Library

(Designated as a Superior Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Chen Shui Xiang (Agarwood sinking in water) (from *Bencao Gangmu*); Mi Xiang (Honey Fragrance).
Li Shizhen stated: When the heartwood and nodes of the tree are placed in water, they sink; hence it is named Chen Shui (Agarwood sinking), also called Shui Chen. Those that are half-sinking are called Zhan Xiang (Stacked Agarwood), and those that do not sink at all are called Huang Shu Xiang (Yellow Ripe Agarwood).
*Nan Yue Zhi* records: People in Jiaozhou call it Mi Xiang (Honey Fragrance), saying its aroma resembles honeycomb. Its Sanskrit name is Ajaguru.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong said: Chen Xiang (Agarwood), Qing Gui (Green Cinnamon), Ji Gu (Chicken Bone), Ma Ti (Horse Hoof), and Jian Xiang (Boiled Incense) all come from the same tree, produced in Tianzhu (India) and other countries. The trunk resembles Zelkova or Willow; the bark is green. The leaves resemble orange leaves and do not fall in winter. It flowers in summer, white and round. It bears fruit in autumn resembling Areca nut, size like mulberry, purple in color and pungent in taste.
Zang Qi said: For Chen Xiang, both branches and leaves resemble Toona. The claim that they resemble orange leaves is likely incorrect. Its branches and nodes do not rot easily; those that sink in water are Chen Xiang; those with black veins in the texture that float are Jian Xiang. Ji Gu and Ma Ti are both types of Jian Xiang, possessing no other efficacy, and can only be used to fumigate clothes to remove odors.
Su Song said: Chen Xiang, Qing Gui, and other incenses are produced in the southern sea countries as well as Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Yazhou. Shen Huaiyuan in *Nan Yue Zhi* states: Regarding the Mi Xiang tree in Jiaozhou, locals harvest it by first cutting off the old roots accumulated over years. After many years, the outer bark dries and rots completely, but the heartwood and nodes remain intact, hard, black, and sinking in water; this is Chen Xiang. Those that are half-floating and level with the water surface are called Ji Gu Xiang. Fine branches that are tight and solid without rotting are called Qing Gui Xiang. The trunk part is called Zhan Xiang. The root part is called Huang Shu Xiang. The light and large root nodes are called Ma Ti Xiang. These six items originate from the same tree, differing only in refinement and coarseness, and can be harvested at any time. Liu Xun in *Ling Biao Lu Yi* states: Luozhou in the Guang administration produces much Zhan Xiang tree. The trunk resembles Guiliu, flowers are white and abundant, leaves resemble oranges. The bark can be made into paper, named Xiang Pi Zhi (Incense Bark Paper), grayish-white, with patterns like fish roe, which disintegrates upon contact with water, inferior to Zhi paper, and lacking fragrance. Although Chen Xiang, Ji Gu, Huang Shu, and Zhan Xiang come from one tree, the roots, trunks, branches, and nodes are distinct. Ding Wei in *Tian Xiang Zhuan* states: This incense has many rare varieties. The four incenses have four names and twelve forms, originating from one tree. The wood body resembles Poplar, leaves resemble Ilex but smaller. Haibei Dou, Hua, Gao, and Lei prefectures are places producing incense, inferior to those from Hainan. Since their natural endowments differ, and merchants sell quickly while collectors gather hastily, the incense does not have time to mature slightly; this is deep harm caused by greed for profit. Unlike the Li people in Qiong Prefecture who do not arbitrarily cut trees out of season, causing no premature death of trees, the result is necessarily rare incense. Zong [Name missing] said: All commanderies in Lingnan have them, especially near the sea. Trunks interlock and branches connect, covering hills and ridges continuously for thousands of li. Leaves resemble Ilex, large ones requiring several embraces, with a void and soft wood nature. Mountain people use it to build thatched huts, or make bridges, rice steamers, and dog troughs; only one or two percent have fragrance. Generally, wood forms incense only when encountering water, mostly in broken branches and dead trunks, forming either Chen