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(Sound "qiong qiong". Listed as Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])

[Names] Hu Xiong (*Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians]), Chuanxiong (*Bencao Gangmu* [Compendium of Materia Medica]), Xiangguo (*Mingyi Bielu*), Shanjuqiong (*Bencao Gangmu*).

Li Shizhen said: Xiongxiong was originally written as "Ying", and the meaning of its name is unclear. Some say: The human head is vaulted and high, resembling the sky. This herb ascends to the upper part of the body and specifically treats various diseases of the head and brain, hence the name "Xiongxiong". Those from Hu regions are considered best, thus called "Hu Xiong". Ancient people named it "Ma Xian Xiongxiong" (Horse-Bit Xiongxiong) because its root nodes resembled a horse's bit. Later generations called it "Que Nao Xiongxiong" (Sparrow-Brain Xiongxiong) due to its resemblance to a sparrow's brain. Those from Guanzhong are called "Jing Xiong" or "Xi Xiong"; those from Shu are called "Chuanxiong"; those from Tiantai are called "Tai Xiong"; those from Jiangnan are called "Fu Xiong". All are named according to their place of origin. *Zuo Zhuan* records: The Chu people asked the Bo people, "Do you have Maiqu (wheat qu)? Do you have Shanjuqiong? How to treat Heyu Fuxi (abdominal pain caused by eating cold fish)?" Both substances can resist dampness, so they were used as metaphors. Zhu Danxi used Yue Tao and Ju Qiong in his Yueju Wan (Yueju Pill) for treating the Six Stagnations, hence the naming. It is called "Mo Jia" in the *Jin Guang Ming Jing*.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: The leaves of Xiongxiong are called Miwu. It grows in the valleys of Wugong County and the west ridge of Xiegu. Roots are harvested in March and April and sun-dried.

Lei Xiao said: Xiongxiong grows either on the shady side of Huwutao Mountain or on Mount Tai. Its leaves are fine and fragrant, dark green with patterns, red like Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), growing in clusters throughout winter and summer. It bears red flowers in May and black fruits in July, with two leaves at the tip of the fruit. Roots are harvested in March, having nodes like a horse-bit. Tao Hongjing said: Wugong and the west ridge of Xiegu are both near Chang'an. Now, Liyang also produces it, and it is widely cultivated by households. The leaves resemble those of Heracleum (Shechuangzi) but are fragrant; the nodes are large and stems thin, resembling a horse-bit, hence called "Ma Xian Xiongxiong". Shu also produces it, but it is finer. Su Gong said: Currently, Qinzhou produces it, and the variety from Liyang is no longer used. Those cultivated by people form large chunks, heavy and oily. Those gathered from mountains are thin and slender. Taste is bitter and pungent. Harvesting in September and October is best; harvesting in March and April yields empty and inferior quality, which is not the proper time. Su Song said: It is abundant in the mountains of Guanshan, Chuan-Shu, and Jiangdong, but the variety from Shu-Chuan is superior. Leaves emerge in April and May, resembling Water Celery, Coriander, or Heracleum, growing in clumps with thin stems. The leaves are doubly fragrant; people in Jiangdong and Shu harvest the leaves to make drinks. In July and August, it opens small white flowers, similar to Heracleum flowers. The root is hard, thin, yellow-black. Those from Guanzhong form heavy chunks; those resembling a sparrow's brain are "Que Nao Xiongxiong" and have the strongest efficacy.

Li Shizhen said: Shu has little cold, so people cultivate it extensively; even in late autumn, the stems and leaves do not wither. After Qingming, perennial roots sprout new seedlings. Branches are divided and buried horizontally, rooting at every node. By August, Xiongxiong forms under the roots and can be dug up, steamed, dried, and sold. *Jiu Huang Ben Cao* says: Leaves resemble celery but are slightly narrower and finer, branched; they also resemble Angelica dahurica (Baizhi) leaves, which are fine; they resemble Coriander leaves but are slightly larger; one type resembles Heracleum leaves but is coarser. Tender leaves can be fried and eaten.

Kou Zongshi said: For medicinal use, large chunks from Chuan with a white interior, non-oily, and slightly pungent-sweet when chewed are best. Other varieties are not used medicinally, only ground into powder for bathing decoctions.

Root

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Lei Xiao said: Shennong, Huangdi, Qibo, and Leigong stated: Pungent, non-toxic. Bian Que stated: Sour, non-toxic; Li Dangzhi stated: Raw is warm, cooked is cold.

Li Dongyuan (Yuansu) said: Nature is warm, flavor is pungent and bitter. Qi is strong and flavor is light, floating and ascending, belonging to Yang. It is the guiding herb for the Shaoyang channel, entering the Qi aspect of the Hand and Foot Jueyin channels.

Xu Zhicai said: Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) acts as its assistant. It fears Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and is subdued by Yihuang (Orpiment). Combined with Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), it treats metal wounds and stops pain; combined with Muli (Ostreae Concha), it treats Head Wind and vomiting/counterflow qi.

