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Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), also known as Suo Cao Gen (Sedge Root).
It has the functions of promoting circulation, regulating Qi, and resolving depression.
Its nature is neutral, its aroma is fragrant, its pungent taste can disperse, slight bitterness can descend, and slight sweetness can harmonize.
It is a Qi medicine within the Blood aspect, capable of circulating through the Twelve Meridians and the Qi aspect of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.
It treats all Qi disorders (The human body relies on Qi as the master; abundant Qi leads to strength, deficient Qi leads to decline, smooth Qi leads to peace, rebellious Qi leads to disease, and exhausted Qi leads to death. The Classic says: Anger causes Qi to rise upward, fear causes Qi to sink downward, joy causes Qi to relax, grief causes Qi to dissipate, shock causes Qi to become chaotic, overthinking causes Qi to knot, and fatigue causes Qi to be consumed. These are the Qi changes caused by the Seven Emotions. Using Xiangfu as the Sovereign herb, one adds herbs for ascending/descending, reducing/tonifying according to the syndrome. The *Suwen* also mentions that cold causes Qi to contract and heat causes Qi to leak, collectively known as the Nine Qi).
It benefits the Triple Burner, resolves six types of stagnation (Phlegm stagnation, Fire stagnation, Qi stagnation, Blood stagnation, Dampness stagnation, Food stagnation), and stops various pains (When there is free flow, there is no pain).
It treats conditions caused by excessive anger and worry, such as phlegm-fluid retention, epigastric fullness, chest swelling, abdominal distension, food accumulation, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, Kidney Qi deficiency leading to Hongjiao (Gouty arthritis or swollen feet), and carbuncles and sores (caused by blood coagulation and Qi stagnation. Taking only Xiangfu in powdered form is called Duseng Wan (Single Victory Pill), treating carbuncles arising from depression and anger. If a sore has just started, this can be used as tea. It is also suitable after ulceration. Generally, patients with carbuncles prefer aromatic medicines because they move Qi and unblock Blood, while foul and unclean substances are strictly avoided. Thus, ancient physicians often used Wuxiang Lianqiao Yin (Five-Aromatic Forsythia Decoction) for treating external sores. Kang Zu suffered from a breast abscess and a lump in his armpit for half a year with severe pain. After praying to Zhang Wang, he received a prescription in a dream: powdered Xiangfu processed with ginger juice, taken twice a qian with rice water, which led to recovery). It also treats hematemesis, hematochezia, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, and irregular menstruation (Qi is the companion of Blood, and Blood moves with Qi. Clots in menstruation indicate Qi condensation; pain before menstruation indicates Qi stagnation; pain after menstruation indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood; pale color also indicates deficiency; purple color indicates Heat in Qi; black color indicates extreme Heat; irregular timing indicates Chaotic Qi; obesity with excessive phlegm and obstructed menstruation indicates failure of Qi to transport. Xiangfu is a Qi-moving herb within the Yin aspect; when Qi is smooth, Blood becomes harmonious and flows freely, but it must be supplemented with herbs that cool Blood and tonify Qi. Zhu Danxi said: It can guide Blood herbs into the Qi aspect to generate Blood, which embodies the principle of Yang generating Yin).
It treats various diseases related to pregnancy and childbirth.
It can push out the old and bring forth the new, so all books claim it tonifies Qi (Tonification exists within movement. Zhu Danxi said: Heaven’s vigorous motion never ceases, thus life continues endlessly; this is the same principle. Li Shizhen said: When people are ill, Qi stagnates and becomes weak; Xiangfu is the Sovereign herb for the Qi aspect. Paired with Renshen (Ginseng) as Minister and Gancao (Licorice) as Assistant, it treats deficiency and weakness very rapidly).
Use after removing the hairs.
Raw Xiangfu ascends to the chest and diaphragm, reaching externally to the skin; processed (cooked) Xiangfu descends to the Liver and Kidneys, extending laterally to the waist and knees.
Processed with child’s urine, it enters the Blood aspect and tonifies deficiency; processed with salt water, it enters the Blood aspect and moistens dryness (or processed with honey water); processed with green salt, it tonifies Kidney Qi; processed with wine, it circulates through the meridians; processed with vinegar, it resolves accumulations (and astringes dispersing Qi); processed with ginger juice, it transforms phlegm-fluids; charred (blackened), it stops bleeding.
Avoid iron (Li Shizhen said: Combined with Renshen and Baizhu, it tonifies Qi; combined with Danggui and Dihuang, it tonifies Blood; combined with Muxiang, it disperses stagnation and harmonizes the middle; combined with Tanxiang, it regulates Qi and awakens the Spleen; combined with Chenxiang, it ascends and descends all Qi; combined with Chuanxiong and Cangzhu, it resolves all stagnations; combined with Zhizi and Huanglian, it clears and descends Fire-Heat; combined with Fushen, it harmonizes Heart and Kidney; combined with Huixiang and Pogu Zhi, it guides Qi back to its origin; combined with Houpo and Banxia, it resolves obstruction and reduces distension; combined with Zisu and Congbai, it induces sweating and disperses pathogens; combined with Sanleng and Ezhu, it eliminates accumulations and breaks masses; combined with Aiyè, it treats Blood and Qi and warms the Uterus. It is the general commander of Qi disorders and the fairy medicine of Gynecology. Generally, women suffer more from depression; when Qi moves, depression resolves, so it is particularly effective for them. It is not that it suits women but not men. Li Shicai said: It is a symptomatic treatment agent, suitable only for those with excess Qi and non-severe Blood deficiency; otherwise, it may damage Qi and dry Blood, worsening the disease. The secular world clings to the phrase "fairy medicine of gynecology," unfortunately without clarifying this point).