Xiang, Jian Xiang, or Huang Shu Xiang. Naturally dead ones are called Shui Pan Xiang. In Nan'en, Gao, and Dou prefectures, only formed incense is produced. Probably mountain people enter mountains, chop curved trunks and slanting branches into pits, let rainwater soak them for a year, thus forming incense. Then they saw them off, scrape away the white wood; the incense forms spots named Zhegu Ban (Partridge Spots), burning with an extremely clear and intense aroma. The best quality incense is found only in Qiong and Yazhou, commonly called Jiao Chen (Horn Agarwood) and Huang Chen (Yellow Agarwood), obtained from dead wood, suitable for medicinal use. Those formed adhering to the bark are called Qing Gui, with an exceptionally clear aroma. Those aged long in soil, forming thin slices without removal, are called Long Lin (Dragon Scales). Those that curl naturally when shaved and are tough when chewed are called Huang La Chen (Yellow Wax Agarwood), particularly rare. Cheng said: Besides these varieties, there are Long Lin, Ma Ye (Hemp Leaf), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf), etc., numbering more than ten or twenty kinds. Essentially, for medicinal use, only the solid center that sinks in water is taken. If it sinks but has a hollow center, it is Ji Gu (Chicken Bone), meaning there is a rotten path inside, like the blood eye in chicken bones. Li Shizhen said: Various descriptions of Chen Xiang categories are quite detailed. Now, consulting Yang Yi's *Tan Yan*, Cai Tao's *Cong Tan*, Fan Chengda's *Gui Hai Zhi*, Zhang Shizheng's *Juan You Lu*, Hong Jufu's *Xiang Pu*, and Ye Tinggui's *Xiang Lu*, I supplement what was left out. There are three grades of incense: Chen, Zhan, and Huang Shu. Chen Xiang sinks immediately in water; its categories are four: Shu Jie (Ripe Knot), formed by resin condensation after natural decay; Sheng Jie (Raw Knot), formed by resin aggregation after being felled by axes; Tuo Luo (Fallen Off), formed due to water-induced decay; Chou Lou (Insect Leak), formed due to insect holes. Sheng Jie is superior, Shu and Tuo Luo are secondary. Hard and black is superior, yellow is secondary. Jiao Chen is black and lustrous, Huang Chen is yellow and lustrous, La Chen is tough, Ge Wen has horizontal grain; all are superior grade. Those from islands resemble stone pestles, elbows, fists, phoenixes, turtles, snakes, clouds, and figures. Also, Hainan's Ma Ti, Niu Tou (Ox Head), Yan Kou (Swallow Mouth), Jian Li, Zhu Ye, Zhi Jun, Suo Zi, Fu Zi, etc., are all named after their shapes. Zhan Xiang is half-floating and half-sinking in water, being half-formed connected to the wood of Chen Xiang, or made into Jian Xiang, known in foreign names as Po Mu Xiang, also called Nong Shui Xiang. Its types include Ci Xiang, Ji Gu Xiang, Ye Zi Xiang, all named by shape. Large ones like a hat are called Peng Lai Xiang. Those resembling dry rocks and stumps are called Guang Xiang. Both are inferior to Chen Xiang for medicinal use. Huang Shu Xiang is the light and void incense, vulgarly misnamed Su Xiang. There is Sheng Su, taken by felling; there is Shu Su, taken by decay. Large ones suitable for carving are called Shui Pan Tou. None are suitable for medicine, only for burning. Ye Tinggui said: Those from Brunei, Champa, and Zhenla are called Fan Chen (Foreign Agarwood), also Bo Chen (Ship Agarwood) or Yao Chen (Medicinal Agarwood), widely used by physicians, with Zhenla being superior. Cai Tao said: Champa is inferior to Zhenla, Zhenla is inferior to Hainan Li Dong. Among Li Dong, those from the East Peak of Limu Mountain in Wan'an are supreme under heaven, called Hainan Chen, worth ten thousand coins per piece. Those from Gaohua in Haibei are all Zhan Xiang. Fan Chengda said: Those from Li Dong are named Tu Chen Xiang (Local Agarwood) or Ya Xiang. Even if thin as paper, they sink in water. Wan'an is on the east of the island, gathering the qi of the morning sun, so the incense is particularly mellow; locals find it hard to obtain. Ship-borne Chen Xiang often has a fishy intensity, and the tail smoke must be scorched. Incense from Jiaozhou and Haibei gathers in Qinzhou, called Qin Xiang, with an extremely fierce aroma. Southerners do not value it highly, using it only for medicine.

