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Agarwood (Chenxiang): Flavor is pungent and bitter, nature is warm, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney Meridian and Mingmen (Gate of Vitality) Meridian. Primarily dispels evil qi, stabilizes Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), tonifies the Five Zang Organs, benefits essence and qi, strengthens Yuan Yang (Original Yang), eliminates cold qi, breaks Zhengji (masses and accumulations), treats skin pruritus, and numbness/insensitivity of bone joints. Avoid fire; use raw, ground powder.

Commentary: Agarwood belongs to Yang in nature but sinks downward, exerting its effects mainly on the lower body, serving as a pathway into the Mingmen and Kidneys. However, aromatic agents are generally drying and inevitably damage Blood; thus, they are suitable only for those with Deficiency-Cold in the Lower Jiao. If misused by patients with declining Water (Kidney Yin) and flourishing Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire), it will cause Water to become increasingly dry and Fire increasingly fierce, leading to boundless disaster. Nowadays, many regard it as a mild agent harmless to humans, casually using it to transform Qi; few avoid causing harm thereby.

Lei Gong states: When using Agarwood, one must select pieces that are not dried out or brittle. Those hard like the corner of a mouth and sinking to the bottom of water are superior. Those floating halfway are inferior. Generally, when used in Pills or Powders, add it after other herbs have been processed, then mix evenly.

Frankincense (Ruxiang): Flavor is pungent and bitter, nature is warm, non-toxic. Enters the Twelve Meridians. Primarily dispels pathogenic factors, directs Qi downward, tonifies the Kidneys and benefits essence, treats Huoluan, facilitates difficult labor, alleviates acute pain in the heart and abdomen, treats urticaria and wind-induced pruritus, various malignant sores, Fengshui edema/toxins, stroke-induced deafness and lockjaw. Also used in plasters to stop pain and generate flesh. Lightly stir-fry on a tile until oil exudes, then grind together with Juncus effusus (Dengcao).

Commentary: Frankincense has a pungent, aromatic, and dispersing nature, penetrating all Twelve Meridians without exception. It is derived from the red pine resin of Chisong in Persia, South Sea, dripping down to form pearls. Those hanging on trees and not yet fallen are called Zhuxiang (Pearl Incense); they are small, round, bright, act quickly, and drip like milk. Those melted and collapsed onto the ground are called Taxiang (Collapsed Incense); they are large blocks, dull and withered, act slowly, and users must be careful to distinguish them.

Myrrh (Moyao): Flavor is bitter and pungent, nature is neutral, non-toxic. Enters the Twelve Meridians. Primarily breaks Zhengjie (accumulations) and old blood stasis, stops pain, treats Jinchuang (metal weapon injuries), Zhangchuang (stick injuries), hemorrhoids, various malignant swellings and toxins, traumatic injuries from falls and blows, eye opacities and dizziness, Lijie Wind (wind affecting joints), and bone joint pain. Processing method is the same as Frankincense.

Commentary: Myrrh shares similar functions with Frankincense. Generally, when Blood stagnates, Qi becomes obstructed and stagnant; when Qi is obstructed and stagnant, the meridians become full and tense, resulting in pain and swelling. With Myrrh to promote the circulation of Qi and Blood, it is indeed suitable for treating these conditions.