鲜桑叶摘开,其叶筋有白汁,名桑叶滋,又名桑脂。纲目桑叶载其用最广,独未及此。
性微寒,味苦,有天丝入眼,以此点之。
山海草函∶桑叶滋点眼,治蜈蚣咬。
治乳痈 集听∶用桑叶不拘头、二叶,摘取半段,取后半段脂三分,黄柏八钱,水煎干,
只
用三分,饭锅蒸一次,夜露一宿,涂患处,虽烂见骨者,亦能收口平复。
小石疖,今人呼为扎马疔。钱峻经验单方云∶小石疖采二蚕桑叶,滴下滋,水点上,愈。
消瘿瘤∶秋泉秘方用蝌蚪一钱,蛇蜕泥球包 为末三分,鬼馒头滋干一钱,桑滋干一钱,
乳香、没药各三分,麝香一分,共为细末,饭和捣为锭。临
用时,再取鬼馒头滋化开,以鸡翎搽患处,过宿即消。
万氏家抄,有取桑油法∶鲜桑木捶碎,装入瓶内,用一瓶盖口倒埋土中,糠火煨之,油
自滴下,贮罐听用。
治小儿身面烂疮∶轻粉、雄黄各五钱,猪胆一个,滑石一两,硫黄五钱,穿山甲十五片,
炙
今俗作奇楠乘雅作奇南栈、香栈、木速香名,而广人亦呼奇南为栈,名同而香异也。粤
海香
语,伽 杂出海上诸山,凡香木之枝柯窍露者,木立死而本存者,气性皆温,故为大蚁所穴
,大蚁所食石蜜遗渍其中,岁久渐浸,木受石蜜气多,凝而坚润,则成伽 。其香木未死,
蜜气未老者,谓之生结,上也;木死本存,蜜气膏于枯根,润若饧片者,谓之糖结,次也;
岁月既浅,木蜜之气未融,木性多而香味少,谓之虎斑金丝结,又次也;其色如鸭头绿者,
名绿结,掐之痕生,释之痕合,按之可圆,放之仍方,锯则细屑成团,又名油结,上之上也
。伽 本与沉香同类,而分阴阳∶或谓沉牝也,味苦而性利,其香含藏,烧乃芳烈,阴体阳
用也;伽 牡也,味辛而气甜,甘香勃发,而性能闭二便,阳体阴用也。然以洋伽 为上,
产占城者,剖之香甚轻微,然久而不减;产琼者名土伽 ,状如油速,剖之香特酷烈,然手
汗沾濡,数月即减,必须濯以清泉,膏以苏合油,或以甘蔗心藏之,以白萼叶苴之,瘗土数
月,日中稍曝之,而后香魂乃复也。占城者静而常存,琼者动而易散,静者香以神行,动者
香以气使也。藏者以锡为匣,中为一 而多窍,蜜其下,伽 其上,使熏炙以为滋润,又以
伽末养之,他香末则不香,以其本香返其魂,虽微尘许,而其元可复,其精多而气浓故也
。寻常时勿使见水,勿使见燥,风霉湿土则藏之,否则香气耗散。 本草乘雅云∶奇南与沉
同类,因树分牝牡,则阴阳形质臭味情性各各差别,其成沉之本为牝为阴,故味苦浓,性通
利,臭含藏,燃之臭转胜,阴体而阳用,藏精而起亟也;成南之本为牡为阳,故味辛辣,臭
显发,性禁止,能闭二便,阳体而阴用,卫外而为固也,至若等分黄栈品成四结状肖四十有
二则一矣(沉香有四十二品)。第牝多而牡少,独奇南世称至贵,即黄栈二等,亦得因之以
论
高下,沉本黄熟,固坎端棕透,浅而材白,臭亦易散,奇本黄熟,不唯棕透,而黄质邃理,
犹加熟色,远胜生香, 炙经旬,尚袭袭难过也。栈即奇南,渡重者曰金丝,其熟结、生结
、虫漏、脱落四品,虽统称奇南结,而四品之中,又有分别,油结、糖结、蜜结、绿结、金
丝结,为生为熟,为漏为落,井然成秩耳。大都沉香所重在质,故通体作香,入水便沉。奇
