粤志∶断草乌出广中，蛇也，大仅指许，长五六寸，头如龙形而小，身纯乌，其行也，
百草
沾之立断，人见断草，辄迹得之；故蛇每离地丈许，使身如矢直以入穴，使不沾草，人莫得
而迹之。此亦乌蛇中一种，纲目乌稍蛇不载龙头者一种，故录其遗。
治大麻风，煮酒服。
龙泄
通雅∶龙涎有屿，在花面国傍，独立南海中，彼人言于树收之，最收香气，今大内甜香
用之
。澳门记略∶大食国产龙涎香为上，西洋产于伯西儿海，焚之则翠烟浮空，结而不散，坐
客可用一剪，以分烟缕。 峤南 记∶龙涎香新者色白，久则紫，又久则黑，白者如百药煎
，黑者次之，似五灵脂，其气近臊，和香焚之，则翠烟浮空不散。试法∶将结块者奋力投没
水中，须臾，突起浮水面；或取一钱口含之，微有腥气，经宿，其细沫已咽，余胶结舌上，
取出就湿秤之，仍重一钱，又干之，其重如故，虽极干枯，用银簪烧极热，钻入枯中，乘暖
抽出，其涎引丝不绝，验此，不分褐白、褐黑俱真。海东札记∶海翁鱼，大者三四千斤，小
者千余斤，即海鳅也。皮生砂石，刀箭不入。或言其鱼口中喷涎，常自为吞吐，有遗于海滨
者，黑色，浅黄色不一，即龙涎香也。闻上淡水有之，欲辨真赝，研入水搅之，浮水面如膏
，以口沫捻成丸，掷案有声，噙之通宵不耗分毫者为真，每两值数十金。广志∶新安有龙穴
洲，每风雨即有龙起，去地不数丈，朱鬣金鳞，两目如电，其精华在浮沫，时喷薄如澹泉如
雨，土人争承取之，稍缓则入地中，是为龙涎。或谓龙涎多积于海上枯木，如鸟遗状，其色
青黧，其香腥杂，百和焚之，翠烟千结，蜿蜒蟠空，经时不散，可以剪分香缕，然多不真。
从番舶来者，出大秦波斯，于雨中焚之， 膊有声者真。坤舆图记∶龙涎香，黑人国与伯西
儿两海最多，有大块重千余斤者，望之如岛，每为风涛涌泊于岸，诸虫鸟兽亟喜食之。汪机
本草∶龙吐涎沫可制香。 星槎胜览∶锡兰山国、卜剌哇国、竹步国、木骨都束国、剌撒国
、佐法儿国、忽鲁谟斯国、溜山洋国，俱产龙涎香。 稗史汇编∶龙涎香，白者如百药煎，
而腻理极细；黑者亚之，如五灵脂而光泽，其气近于臊，似浮石而轻香，本无损益，但能聚
香耳。和香而用真龙涎，焚之则翠烟浮空，结而不散，坐客可用一剪以分烟缕，所以然者，
入蜃气楼台之余烈也。泉广合香人云∶龙涎入香，能收敛脑麝气，虽经数十年者，香味仍存
。广东通志∶龙涎在水采者褐黑色，在山采者褐白色。 东西洋考∶海傍有花，若木芙蓉
花，落海，大鱼吞之腹中，先食龙涎，花咽入，久即胀闷，昂头向石上吐沫，干枯可用，惟
粪者不佳，若散碎皆取自沙渗，力薄。 范咸台湾府志∶龙涎香传为鳅鱼精液，泡水面凝为
涎。能止心痛，助精气，以淡黄色嚼而不化者为佳；出淡水者，皆淡黄色，无黑色。 朱国
桢大政记∶龙涎香出苏门答剌国，西有龙涎屿，峙南巫里大洋之中，群龙交戏其上，遗涎焉
。国人驾独木舟伺采之，舟如龙形，浮海面，人伏其中，随风潮上下，傍亦用桨，龙遇之亦
不吞也。每一斤值其国金钱一百九十二枚，准中国铜钱九千文。嘉靖三十四年下户部取香百
斤，遍市京师不得，下广东藩司采买。部文至，台司集议，悬价每斤银一千二百两，仅得十
一两上进，内验不同，姑存之，亟取真者。部文再至，广州夷囚马那别的贮有一两三钱，上
之，黑褐色；密地都密地山夷人继上六两，白褐色。细问状之，黑者采在水，白者采在山，
皆真不赝。寻有密地山商再上，通前共得十七两二钱五分。次年进入内，辩验是真，许留用
。自后夷船闻上供，稍稍挟来市，始定价每一两价百金。龙涎之为用也，入香合和，能收敛
脑麝清气，虽数十年香味仍存。得其真者，和香焚之，翠烟袅空不散。涎沫有三品∶曰泛水
，曰渗沙，曰鱼食。泛水则轻浮水面，善水者伺龙出取之。渗沙则凝积年久，气渗沙中。鱼
食则化粪于沙碛。惟泛水者可食香用。又言鱼食亦有二种∶海旁有花若木芙蓉，春夏间盛开
，花落海，大鱼吞之，若腹肠先食龙涎，花咽入，久即胀闷，昂头向石上吐沫，干枯可用，
惟粪者不佳。 岭南杂记∶诸香龙涎最贵，市值每两不下百千，次亦五六十。出大食国，近
海有云气罩山间，知有龙睡下，或半年一二载，土人守视云散，则龙已去，必得其涎五七两
或十余两，众共分之。又大洋中有涡旋处，龙在其下，涌出之涎，日烁成片，风漂至岸，取
