Library

(Recorded in the Upper Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)

**Names** Li Shizhen states: According to Guo Yigong's *Guangzhi*, this aromatic substance originates from the State of Suhel, hence its name.

**Collection and Explanation** *Mingyi Bielu* records: Suhe Xiang (Styrax) is produced in the valleys of Zhongtai Chuan.
Yao Sengyuan states: It is now imported from the Western Regions and Kunlun. It is purple-red in color, resembling Zitan (Sandalwood), solid and extremely fragrant. The best quality is heavy as stone and turns white ash when burned.
Su Song states: Although Suhe Xiang is available in Guangzhou today, it resembles Sumu (Red Sandalwood) and lacks fragrance. Only the part resembling paste or oil is used in medicine, which has an intense aroma. Tao Hongjing's assertion that it is lion feces refers to this pasty/oily substance. *Liangshu* records: Tianzhuzhong (Central India) produces Suhe Xiang, which is made by decocting various aromatic juices; it is not a single natural object. It also records: People from Daqin (Rome) collect Suhe Xiang, first decocting the juice to make an aromatic paste, and then selling the dregs to merchants of various countries. Therefore, what reaches China through these intermediaries is less fragrant. Are the goods from Guangnan merely residues after decoction? The Suhe Xiang used today in pasty form is a compounded preparation.
Those without dregs are considered superior. Ye Ting's *Xiangpu* records: Suhe Xiang You (Suhe Xiang Oil) comes from Dasu (Arabia). Its odor resembles Dunou Xiang (Nagarmotha). Shen Kuo in *Bitan* states: Current Suhe Xiang is red like hard wood, and there is also Suhe You (Suhe Xiang Oil) like glue, which people use frequently. Liu Mengde in *Chuanxin Fang* mentions: Suhe Xiang has many thin leaves, seeds like gold, which shrink when pressed and rise when released. This description also refers to oil, so there is no need for doubt.

**Correction of Errors** Tao Hongjing states: Folk tradition claims Suhe Xiang is lion dung, but foreigners deny this. It is now all imported from the Western Regions and is no longer used in medicine, serving only to compound fine incense.
Yao Sengyuan states: This is a deceptive statement by Hu people; Tao did not realize this.
Chen Cangqi states: Suhe Xiang is yellowish-white, while lion dung is reddish-black. The two look similar but are different. Lion dung is extremely foul-smelling. Some say: Lion dung is made from the bark and juice of plants in Western countries, brought by Hu people to be valued highly, thus embellishing its name.

**Odor and Flavor** Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

**Indications** Expels evil influences, kills demonic spirits, treats Warm Malaria (Wen Nue), Gu poison, epilepsy and spasms, removes three parasites, eliminates pathogenic factors, and prevents nightmares. Long-term use promotes spiritual clarity, lightens the body, and prolongs life (*Mingyi Bielu*).

**Elucidation** Li Shizhen states: Suhe Xiang has a penetrating aroma and can unblock various orifices and organs; thus, its function is to expel all abnormal qi. According to Shen Kuo's *Bitan*: Grand Commandant Wang Wen Zheng suffered from weakness and frequent illness. Emperor Zhenzong of Song personally gifted him a bottle of medicinal wine, instructing him to drink it on an empty stomach to harmonize qi and blood and repel external pathogens. After drinking it, he felt greatly comforted and healthy. The next day, he expressed his gratitude. The Emperor said: This is Suhe Xiang Wine. For every dou of wine, one liang of Suhe Xiang Wan (Pill) is added and boiled together. It effectively harmonizes the five zang organs and cures various abdominal ailments. It is advisable to drink one cup when rising early in the cold. From then on, officials and commoners imitated this method, and this prescription became prevalent at the time. The formula originally came from Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's *Kaiyuan Guangji Fang*, known as Baizhu Wan (Atractylodes Pill). Later generations also included it in *Qianjin Fang* and *Waitai Miyao*, where it showed remarkable efficacy in treating diseases.

**Attached Prescriptions** Two new prescriptions.
Suhe Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill): Treats corpse transmission with bone-steaming fever, lung atrophy, Zhu-wu ghost qi, sudden heart pain, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, seasonal epidemics and miasmic malaria, acute dysentery with red and white discharge, amenorrhea due to blood stasis, masses and carbuncles, pediatric fright epilepsy and Ke-wu, adult wind-stroke, qi-stagnation, and fox-related illnesses. Use one liang of Suhe You (Styrax Oil), two liang of Anxi Xiang mo (Benzoin powder). Decoct Anxi Xiang mo in non-ash wine until it becomes a paste, then mix with Suhe You. Add Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma), Qingmuxiang (Pogostemonis Herba), Baitanxiang (Santalum Album Lignum), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Shexiang (Moschus), Bibie (Piperis Fructus), and Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus - roasted, pitted, and powdered). Mix with the aromatic paste and refined honey to form pills, wrapped in wax paper for storage. Roll into pills the size of wutong seeds. In the morning, take four pills dissolved in Jinghua water (first drawn well water), at any temperature suitable for the patient. Elderly and children take one pill. (*Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang*)
[Pills the size of adzuki beans. Take two pills each time, with plain water.]