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Myrrh

Bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily breaks blood stasis and relieves pain; treats metal wounds and whip marks, various malignant sores, hemorrhoids, and fistulas, sudden lower gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as eye nebulae (cataracts/opacities), vertigo, pain, and erythema of the skin. Originates from Persia. Resembles Benzoin (Anxi Xiang) in appearance, with irregular block sizes and black color. (Modern Addition) Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to *Yaoxing Lun* (Treatise on the Properties of Medicinals): Myrrh can be used alone.

Bitter, acrid. Primarily treats contusions and injuries, blood stasis in the heart and abdomen, fractures and sprains, blood stasis and pain in sinews and bones, injuries caused by sharp blades, and unbearable pain. All should be taken with wine. Excellent efficacy. Ri Huazi states: Breaks up masses and nodules, disperses old blood, reduces swelling and detoxifies.

*Tujing Bencao* (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica) records: Myrrh originates from Persia; it is now also found in various countries south of the Yangtze River and in Guangzhou. The roots and trunks of the tree resemble olive trees, with green and dense leaves. In older trees, resin flows and drips onto the ground, congealing into blocks of varying sizes, similar to Benzoin. It can be harvested at any time. In current prescriptions: It is mostly used to treat internal injuries causing pain in women, as well as blood vertigo and stabbing pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions. One ingredient, Myrrh, ground into fine powder, mixed with warm wine and taken as one qian (approx. 3-5g), stops pain immediately. It is also used to treat various wind syndromes such as Lijie Feng (painful obstruction syndrome affecting multiple joints), where bone and joint pain are unbearable day and night. Half a liang (approx. 15-20g) of Myrrh, ground; three liang of Tiger Tibia (Hujinggu, Panthera tigris tibia), coated with butter and roasted until yellow, first pounded and sifted into a powder, then mixed thoroughly with Myrrh. Mixed with warm wine and taken as two qian, three times daily, yields excellent results.

Maritime Medicinal Notes: Respectfully consulting Xu Biao's *Nanzhou Ji*: Originates from Persia; it is the pine resin of that region. Shape resembles incense, reddish-black. Bitter, acrid, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats fractures and injuries from horse falls, promotes the elimination of the old and generation of the new, and can generate healthy blood. Whenever taken, it must be ground thoroughly and administered with hot wine for recent effective results. For post-abortion abdominal and cardiac pain, "wild chicken" leakage hemorrhoids, and postpartum qi and blood pain, it is suitable for use in pills and powders.

*Yanyi* (Expanded Meanings) records: Myrrh generally unblocks stagnant blood. Contusions and injuries causing pain are all dissolved and taken with wine. When blood stagnates, qi becomes obstructed and accumulates; when qi is obstructed and accumulates, meridians become full and tense, thus causing pain and swelling. Whenever contusions cause muscle swelling, it is because the meridians are injured, and qi and blood fail to circulate, leading to stagnation and accumulation, hence the condition.