之。又岭外杂记∶龙枕石而睡，涎浮水、积而坚，新者色白，久紫，甚久者黑，气近臊，形
如浮石而轻，腻理光泽，入香焚之，翠烟浮空，结而不散。又出没海上，吐出涎沫，有三品
∶一泛水，二渗沙，三鱼食，泛水轻浮水面，善水者伺龙出随取；渗沙凡风浪飘泊舟屿，积
年气尽于沙土中；鱼食涎作粪，散沙碛，气腥秽，进贡亦不过四两。
按∶龙涎论色，则琐记言有白与紫黑之分，而札记又有浅黄色，广志有青黧色，辨真伪，
亦
诸说互异。大抵不必论其色，总以含之不耗，投水不没，雨中焚之能爆者良。东璧纲目鳞部
龙下，龙脑、龙胎俱有主治，而于龙涎独遗之，惟附其名；云龙涎方药鲜用，惟入诸香。云
能收脑麝数十年不散，出西南海洋，春间群龙所吐涎沫，浮出者，番人采货之；亦有从大鱼
腹中剖得者，其状初若脂胶，黄白色，干则成块，黄黑色，如百药煎而腻理，久则紫黑如五
灵脂而光泽，其体细飘似浮石而腥臊，其说亦未确核。盖所云鱼腹中得者，即札记所云海鳅
鱼之精也，亦名龙涎，出台湾，不若大洋中产者佳。夫龙脑、龙胎，世上所无，龙涎则闽粤
货售者多。东璧何得于罕见者载之，于所有者反略之耶？则甚矣该博之难也。入药用隔汤顿
化如胶糖状者佳。
气腥，味微酸咸，无毒。 药性考∶味甘，气腥，性涩。 张瑶实云∶夹砂者有小毒，
乃土
人于砂碛上收取之，入药须以甘草水煮过用。 酉阳杂俎云∶龙 遇烟煤则不散。入药忌铁
器及石膏。
活血，益精髓，助阳道，通利血脉。 廖永言验方云∶利水通淋散症结，辟精魅鬼邪，
消气
结，逐劳虫尸疰。 陈良士云∶在澳门见倭夷用合舶硫及他药作种子丸，云汉时术士和丹用
此。倭夷皆有其方，秘不传中国。 札记云∶出淡水者，止心痛，助精气。 周曲大云∶龙
涎能生口中津液。凡口患干燥者，含之能津流盈颊。微若有腥气，粤中夷人合龙涎丸，和以
他药，便不腥；入口亦不耗减，一丸可用数十年不败。如单用龙涎入药，须先用鸡汤，将龙
涎制死，则入腹便化，否则入腹丝毫不损，盖极难克化者。方书云∶焚之其烟能入水盂。予
尝试之，多不验。
按∶龙乃东方之神，其体纯阳，能嘘气成云，阳之质轻浮，故云上升。其骨反入手足少
阴、
厥阴经者，盖凡知觉运动之物，皆肖阴阳以立体，孤阳则不生。龙秉纯阳，而骨反属阴，入
药能收阳中之阴，治心肾诸病，所谓一阴一阳之谓道也。其质灵，其齿能治魂游不定，镇惊
痫。凡病在肝，而龙主肝木，治之最神。涎乃阳中之阳，故其气绝香。龙属木，木之气得太
阳多者必香，故诸香以龙为最。得盂水径扑其中，不落空外，龙以水为用，见水则精入焉。
入药所以能利水道，分阴阳，能杀精魅鬼邪者，亦以至阴之物，见真阳而立解也。
【断草乌】
《粤志》记载：断草乌产于广东，是一种蛇。它的大小仅如手指粗细，长度约五六寸，头部形状像龙但较小，全身纯黑色。它爬行时，百草沾到它的身体就会立刻折断，人们看到断草的地方，就能顺着踪迹找到它；所以这种蛇每次离地一丈多高，让身体像箭一样笔直地钻入洞穴，以免沾到草丛，这样人们就无法追踪到它了。这也是乌蛇中的一种，《本草纲目》中记载的乌梢蛇没有收录这种龙头的一种，所以将其记录下来以补遗漏。
治疗大麻风病（麻风病），用酒煮后服用。
【龙涎香】
《通雅》记载：龙涎香有岛屿出产，位于花面国附近，独立于南海之中。当地人说在树上采集，最能收取香气，现在皇宫内廷常用其甜味香气。
《澳门记略》记载：大食国（阿拉伯地区）出产的龙涎香为上品，西洋出产的在伯西儿海，焚烧时翠绿色的烟雾浮在空中，凝结而不散开，坐着的客人可以用剪刀剪下烟缕来分赏。
《峤南记》记载：新出的龙涎香颜色洁白，时间久了变成紫色，更久则变成黑色。白色的像百药煎（一种中药制剂），黑色的次之，类似五灵脂（动物粪便类药材），气味接近臊味。与香料一起焚烧时，翠绿色的烟雾浮在空中不散。
鉴别方法：将结块的龙涎香用力投入水中，片刻后，它会突然浮出水面；或者取一钱含在口中，有轻微的腥味，过一夜后，细碎的泡沫已被咽下，剩下的胶状物粘在舌头上，取出后沾湿称重，仍然重一钱；再烘干，重量依然不变。即使极度干枯，用银簪烧得极热，插入枯块中，趁暖抽出时，龙涎会拉丝不断。验证这一点，无论褐色白色、褐色黑色都是真品。
