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(Grade Upper, *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Xiaoxin (*Benjing*), Shaoxin.
Song said: The true Xixin from Huazhou has fine roots and an extremely pungent taste, hence the name Xixin.
Shizhen said: Xiaoxin and Shaoxin both refer to this meaning. According to the *Shanhai Jing*, "Duoshaoxin" grows on Fuxi Mountain. The *Guanzi* states that on fertile lands, various herbs grow, including Shaoxin; this is correct.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Xixin grows in the valleys of Mount Hua's north slope. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the shade. Hongjing said: Currently, those from Dongyang Linhai are used; their segments are good, but their pungency is not as strong as those from Huayin or Goryeo. When used, the head and joints must be removed. Dangzhi said: Xixin resembles Kuisun (Malva verticillata), with reddish-black leaves, one root connected to one leaf. Song said: It is now found everywhere, but none compare to those from Huayin as genuine; their roots are fine and extremely pungent. People often use Dumeng (Dysosma versipellis) to substitute it. Dumeng roots resemble a rice brush, dense and long, four or five cun, slightly yellowish-white, called Matixiang (Horse-shoe Fragrance) in the Jianghuai region; do not use it by mistake. Zong said: Xixin leaves resemble Kuisun, reddish-black; if not so, it is Dumeng. Dumeng leaves resemble the underside of a horse's hoof, hence the common name Matixiang. Its root resembles Baiqian and also looks somewhat like Xixin. According to Shen Kuo's *Mengxi Bitan*: Xixin comes from Mount Hua, very fine and straight, flexible, deep purple, with an extremely pungent taste; chewing it feels like pepper but stronger. Herbal texts say Xixin becomes straight when soaked in water, which is due to the substitution with Dumeng. The Xixin used in the southeast is all Dumeng. Dumeng is yellowish-white, curled and brittle, forming clumps when dry, also called Matixiang. In the Xianghan region, there is another herb resembling Xixin, very fine and straight, yellowish-white, which is Guiduyou, not Xixin. Shizhen said: The *Bowuzhi* mentions Dumeng confusing Xixin, which has been the case since ancient times. Shen's description is very detailed. Generally, herbs that can confuse Xixin are not limited to Dumeng; one must carefully distinguish them by root, sprout, color, and taste. Leaves resembling small Kuisun, soft stems, fine roots, straight and purple, with an extremely pungent taste, is Xixin. Leaves resembling horse hooves, slightly coarse stems, curved and yellowish-white roots, with a pungent taste, is Dumeng. One stem growing straight up, leaves at the tip like an umbrella, roots resembling Xixin but slightly coarser, straight, yellowish-white, with a pungent and slightly bitter taste, is Guiduyou. Resembling Guiduyou but black in color, is Ji Ji. Leaves resembling small mulberry, roots resembling Xixin, slightly coarser and longer, yellow, with a pungent taste and fishy odor, is Xuchangqing. Leaves resembling willow and roots resembling Xixin, coarse, long, yellowish-white, with a bitter taste, is Baiwei. Resembling Baiwei but white, straight, and sweet-tasting, is Baiqian.

[Processing] Yue said: Whenever using Xixin, cut off the heads and soil, soak in melon water overnight, then sun-dry for use. Must discard those with double leaves, as consuming them harms people.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Pu said: Shennong, Huangdi, Leigong, Tongjun: Pungent, slightly warm; Qibo: Non-toxic; Li Dangzhi: Slightly cold. Quan said: Bitter, pungent. Zhicai said: Cengqing and Zaogen are its guiding herbs. Combined with Danggui, Shaoyao, Baizhi, Xiong, Mudanpi, Gaoben, Gancao, it treats women's diseases; combined with Jueming, Carp bile, Qingyanggan, it treats eye pain. It is incompatible with Huangdan, Yelangdu, Shanzhuyu; avoid raw vegetables and狸meat; it fears Xiaoshi and Huashi, and is inversely active with Lilu.

