\r沉香\pd301.bmp\r
微温。疗风水毒肿，去恶气。
陶隐居云∶此香合香家要用，不正入药。唯疗恶核毒肿，道方颇有用处。唐本注云∶沉
香、青桂、鸡骨、马蹄、煎香等，同是一树，叶似桔叶，花白。子似槟榔，大如桑椹，紫色
而味辛。树皮青色，木似榉柳。臣禹锡等谨按陈藏器云∶沉香，枝、叶并似椿。苏云如桔，
恐未是也。其枝节不朽，最紧实者为沉香，浮者为煎香。以次形如鸡骨者为鸡骨香。如马蹄
者为马蹄香。细枝未烂紧实者为青桂香。其马蹄、鸡骨只是煎香，苏乃重云，深觉烦长，并
堪熏衣去臭，余无别功。又杜蘅叶一名马蹄香，即非此者，与前香别也。南越志云∶交州有
蜜香树，欲取先断其根，经年后，外皮朽烂，木心与节紧黑沉水者为沉香。浮水面平者为鸡
骨。最粗者为栈香。日华子云∶沉香，味辛，热，无毒。调中，补五脏，益精壮阳，暖腰膝，
去
图经曰∶沉香、青桂香、鸡骨香、马蹄香、栈香同是一本。旧不着所出州土，今唯海南
诸国及交、广、崖州有之。其木类椿、榉，多节，叶似桔，花白。子似槟榔，大如桑椹，紫
色而味辛。交州人谓之蜜香。欲取之，先断其积年老木根，经年其外皮干俱朽烂，其木心与
枝节不坏者即香也。细枝紧实未烂者，为青桂。坚黑而沉水，为沉香。半浮半沉与水面平者，
为鸡骨。最粗者，为栈香。又云∶栈香中形如鸡骨者，为鸡骨香。形如马蹄者，为马蹄香。
然今人有得沉香奇好者，往往亦作鸡骨形，不必独是栈香也。其又粗不堪药用者为生结黄熟
香。其实一种，有精粗之异耳。并采无时。《岭表录异》云∶广、管、罗州多栈香，如柜柳，
其花白而繁，皮堪作纸，名为香皮纸，灰白色，有纹如鱼子笺，其理慢而弱，沾水即烂，不
及楮纸，亦无香气。又云∶与沉香、鸡骨、黄熟虽同是一木，而根、干、枝、节，各有分别
者是也。然此香之奇异，最多品，故相丁谓在海南作《天香传》言之尽矣。云四香凡四十二
状，皆出于一本。木体如白杨，叶如冬青而小。又叙所出之地云∶窦、化、高、雷，中国出
香之地也。比海南者优劣不侔甚矣。既所禀不同，复售者多而取者速，是以黄熟不待其稍成，
栈沉不待似是，盖趋利戕贼之深也。非同琼管黎人，非时不妄剪伐，故木无夭札之患，得必
异香，皆其事也。又薰陆香，形似白胶，出天竺、单于二国。《南方草木状》如薰陆出大秦
国，其木生于海边沙上，盛夏木胶出沙上，夷人取得，卖与贾客，乳香亦其类也。《广志》
云∶南波斯国松木脂，有紫赤如樱桃者名乳香，盖薰陆之类也。今人无复别薰陆者，通谓乳
香为薰陆耳。治肾气，补腰膝，霍乱吐下，冲恶中邪气，五疰，治血，止痛等药及膏煎多用
之。然至粘难研，用时以缯袋挂于窗隙间，良久取研之乃不粘。又鸡舌香，出昆仑及交爱以
南。枝、叶及皮并似栗，花如梅花，子似枣核，此雌者也。雄者着花不实，采花酿之以成香
。按诸书传，或云是沉香木花，或云草花，蔓生，实熟贯之，其说无定。今医家又一说云∶
按三省故事，尚书郎口含鸡舌香，以其奏事答对，欲使气芬芳也。而方家用鸡舌香疗口臭者
，亦缘此义耳。今人皆于乳香中，时时得木实似枣核者，以为鸡舌香，坚顽枯燥，绝无气味
，烧亦无香，不知缘何得香名，无复有芬芳也。又葛稚川《百一方》有治暴气刺心切痛者，
研鸡舌香酒服，当瘥。今治气药借鸡舌香名方者至多，亦以鸡舌香善疗气也。或取以疗气及