《海东札记》记载：海翁鱼，大的三四千斤，小的一千多斤，就是海鳅。皮上生有砂石，刀箭不入。有人说这种鱼口中喷出涎液，经常自己吞吐，遗落在海滨的黑色或浅黄色物质，就是龙涎香。听说台湾淡水也有，想要辨别真伪，研碎放入水中搅动，浮在水面的像膏状，用口水捻成丸子，扔在案子上有声响，含在嘴里通宵不损耗分毫的就是真品，每两价值几十两黄金。
《广志》记载：新安有龙穴洲，每逢风雨就有龙升起，离地不到几丈，朱红色的鬃毛金色的鳞片，两只眼睛像闪电，精华在于浮沫，时常喷薄如同泉水如雨。当地人争相承接收集，稍慢就进入地下，这就是龙涎。有人说龙涎多积聚在海上的枯木中，像鸟类的排泄物，颜色青黑，气味腥杂，混合各种香料焚烧，翠绿的烟雾千结，蜿蜒盘旋在空中，长时间不散，可以剪分烟缕，但大多不是真品。从海外商船运来的，出自大秦（罗马/欧洲）、波斯，在雨中焚烧能发出爆裂声的是真品。
《坤舆图记》记载：龙涎香，黑人国和伯西儿两个海域最多，有大块重达一千多斤的，远看像岛屿，经常被风浪涌到岸边，各种虫鸟兽急切地喜欢吃它。
汪机《本草》记载：龙吐出的涎沫可以制作香料。
《星槎胜览》记载：锡兰山国、卜剌哇国、竹步国、木骨都束国、剌撒国、佐法儿国、忽鲁谟斯国、溜山洋国，都出产龙涎香。
《稗史汇编》记载：龙涎香，白色的像百药煎，质地细腻纹理极细；黑色的次之，像五灵脂但有光泽，气味接近臊味，像浮石而轻且香，本身没有补益作用，只是能聚拢香气。和香料一起使用真正的龙涎香，焚烧时翠烟浮空，凝结不散，坐客可以用剪刀分烟缕，之所以这样，是因为融入了蜃气楼台（海市蜃楼）的余烈之气。泉广合香的人说：龙涎加入香料，能收敛脑麝的气味，即使经过几十年，香味仍然存在。
《广东通志》记载：在水中采集的龙涎香呈褐黑色，在山中采集的呈褐白色。
《东西洋考》记载：海边有一种花，像木芙蓉花，落入海中，大鱼吞入腹中，先吃龙涎，花被咽入，久了就胀闷，昂头向石头上吐沫，干枯后可用，只有粪便形态的不佳，如果是散碎的都是从沙子里渗出来的，药效薄弱。
范咸《台湾府志》记载：龙涎香传说是鳅鱼的精液，泡在水里凝结为涎。能止心痛，助精气，以淡黄色嚼不烂的为佳；出自淡水的，都是淡黄色，没有黑色的。
朱国桢《大政记》记载：龙涎香出自苏门答剌国，西边有龙涎屿，矗立在南巫里大洋之中，群龙在上面交戏，遗留下涎液。国人驾独木舟伺机采集，船像龙形，浮在海面，人伏在其中，随风吹潮上下，旁边也用桨，龙遇到也不吞食。每一斤值该国金钱一百九十二枚，折合中国铜钱九千文。嘉靖三十四年，户部下令征收龙涎香一百斤，遍访京师买不到，下令广东布政使司采买。部文到达，台司召集会议，悬赏每斤银一千二百两，仅得到十一两进贡，内部检验不同，暂且存留，急需寻找真品。部文再次下达，广州夷人马那别的贮有一两三钱，献上，呈黑褐色；密地都密地山夷人接着献上六两，呈白褐色。仔细询问情况，黑色的采自水中，白色的采自山中，都是真品不假。随后密地山商人再次献上，总共得到十七两二钱五分。次年送入宫内，辩验是真品，允许留存使用。从此以后，外国船只听说要进贡，渐渐挟带前来买卖，才定价每一两价值百金。龙涎香的用途，入香盒调和，能收敛脑麝清气，即使几十年香味仍存。得到真品的，和香料焚烧，翠烟袅袅空中不散。涎沫有三品：叫泛水、渗沙、鱼食。泛水则轻浮水面，善游泳的人伺机龙出来时取走。渗沙则凝结多年，气息渗入沙中。鱼食则化为粪便在沙碛上。只有泛水的可以吃香使用。又说鱼食也有两种：海旁有花像木芙蓉，春夏间盛开，花落海，大鱼吞之，如果腹肠先吃龙涎，花被咽入，久了就胀闷，昂头向石头上吐沫，干枯可用，只有粪便形态的不佳。
《岭南杂记》记载：各种香料中龙涎最贵，市值每两不低于百千，其次也五六十。出自大食国，近海有云气笼罩山间，知道有龙睡在下面，或者半年一两年，当地人守候看着云散，龙已离去，必定能得到涎液五七两或十余两，众人共分。又在大洋中有涡旋处，龙在下面，涌出的涎液，日晒成片，风漂至岸边，取回。又《岭外杂记》记载：龙枕着石头睡觉，涎液浮在水面，积聚变硬，新的颜色白，久了紫，很久者黑，气味接近臊味，形状像浮石而轻，细腻纹理有光泽，入香焚烧，翠烟浮空，结而不散。又出没海上，吐出涎沫，有三品：一泛水，二渗沙，三鱼食，泛水轻浮水面，善水者伺龙出随取；渗沙凡风浪飘泊舟屿，积年气尽于沙土中；鱼食涎作粪，散沙碛，气腥秽，进贡也不过四两。
