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Myrrh from Western India (Tianzhu) is yellowish-white. Myrrh from Persia and other southern countries is purplish-red. The tree resembles a pine; when the trunk is hacked with an axe, resin oozes out externally, condenses to form aromatic substance, and gathers into lumps. "Xunlu" is the general name for this aromatic substance. "Ru" refers to the nipple-like, transparent portions of Xunlu that have drip holes (referring to fresh produce not yet separated from sand and stones). The next grade is "Luta Huang".

Myrrh has a slightly warm odor and tastes flavorless. Its nature is purely Yang and it excels at penetrating and moving. It enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and also the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its main indications include invigorating blood, relaxing sinews, and relieving pain. It treats wind-water conditions causing lower back and knee pain, and intractable ailments. Taken on an empty stomach with wine, thirty pills are administered. For difficult labor to induce delivery, equal parts of Ru Xiang (Frankincense) and Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) are ground into powder, mixed with a small amount of She Xiang (Musk), taken with wine in a dose of one qian. After some time, delivery occurs naturally.

[Discussion] Ru Xiang (Frankincense) is a resin from southern barbarian lands, acquiring Wood Qi and combining with Fire transformation. Its odor is slightly warm, but Ri Hua Zi considered it acrid and hot, while Jie Gu claimed it was purely Yang, thereby causing Da Chang Xie (Large Intestine diarrhea), Gui Yang (returning Yang), affecting Blood Sheng Hua (blood generation), and thus it is said to treat Shen (Kidney) conditions derived from blood... (The original text here is fragmented, implying consequences of misuse). When carbuncles and sores have already ulcerated, it should not be taken. When various sores have much pus, it should not be used hastily. (Comment by Zhong Chun)

[Differentiation and Treatment] Those that are purplish-red are of good quality, but these may be hard to obtain. One should select those that are yellow, bright, and crystal clear. Store them in bamboo leaves and dry them over heat. Grind them together with Deng Cao (Juncus effusus). If making pills or powders, sift them to be very fine.

Mo Yao (Myrrh) comes from Persia and Hainan; it is now also produced in Guangzhou. The trees, after many years, overflow with resin which falls to the ground and congeals into lumps of unequal size. They are reddish-black in color, and those that are bright/lustrous are of good quality.

Mo Yao tastes bitter and has a neutral odor. Its Qi is thin but its Flavor is strong; it belongs to Yin and descends. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, unblocking stagnant blood and dispersing stasis accumulation. (If stagnant blood does not depart, Qi becomes congested and stasis forms). Women... [Text fragment]. Bone and tendon pain, clearing muscle heat and resolving fever, decocted as soup and taken with Xia Ku Cao (Prunella vulgaris) and Ren Dong Teng (Lonicera japonica stem), treating internal injuries. Each half liang, taken orally yields rapid results.

[Discussion] Zhong Chun stated that Ru Xiang inherits Wood and Fire, while Mo Yao inherits Metal and Water. Observing this, Ru Xiang takes purplish-red, Mo Yao takes reddish-black. Red corresponds to Fire, Black to Water, then Wood... [Text fragment] Yang, to... Yang... Qi... Pregnant women should not take it. Any pain caused by Blood deficiency rather than retained blood stasis should not use it. Carbuncles and sores that have already ulcerated should not use it. Red eyes and corneal opacity not due to severe Blood Heat... [Text fragment]

[Processing] The processing method is the same as Ru Xiang.