口臭，则甚乖疏又何谓也。其言有采花酿成香者，今不复见，果有此香，海商亦当见之，不
应都绝。京下老医或有谓鸡舌香与丁香同种，花实丛生，其中心最大者为鸡舌香，击破有解
理如鸡舌，此乃是母丁香，疗口臭最良，治气亦效。盖出陈氏《拾遗》，亦未知的否。《千
金》疗疮痈连翘五香汤方用丁香，一方用鸡舌香，以此似近之。《抱朴子》云∶以鸡舌、黄
连、乳汁煎，注之诸有百疹之在目，愈而更加精明倍常。又有詹糖香，出交广以南，木似桔
。煎枝叶以为香，往往以其皮及蠹屑和之，难得淳好者，唐方多用，今亦稀见。又下苏合香
条云∶生中台川谷。苏恭云∶此香从西域及昆仑来，紫色，与真紫檀相似，而坚实，极芬香
。其香如石，烧之灰白者好，今不复见。此等广南虽有此而类苏木，无香气，药中但用如膏
油者，极芬烈耳。陶隐居以为是师子矢，亦是指此膏油者言之耳。然师子矢，今内帑亦有之
。其臭极甚，烧之可以辟邪恶，固知非此也。《梁书》云∶天竺出苏合香，是诸香汁煎之，
非自然一物也。又云∶大秦国采得苏合香，先煎其汁，以为香膏，乃卖其滓与诸人，是以展
转来达中国者，不大香也。然则广南货者，其经煎炼之余乎？今用膏油，乃其合治成者耳。
或云师子矢，亦是西国草木皮汁所为，胡人欲贵重之，故饰其名耳。又有檀香，木如檀，生
南海。消风热肿毒，主心腹痛，霍乱，中恶鬼气，杀虫。有数种，黄、白、紫之异。今人盛
用之。真紫檀，旧在下品。亦主风毒。苏恭云∶出昆
仑盘盘国，虽不生中华，人间遍有之。檀木生江、淮及河朔山中。其木作斧柯者，亦檀香类，
但不香耳。至夏有不生者，忽然叶开，当有大水，农人候之，以测水旱，号为水檀。又有一
种，叶亦相类，高五、六尺，生高原地。四月开花正紫，亦名檀根。如葛，极主疮疥，杀虫，
有小毒也。海药沉香，按正经生南海山谷。味苦，温，无毒。主心腹痛，霍乱，中恶邪鬼疰，
清人神，并宜酒煮服之。诸疮肿宜入膏用，当以水试乃知。子细没者为沉香，浮者为檀，似
鸡骨为鸡骨香，似马蹄者为马蹄香，似牛头者为牛头香，枝条细实者为青桂，粗重者为笺香。
以上七件并同一树。梵云波律，亦此香也。雷公云∶沉香，凡使须要不枯者，如觜角硬重沉
于水下为上也，半沉者次也。夫入丸散中用，须候众药出即入拌和用之。通典∶海南林邑国
秦象郡林邑县出沉香、沉木，土人断之，积以岁年朽烂，而心节独在，置水中则沉，故名曰
沉香。次不沉者曰栈香。海南北嵩国出好栈香、藿香及硫黄。其藿香树，生千岁，根本甚大，
伐之四、五年，木皆朽散，唯中节坚贞芬香独存，取以为香。杨文公谈苑∶岭南雷州及海外
琼崖山中多香树，山中夷民斫采卖与人。其一树出香三等，曰沉香、栈香、黄熟香。沉、栈
皆二品。曰熟结、生结。熟结者，树自枯烂而得之。生结者，伐仆之久烂脱而剔取。黄熟，
其破者为黄散香，夷民以香树为槽，以饲鸡狗。别说云∶谨按沉香种类极多，除掌氏补神注
及《图经》所载多件外，又有如龙鳞、麻叶、竹叶之类，不啻一、二十品。要之可入药者唯
沉，而其中无空心者可用。若虽沉水而有空心，则是鸡骨也。谓中空而有朽路，若鸡骨中血
眼而软嫩也。
衍义曰∶沉香木，岭南诸郡悉有之，傍海诸州尤多。交干连枝，岗岭相接，千里不绝。
叶如冬青，大者合数人抱。木性虚柔，山民或以构茅庐，或为桥梁，或为钣甑尤佳。有香者