按语：关于龙涎的颜色，各种记录说法有白与紫黑的区分，而《札记》又有浅黄色，《广志》有青黧色。辨别真伪，诸说互异。大体上不必论其颜色，总之以含在口中不消耗，投入水中不沉没，雨中焚烧能爆裂的为良。东璧（李时珍）《纲目》鳞部龙之下，龙脑、龙胎都有主治功效，唯独遗漏了龙涎，只附上了名字；说龙涎方药很少使用，只入各种香料。说能收脑麝数十年不散，出自西南海洋，春天群龙所吐的涎沫，浮出的，番人采集贩卖；也有从大鱼腹中剖得的，其状初若脂胶，黄白色，干则成块，黄黑色，像百药煎而细腻，久了则紫黑像五灵脂而有光泽，其体细飘似浮石而腥臊，这种说法也未确切核实。大概所说的鱼腹中得到的，就是《札记》所说的海鳅鱼的精液，也叫龙涎，出自台湾，不如大洋中产的好。龙脑、龙胎，世上没有，龙涎则是闽粤售卖的多。东璧为何对罕见的记载，对有的反而简略呢？这真是广博难啊。入药用隔水炖化成胶糖状的为佳。
气味腥，味道微酸咸，无毒。
《药性考》记载：味甘，气腥，性涩。
张瑶实说：夹杂砂石的有小毒，是土人在沙碛上收取的，入药须用甘草水煮过后使用。
《酉阳杂俎》说：龙涎遇烟煤则不散。入药忌铁器及石膏。
功效：活血，益精髓，助阳道，通利血脉。
廖永言《验方》说：利水通淋散症结，辟精魅鬼邪，消气结，逐劳虫尸疰。
陈良士说：在澳门见倭夷用合舶硫磺及其他药物做种子丸，说是汉代术士炼丹用此。倭夷都有此方，秘不传中国。
《札记》说：出自淡水的，止心痛，助精气。
周曲大说：龙涎能生口中津液。凡是口患干燥的，含之能津流盈颊。微若有腥气，粤中夷人合龙涎丸，和其他药混合，就不腥；入口也不耗减，一丸可用数十年不败。如果单用龙涎入药，须先用鸡汤，将龙涎制死，则入腹便化，否则入腹丝毫不损，因为极难消化。方书说：焚烧其烟能入水盂。我尝试过，大多不灵验。
按语：龙是东方之神，其体纯阳，能嘘气成云，阳的性质轻浮，所以云上升。其骨反入手足少阴、厥阴经，大概凡是知觉运动之物，都效法阴阳以立体质，孤阳则不生。龙秉纯阳，而骨反属阴，入药能收阳中之阴，治心肾诸病，所谓一阴一阳之谓道。其质灵，其齿能治魂游不定，镇惊痫。凡是病在肝，而龙主肝木，治疗最神效。涎乃阳中之阳，所以其气绝香。龙属木，木之气得太阳光多的必香，所以各种香料以龙为最。得到盂水直接扑在其中，不落空外，龙以水为用，见水则精入焉。入药所以能利水道，分阴阳，能杀精魅鬼邪的，也是以至阴之物，见真阳而立解也。
[Duancuowu]
*Yuezhi* records: Duancuowu is produced in Guangdong. It is a snake, only as thick as a finger, about five or six cun long. Its head resembles that of a dragon but is smaller, and its body is entirely black. When it moves, any grass it touches breaks immediately; people can trace it by following the broken grass. Therefore, this snake usually stays more than one zhang above the ground, moving straight like an arrow into burrows to avoid touching the grass, making it impossible for people to track. This is also a type of Wushe (Black Snake). *Bencao Gangmu* did not record this specific type with a dragon-like head among the Wushaoshe (Zaocys), so it is recorded here to supplement the missing information.
