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The Lingnan region (south of the Five Ridges) has abundant resources of Huoxiang, and it is also found in various other places. In February, the perennial roots sprout again, and it can also be propagated by seeds. In July, it sends up spikes and flowers; the seeds resemble those of *Leonurus japonicus* (Chongwei). When the spikes emerge in May and June, the stems and leaves are harvested and sun-dried. They can be placed in clothing to serve as aromatic herbs. If harvested too late, their medicinal properties become sluggish and weak. (Li Zhiyi) Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) and Dongyuan (Li Gao) used only the leaves, taking advantage of their spreading and diffusing action. The leaves enter the Yangming Meridian, regulate Zhengqi (Vital Qi), eliminate Eqi (Evil Qi), assist Stomach Qi, open the appetite, stop Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea), settle vomiting and regurgitation, and treat heart and abdominal pain. They disperse Cold-Dampness, Summerheat-Dampness, stagnant Heat, Damp-Heat, accumulated pathogenic Heat, and severe Wind-Heat and Dryness. They also treat external contraction of Cold pathogens and internal injury from diet, or dietary injury from cold, dampness, and stagnation. They resolve wind-water toxicity, qi-blood swelling, mountain miasma, acclimatization issues, and alternating chills and fever manifesting as Malaria. For bad breath after drinking alcohol, decoct and rinse the mouth. Medical texts indicate its use for distension and fullness, Xiao Dan (Wasting-Thirst), stroke with reverse flow, summerheat injury causing headache, fever and vertigo, alcohol-induced jaundice, Cold and Dampness invasion, Qi stagnation and Evil invasion, accumulation of phlegm-fluids with cough, Guan Ge (Obstruction and Reversal), Heart pain and Epigastric pain, Wei syndrome with night sweats, anorexia, diarrhea, dysentery, and Gu Du (parasitic poisoning). It warms the middle and promotes Qi movement, treats Lung deficiency with Cold, and upper Jiao congested Heat. (Wang Haogu) It moves Qi into the Lung, with efficacy specialized in the Spleen and Stomach. (Disciple's record) This herb is an aromatic agent that opens the stomach and assists the Spleen. However, when added to dispersing formulas, it rapidly moves Qi; when added to Spleen-tonifying formulas, it benefits Qi. Chaos in the intestines leads to Huoluan. What causes the disorder of Zhengqi is Eqi. Huoxiang is deficient, dry, and fragrant. (Principle of entering groups without causing chaos, stabilizing chaos, hence named Huoxiang.) Among miraculous and urgent formulas, and among diffusing agents: Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit) and Sharen (Amomum Fruit) treat vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and Huoluan. Obtains... tonifies Lung. Enters Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) to tonify Spleen. Enters Guiling Ganlu Yin (Cassia Twig, Poria, and Talcum Decoction) to treat summerheat-induced vomiting and diarrhea. Ascends and descends various... Liang (taels). Pulverized, taken orally with warm water, one Qian (approx. 3-5g) per dose. For unstable fetal Qi, non-ascending and non-descending Qi, and vomiting of sour fluid.

[Discussion] Huoxiang produces seedlings in February and spikes in July. Its stems and leaves should be harvested before flowering in summer; if delayed, the medicinal potency becomes weak. Its taste is initially pungent and subsequently sweet, indicating that Fire and Earth Qi return to Dry Metal, and Metal returns to Earth. Since Fire亲近s Earth, Fire Qi resides within Earth. Thus, it can assist Stomach Qi, open the mouth/appetite, regulate Zhengqi, and eliminate Eqi. The Qi of the Stomach ascends... if not opened, this flavor, through the Qi of Dry Metal, spreads... even in the Middle... can stabilize and return via Zhengqi. One must seek its function based on the principle of Fire returning to Earth, rather than relying solely on... The Heaven and Earth possess a great bellows (Tuoyue), which distributes and stores. When distribution reaches its extreme outwardly, the interior remains unknown. This substance endows the essence of Great Fire, thus at its location... it is the Heaven and Earth's... Taking this herb to stabilize chaos does not rely on excessive dominance. It must be known that Yin-Yang Tuoyue relies on Earth as the pivot, therefore... cannot depart from Earth. Moreover, the Six Qi must take Fire as the master, and Fire travels within the Six Qi, ultimately returning to Earth. Due to Yang Fire... Three Yang, the Spleen Earth also moves Qi within... Three Yin and Three Yang. This reveals that although Fire... treats vomiting, if there is excess Fire and Heat in the Middle Jiao, or vomiting and distension caused by pathogenic excess, it is strictly contraindicated. (Zhongchun)

[Differentiation and Treatment] Self-cultivated varieties are superior. Those that emit fragrance when rubbed are authentic. Mint-scented ones are not authentic. Wash with water to remove soil and stems, use the leaves.