百无一、二。盖木得水方结，多在折枝枯干中，或为沉，或为煎，或为黄熟。自枯死者，谓
之水盘香。今南恩、高、窦等州，唯产生结香。盖山民入山，见香木之曲干斜枝，必以刀斫
成坎，经年得雨水所渍，遂结香。复以锯取之，刮去白木，其香结为斑点，遂名鹧鸪斑，燔
之极清烈。沉之良者，唯在琼、崖等州，俗谓之角沉。黄沉乃枯木中得者，宜入药用。根据木
皮而结者。谓之青桂，气尤清。在土中岁久，不待 剔而成者，谓之龙鳞。亦有削之自卷，
咀之柔韧者，谓之黄蜡沉，尤难得也。然《经》中只言疗风水毒肿，去恶气，余更无治疗。
今医家用以保和卫气，为上品药，须极细为佳。今人故多与乌药磨服，走散滞气，独行则势
弱，与他药相佐，当缓取效，有益无损，余药不可方也。薰陆香木，叶类棠梨。南印度界，
阿吒厘国出，今谓之西香。南番者更佳，此即今人谓之乳香，为其垂滴如乳。熔塌在地者，
谓之塌香，皆一也。
沉香
性微温。治疗风水毒肿，去除恶气。
陶隐居说：这种香料是合香家必须使用的，但不正式入药。只治疗恶核毒肿，道家的方剂中颇有用途。《唐本草》注解说：沉香、青桂、鸡骨、马蹄、煎香等，都来自同一棵树，叶子像桔叶，花白色。果实像槟榔，大小如桑椹，紫色且味道辛。树皮青色，木质像榉柳。臣禹锡等人谨按陈藏器的说法：沉香的枝、叶都像椿树。苏恭说是像桔树，恐怕不对。它的枝节不腐烂，最坚实的是沉香，浮在水面上的是煎香。其次形状像鸡骨的是鸡骨香。像马蹄形状的是马蹄香。细小的枝条未腐烂且坚实的叫青桂香。那些马蹄、鸡骨其实只是煎香，苏恭又是重复说明，深觉繁琐冗长，都可以用来熏衣去臭，其余没有别的功效。另外杜蘅的叶子又名马蹄香，这就不是沉香了，与前面的香不同。《南越志》说：交州有蜜香树，想要获取先切断其根，经过多年后，外皮朽烂，木心与节紧黑能沉入水中的就是沉香。浮在水面平齐的是鸡骨香。最粗壮的是栈香。日华子说：沉香，味辛，性热，无毒。调理中焦，补益五脏，益精壮阳，温暖腰膝，去除……（原文此处似有缺漏或图片遮挡，依文意推测为“去冷气”之类，但严格按原文翻译则留白或略过不可见部分，此处根据上下文“去恶气”已在前，且后文有“暖腰膝”，故译为“温暖腰膝，去除……”）
《图经》说：沉香、青桂香、鸡骨香、马蹄香、栈香同出一本。旧籍不记载出产的州土，现在只有海南诸国及交州、广州、崖州有生长。其树木类似椿、榉，多节，叶像桔，花白色。果实像槟榔，大如桑椹，紫色且味辛。交州人称之为蜜香。想要获取它，先砍断积年老树的根，经过一年外皮干枯全部朽烂，其木心与枝节不坏的就是香。细枝坚实未烂的，称为青桂。坚硬黑色且沉水的，称为沉香。半浮半沉与水面平齐的，称为鸡骨。最粗壮的，称为栈香。又说：栈香中形状像鸡骨的，称为鸡骨香。形状像马蹄的，称为马蹄香。然而现在有人得到的沉香奇好者，往往也做成鸡骨形状，不一定仅仅是栈香。其中又粗壮不堪药用的称为生结黄熟香。它们实际上是一种，只有精粗的区别而已。采集没有固定时间。《岭表录异》说：广、管、罗州多产栈香，像柜柳，花白色且繁茂，皮可以造纸，名为香皮纸，灰白色，有纹路像鱼子笺，纹理慢而弱，沾水即烂，不如楮纸，也没有香气。又说：与沉香、鸡骨、黄熟虽然同是一棵树，但根、干、枝、节，各有分别，就是这个意思。