It treats Leprosy (Mafen, leprosyous disease); decocted in wine for oral administration.
[Longxianxiang / Ambergris]
*Tongya* records: There are islands where Longxianxiang (Ambergris) is found, near Huamian Country, standing alone in the South China Sea. Locals say it is collected from trees, possessing the strongest fragrance. It is currently used in the imperial palace for its sweet aroma.
*Macao Jilue* records: Ambergris from Dasia (Arab region) is of the highest quality. That from Xiyang (the West) comes from Buxier Sea. When burned, emerald-green smoke floats in the air, condensing without dispersing. Guests can use scissors to cut strands of the smoke.
*Qiaonan Ji* records: New ambergris is white; over time it turns purple, and eventually black. White ambergris resembles Baiyaojian (a traditional herbal preparation); black is inferior, resembling Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung). Its odor is close to muskiness. When burned with incense, emerald-green smoke floats and does not disperse.
Test for authenticity: Throw a clump forcefully into water; it will float on the surface after a moment. Or, place one qian in the mouth; it has a slight fishy smell. After overnight, the fine foam is swallowed, leaving glue adhering to the tongue. Weigh it when wet; it should still be one qian. Dry it again; the weight remains unchanged. Even if extremely dry, insert a red-hot silver hairpin into it. Upon pulling it out while warm, the ambergris will stretch into threads continuously. If this occurs, whether brown-white or brown-black, it is genuine.
