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Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix)

Taste: Bitter, salty. Nature: Slightly cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats accumulations and masses in the abdomen caused by cold and heat pathogens; residual diseases in women after childbirth; tonifies Kidney Qi, brightens the eyes; treats sudden wind-stroke, fever due to Shanghan (Cold Damage), chest and hypochondriac fullness, manic and psychotic disorders, mental confusion with unawareness of people, shivering chills during warm malaria, blood masses (blood stasis forming lumps), lower jiao cold blood stasis; eliminates Qi stagnation in the chest, promotes urination, stops irritability and thirst; dissipates nodules under the neck, treats carbuncles and swellings, heart and abdominal pain, hard masses, stabilizes the Five Zang organs. Long-term use tonifies deficiency, brightens the eyes, strengthens Yin and benefits essence. Also known as Chongtai, Xuantai, Luchang, Zhengma, Xian, Duan. Grows in Hejian river valleys and Yuanju. Roots are harvested in March and April and sun-dried. (Contraindicated with Huangqin [Scutellariae Radix], Ganjiang [Zingiberis Rhizoma], Dazao [Jujubae Fructus], Shanzhuyu [Corni Fructus]; incompatible with Lilu [Veratri Radix].)

Tao Hongjing stated: It is now produced in nearby regions and available everywhere. The stem resembles that of Renshen (Ginseng) but is larger. The root is very black and slightly fragrant; it is used by Daoists for incense blending.

The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: Both the root and sprout of Xuan Shen have a foul odor, and the stem does not resemble Renshen. Tao’s statement that Daoists use it for incense blending is unconvincing to me. Detailed examination of this herb shows the stem is square and large, 4-5 chi high, purple-red with fine hairs. Leaves are palm-sized, pointed and long. The fresh root is greenish-white, turning purple-black when dried; fresh roots are moist and greasy, suitable for incense blending. Commonly called Fucao. Soaked in wine and drunk, it treats various toxins and rat plague. Tao said it resembled Renshen stems; the *Tang Bencao* note about the foul odor suggests they did not understand it deeply. Minister Yuxi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Xuan Shen, used as an envoy herb, also called Zhuma, taste bitter. Treats sudden stagnant heat, main wind-heat headache, recurrence of Shanghan after labor, dissipates tumors, goiters, and scrofula. Ri Huazi states: Treats head wind, heat-toxin wandering wind, tonifies deficiency and fatigue, palpitations, irritability, and weakness, bone-stealing tuberculosis pathogen, stops forgetfulness, reduces swelling and toxicity.

*Tujing* states: Xuan Shen grows in Hejian and Yuanju and is now available everywhere. Sprouts appear in February. Leaves resemble Sesame (*Sesamum indicum*) or Sophora/Liu trees. Thin stems are green-purple. Flowers are blue-green in July. Black seeds form in August. Some have white flowers. Stems are square and large, purple-red with fine hairs, jointed like bamboo, 5-6 chi high. Leaves are palm-sized, pointed, long, and serrated. Roots are pointed and long, greenish-white when fresh, turning purple-black when dried. Fresh roots are moist and greasy. One root stock can produce 5-7 pieces. Harvested in March, August, September, and sun-dried. Some say steamed then sun-dried.

Tao Hongjing stated: Daoists use it for incense blending. A current method involves putting white honey into a wine bottle, filling it 70-80%, sealing tightly, placing it in a pot, boiling continuously without stopping fire for one *fu* period (approx. 2 hours), then stopping fire. After cooling, break the bottle, take out, pound thoroughly. If too dry, mix with cooked honey, store in porcelain, bury underground in shade, take as needed. Add Longnao (Borneolum Syntheticum) before use, or use to fumigate clothes.

Lei Gong stated: After harvesting, wrap layers with Pucacao (Cattail pollen/stem material), steam in a steamer for two *fu* periods, then sun-dry. When using, avoid contact with copper, as ingestion causes throat obstruction and vision loss. Remove all Pucacao before use. Empirical Formula: Incense burning method for consumptive patients: Use 1 jin of Xuan Shen, 6 liang of Gansong (Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma), grind to powder, mix evenly with 1 jin of refined honey, seal in a porcelain bottle, bury in ground for 10 days, then retrieve. Add 6 liang of ash powder, 6 liang of refined honey, mix evenly, seal in bottle, bury for 5 more days, then retrieve. Burn so the nose constantly smells the fragrance; the disease will heal itself. Guangli Fang for treating Scrofula (Luo Li) that has persisted for years and not healed: Apply crushed raw Xuan Shen topically, change twice daily.