然而这种香的奇异，品种最多，所以相丁在海南作《天香传》说得详尽无遗。说四种香共有四十二种形态，都出于一本。木体像白杨，叶像冬青但较小。又叙述出产的地方说：窦、化、高、雷，是中国出产香的地方。比起海南的优劣相差甚远。既然禀受不同，加上贩卖的人多而索取得快，所以黄熟香不等它稍微长成，栈香和沉香不等似是而非就开采，这是趋利而伤害树木很深啊。不像琼管黎人，不到时候不妄加剪伐，所以树木没有夭折之患，能得到异香，都是这些原因。另外薰陆香，形状像白胶，出自古印度、单于两国。《南方草木状》说薰陆出自古罗马（大秦）国，其树生长在海岸沙上，盛夏时树胶渗出到沙上，夷人取得，卖给商人，乳香也是这一类。《广志》说：南波斯国的松木脂，有紫红色像樱桃的称为乳香，大概是薰陆之类。现在的人不再区别薰陆，通称乳香为薰陆罢了。治疗肾气，补腰膝，霍乱吐泻，冲犯恶邪之气，五疰，治疗血病，止痛等药及膏煎多用它。然而它极粘难以研磨，使用时用丝袋挂在窗缝间，很久以后取出来研磨就不粘了。另外鸡舌香，出自昆仑及交爱以南。枝、叶及皮都像栗树，花像梅花，果实像枣核，这是雌树。雄树开花不结果，采集花酿造而成香。查阅各种书籍传记，有人说这是沉香木的花，有人说草花，蔓生，果实成熟串起来，说法不定。现在医家又有一种说法：按三省故事，尚书郎口中含着鸡舌香，因为他奏事回答应对，想让气息芬芳。而方家用鸡舌香治疗口臭，也是因为这个道理。现在的人都在乳香中，时常得到像枣核一样的木实，认为是鸡舌香，坚硬顽劣枯燥，完全没有气味，烧也没有香味，不知道因为什么得香名，不再有芬芳了。另外葛稚川《百一方》中有治疗突发气刺心痛切的，研碎鸡舌香用酒送服，应当痊愈。现在治疗气的药借用鸡舌香名称的方子非常多，也是因为鸡舌香善于治疗气病。或者用来治疗气病及口臭，那就非常疏忽荒谬，这叫什么。那些说采集花酿造成香的，现在不再见到，如果真有这种香，海商也应该见过，不应该完全绝迹。京城的老医生有的说鸡舌香与丁香同一种，花实丛生，其中中心最大的是鸡舌香，击破有纹理像鸡舌，这就是母丁香，治疗口臭最好，治气也有效。大概出自陈氏《拾遗》，也不知道是否真实。《千金方》治疗疮痈连翘五香汤方用丁香，一方用鸡舌香，以此看来似乎接近。《抱朴子》说：用鸡舌、黄连、乳汁煎煮，滴入眼睛各种疹疾，痊愈后更加精明倍常。又有詹糖香，出自交广以南，树木像桔。煎枝叶作为香，往往用它的皮和虫屑混合，难得纯正好的，唐代方剂多用，现在也很少见到。又在苏合香条下说：生于中台川谷。苏恭说：这种香从西域及昆仑来，紫色，与真紫檀相似，而坚实，极芬香。这种香像石头，烧之灰白的好，现在不再见到。这些在广南虽然有此类像苏木的，但没有香气，药中只用像膏油的，极芬烈罢了。陶隐居认为是狮子矢，也是指这种膏油说的。然而狮子矢，现在内库也有。气味极臭，烧它可以辟邪恶，固知不是这个。《梁书》说：天竺出产苏合香，是各种香汁煎制的，不是自然的一物。又说：大秦国采得苏合香，先煎其汁，作为香膏，然后卖渣给众人，所以辗转来到中国的，不太香了。那么广南贩卖的，是经过煎炼剩下的吗？现在用的膏油，是合治成的罢了。有人说狮子矢，也是西国草木皮汁所为，胡人想贵重它，所以修饰名字罢了。又有檀香，木像檀，生在南海。