（宋《开宝》）
【释名】蕙草（《别录》）、香草（《开宝》）、
时珍曰∶古者烧香草以降神，故曰薰，曰蕙。薰者熏也，蕙者和也。《汉书》云∶薰以
香自烧，是矣。或云∶古人祓除，以此草熏之，故谓之薰，亦通。范成《大虞衡志》言∶零
陵即今永州，不出此香。惟融、宜等州甚多，土人以编席荐，性暖宜人。谨按∶零陵旧治在
今全州。全乃湘水之源，多生此香，今人呼为广零陵香者，乃真薰草也。若永州、道州、武
冈州，皆零陵属地也。今镇江、丹阳皆莳而刈之，以酒洒制货之，芬香更烈，谓之香草，与
兰草同称。《楚辞》云∶既滋兰之九畹，又树蕙之百亩，则古人皆栽之矣。张揖《广雅》云∶
卤，薰也。其叶谓之蕙。而黄山谷言一干数花者为蕙。盖因不识兰草、蕙草，强以兰花为分
别也。郑樵《修本草》，言兰即蕙，蕙即零陵香，亦是臆见，殊欠分明。但兰草、蕙草，乃
一类二种耳。
【集解】《别录》曰∶薰草，一名蕙草，生下湿地，三月采阴干，脱节者良。又曰∶蕙
实，生鲁山平泽。
弘景曰∶《桐君药录》∶薰草叶如麻，两两相对。《山海经》云∶浮山有草，麻叶而方
茎，赤华而黑实，气如蘼芜，名曰薰草，可以已疠。今俗人皆呼燕草状如茅而香者为薰草
，人家颇种之者，非也。诗书家多用蕙，而竟不知是何草，尚其名而迷其实，皆此类也。
藏器曰∶薰草即是零陵香，薰乃蕙草根也。
志曰∶零陵香生零陵山谷，叶如罗勒。《南越志》云∶土人名燕草，又名薰草，即香草
也。《山海经》薰草即是此。
颂曰∶零陵香今湖岭诸州皆有之，多生下湿地，叶如麻，两两相对，茎方，常以七月中
旬开花至香，古云薰草是也。岭南人皆作窑灶，以火炭焙干，令黄色乃佳。江淮亦有土生者，
亦可作香，但不及湖岭者，至枯槁香尤芬熏耳。古方但用薰草，不用零陵香。今合香家及面
脂、澡豆诸法皆用之。都下市肆货之甚便。
时珍曰∶今惟吴人栽造，货之亦广。
(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Names] Hui Cao (Cinnamon Herb) (from *Mingyi Bielu*); Xiang Cao (Fragrant Herb) (from *Kaibao Bencao*).
Li Shizhen stated: In ancient times, fragrant herbs were burned to summon spirits, hence it is called "Xun" (fumigate) and "Hui". "Xun" is homophonous with "Xun" (to fumigate/smoke), meaning to fumigate; "Hui" is homophonous with "He" (to harmonize), meaning to harmonize. The *Book of Han* states: "Xun grass burns itself due to its fragrance," which is correct. Some say: In ancient times, people performed purification rituals (Bachu, a ritual to exorcise evil spirits) by fumigating with this herb, thus calling it "Xun," which is also plausible. Fan Chengda's *Da Yu Heng Zhi* records: Lingling refers to present-day Yongzhou, where this aromatic herb does not grow. It is abundant only in Rongzhou, Yizhou, and other prefectures. Locals weave it into mats for bedding; its nature is warm and pleasant. I have carefully verified: The old administrative seat of Lingling was located in present-day Quanzhou. Quanzhou is the source of the Xiang River and produces much of this aromatic herb. What people now call "Guang Lingling Xiang" (Broad Lingling Fragrance) is the true Xun Cao. As for Yongzhou, Daozhou, and Wugangzhou, they were all territories of Lingling. Today, Zhenjiang and Danyang also cultivate and harvest it, treating it with wine spray before sale, making the fragrance more intense. It is called "Xiang Cao" (Fragrant Herb) and is mentioned alongside Lan Cao (Orchid Herb). The *Chu Ci* says: "Having nourished nine wan acres of orchids, I planted a hundred mu of hui," indicating that ancients cultivated it. Zhang Yi's *Guangya* states: "Lu is Xun. Its leaves are called Hui." Huang Shan Valley said that those with multiple flowers on one stem are called "Hui." This likely stems from a lack of knowledge distinguishing Lan Cao and Hui Cao, forcing a distinction based on orchids. Zheng Qiao's *Xiu Bencao* claims that Lan is Hui, and Hui is Lingling Xiang; this is also subjective speculation and lacks clarity. However, Lan Cao and Hui Cao are essentially one category with two varieties.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Xun Cao, also known as Hui Cao, grows in low-lying wet areas. It is harvested in the third lunar month and dried in the shade. Those with detached nodes are of superior quality. It further states: Hui Shi (the fruit of Hui) grows in the flat marshes of Lushan.
Tao Hongjing stated: According to *Tongjun Yaolu*: The leaves of Xun Cao resemble hemp leaves, growing opposite each other. The *Classic of Mountains and Seas* says: On Fushan, there is a herb with hemp-like leaves and square stems, bearing red flowers and black fruits, smelling like Miwu, named Xun Cao, which can cure Leprosy (Lifeng, leprosy or severe skin disease). Currently, laypeople mistakenly call Yan Cao (a herb resembling rush/grass but fragrant) as Xun Cao, and many households plant it; this is incorrect. Scholars frequently use the term "Hui" in poetry and classics but do not know what herb it refers to, preserving the name while losing the substance, which falls into this category.
Meng Shen stated: Xun Cao is indeed Lingling Xiang; "Xun" refers to the root of Hui Cao.
Su Song stated: Lingling Xiang grows in the valleys of Lingling, with leaves resembling basil. The *Nanyue Zhi* says: Locals call it Yan Cao, also known as Xun Cao, which is the Xiang Cao. The Xun Cao mentioned in the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* is this very herb.
Su Song further stated: Lingling Xiang is now produced in various prefectures of Huling. It mostly grows in low-lying wet areas, with leaves resembling hemp, growing opposite each other, and square stems. It blooms and emits fragrance around mid-July, which corresponds to the ancient "Xun Cao." People in Lingnan make kilns to dry it over charcoal until it turns yellow, which is considered best. There is also locally grown variety in the Jianghuai region, which can be used as incense, though inferior to that from Huling. When completely dried, its fragrance becomes particularly strong. Ancient prescriptions used only Xun Cao, not Lingling Xiang. However, modern perfumers and manufacturers of facial creams and bath powders all use it. It is readily available in the markets of the capital.
Li Shizhen stated: Currently, only people in Wu cultivate and produce it, and it is widely traded.