Library

(Shangpin / Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Shefu (from *Erya*), Xiangzhang (Fragrant Muntjac).
Li Shizhen said: The musk deer's fragrance shoots far, hence the name "She" (Musk Deer). Some say it is named because the male's fragrance attracts it, which is also plausible. Its shape resembles a muntjac, hence commonly called Xiangzhang. The Sanskrit texts refer to musk as "Mahabha".

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Musk deer inhabit the valleys of Zhongtai, as well as the mountains of Yizhou and Yongzhou. Musk is collected at the Spring Equinox; that obtained from live animals is superior.
Tao Hongjing said: The musk deer resembles a muntjac but is smaller, with black fur. It often eats cypress leaves and consumes snakes. Its fragrance is located in the skin anterior to the penis, wrapped in a separate membrane sac. When musk is obtained in May, snake skins and bones are often found within. Nowadays, people wrap musk in shed snake skins, claiming this enhances the fragrance, utilizing the principle of mutual enhancement. In summer, musk deer eat many snakes and insects; by winter, their fragrance is full. Upon entering spring, they experience acute pain in the navel area and use their claws to extract the musk themselves, covering it with feces and urine, remaining in one place without moving. There have been instances where up to one dou and five sheng were obtained this way; such musk is absolutely superior to that obtained by killing the animal. Ancients claimed it was formed from congealed essence and urine, which is entirely incorrect. Currently, musk from Qiangyi regions is mostly genuine and high quality; that from Su Jun, Yiyang, Jinxi, and other barbarian areas is inferior. Musk from Yizhou is flat-shaped, still wrapped in skin membranes, and often counterfeit. Genuine musk pods are sometimes divided into three or four pieces; the blood membrane is scraped off, mixed with other substances, and wrapped in the skin from the four legs' knees for sale, with further counterfeiting by vendors. Locals say that if you break open a piece and see hair contained within the wrapping, it is superior. Now, only by observing live animals can one ensure obtaining completely genuine musk.
Su Song said: Musk deer are now found in the mountains of Shaanxi, Yizhou, Lizhou, Hedong, etc., especially abundant in the barbarian areas of Qinzhou and Wenzhou. They occasionally appear in Qizhou and Guangzhou, but the musk is extremely small, each pod no larger than a pellet, yet often genuine, likely because locals do not counterfeit much there. Musk is graded into three tiers: The first is raw musk, named "Yixiang" (Left-behind Fragrance), extracted naturally by the deer; this is extremely rare and priced like pearls. Where musk accumulates, grass and trees nearby do not grow or turn scorched yellow. If people carry musk through gardens, fruits and melons fail to set, which serves as verification. The second tier is umbilical musk, obtained by catching and killing the deer. The third is heart-knot musk, occurring when a musk deer, chased by large beasts, panics, loses its mind, runs wildly, falls, and dies. If someone obtains it and cuts open the heart, blood flows onto the spleen, forming dry blood clots, which are unsuitable for medicinal use. There is also a type called "Water Musk," whose fragrance is even more peculiar; the navel contains water. One drop added to a dou of water, used to spray clothes, retains its fragrance indefinitely. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, an imperial forester presented such musk, kept in the royal park. Whenever pricked with needles at the navel and rubbed with real Realgar (Xionghuang), the navel would heal, and its fragrance would double that of regular musk. This account is recorded in *Youyang Zazu*, but such musk is rarely heard of nowadays, perhaps existing but unrecognized.
Kou Zongshi said: Yang Yi's *Tanwan* records: Shang and Ru mountains have many musk deer; their feces remain in one place without moving, allowing people to locate them. They cherish their navels intensely; when pursued urgently, they jump off cliffs, claw out their own musk, and die bound, still arching their four legs to protect their navels. Thus, Li Shangyin wrote: "The musk jumps off the cliff to discard its fragrance." Xu Hun wrote:
Li Shizhen said: Musk deer dwell in mountains, while muntjacs dwell in marshes; this distinguishes them. Musk from the northwest has solid, pure fragrance; that from the southeast is called "Tu She" (Earth Musk), usable but less potent. In the south, the civet cat's glandular secretion smells like musk and is often adulterated with it. See relevant entry.