[Correction of Errors] Li Shizhen said: According to: Li Xun's *Hai Yao Ben Cao* states that sinking is Chen Xiang, floating is Tan Xiang (Sandalwood). Emperor Yuan of Liang's *Jin Lou Zi* states one tree yields five fragrances: Root is Tan, Node is Chen, Flower is Ji She (Chicken Tongue), Gum is Xun Lu (Frankincense), Leaf is Huo. All are mistaken. The five fragrances are each a different species. What is referred to as "five fragrances from one tree" is exactly what Su Gong mentioned earlier: Chen, Zhan, Qing Gui, Ma Ti, and Ji Gu.

[Processing] [Name missing] said: When using Chen Xiang, it must not be dried out; those hard and heavy like horn tips that sink in water are superior, those half-sinking are secondary. Do not expose to fire. Li Shizhen said: For pills and powders, wrap in paper and place in the bosom to dry before grinding. Or grind into powder in a mortar with water, then dry in the sun. If for decoction...

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic. [Name missing] said: Bitter, warm. Da Ming said: Pungent, hot. Yuanyu said: Yang nature. Has ascending and descending properties. Li Shizhen said: Those sweet and fragrant when chewed have a neutral nature; those pungent and spicy have a hot nature.

[Indications] Wind-water toxic swelling, removing evil qi (*Bielu*). Mainly treats heart and abdominal pain, Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome) with evil invasion, evil ghost Zhu Qi (contagious disease), clears and calms the spirit; all should be taken boiled in wine. Various sores and swellings should be added to plasters (Li Xun). Regulates the middle jiao, tonifies the five zang organs, benefits essence and strengthens yang, warms the waist and knees, stops muscle twitching, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold qi, breaks stagnation and masses, treats cold wind paralysis, inability of bone joints to bear weight, rheumatic skin itching, and Qi Li (Da Ming). Tonifies the Right Kidney Mingmen (Yuanyu). Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, and treats phlegm-drool and bleeding originating from the Spleen (Li Gao). Benefits qi and calms the spirit (Liu Wansu). Treats upper heat and lower cold, rebellious qi with panting and urgency, deficiency-closure of the Large Intestine, small... (Text cuts off here)

[Attached Prescriptions] Seven new prescriptions.
Various deficiency-cold and heat, cold-phlegm and deficiency-heat: Leng Xiang Tang (Cold Incense Decoction): Use equal parts Chen Xiang and Fu Zi (processed). One cup of water, decoct to seven-tenths, leave exposed overnight, take warm on an empty stomach. (Wang Haogu *Yi Lei Yuan Rong*)
Stomach cold with chronic hiccups: Chen Xiang, Zi Su, Bai Dou Kou Ren each one qian. Grind into powder. Take 5-7 fen each time with Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx) decoction. (Wu Qiu *Huo Ren Xin Tong*)
Heart and spirit insufficiency, fire not descending, water not ascending, forgetfulness and palpitations: Zhu Que Wan (Vermilion Bird Pill): Use Chen Xiang five qian, Fu Shen two liang. Grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of azuki beans. Take thirty pills after meals with Ginseng decoction, twice daily. (Wang [Name] *Bai Yi Xuan Fang*)
Kidney deficiency with dark vision, warming the Water Organ: Use Chen Xiang one liang, Shu Jiao (remove eyes, stir-fry until sweat appears) four liang. Grind into powder, make pills with wine paste the size of paulownia seeds. Take thirty pills each time, on an empty stomach, down with salt water. (*Pu Ji Fang*)
Bladder inversion/blockage: If not caused by disease in the Small Intestine, Bladder, or Jueyin, but by forcing sexual intercourse or holding urine too long, treat the qi to cure; diuretics cannot open it. Chen Xiang, Mu Xiang each two qian. Grind into powder. Take with plain water on an empty stomach, stop when unblocked. (*Yi Lei Yuan Rong*)
Large Intestine deficiency closure, due to excessive sweating depleting fluids: Chen Xiang one liang, Rou Cong Rong (soaked in wine and baked) two liang. Grind into powder separately, make paste with juice pressed from Hemp Seed, form pills size of paulownia seeds. Take one hundred pills each time, down with honey water. (Yan Zili *Ji Sheng Fang*)
Tan Xiang (Sandalwood) and Ru Xiang (Frankincense) in equal parts, placed in a basin. Hold the child above to fumigate, effect will arise immediately. (Xianyu Shu *Gou Xuan*)