[Indications] Cough with rebellious Qi, headache with throbbing in the brain, spasms and contractures in all joints, bi-syndrome caused by wind-dampness leading to numbness of muscles. Long-term use brightens the eyes, benefits the nine orifices, lightens the body, and prolongs life (*Benjing*). Warms the middle, descends Qi, breaks phlegm, benefits water passages, opens stagnation and accumulation in the chest, eliminates throat obstruction, nasal congestion with loss of smell, wind-epilepsy, lactation nodules, absence of sweating, blood stasis, calms the five zang organs, benefits the liver and gallbladder, and unites essence and Qi (*Bielu*). Augments Gallbladder Qi, treats cough, removes skin wind-dampness itching, wind-tearing, eliminates toothache, blood closure, and blood-stasis lower back pain in women (Zhenquan). Holding it in the mouth removes bad breath (Hongjing). Moistens liver dryness, treats diseases of the Du vessel, stiff spine and厥 (Haogou). Treats mouth and tongue...

[Elucidation] Zong said: To treat wind-pain of the head and face, this herb cannot be omitted. Yuansu said: Xixin has a warm temperature and a highly pungent flavor; its Qi is denser than its flavor, belonging to Yang, ascending, entering the Foot Jueyin and Shaoyin blood levels, serving as a guiding herb for the Hand Shaoyin heart meridian. Its fragrance and flavor are both fine, thus entering the Shaoyin meridian, similar to Duhuo. Used with Duhuo as a guiding herb, it treats Shaoyin headaches divinely. It also stops various Yang meridians' headaches and is generally used for all wind conditions. Pungent and hot, it warms the Shaoyin meridian, disperses Water Qi to remove internal cold. Cheng Wuji said: When water stagnates below the heart and does not move, Kidney Qi becomes dry; it is appropriate to use Pungent flavors to moisten it. The Pungency of Xixin moves Water Qi and moistens dryness. Guo said: For insufficiency of Gallbladder Qi, Xixin tonifies it. It also treats pathogens moving from interior to exterior; therefore, Zhang Zhongjing uses Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang for Shaoyin syndromes. Shizhen said: Herbs with dense Qi can generate heat; they are Yang within Yang. Pungent and warm can disperse, so it is suitable for headaches caused by wind-cold, wind-dampness, phlegm-fluid retention, stagnation in the chest, and惊痫. It is used for mouth ulcers, throat obstruction, and dental diseases because it can disperse floating heat, following the principle of "releasing fire when constrained." Pungent can drain Lung Qi, so it is suitable for wind-cold cough with rebellious Qi. Pungent can tonify Liver, so it is suitable for insufficiency of Gallbladder Qi,惊痫, and eye diseases. Pungent can moisten dryness, so it is suitable for unblocking the Shaoyin meridian and ear orifices, and for difficult urination. Cheng said: Only Xixin from Huayin is genuine. If used alone as powder, do not exceed one qian. Excessive amounts cause Qi blockage and suffocation leading to death, though the body remains undamaged. Recently, cases were treated in the Kaiping prison; this must be recorded. This is not because the herb itself is toxic, but due to ignorance of dosage.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, six new. Sudden fainting due to hidden wind, unconsciousness. Xixin powder, blown into the nose. (Wei Shi's *Defang*) Deficient-cold vomiting and hiccups, inability to eat. Xixin (remove leaves) half liang, Dingxiang two and a half qian. Grind into powder. Take one qian per dose, washed down with Shi Di decoction. Pediatric ke-wu inability to speak. Xixin and Guixin powder in equal parts, place a small amount in the mouth. (*Waitai Miyao*) Pediatric mouth ulcers: Xixin powder, mixed with vinegar, applied to the navel. (*Weisheng Jiabao Fang*) Mouth and tongue ulcers: Xixin and Huanglian in equal parts, ground into powder and sprinkled; rinsing saliva is very effective, named Jianjin San. Another formula uses Xixin and Huangbai. (*Sanyin Fang*) Bad breath and swollen painful teeth. Boil Xixin to make a thick decoction, hold hot and spit out cold, until cured. (*Shenghui Fang*) Nasal polyps: Xixin powder, blown occasionally. (*Shenghui Fang*) Various types of deafness: Xixin powder, dissolved in yellow beeswax to make pills the size of rat feces, wrapped in silk, insert one pill into the ear; cured in one or two times. Must avoid anger, named Cong'er Wan. (Gong Shi's *Jingyan Fang*)