Musk Umbilical Gland
[Preparation] Lei Xiao said: When using musk, "Dangmenzi" (the central pod) is best. Open it on Zi days, grind slightly for use; no need to grind finely.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic. Zhen Quan said: Bitter, Pungent. Avoid garlic.
Li Pengfei said: Musk should not be brought near the nose, as white worms may enter the brain causing leprosy-like diseases. Long-term wearing allows the fragrance to penetrate acupoints, causing strange illnesses.

[Indications] Expels evil qi, kills ghostly essences and pests, removes three parasites and gu poison, treats warm malaria and epilepsy. Long-term use dispels evil influences and prevents nightmares and sleep paralysis (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats various malignant ghostly qi, sudden poisoning (Zhong'e), acute abdominal pain, distension and fullness, wind toxicity, removes facial macules and corneal opacities, treats difficult labor and abortion. Facilitates spiritual transcendence (*Bielu*). Wearing it or placing it under pillows expels evil dreams and corpse-possessing ghost qi. Also treats snake venom (Hongjing. *Baopuzi* states: To ward off snakes in mountains, placing musk pills in foot claws is effective. Since musk eats snakes, it suppresses them). Treats snake bites, silkworm bites, sandfly and stream miasma toxins, expels gu qi, kills internal parasites, treats malaria, vomits wind-phlegm, treats all deficiency and malignant diseases. Inserted into the uterus, warms the Water Organ (Kidney/Bladder), stops cold leukorrhea (*Rihua*). Dissolved in hot water and taken as one pill, treats pediatric convulsions and external pathogenic invasion, calms the Heart and Spirit, reduces frequent urination. Can also cauterize pus from all carbuncles and sores (*Yaoxing Lun*. Also states: Taken in Ten Fragrances Pill, makes all hairs and orifices fragrant). Eliminates hundred diseases, treats all evil qi and fright-induced trance (Meng Shen).
Treats nasal obstruction and loss of smell (Haoggu). Opens all orifices, unblocks meridians, penetrates muscle and bone, resolves alcohol toxicity, dissipates fruit and vegetable food stagnation, treats Wind Stroke, Qi Stagnation, Zhong'e, Phlegm Fainting, accumulation masses and fixed lumps (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Gao said: Musk enters the Spleen channel to treat internal diseases. For wind diseases rooted in the bone marrow, it should be used to expel wind pathogens. If used in muscles, it instead draws wind into the bones, like oil penetrating flour, impossible to remove.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Wind affecting the five Zang organs should not be treated with Musk to drain Wei Qi. Epistaxis and oral bleeding result from Yin excess and Yang deficiency, with ascending but no descending flow; one should tonify Yang and suppress Yin, avoiding light, volatile, and roaming agents like Brain and Musk. Women are governed by Blood; for those with empty Blood Sea presenting with alternating chills/fever and night sweats, tonification is indicated; Musk's dispersing nature and Amber's drying nature should be avoided.
Yan Yonghe said: For stroke patients unconscious,灌 (irrigate/administer) Musk and clear sesame oil to open the orifices first, thereby preventing subsequent speech impediments and paralysis; other medicines may also be effective.
Li Shizhen said: Yan's assertion that wind diseases must start with Musk, and Danxi's claim that wind and blood diseases absolutely cannot use Musk, are both not comprehensive theories. Generally, Musk is roving and penetrating, capable of opening blocked orifices and unblocking stagnant meridians. For various wind, qi, blood, pain, convulsion, and mass diseases involving meridian blockage and orifice obstruction, how can one avoid using it as a guide to open and unblock? It is not that it cannot be used, but rather that it should not be overused. *Jisheng Fang* uses it for abdominal distension caused by fruit/vegetable stagnation, and for polydipsia caused by alcohol, stating that fruit rots with Musk and wine spoils with Musk; this demonstrates the rationale for using Musk.

