Library

(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Names] Xuejie (Dragon's Blood).
Li Shizhen said: "Qijie" is also the name of a horse. This substance resembles dried blood, hence it is called Xuejie (Dragon's Blood). The term Qijie is used as an euphemism. Historically, it was grouped with Zicao (Lithospermum Erythrorhizon), but Zicao is derived from the leaves/flowers of this tree... [Text fragment missing].

[Collected Explanations] Su Gong said: The tree producing Qijie is named Keliu, and the tree producing Zicao is named Kelin. These two substances are largely similar with minor differences.
Su Song said: Although these two substances were grouped together, their efficacies are entirely different. Zicao is reddish-black in color, with leaves as large as plates, and flowers emerging from the leaf axils. Qijie is yellowish-red in color, exudes from the wood like pine resin.
Kou Zongshi said: According to *Nanyue Zhi*, Qijie is the resin of the Zicao tree. To verify authenticity, chew it; the superior quality will not crumble like wax when chewed.
It flows from the trunk, dripping down resembling sticky malt syrup. Over time, it hardens and solidifies to become Xuejie, appearing red like blood. It can be harvested at any time. Old theories suggest it is mostly similar to Zicao, but it is actually a different substance with distinct efficacy.
Kou Zongshi said: When using this herb, do not use "Sea Mother Blood" (a counterfeit), as it closely resembles the genuine article but has a salty taste and fishy odor. Qijie has a slightly salty and sweet taste, with an aroma similar to Gardenia.
Li Shizhen said: Qijie is tree resin, whereas Zicao is produced by insects. According to *Yitong Zhi*, the Dragon's Blood tree is somewhat similar to the Myrrh tree, with reddish wood. The harvesting method involves digging pits under the tree, chopping the tree with axes so that resin flows into the pits, and collecting it after ten days. It is mostly produced in countries such as Dashi (Arab regions). Current methods for testing authenticity involve checking if it can penetrate fingernails; those that do are genuine.
Dugu Tao in *Danfang Jingyuan* stated: This substance originates from the Western Hu (Central Asia/West), formed by absorbing the qi of Mars (Yinghuo). When burned, red juice gushes out; if the ash remains unchanged in color after prolonged burning, it is genuine.

[Processing] Kou Zongshi said: Before use, grind it into powder and sieve it for inclusion in pills and powders. If pounded together with other herbs, it will turn to dust and fly away.

[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, salty, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Sudden pain in the heart and abdomen, bleeding from traumatic wounds, resolving blood stasis, relieving pain and promoting tissue regeneration, eliminating pathogenic qi from the five zang organs. For all types of pain, stabbing sensations caused by chaotic qi and blood, internal injuries with blood accumulation, and deficiency supplementation, it is best taken with wine. It benefits yang essence and dissipates stagnant yin qi. (From *Mingyi Bielu*). It disperses various pains caused by blood stasis and treats women's blood disorders... [Text fragment missing].

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Qijie is the sap of trees, analogous to human marrow and blood. Its sweet and salty flavor directs it to the blood level, making it a herb for the Hand-Jueyin (Pericardium) and Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridians. This is because both the Liver and Pericardium govern blood. Liu Wansu of Hejian stated: "Xuejie eliminates blood-related pain and is the supreme herb for harmonizing blood," which is correct. While Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) primarily treat blood diseases, they also enter the qi level; Xuejie, however, acts exclusively on the blood level.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, ten new prescriptions.
For Baihu Feng (Gout/Joint Pain) with wandering pain and swelling in both knees... [Text fragment missing].
Old and new Hongxiangjiao (Beriberi): Equal parts of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) and Ruxiang (Frankincense), ground together finely, mixed with flour and pounded into pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 30 pills each time with warm wine. Avoid raw and cold foods. (From *Qixiao Fang*).
For slow convulsions (Slow Convulsive Disease): To calm the soul and replenish qi. Use half liang of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) and two qian and a half of Ruxiang (Frankincense), pound them into a paste, melt over fire, and form into pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take one pill each time, dissolved in decoction of mint. In summer, take with Ginseng decoction. (From *Yuyao Yuan Fang*).
For epistaxis (Nosebleed): Equal parts of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) and Puhuang (Pollen Typhae), ground into powder, insufflated into the nose. (From *Yilin Jiyao*).
For bloody hemorrhoids and intestinal wind: Apply Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) powder externally. (From *Zhizhi Fang*).
For bleeding from traumatic wounds: Apply Qijie (Dragon's Blood) powder externally to stop bleeding immediately. (From *Guangli Fang*).
For postpartum blood rushing upward, causing chest fullness and asthma, life-threatening: Use one qian of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) and Moyao (Myrrh), grind finely, mix with urine of a healthy boy and wine, and take orally. (From *Yilin Jiyao*).
For postpartum syncope due to blood, unconsciousness, and delirium: Use one liang of Qijie (Dragon's Blood), grind into powder. Take two qian each time, mixed with warm wine. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
To contract wound margins: One zi amount of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) powder, a small amount of Shexiang (Musk), and half a qian of Da Zao (Jujube) burnt to ash, ground together. Mix with saliva and apply topically. (From Jiuyuan Fang).
For non-healing ulcers: Apply Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) powder externally until dry. (From *Jiji Xian Fang*).
For ingrown toenail pain: Apply Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) powder externally. (From *Yilin Jiyao*).
For blood masses in the abdomen: One liang of Xuejie (Dragon's Blood), one liang of Moyao (Myrrh), one liang of Huashi (Talcum) boiled with Mudanpi (Tree Peony Bark), ground into powder, made into pills the size of Sophora seeds using vinegar paste, and taken orally.