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Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao)

Taste: Bitter, sour, salty. One theory states pungent and sweet; Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. Although produced in Qian and Shu regions, the best quality comes from the South Sea. The head resembles a pig's crown with only one horn, (Some say: Rhinoceros has two horns; the one on the forehead is called Si Xi [Rhinoceros of Si], and the one on the nose is called Hu Mao Xi [Horned Hat Rhinoceros]. Male rhinoceroses also have these, but those with a single horn are more common.) The abdomen resembles a cow, and each foot has three hooves. Its skin has pores with three hairs emerging from each pore, is black in color, and prefers eating thorny leaves. There are aquatic and terrestrial varieties (Aquatic Rhinoceros, Terrestrial Rhinoceros), belonging to various species, with value distinguished entirely by "millet grain" patterns (All types of rhinoceros possess millet grain patterns; value is determined by the fineness or coarseness of these patterns). Tongtian Rhinoceros Horn (Heaven-Penetrating Rhinoceros Horn) is superior, where the pattern reveals images of all things. (It is said that when the rhinoceros was a fetus, it saw celestial entities passing by, imprinting them on the horn, hence "Heaven-Penetrating." To verify this under the moonlight, place a basin of water above; if the reflection appears, it is confirmed as Heaven-Penetrating.) This rhinoceros drinks turbid water daily and dislikes seeing its own shadow; coastal people devise methods to capture them, inserting wooden stakes along the path. When the rhinoceros rests briefly on the wood during passage, the wood breaks, causing the rhinoceros to fall. Its front legs are straight (front legs cannot bend), making it difficult to rise quickly, allowing captors to seize it. The horn is removed and sold, becoming a supreme treasure of the world. Placed in rice, chickens are startled (also known as Hai Ji Xi [Chicken-Startling Rhinoceros]); hung at eaves, crows are frightened. If tied and crossing a stream, the water parts automatically; worn as a hairpin for morning travel, dew does not adhere. It can test for toxins in food and drink (if white foam rises upon insertion, it indicates toxicity; otherwise, it is non-toxic); it can remove dust from houses and rooms (In the past, Shi Baoji served as an official in Chenzhou. Upon demolishing old offices to renovate them, he noticed dust separating itself automatically. People were puzzled and did not know why; it was because he wore a Bi Chen Dai [Dust-Repelling Rhinoceros Belt] around his waist.). It destroys reflections, revealing monsters at the bottom of deep pools (Recorded in Jin Dynasty's "Biography of Wen Qiao"). Boiling it for crafting utensils renders it ineffective; fresh collection yields potent medicinal properties. Ground into powder or sawdust tips, wrapped in paper and held in the bosom first to warm (Exposure to human body heat makes it easier to pound, hence called Ren Qi Fen Xi [Human-Breath Powder Rhinoceros]). For treating diseases, select black horn, choosing texture that is coarse, wrinkled, moist, and lustrous. When used with Pine Resin (Songzhi), it enters the Yangming channel; it clashes with Alisma Fruit (Leiwang) and especially avoids salt and soy sauce (All horns avoid these interactions). It kills Gouwen [Aconitum ferox], Zhen Yu [poisonous bird feathers], and snake venom; eliminates mountain miasma, stream toxins, and hundred poisons; expels Shi Zhu [Corpse Transmission Disease], Gui Zhu [Ghost Transmission Disease], and other evil pathogens; dispels Hu Mei [Fox Charm] and Jing Xie [Spirit Evil]. For Shang Han [Cold Damage] and Wen Yi [Plague-Warmth], it resolves heat and irritability. For Chuang Zhong [Sores and Swellings] and Yong Ju [Abscesses and Carbuncles], it specifically breaks down pus and blood. It calms the Liver, brightens the eyes, settles the Heart, and stabilizes the Spirit. Pregnant women should avoid it, as it dissipates fetal Qi.

Male Rhinoceros Horn (Gu Xi Jiao) has slight toxicity and often displays bean-spotted patterns. Made into belts tied around the waist, the color is deep and dazzling. It transforms swelling, carbuncle pus, and blood into water; retreats fever, heat, irritability, and mania. It drives away Wind Toxicity, calms the Heart and Spirit. Evil spirits and ghosts are repelled and cannot invade. Rhinoceros Horn is excellent; spotted white patterns are distinct and fine. Because the patterns are not mixed, it is also called Ban Xi [Spotted Rhinoceros]. Suitable for crafting utensils, but inferior for medicine compared to nasal horn. Nasal horn is best for treating diseases; its nature is non-toxic and very cold. It attacks heat and irritability in the Heart region; removes red and white dysentery in the intestines. Treats Zhong E [Sudden Evil Attack] and Zhong Du [Poisoning]; manages Feng Xian [Wind Epilepsy] and Feng Zhong [Wind Swelling]. Rhinoceros meat tastes sweet and warm; its efficacy is inferior to the horn. Consuming too much causes abdominal irritability and bloating (A small amount of Musk [Shexiang] mixed with water, swallowed, resolves this). Entering mountain forests, one does not lose direction. Treats malignant snake bites and bloody dysentery/hemorrhoids; drives away overseas miasma, Gu Zhu [Gu Poison Transmission], and spirit evils.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Danxi stated: Rhinoceros Horn belongs to Yang; its nature is dispersing, even more so than other horns. Customarily used after smallpox to disperse residual toxins. If there are no residual toxins, or if the patient has Blood Deficiency, or if Dry-Heat is manifesting, using it will bring disaster swiftly. He also stated: Deer antlers are harvested for their tips, rhinoceros horns for their points, because the potency lies therein; this applies similarly to taking the tips of all horns.
Volume 1, after the entry for Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma): (Chen Jiamo) Commentary suggests referring to this section.