消除风热肿毒，主治心腹痛，霍乱，中恶鬼气，杀虫。有好几种，有黄、白、紫的区别。现在人盛用。真紫檀，旧在下品。也主风毒。苏恭说：出自昆仑盘盘国，虽然不在中华生长，人间到处都有。檀木生在江淮及河朔山中。其木做斧柄的，也是檀香类，但不香罢了。到了夏天有不生的，忽然叶开，会有大水，农人等候它，以测水旱，号称水檀。又有一种，叶也相似，高五六尺，生在高原地。四月开花正紫，也叫檀根。像葛藤，极主疮疥，杀虫，有小毒。海药沉香，按正经说生在南海山谷。味苦，温，无毒。主治心腹痛，霍乱，中恶邪鬼疰，清人神，都宜酒煮服。各种疮肿宜入膏用，应当用水试才知道。细致没入水中的是沉香，浮着的是檀，像鸡骨的是鸡骨香，像马蹄的是马蹄香，像牛头的是牛头香，枝条细实的是青桂，粗重的是笺香。以上七件并同一棵树。梵语叫波律，也是这种香。雷公说：沉香，凡使用须要不枯的，像觜角硬重沉于水下为上等，半沉的次等。凡是入丸散中用，须等众药处理好就加入拌和使用。《通典》：海南林邑国秦象郡林邑县出产沉香、沉木，土人砍断它，积累岁月朽烂，而心节独在，放在水中则沉，所以名叫沉香。其次不沉的叫栈香。海南北嵩国出好栈香、藿香及硫黄。那藿香树，生长千年，根本很大，砍伐它四五年，木头都朽散，唯中间节坚贞芬香独存，取来做香。杨文公谈苑：岭南雷州及海外琼崖山中多香树，山中夷民砍采卖给人。一树出香三等，曰沉香、栈香、黄熟香。沉、栈皆二品。曰熟结、生结。熟结的，树自枯烂而得之。生结的，伐倒之久烂脱而剔取。黄熟，破碎的为黄散香，夷民用香树做槽，来喂鸡狗。别说：谨按沉香种类极多，除掌氏补神注及《图经》所载多件外，又有像龙鳞、麻叶、竹叶之类，不止一二十种。总之可入药的唯有沉，而其中无空心的可用。如果虽沉水而有空心，则是鸡骨。谓中空而有朽路，像鸡骨中血眼而软嫩。
《衍义》说：沉香木，岭南各郡都有，傍海各州尤其多。枝干相连，岗岭相接，千里不绝。叶像冬青，大的要几人合抱。木性虚柔，山民或用盖茅庐，或做桥梁，或做钣甑尤其好。有香的百无一二。大概木头得水才结香，多在折枝枯干中，或为沉，或为煎，或为黄熟。自然枯死的，称为水盘香。现在南恩、高、窦等州，只产生结香。大概山民进山，见香木的曲干斜枝，必用刀砍成坎，经过年雨水浸泡，遂结香。再用锯取之，刮去白木，其香结为斑点，遂名鹧鸪斑，烧之极清烈。沉香的优良者，只在琼、崖等州，俗称为角沉。黄沉是在枯木中得到的，宜入药用。根据木皮而结的，称为青桂，气尤其清。在土中岁久，不待剔除而成的，称为龙鳞。也有削之自卷，嚼之柔韧的，称为黄蜡沉，尤其难得。然而《经》中只说治疗风水毒肿，去除恶气，其余更没有治疗记载。现在医家用它来保和卫气，作为上品药，须极细为佳。现在人多与乌药磨服，走散滞气，独行则势弱，与其他药相佐，应当缓取效，有益无损，其他药不可相比。薰陆香木，叶像棠梨。南印度界，阿吒厘国出，现在称为西香。南番的更佳，这就是现在人称为乳香，因为它垂滴像乳汁。熔塌在地上的，称为塌香，都是一样的。
Agarwood (Chenxiang)
Slightly warm in nature. Treats wind-water toxic swelling, removes foul qi.
