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[Cortex Ligustici Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong)]
The nature is warm, the flavor is pungent, non-toxic. The qi is strong and the flavor is light; it ascends and belongs to Yang. When used among blood-invigorating herbs, it can assist the circulation of blood. However, it is too dispersing and scattering, so it should not be taken for a long time or in large doses. Stop when the disease is cured; exceeding this limit may cause sudden death. It can stop headaches precisely because it has surplus energy, capable of dispersing deficiency [stagnation] and guiding clear blood downward. The ancients called it the "Qi herb within the Blood category" because it can disperse via its pungency and also guide blood upward. It is widely used in formulas for carbuncles and ulcers because it enters the Heart and can disperse. Since the Heart commands the Qi to move blood, when Chuanxiong enters the Heart, it assists the Heart in commanding Qi to move blood. When Qi and Blood circulate, Heart Fire dissipates, pathogenic factors do not remain, and carbuncles and ulcers also resolve. Li Dongyuan stated that it descends to the Sea of Blood, which is incorrect. Why? Blood values tranquility, not agitation. Chuanxiong is pungent and warm in nature; it can only disperse via pungency but cannot descend and secure. How can it descend to nourish new blood? Even when used in Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), it is specifically taken for its pungent-warm property to move the stagnation of Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root). For patients with smallpox whose blood is not circulating freely, it is processed with apricot kernel juice; adding a small amount helps move blood in the muscle and surface level. Why? Because the pungency of Chuanxiong can only move blood; using it alone may cause internal dryness.

[Deer Antler Glue (Lujiao Jiao)]
The nature is cool/cold, the flavors are bitter and salty, the qi is light and the flavor is strong. It generates essence and blood, secures marrow and essence, stops metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, eliminates pain in the waist and spine, and is a remedy for deficiency, emaciation, and exhaustion. It is the holy medicine for blood disorders. When used with Chuanxiong, it tonifies blood in the head angles and face. When used with Baishao (White Peony Root) and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), it tonifies blood in the Spleen and Stomach, ensuring they are never invaded by pathogens. When used with Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), it tonifies Yin in the Kidneys. When used with Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) and Huaijiao (Sophora Fruit), it tonifies and cools blood in the Large Intestine. Depending on where it reaches, it provides specific tonification. I once treated a patient with wind-intestinal bleeding and bloody dysentery; other medicines were ineffective. I used only Lujiao Jiao (Deer Antler Glue) to treat him, and he recovered after taking one jin [approx. 500-600g]. Someone asked me the reason. I said: Although the Large Intestine is said to have abundant blood, it also has abundant Qi. This patient suffered from blood disease for months, so his blood became more deficient while his Qi became more excessive. Pathogenic fire scorched the True Yin. How could grass roots and tree bark cure this? Therefore, I used Lujiao Jiao as the principal herb, Renru (Human Milk) as the assistant, greatly aided by blood-cooling herbs. Thus, blood is generated to balance Qi, and Qi does not force blood to run recklessly, so the illness ceased. The formula uses one jin of Lujiao Jiao. Six liang of red Heshouwu (Polygonum Multiflorum), processed in three ways: soaked in Hanliancao (Eclipta Juice), soaked in Dongqingzi (Ilex Fructus) juice, and soaked in Sangshen (Mulberry Fruit) juice. Six liang of Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), processed similarly. Three liang of Baishao (White Peony Root), one liang of Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), one liang of hair lacquer from one's own hair, one liang of hair lacquer from fetal hair, five liang of sun-dried Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), four liang of Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), soaked in human milk for doubled effect is better, one piece of Hundunpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae - note: likely refers to a specific preparation or typo in original context, kept as literal translation), all ground into fine powder. Mix with refined honey and glue to make pills. Long-term consumption prevents various diseases, greatly darkens beard and hair, beautifies complexion, strengthens spirit, fills marrow, and consolidates Kidney Yuan. Adding Jiujuhua (Chrysanthemum Flower) processed with milk internally can also brighten the eyes and clear the heart. This is an essential herb for "Heaven generates One Water." For heat syndromes in smallpox, it takes immediate effect when used in blood-cooling and detoxifying formulas. Because when Heat-Toxin is vigorous, it scorches True Yin; once True Yin is damaged, Heat-Toxin becomes even more intense. Physicians of the world often use Jiedu Tang (Detoxifying Decoction) alone, which saves only a fleeting danger. They do not know that if True Yin does not arrive, even if Heat-Evil retreats, it will immediately arise again. I once used this formula within blood-cooling and detoxifying herbs to nourish Yin. Nourishing Yin is the method to subdue Yang. Those who comprehend this will grasp its essence. It is also excellent for those with Spleen diarrhea. After taking the medicine, deer meat must not be eaten; deer meat is contraindicated with pheasant meat.