*Haidong Zhaji* records: Haiwengyu (Sea Lion/Otter?), large ones weigh three or four thousand jin, small ones over one thousand jin. It is also known as Haiqiu (Sea Loach). Its skin has sand-like protrusions, impervious to knives and arrows. Some say this fish sprays saliva from its mouth, often swallowing and regurgitating it. The black or pale yellow substance left on the beach is Longxianxiang (Ambergris). It is said to exist in Danshui, Taiwan. To distinguish real from fake, grind it and stir in water; if it floats like paste, roll it into a pill with saliva, drop it on a table making a sound, and hold it in the mouth overnight without loss, it is genuine. Each liang is worth dozens of taels of gold.
*Guangzhi* records: In Xin'an, there is Longxue Zhou (Dragon Hole Island). During wind and rain, dragons rise, less than a few zhang from the ground, with crimson manes and golden scales, eyes like lightning. The essence lies in the floating foam, spraying like springs and rain. Locals rush to collect it; if delayed, it sinks into the earth, becoming Longxianxiang. Some claim ambergris accumulates on dead wood at sea, resembling bird droppings, with a greenish-black color and fishy-mixed odor. When burned with mixed incense, emerald smoke knots and winds in the air without dispersing, allowing smoke strands to be cut, but most are fake. Imported via foreign ships from Daqin (Rome/Europe) and Persia, genuine ones crackle when burned in rain.
*Kunyu Tuji* records: Ambergris is most abundant in the seas of Black Skin Country and Buxier. Large pieces weighing over a thousand jin look like islands. They are washed ashore by wind and waves, eagerly eaten by insects, birds, and beasts.
Wang Ji's *Bencao* records: Saliva spat out by dragons can be made into incense.
*Xingcha Shenglan* records: Ceylon, Balava, Zhubu, Mugudushu, Lasah, Zuofaer, Hormuz, and Liushan Yang countries all produce Longxianxiang (Ambergris).
*Baishi Huibian* records: White ambergris resembles Baiyaojian with extremely fine texture; black is inferior, resembling Wulingzhi but glossy, with a musky odor, light like Pumex stone, and fragrant. It has no nourishing properties itself but gathers fragrance. When used with true ambergris in incense, emerald smoke floats and condenses without dispersing, allowing guests to cut smoke strands. This is due to the residual energy of mirages. Incense makers in Quanzhou and Guangzhou say ambergris收敛s (consolidates/astringes) the scent of Nao (Borneo Camphor) and She (Musk), preserving it for decades.
*Guangdong Tongzhi* records: Ambergris collected from water is brown-black; from mountains, it is brown-white.
*Dongxiyang Kao* records: A flower resembling Hibiscus falls into the sea. Large fish swallow it. Having eaten ambergris first, the flower enters the stomach. The fish becomes bloated, raises its head to spit foam onto rocks. The dried foam is usable; feces are poor quality. Scattered pieces from sand seepage have weak efficacy.
Fan Xian's *Taiwan Fu Zhi* records: Longxianxiang is rumored to be the semen of loaches, coagulating in water. It stops heart pain and boosts essence and qi. Pale yellow, indigestible pieces are best. Those from Danshui are all pale yellow, none black.
Zhu Guozhen's *Dazheng Ji* records: Ambergris comes from Sumatra. To the west is Longxian Yu (Ambergris Islet) in the middle of Nanwuli Ocean, where dragons play and leave saliva. Locals sail single-log boats shaped like dragons, hiding inside, drifting with tides. Dragons do not eat them. One jin is worth 192 coins of that country, equivalent to 9,000 Chinese copper cash. In the 34th year of Jiajing, the Ministry of Revenue ordered 100 jin of ambergris. It could not be bought in Beijing, so orders were sent to Guangdong. The price was set at 1,200 taels of silver per jin. Only 11 taels were obtained and submitted, but inspection showed inconsistencies. Another order resulted in submission of 1.3 taels from Macau merchant Manabie (black-brown) and 6 taels from Mididu Mountain locals (white-brown). Inquiry revealed black is from water, white from mountains, both genuine. Subsequent submissions totaled 17.25 taels. Inspected in the palace as genuine, allowed for use. Foreign ships subsequently brought it for trade, setting the price at 100 taels per liang. Uses: In incense boxes, it consolidates the clear qi of camphor and musk, preserving scent for decades. Genuine ambergris burned with incense produces non-dispersing emerald smoke. Three grades of saliva: Fan Shui (floating on water), Shen Sha (seeping into sand), Yu Shi (eaten by fish). Only Fan Shui is suitable for incense. Fish-eaten type includes two kinds: flowers falling into sea, eaten by fish that had consumed ambergris, causing bloating and spitting foam onto rocks. Feces are poor.
