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Agarwood (Chenxiang)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Slightly warm. Attribute: Yang. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Origin: Produced in various countries of the South Sea, as well as in Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Yazhou. It is largely similar to the knots of Toona sinensis (Chun tree) and Zelkova schneideriana (Jujube tree), selecting old trees to be felled. Soaked in rainwater, over a long period (wood forms resin only when encountering water), causing the bark and wood to rot and remain, while only the heartwood and knots survive. It is hard, black, and sinks in water; when burned, its fragrance is extremely clear and intense, hence the name Agarwood.

Although these two types are refined, they are not yet perfect. If used for treating diseases, they can still achieve efficacy. If it is tough and soft to chew, or naturally curls when shaved, this is also called Yellow Wax Agarwood. Its quality is extremely exquisite and rare. It acts like a god in treating diseases and enters medicine very quickly. It is suitable for making pills or powders but should be avoided from sun exposure or fire roasting. It supplements Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo), suppresses Yin, assists Yang, nourishes various Qi mechanisms, allowing them to penetrate heaven and earth. It can stop muscle spasms (Zhuanjin), vomiting, and diarrhea, and can drive away pain caused by Jin Kou Li (Lockjaw Dysentery).

Those that float on water and do not sink are called Zhan Xiang (Stack Fragrance); this type is the roughest. Those that are half-floating and half-sinking, level with the water surface, are called Jian Xiang (Decoction Fragrance); this type is slightly inferior. Among Jian Xiang, those shaped like chicken bones are called Chicken Bone Fragrance. (For medicinal use, if the agarwood is not hollow but has rotten channels, whereas Chicken Bone Fragrance has blood-eye patterns and is soft and tender.) Those shaped like ox heads are called Ox Head Fragrance. These all belong to the same species as Agarwood and are also of coarse quality. They are difficult to chew and add to prescriptions.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: *Yanyi* states: Agarwood protects and harmonizes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and is a superior grade medicine. Nowadays, people often grind it together with Lindera aggregata (Wuyao) to take, dispersing stagnant Qi. Used alone, its power is weak; when assisted by other herbs, it should be taken slowly for effect, providing benefit without harm. Other herbs cannot compare with it.

Sandalwood (Tanxiang)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Attribute: Yang with slight Yin. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Origin: Produced in Nanhai Kunlun, as well as in Jianghuai and Heshuo regions. It specifically enters the Lung and Kidney meridians and circulates through the Yangming Meridian. Ground with vinegar and applied externally, it stops pain from malignant toxins; decocted in water, it raises Stomach Qi and promotes appetite. It can eliminate abdominal pain and cholera-like disorders, and驱驱 (drive away) evil ghostly qi. Additionally, Purple Genuine Sandalwood treats malignant wind toxins. Aquilaria sinensis (Xiangzhuxiang/Jiangzhen Xiang) smoke rises straight to the sky; it summons flocks of cranes circling above. It treats febrile heat caused by epidemic pathogens, driving away strange noises from houses and villages. Children wearing it wards off evil qi.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Li Dongyuan stated: Sandalwood regulates Qi and is fragrant, guiding aromatic substances upward to the highest parts. It is most suitable to be paired with citrus fruits, assisted by Ginger and Jujube, and combined with Puerariae Radix (Gegen), Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Doukou), Amomi Fructus (Suosha), and Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus (Yizhi), circulating through the Yangming Meridian, located above the chest and diaphragm, within the throat, forming a formula for regulating Qi.