud, with strong potency. If using male, remove the clove cap and bud base). Incompatible with Yujin/Turmeric Fire.