Tao Hongjing says: This fragrance is essential for incense makers but is not formally used in medicine. It only treats malignant nodules and toxic swellings; Daoist formulas make considerable use of it. The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: Agarwood (Chenxiang), Qinggui (Green Cinnamon), Jigu (Chicken Bone), Matixiang (Horse Hoof), Jianxiang (Boiled Incense), etc., all come from the same tree. The leaves resemble those of the kumquat (*Citrus reticulata*), and the flowers are white. The fruit resembles betel nut, being as large as a mulberry, purple in color, and pungent in taste. The bark is greenish, and the wood resembles that of the zelkova or willow. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully follow Chen Cangqi's statement: The branches and leaves of agarwood resemble those of the toon tree (*Toona sinensis*). Su Gong says they resemble kumquat leaves, which is likely incorrect. Its branches and joints do not rot; the densest and hardest part is agarwood, while the lighter part floating on water is boiled incense (Jianxiang). Next in quality, shaped like chicken bones, is chicken bone incense (Jigu Xiang). Shaped like horse hooves is horse hoof incense (Matixiang). Fine branches that are unrotted and solid are called green cinnamon incense (Qinggui Xiang). Those horse hoof and chicken bone types are merely boiled incense; Su Gong's repetition is deemed verbose. They can be used for fumigating clothes to remove odors, but have no other efficacy. Additionally, the leaves of *Duheng* (Asarum) are also called horse hoof incense, which is distinct from this incense. *Nanyue Zhi* states: In Jiaozhou, there is a honey-fragrant tree. To harvest it, one must first sever its roots. After many years, the outer bark rots away, leaving the heartwood and joints tight, black, and sinking in water—this is agarwood. Floating level with the water surface is chicken bone incense. The coarsest is stack incense (Zhanxiang). Rihua Zi states: Agarwood is pungent, hot, and non-toxic. It regulates the middle jiao, tonifies the five zang organs, benefits essence and strengthens yang, warms the waist and knees, and removes... [text gap].
The *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Classic) states: Agarwood, green cinnamon incense, chicken bone incense, horse hoof incense, and stack incense all originate from the same source. Ancient texts do not record their specific provinces of origin; currently, they are found only in various countries south of the sea, as well as in Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Yazhou. The trees resemble toon or zelkova, are knotty, have leaves like kumquats, and bear white flowers. The fruits resemble betel nuts, are as large as mulberries, purple, and pungent. People in Jiaozhou call it honey-fragrant tree. To obtain it, one cuts the roots of old trees; after a year, the outer bark dries and rots completely, while the heartwood and branches remain intact and fragrant. Fine, solid, unrotted branches are called green cinnamon. Hard, black, and water-sinking wood is called agarwood. Half-floating, level with the water, is chicken bone incense. The coarsest is stack incense. It is also said that within stack incense, pieces shaped like chicken bones are called chicken bone incense, and those shaped like horse hooves are horse hoof incense. However, high-quality agarwood obtained nowadays often takes the shape of chicken bones, so it is not exclusively stack incense. The coarsest parts, unsuitable for medicine, are called raw-knotted yellow-ripe incense. Essentially, they are the same substance, differing only in refinement and coarseness. Harvesting has no fixed season. *Lingbiao Luyi* states: Guang, Guan, and Luozhou produce much stack incense, resembling the cabinet willow. Its flowers are white and abundant; the bark can be made into paper called "incense bark paper," which is gray-white with patterns like fish-roe paper. Its texture is loose and weak, disintegrates upon contact with water, is inferior to paper mulberry paper, and lacks fragrance. It further states that although stack incense, chicken bone incense, and yellow-ripe incense come from the same tree, the roots, trunk, branches, and joints are distinct. Due to the variety and rarity of these incenses, Xiang Ding wrote *Tian Xiang Zhuan* (Record of Heavenly Fragrance) in Hainan, detailing forty-two forms derived from a single tree. The wood resembles poplar, and leaves resemble wintergreen but are smaller. Regarding origins: Dou, Hua, Gao, and Lei are places in China where incense is produced, but their quality is vastly inferior to that of Hainan. Due to different environmental endowments and rapid harvesting driven by profit, yellow-ripe incense is harvested before maturing, and stack/agarwood is taken even when indistinct, causing deep harm to the trees. This contrasts with the Li people in Qiongzhou, who do not cut indiscriminately, allowing trees to avoid premature death and yield superior fragrance.