*Lingnan Za Ji* records: Among all incenses, ambergris is most expensive, market value not less than 100,000 per liang, second tier 50-60,000. From Dasia. Clouds covering mountains indicate sleeping dragons. Locals wait for clouds to dissipate, then collect 5-7 liang or more. Also found in ocean whirlpools, washed ashore by wind.
*Lingwai Za Ji* records: Dragons sleep on stones, saliva floats and hardens. New is white, old purple, very old black. Odor is musky. Texture like Pumex, light, glossy. Burns with emerald smoke. Three grades: Floating, Seeping, Fish-eaten. Fish-eaten smells foul, tribute limited to 4 liang.
Commentary: Colors vary in records (white, purple-black, pale yellow, greenish-black). Authenticity tests differ. Generally, do not judge by color. True ambergris does not dissolve in the mouth, floats in water, and crackles when burned in rain. Li Shizhen (*Gangmu*) omitted therapeutic uses for ambergris, noting it is rarely used in medicine, only in incense. He claimed it preserves camphor/musk scent for decades, originates from Southwest oceans, spring dragon saliva, collected by foreigners, or found in fish bellies. Initial state is gelatinous, yellow-white; dried, yellow-black, like Baiyaojian, glossy like Wulingzhi when old. Fine, light like Pumex, fishy-musky. This description is not rigorously verified. The fish-belly variety is likely Haiqiu semen from Taiwan, inferior to oceanic sources. Dragon Brain and Dragon Fetus are rare/non-existent, while Ambergris is common in Fujian/Guangdong. Why did Li Shizhen record rare items but omit common ones? Erudition is difficult. For medicinal use, decocted over water until gelatinous/sugar-like is best.
Odor: Fishy. Taste: Slightly sour and salty. Toxicity: Non-toxic.
*Xingxing Kao*: Sweet taste, fishy odor, astringent nature.
Zhang Yaoshi says: Sand-contaminated has slight toxicity. Collected by locals from beaches. Must be boiled in Licorice Decoction before use.
*Youyang Zazu*: Does not disperse when exposed to soot. Avoid iron vessels and Gypsum during preparation.
Actions: Invigorates Blood, benefits Essence and Marrow, assists Yang pathways, unblocks and promotes circulation in channels and vessels.
Liao Yongyan's *Yanfang*: Promotes urination, unblocks strangury, dissipates masses, expels spirits/demons, resolves Qi stagnation, drives out labor parasites and corpse-possession diseases.
Chen Liangshi: Saw Japanese in Macau make seed pills using sulfur and other drugs, claiming Han dynasty alchemists used this. Japanese keep the formula secret.
*Zhaji*: From Danshui, stops heart pain, boosts essence and qi.
Zhou Quda: Generates saliva in the mouth. For dry mouth conditions, holding it causes salivation. Slight fishy odor. Japanese mix it into pills to mask odor. One pill lasts decades. If used alone, must be "killed" (processed) with chicken broth to ensure digestion; otherwise, it passes through undigested due to extreme difficulty in breakdown. Books say smoke enters water bowls; my tests failed.
Commentary: Dragon is the Eastern Deity, pure Yang, breathes clouds. Yang is light, so clouds rise. Bones enter Foot-Shaoyin, Foot-Jueyin meridians. Living things follow Yin-Yang balance; solitary Yang cannot generate. Dragon is pure Yang, but bones are Yin. Medicinally, it collects Yin within Yang, treating Heart-Kidney disorders, embodying the Dao of Yin-Yang. Spirituality: Teeth treat restless soul, calm fright/epilepsy. Liver diseases: Dragon governs Wood, treatment is miraculous. Saliva is Yang within Yang, hence extremely fragrant. Dragon belongs to Wood; Wood with sufficient Solar Qi is fragrant. Thus, Dragon is the supreme incense. Water interaction: Drops into water without scattering; Dragon uses water, essence enters upon seeing water. Medicinally, it benefits water passages, separates Yin/Yang, expels spirits because it is a Yin substance resolving upon encountering True Yang.