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Antelope horn is found in the mountains of Qin, Long, and Shu regions. Its horn is slender, round, and sharp, measuring four to five cun in length, with many nodes; those with a yellowish hue are considered superior.

The antelope (Lingyang), goat (Shanyang, i.e., domestic goat), and wild donkey (Shanlü) are three similar animals. The antelope resembles a goat but has bluish-green fur, coarse hair, and short, small horns. It resembles the Wu sheep, having large, long horns. The Shanlü has the body of a donkey but possesses antelope-like horns, though its horns are larger and the nodes are sparse and widely spaced.

It tastes salty and is cold in nature. It enters the Jueyin Liver Meridian very rapidly. (Goats are fire-associated animals, whereas the antelope belongs to Wood; thus, they share similar Qi and seek each other.) It also enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It primarily treats brightening the eyes, benefiting Qi, raising Yin, calming the mind Qi, stabilizing the Liver's Hun (Ethereal Soul), treating fright evil and sleep paralysis (Yanmei), epilepsy, and mania. It treats all types of heat-toxic wind attacks and infiltration, as well as damp-wind toxic pathogens lurking between the bones. It treats wind-stroke with tendon spasms and bone pain, removes bad blood flowing downward, and addresses heat-toxic blood qi and hernia. It treats sudden fever and convulsions in children, and postpartum restlessness caused by bad blood attacking the heart. It also treats eclampsia and tetanus.

The antelope is spiritually agile, and the essence of its tendons and bones concentrates in its horn. Therefore, it can also ward off evil spirits, resolve various toxins, crush Buddha's teeth, and smoke from burning it can drive away snakes and vipers. (Li Shizhen) Antelope horns have twenty-four nodes. Those containing a naturally formed "wood embryo" within are considered divine. Because the nodes correspond to the twenty-four solar terms and generate wood, resembling the progression from Jia to Yi, the Qi that raises Yin transforms into generating Yang, thereby benefiting Qi. (Huang Zhiyi)

Combined with Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Cinnabar (Dansha), Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang), Amber (Hupo), Tiantu Jin, Gold Leaf (Jinbo), Poria (Fushen), Polygala Root (Yuanzhi), Uncaria (Gouteng), and Bamboo Sap (Zhuli), it treats fright evil, sleep paralysis, epilepsy, and mania. Combined with Goji Berry (Qizi), Chrysanthemum (Ganju), Cassia Seed (Juemingzi), Eyebane (Gujingcao), Rehmannia Root (Shengdi), Schisandra Fruit (Wuweizi), Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), Dysosma (Mimenghua), Equisetum (Muzei), and Privet Fruit (Nvzhen), it treats dim vision and corneal opacity caused by deficiency with heat in the Liver and Kidney.

For postpartum restlessness, sweating, and confusion/unconsciousness, burn Antelope Horn to ash, take one cubic inch dose with water from the eastern flow. If not cured, administer again.

For miscarriage with abdominal pain and continuous bleeding, burn three qian of Antelope Horn to ash, and take with Doulin Wine (wine infused with fermented soybeans).

[Discussion] Li Shizhen enumerated five merits of Antelope Horn but failed to fully explain their underlying principles. One must understand that the viscera of humans and beasts are not significantly different. Horns are the surplus of bone, and the Kidney governs bone. The Classics state: "The Kidney manifests in the body as bone, and in Qi as firmness." Antelope Horn inherits the utmost firmness of bone. The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* first mentions brightening the eyes, followed immediately by benefiting Qi and raising Yin. This is because although the Kidney is the ultimate Yin within Yin, the Kan trigram contains Li, representing Kidney Qi. If Yin and Yang are imbalanced, Kidney Qi becomes insufficient. Insufficient Kidney Qi cannot transmit Qi to the Liver, and the Liver cannot execute its transformative functions for the Kidney. Thus, this substance embodies the Kidney and exerts effects on the Liver. The Liver, abundant in Yin, ascends Yang; conversely, abundant Yang guides Yin. The reasons for the five effects listed by Li Shizhen—clearing turbidity, relaxing sinews, calming the soul, dispersing stasis, and descending fire—lie herein. To benefit Qi and raise Yin is indeed the Kidney possessing the form of the Liver; while the five effects represent the Liver executing the function of the Kidney. Since this substance possesses Metal attributes in both the form and function of the Liver, it is a crucial herb for the Jueyin Meridian. The Classics state: "One Yin acts as a sole messenger." The generation and transformation of Jueyin face no obstruction, allowing the Heart, Lungs, and Spleen to find their origin here.

It is suitable for cases of deficiency with heat in the Liver and Heart meridians. It should not be used if there is no heat. (Chen Shigong) Entering the Jueyin Meridian to suppress the vital generating Qi, it should not be used for a long time or in large doses.

[Processing] When used alone, it may lose efficacy. It must not be separated from its original pair. Tie it with rope, chisel off pieces, and use immediately. Avoid exposure to wind. For unused portions, wrap them tightly in paper to prevent the loss of potency. Another method suggests keeping it tightly wrapped inside one's clothes to warm it, then crushing it, which makes it easier to pulverize.