Additionally, Olibanum (Xunlu Xiang) resembles white gum and originates from Tianzhu (India) and Chanyu. *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang* states olibanum comes from Daqin (Rome); the tree grows on coastal sands, and in midsummer, gum exudes onto the sand. Barbarians collect it and sell it to merchants; frankincense (Ruxiang) is of the same category. *Guang Zhi* mentions pine resin from Persia, with purple-red cherry-like pieces called frankincense, likely a type of olibanum. Nowadays, people no longer distinguish olibanum, generally referring to frankincense as olibanum. It treats kidney qi, tonifies waist and knees, addresses cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, repels evil qi, treats five types of transmission diseases, stops bleeding, and relieves pain. It is widely used in pills and pastes. However, it is extremely sticky and hard to grind; it should be hung in a silk bag near a window for a long time before grinding to avoid stickiness.
Jishe Xiang (Chicken Tongue Incense) originates from Kunlun and south of Jiaoai. Its branches, leaves, and bark resemble chestnut; flowers resemble plum blossoms; fruits resemble date pits. This is the female tree. The male tree flowers but does not fruit; incense is made by fermenting the flowers. Various texts vary: some say it is the flower of the agarwood tree, others say it is a creeping herb flower strung when ripe. Current medical opinion suggests: According to Han dynasty customs, Secretaries held chicken tongue incense in their mouths to ensure fragrant breath during audiences. Formulas use it for halitosis based on this principle. Nowadays, people find woody seeds resembling date pits in frankincense and mistake them for chicken tongue incense. These are hard, dry, odorless, and yield no scent when burned, contradicting the name. Ge Hong's *Bai Yi Fang* prescribes powdered chicken tongue incense in wine for sudden stabbing chest pain. Many modern Qi-regulating formulas borrow this name due to its efficacy in treating Qi disorders. Some claim it is made from fermented flowers, but this is unseen today; if it existed, maritime traders would know. Old physicians in the capital suggest it may be the mother clove (Dingxiang), which has a texture like a chicken tongue, is excellent for halitosis, and effective for Qi issues, citing Chen Shi's *Shiyi*. *Qianjin Fang* uses clove in Lianqiao Wuxiang Tang, while another version uses chicken tongue incense, suggesting similarity. *Baopuzi* describes using chicken tongue incense, coptis, and milk for eye ailments.
Zhantang Xiang originates south of Jiaozhou and Guang; the tree resembles kumquat. Incense is made by boiling branches and leaves, often mixed with bark and insect debris; pure forms are rare. It was common in Tang formulas but is now scarce.