[Indications] Stroke affecting the brain causing headache, Cold Bi with tendon spasms and stiffness, metal wounds, amenorrhea and infertility in women (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Removes cold agitation in the brain, wandering wind on the face, tearing, excessive phlegm and saliva, dizziness as if drunk, all cold qi, hardness and pain in heart and abdomen, sudden severe swelling and pain from evil invasion, wind pain in hypochondrium, warming the middle and internal cold (*Mingyi Bielu*). Weakness in waist and legs, hemiplegia, retention of placenta (Zhen Quan). All wind syndromes, all qi syndromes, all consumptive diseases, all blood disorders. Tonifies the Five Exhaustions, strengthens sinews and bones, regulates various pulses, breaks mass accumulation and old blood, nourishes new blood, treats hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, brain abscess, back carbuncle, scrofula, warts, hemorrhoids, sores, promotes flesh growth and pus discharge, resolves blood stasis (Meng Shen). Searches Liver Qi, tonifies Liver Blood, moistens Liver dryness, tonifies Wind deficiency (Haogou). Dries dampness, stops diarrhea and dysentery, moves Qi and opens depression (Li Shizhen). Mixed with honey into large pills, taken at night, highly effective for Wind-Phlegm (Su Song). For bleeding gums, holding it in the mouth leads to recovery over many days (Tao Hongjing).

[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi said: People currently use this herb most frequently; it is indispensable for Head and Face Wind, but must be assisted by other herbs.

Li Dongyuan (Yuansu) said: Chuanxiong ascends to the head and eyes and descends to the Sea of Blood. Therefore, it is used in formulas for clearing spirit and Siwu Tang. It can disperse Wind in the Liver channel and is a holy medicine for treating headaches in the Shaoyang and Jueyin channels, as well as blood-deficiency headaches. Its uses are fourfold: acting as a guiding herb for Shaoyang, one; treating headaches in various channels, two; assisting Clear Yang Qi, three; removing dampness in the head, four.

Wang Haogu (Gao) said: Headache must use Chuanxiong. If ineffective, add channel-guiding herbs: Shaoyang Qianghuo, Yangming Baizhi, Shaoyang Chaihu, Taiyin Cangzhu, Jueyin Wuzhuyu, Shaoyin Xixin.

Zhu Zhenheng (Zhenheng) said: Depression in the Middle Jiao requires Fu Xiong to lift and raise the Qi. When Qi rises, depression naturally subsides. Thus, Fu Xiong resolves all depressions, reaches the Triple Burner directly, and serves as an agent for unifying Yin and Yang and moving Qi and Blood.

Li Shizhen said: Chuanxiong is a Qi herb within the Blood. The Liver suffers from tension, and Pungency tonifies it; thus, it is suitable for Blood deficiency. Pungency disperses, so it is suitable for Qi stagnation. *Zuo Zhuan* states: Maiqu and Juqiong resist dampness and treat Heyu Fuxi. I often add these two herbs when treating Damp Diarrhea, with immediate effect. For Bloody Dysentery where pain persists after passage is cleared, it indicates Yin deficiency and Qi stagnation; adding Chuanxiong as an assistant moves Qi and harmonizes Blood, stopping the pain immediately. These are subtle principles of medicine, discussable only with those possessing flexible wisdom.

Kou Zongshi said: Shen Kuo's *Brush Talks* record: A clan member previously took Chuanxiong long-term. Doctor Zheng Shuxiong saw him and said: Chuanxiong should not be taken long-term; it often causes sudden death. Later, the clan member indeed died without illness. Also, the wife of Court Official Zhang Zitong suffered from Brain Wind and took Chuanxiong for a long time, then suddenly died. These were witnessed by eye. These cases occurred because long-term single use scatters True Qi. If assisted by other herbs and not taken long-term, stopping when the disease is cured, how could such harm occur?

Yu Bo said: Those with bone-steaming fever and excessive sweating, as well as those with weak Qi, should not take it long-term. Its nature is Pungent and dispersing, causing True Qi to leak and Yin to become more deficient.

Li Shizhen said: The Five Flavors enter the stomach and return to their respective organs. Long-term use increases Qi bias, leading to extreme excess or deficiency, resulting in sudden premature death. If a prescription contains all five flavors and four temperatures, with proper Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Courier roles, how could such harm occur? Chuanxiong is a Liver channel herb. If taken alone for a long time, Pungency tends to enter the Lung, causing Lung Qi excess. Metal attacks Wood, harming the Liver. Long-term leads to Liver exhaustion and premature death. Thus, physicians must investigate things to acquire knowledge.

[Attached Prescriptions] Seven old prescriptions, thirteen new ones.

