Library

(Recorded in the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Moyao (Myrrh).
Li Shizhen stated: "Mo" and "Mo" are both Sanskrit terms.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Song stated: Myrrh originates from the Kingdom of Persia. Its lumps vary in size, are black in color, and resemble Benzoin (Anxi Xiang).
Su Song further stated: It is now found in various countries south of the Hainan region and in Guangzhou. The root and trunk of the tree resemble those of an olive tree, with green and dense leaves. In older trees, resin flows and drips onto the ground, congealing into lumps of varying sizes, also resembling Benzoin. There is no fixed time for harvesting.
Kou Zongshi stated: According to Xu Biao's *Nanzhou Ji*: This is Persian pine resin. Its shape resembles...
Li Shizhen stated: According to the *Yitong Zhi*: The Myrrh tree is tall like a pine tree, with bark one or two cun thick. When harvesting, a pit is dug under the tree, and an axe is used to cut the bark...
This was previously misunderstood. As for what is called "Shen Xiang" (Divine Fragrance), it is unknown what substance this refers to.

[Processing] The processing method is the same as that of Frankincense (Ruxiang).

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Breaks blood stasis and relieves pain; treats injuries from metal weapons and beating, various malignant sores, hemorrhoids, and fistulas; sudden lower bleeding; eye opacities, vertigo, pain, and redness of the skin (*Kaibao Bencao*). Resolves masses and accumulations and old blood stasis; treats traumatic blood stasis; reduces swelling and relieves pain (Daming). Treats deficiency of Heart and Gallbladder, and insufficiency of Liver Blood (Haogou). Can cause abortion; treats postpartum Heart and Abdominal Qi and Blood pain; all administered as pills or powders (Li Gao).

[Elucidation] Kou Quan stated: For any injury caused by metal blades, falls, or horse-riding accidents, mix and take orally. It eliminates stale matter and generates new, healthy blood.
When meridians are full and tense, pain and swelling occur. Any fall or trauma damages the meridians, causing Qi and Blood stagnation, leading to swelling and pain due to obstruction.
Frankincense invigorates Blood, while Myrrh disperses Blood; both can relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote tissue regeneration. Therefore, these two herbs are often used together.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, six new prescriptions.
For Lijie Wind syndrome with bone and joint pain, ceaseless day and night: Half liang of Myrrh powder, three liang of Tiger Tibia Bone (roasted with butter and powdered). Take two qian each time, mixed with warm wine (*Tujing Bencao*).
For muscle and bone injuries: Four liang of rice flour (stir-fried until yellow), mixed with half liang each of Myrrh and Frankincense powder. Mix with wine to form a paste and apply externally (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*).
For metal weapon injuries not penetrating the fascia: One qian each of Frankincense and Myrrh. Dissolve warmly in half cup of urine from an uncircumcised boy and half cup of wine. Powder form is also acceptable (*Qixiao Liangfang*).
For infant intestinal colic pain: Equal parts of Myrrh and Frankincense. Powder them. Grind Agarwood (Muxiang) in water, boil, mix with one qian of the powder, and administer for immediate effect (*Ying'er Baoshu* by Tang Shi).
For women's abdominal pain due to internal injury/stabbing: One qian of Myrrh powder, taken with wine to stop pain (*Tujing Bencao*).
For women's fainting due to blood disorders: Same prescription as above.
For postpartum retained lochia: One qian each of Myrrh and Dragon's Blood (Xuejie) powder. Boil half cup of urine from an uncircumcised boy and half cup of warm wine, administer, and repeat after some time. Retained lochia will discharge naturally, preventing subsequent pain (*Furen Liangfang*).
For strange diseases in women: When menstrual discharge takes the shape of birds or beasts and seems aggressive, first plug the vagina with cotton, then ingest one liang of Myrrh powder mixed with plain boiled water for immediate cure (Wei Shi's Prescription).