Suhe Xiang (Styrax) grows in valleys of Zhongtai. Su Gong states it comes from the Western Regions and Kunlun, is purple, resembles true rosewood, is solid, and highly fragrant. When burned, ash turning white indicates quality; it is now rare. Goods from Guangnan resembling su mu lack fragrance; only the paste-like form is potent. Tao Hongjing identified it as lion dung, referring to this paste. Lion dung exists in the imperial treasury, smells terrible, and burns to ward off evil, proving it is not Styrax. *Liang Shu* states Styrax from India is a decoction of various resins, not a natural single substance. Daqin processes it into paste and sells the residue, resulting in weaker fragrance upon reaching China. Guangnan goods are likely residues of processing. Current medicinal use employs the prepared paste. Some claim lion dung is also plant-based, named grandly by Hu people.
Sandalwood (Tanxiang) grows in the South Sea. It dissipates wind-heat and toxic swelling, treats abdominal pain, cholera, evil ghost qi, and kills parasites. Varieties include yellow, white, and purple. True rosewood (Zitan) was formerly in the lower grade and treats wind toxicity. Su Gong states it comes from Pandan Kingdom in Kunlun; though not native to China, it is widespread. Sandalwood trees grow in Jianghuai and Hebei mountains; wood used for axe handles is similar but odorless. A variety called "water sandalwood" shows leaf changes predicting floods. Another variety, "sandalwood root," resembles kudzu, treats sores, kills parasites, and is slightly toxic.
Haiyao Chenxiang (Marine Medicine Agarwood) grows in southern sea valleys. Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Treats abdominal pain, cholera, evil qi, calms the spirit; best taken with wine decoction. Used in pastes for sores; verify by water test. Fine, sinking pieces are agarwood; floating are sandalwood; chicken-bone-shaped are chicken bone incense; horse-hoof-shaped are horse hoof incense; ox-head-shaped are ox head incense; fine solid branches are green cinnamon; coarse heavy ones are jian incense. All seven come from one tree. Sanskrit: Bolü. Leigong advises: Use non-withered pieces; those hard, heavy, and sinking are best; half-sinking are secondary. For pills/powders, add after other herbs are processed. *Tongdian*: Lin'yi County, Qinxiang Commandery, Hainan produces agarwood. Locals cut trees; over years, outer wood rots, leaving dense heartwood that sinks. Lesser quality is stack incense. Songguo (north of Hainan) produces good stack incense, patchouli, and sulfur. Patchouli trees live thousands of years; after 4-5 years of felling, wood rots except for fragrant nodes. Yang Wen Gong's *Tan Yan*: Lingnan and Qiongya have many incense trees. One tree yields three grades: agarwood, stack incense, yellow-ripe incense. Each has two types: cooked knot (natural rotting) and raw knot (harvested from felled trees). Yellow-ripe is broken into yellow scattered incense; locals use tree troughs to feed poultry. *Bieshuo*: Agarwood varieties are numerous, including dragon scale, hemp leaf, bamboo leaf types. Medicinal use requires solid, non-hollow pieces. Hollow sinking pieces are chicken bone incense.
*Yanyi* states: Agarwood trees are common in Lingnan, especially coastal areas. Branches interlock across hills. Leaves resemble wintergreen; large trunks require several people to embrace. Wood is light and soft, used for huts, bridges, or steamers. Only 1-2% contain resin. Resin forms in broken/dry wood through water interaction, becoming agarwood, boiled incense, or yellow-ripe. Naturally dead wood is called "water plate incense." Nan'en, Gao, Dou produce raw-knot incense. Locals carve grooves in living trees; rain infiltration induces resin formation, creating "partridge spot" patterns, burning with intense fragrance. Best agarwood ("horn agarwood") comes from Qiongya. Yellow-ripe comes from dead wood, suitable for medicine. Resin forming on bark is green cinnamon (clear scent). Long-buried resin without carving is dragon scale. Rolled, chewable resin is yellow wax agarwood (rare). Classical texts only mention treating wind-water swelling and removing foul qi. Modern medicine uses it to protect Wei Qi (Defensive Qi); finest powder is preferred. Often ground with Xinyao (Aucklandia) to move stagnant Qi; alone it is weak, but synergistic effects are beneficial. Olibanum trees have leaves like pear. Originates from Azhali Country in Southern India, now called Western Incense. Southern variants are better. Known as Frankincense due to milky droplets. Melted on ground is "collapsed incense."