Sheng Xi Wan (Raw Rhino Horn Pill): Bestowed by Emperor Zhenzong of Song to Chancellor Gao, removes phlegm, clears eyes, and promotes appetite. Recipe: Use 10 liang of tight, small Chuanxiong. Soak in millet rinse water for two days, changing daily. Slice and sun-dry, grind into powder, divide into two doses. Each dose adds 1 fen of Moschus (She Xiang) and Nao (Borneolum Syntheticum), and 0.5 liang of Rhinocerotis Cornu (Sheng Xi). Cook in double-boiler, mix with honey to form pills the size of small marbles. Chew one pill with tea or wine. Add 0.5 liang of Cinnabar for Phlegm; add 1 fen of Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang) and 1 fen of Ferri Pulvis (Tiefen) for Chest Obstruction; add 1 fen of Xixin for Dizziness of head and eyes; add 1 fen of prepared Tian Nanxing for Deviation of mouth and eyes. (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*)

Qi Deficiency Headache: Pure Chuanxiong powder, taken with aged tea, 2 qian, very effective. Once, a woman with postpartum headache recovered after one dose. (*Jijian Fang*)

Qi Syncope Headache: Women with Qi excess headache and postpartum headache. Equal parts Chuanxiong and Tiantai Weiyao, ground into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with Scallion Tea. (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*): Add Baizhu, decoct in water.

Wind-Heat Headache: 1 qian Chuanxiong, 2 qian tea leaves, 1 zhong water, decoct to 0.5 zhong, take hot before meals. (*Jianbian Fang*)

Head Wind Resolving Phlegm: Wash and slice Chuanxiong, sun-dry, grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of small marbles. Chew one pill anytime, swallow with clear tea. (*Jingyan Houfang*)

Hemicrania Pain: Finely chop Jingxiong, soak in wine, drink daily. (*Doumen Fang*)

Wind-Heat Rushing Upward: Dizziness of head and eyes, or discomfort in chest. 1 liang each of Chuanxiong and Huai Zi. Grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, mixed with clear tea. For chest discomfort, decoct in water. (Zhang Jiegou, *Baoming Ji*)

First Wind with Vertigo and Hemicrania/Migraine, Profuse Sweating, Aversion to Wind, Phlegm-Fluid in Chest/Diaphragm. 1 jin Chuanxiong, 4 liang Tianma. Grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of marbles. Chew one pill, swallow with clear tea. (Liu Hejian, *Xuanming Fang*)

Blood Loss Vertigo: See under Danggui. All Heart Pain: One large Xiongxiong, grind into powder, take with roasted liquor. One pill lasts a year, two last two years. (*Sun Shi Jixiao Fang*)

Amenorrhea Pregnancy Test: Menstruation absent for three months. Pregnancy Test Method: Raw Chuanxiong ground into powder. Decoct Mugwort water on an empty stomach, take one spoon. Slight movement in abdomen indicates pregnancy; no movement indicates non-pregnancy. (*Lingyuan Fang*)

Damaged Fetal Qi: Due to falls or lifting heavy objects, damaging fetus causing instability, or dead fetus in womb. Chuanxiong ground into powder, taken with wine in a square-inch measure, one or two doses shortly after. Expels immediately. (*Xu Shiquan Fang*)

Metrorrhagia and Hemorrhage, Day and Night Unceasing. *Qianjin Fang*: Use 1 liang Chuanxiong, 1 large cup of clear wine, decoct to 0.5 portion, administer slowly. *Shenghui*: Add 2 he of fresh Shengdihuang juice, decoct together. Wine Accumulation with Hypochondriac Distension, Intermittent Vomiting, Fluid Sound in Abdomen. 1 liang each of Chuanxiong and Sanleng (prepared), ground into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, with Scallion White Decoction. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

Pediatric Brain Heat with Preference for Closed Eyes, or Taiyang Headache, or Red Swollen Eyes. 2 qian each of Chuanxiong, Bohe, and Poxiao. Grind into powder, insufflate a small amount into nose. (*Quanyou Xinjian*)

Gum Decay and Bad Breath: Decoct Chuanxiong in water, hold in mouth. (*Guangji Fang*)

Toothache: One large Chuanxiong, store in old lees for one month, take and bake, mix with Xixin, grind into powder, rub on teeth. (*Benshi Fang*)

All Sores and Swelling: Grind Fuxiong, mix with Qingfen, apply with Sesame Oil. (*Puji Fang*)

Postpartum Breast Suspension: After childbirth, breasts suddenly elongate, thin as intestines, hanging below navel, unbearable pain, critical state, named Breast Suspension. Take 1 jin each of Chuanxiong and Danggui. Chop half jin, decoct strongly in water in earthenware pot, drink frequently as much as needed; still take remaining half jin chopped into blocks, burn under patient's table, inhale smoke through mouth and nose. If not cured after using, prepare another batch. Also paste one Castor Bean on the crown of the head. (Xia Zi Yi, *Qiji Fang*)