[Prescriptions] Seven old prescriptions, thirteen new prescriptions.
Wind Stroke Unconsciousness: Musk 2 qian ground to powder, mixed with 2 liang clear sesame oil, administered orally; the patient will regain consciousness spontaneously. (*Jisheng Fang*)
Zhong'e Guest Intrusion, Neck Stiffness nearing death: A small amount of Musk, mixed with milk, applied to the infant's mouth for effect. Vinegar mixture is also acceptable. (*Guangli Fang*)
Pediatric Fright Crying, intermittent episodes: True Musk "one zi" (approx. 0.5-1g), dissolved in clear water, taken three times daily. (*Guangli*)
Pediatric Water Poisoning: Single Musk, size of three soybeans, mixed with milk juice, divided into three or four doses. (*Yangshi Chanru*)
Broken Skin Wind-Water, Toxic Swelling unbearable pain: One zi of Musk powder inserted into the wound; once all pus drains, efficacy is achieved. (*Puji Fang*)
Zhong'e Cholera: Musk 1 qian, half cup vinegar, mixed and taken. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Pediatric Evil Malaria: Grind Musk into ink, write characters "Expel Evil, Ward off Demons" on the forehead. (*Jingyan Houfang*)
Various Fruit Stagnation, Spleen Injury causing Distension, Shortness of Breath: Musk 1 qian, Raw Cinnamon Bark powder 1 liang. Mixed with rice paste, rolled into pills the size of mung beans. Adults take 15 pills, children 7 pills, with plain water. Because "fruit rots with Musk, wood withers with Cinnamon." (*Jisheng Fang*)
Polydipsia Drinking, due to excessive alcohol or fruit consumption, able to eat but thirsty/drinking, frequent urination. Use Dangmenzi Musk, mixed with wine to make over ten pills, sent down with Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) decoction. Because Musk defeats wine and spoils fruit, and Zhi Shi also defeats wine. (*Jisheng*)
Chronic Bi-Zheng Headache: On a sunny day, part the hair, wrap 5 fen Musk and 1 qian Soap Pod powder in thin paper, place on the affected area. Wrap fried salt in cloth and iron over it; change when cool. Repeat several times to prevent recurrence permanently. (*Jianbian Danfang*)
Five Types of Gu Poison: Equal parts Musk and Realgar ground to powder. Take a piece of raw sheep liver finger-sized, cut open with knife, wrap medicine inside and swallow. (*Weisheng*)
Flesh Ball in Mouth, root like a thread over five cun long, like a hairpin shaft, protrudes to allow eating, pinching causes heart-piercing pain. Musk 1 qian ground in water, taken orally three times daily, will dissolve spontaneously. (Xia Ziyi *Qiji Fang*)
Facilitating Labor: *Xu Shiquan Fang*: Musk 1 qian, dissolved in water, taken orally, delivers immediately. *Jisheng Fang* Shengjin San: Treats weak women with difficult labor. Musk 1 qian, Salted Fermented Soybeans 1 liang, wrapped in old blue cloth, burned red then ground to powder. Quench a hammer head in wine, take 2 qian with this wine to deliver. Gu Jizhong said: Difficult labor and breech presentation occur when the fetal pillow breaks and bad blood wraps the fetus; taking Shengjin San expels the bad blood, allowing natural birth.
Retained Dead Fetus: Musk (Dangmenzi) one pod, Cinnamon Heart powder 2 qian, taken with warm wine, delivers immediately. (*Benshi Fang*)
Hemorrhoid Swelling and Toxicity: Equal parts Musk (Dangmenzi) and Yincheng Salt applied topically. No more than three applications. (*Waitai*)
Rat Bite Ulcer: Seal with Musk, excellent. (*Jingyan Houfang*)
Silkworm Bite Ulcer: Mix Musk with honey and apply. (*Guangli Fang*)
Mountain Miasma: Resolve with 3 fen Musk taken with water. (*Jijian Fang*)
Toothache from Worms: Apply sesame oil to chopstick tip, dip in Musk powder. Wrap in cotton, heat slightly, and bite with the affected tooth. Change two or three times; the worm dies, providing a radical cure.
(Note: Text fragment follows regarding Musk Meat)

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, Warm, Non-toxic.
Meng Shen said: Barbarians often eat it; it tastes like muntjac meat but with a fishy odor, claiming it protects against snake venom.

[Indications] Abdominal masses (Li Shizhen).

[Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Pediatric Mass Disease: Musk meat 2 liang, sliced and roasted, Sichuan Pepper 300 seeds, stir-fried and ground to powder. Mixed with egg white, rolled into pills the size of small beans. Take 2-3 pills per dose, with soup/water, until effect is felt. (*Fanwang Fang*)