Library

[Anxi Xiang / Benzoin]
Pungent, bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic. When burned, it facilitates communication with the divine spirit and repels all evil influences and malevolent spirits. The genuine product is identified by mice gathering around it when burned.

Originates from the Western Regions (Xirong). It resembles pine resin but has a blackish hue and forms in lumps. Some say it is produced in the South Sea or Persia. It is tree resin, resembling peach gum, harvested in autumn. Its color is blackish-yellow; the leaves have four angles and do not wither even after enduring cold. It bears yellow flowers and does not produce fruit. When the bark is incised, its gum penetrates various orifices and illuminates the mind-spirit. It dispels ghostly evils, gu parasites, and all pathogenic factors.

[Suhe Xiang / Storax]
Originates from the State of Suhe, hence its name. It is also said to come from Zhongtai River valleys. Those currently arriving from the Western Regions and Kunlun are purple-red, resembling rosewood, extremely fragrant, and heavy as stone. Those that turn white ash when burned are considered superior. It is also found in Guangzhou today, but resembles su wood (sappanwood) and lacks fragrance. Another account states that people from Daqin (Rome) collected Suhe Xiang, first boiling down the juice to make a paste, and then selling the dregs to other countries; thus, what arrives in China is not very fragrant. Folk legends claim Suhe Xiang is lion excrement, which is erroneous. Its paste form is called Suhe Oil.

Suhe Wan (Storax Pill): Suhe Oil (1 liang), Anxi Xiang (2 liang), Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Qingmuxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Baitanxiang (Santalum Album Lignum), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Dingxiang (Eugeniae Flos), Bibo (Long Pepper Fruit), Hezi (Terminalia Chebula Fructus), Shexiang (Moschus), Zhusha (Cinnabaris), Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu) (each 2 liang), Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum), Ruxiang (Olibanum) (each 2 liang).
Processed with aromatic paste and refined honey into pills. Treats transmissive consumption with bone-steaming fever, zhu-woo ghost qi, sudden heart pain, acute dysentery and cholera, blood stasis causing amenorrhea, masses and carbuncles, and convulsions/epilepsy. (Ranked First among formulas.)

[Pian Nao / Borneol]
Also known as Meipian (Plum Borneol) and Longnao Xiang (Dragon Brain Fragrance).
Pungent, bitter, non-toxic. Enhances hearing and vision, calms the heart and secures essence; opens orifices, assists delivery, dissipates stasis, and expels pathogens. Clears redness and floating nebulae from the eyes, treating internal and external eye obstructions. Treats three worms and five types of hemorrhoids, bone pain, and intestinal prolapse. Relieves throat obstruction (houbi) and stops headache, eliminates nasal polyps, and treats toothache. It is most effective for tongue protrusion due to cold damage (shanghan) and is also effective for infantile smallpox involution.

Originates from Polv State. The tree resembles cedar. Currently, only foreign merchants on ships from the South Sea trade it. It also grows in the mountains of the South Sea. The tree is 7-8 zhang high and 6-7 chi in circumference. Leaves are round with white undersides; fruits resemble cardamom. Bark has scaly cracks; the fragrance comes from the tree's resin. Many people now use camphor to adulterate it, which must be noted.
For floating nebulae on the eyes, apply true Longnao 3-5 times daily. (Verified Formula First.)
For tongue protruding over one cun, powder Meipian and sprinkle it on the lesion. (Second.)

Bingpeng San (Borneol and Borax Powder): Bingpian (5 fen), Pengsha (Borax) (5 qian), Zhusha (Cinnabaris) (6 fen).
Grind into an extremely fine powder. Treats all swelling and pain of the throat, as well as various sores of the mouth and tongue. (Ranked First among formulas.)