南虽结同四品,不唯味极辛辣,着舌便木,顾四结之中,每必抱木,曰油曰糖曰蜜曰绿曰金
丝,色相生成,迹迥别也。
奇南一品,本草失载,后人仅施房术,及佩围系握之供,取气臭尚尔希奇,用其形味,
想更
特异,沉以力行行止为用,奇以力行止行为体,体中设用,用中具体,牝牡阴阳互呈,先后
可默会矣。 宦游笔记∶伽 一作琪 ,出粤东海上诸山,即沉香木之佳者。黄蜡沉也,香
木枝柯窍露,大蚁穴其窍,蚁食石蜜,归而遗香其中,岁久渐渍,木受蜜气,结而坚润,则
香成矣。香成则木渐坏,其旁草树咸枯,有生结者,红而坚;糖结者,黑而软,琼草亦有土
伽,白质黑点。今南海人取沉速伽 于深山中,见有蚁封高二三尺,随挖之,则其下必有
异香。南中香品不下数百种,然诸香赋性多燥烈,熏烧日久,能令人发白血枯,唯伽 香气
温细,性甚益人,而范石湖桂海香志独不载及,讵不使宝鸭金猊之间,少一韵事乎!但佳者
近亦难得。 陈让海外逸说∶伽 与沉香并生,沉香质坚,雕剔之如刀刮竹;伽 质软,指
刻之如锥画沙,味辣有脂,嚼之粘牙,其气上升,故老人佩之,少便溺焉。上者曰莺歌绿,
色如莺毛,最为难得;次曰兰花结,色微绿而黑;又次曰金丝结,色微黄;再次曰糖结,黄
色者是也;下日铁结,色黑而微坚,皆各有膏腻,匠人以鸡刺木、鸡骨香及速香、云头香之
类,泽以伽 之液屑伪充之。 物理小识云∶奇南与沉同类,自分阴阳∶沉牝也,味苦性利
,其香含藏,烧更芳烈,阴体阳用也;奇南牡也,味辣沾舌麻木,其香忽发,而性能闭二便
,阳体阴用也。其品有绿结、油糖、蜜结、金丝虎斑等,锯之其屑成团,舶来者佳。东西
洋考∶交趾产奇南,以手爪刺之能入爪,既出,香痕复合。又有奇楠香油,真者难得。今人
以奇楠香碎片渍油中,蜡熬之而成,微有香气,此伪品也。
黎 曾仁恕堂笔记∶高棉,日本支国也。夜中不睹奎宿,国人多骑象,产奇楠,其取
奇楠
之法∶国人先期割牲,密祷卜有无,走密林中,听树头有如小儿语者,便急数斧而返,迟则
有鬼搏人,隔年始一往,取先上王及三 (读如马彼国专政之将军也)重加洗剔,视上者留
之
金立夫言∶盛侯为粤海监督时,须上号伽 入贡,命十三洋行于外洋各处购求,岁余竟
无佳
者,据云,惟旧器物中,还有所谓油结,色绿,掐之痕生,释之渐合者,今海外诸山,皆难
得矣,即占城所产,香气轻微,久而不减,冬寒香藏,春暖香发,静而常存者,是蜜结,嗅
之香甜,其味辛辣,入手柔嫩而体轻,为上上品,今时亦罕有。其熟结、生结、虫漏、脱落
四结之中,每必抱木,曰油、曰糖、曰蜜、曰绿,曰金丝,其生结者,红而坚,糖结者黑而
软,或黄或黑,或黄黑相兼,或黑质白点,花色相生,成迹 别也。现下粤中所产者,
莞县产之女儿香柑,似色淡黄,木嫩而无滋腻,质粗松者,气味薄,久藏不香,非香液屑养
不可,不足宝贵,其入药功力亦薄,识者辨之,味辛性敛,佩之缩二便,固脾保肾,入汤剂
能闭精固气,故房术多用之,不知气脱必陷之症,可以留魂驻魄也。濒湖纲目香木类三十五
种,质汗返魂,尚搜奇必备,而独遣此何欤? 药性考∶伽 味辛,下气辟恶,风痰闭塞,
精鬼蛊着,通窍醒神,邪风追却,十香返魂丹中,配药以香,中带辛辣,红坚者佳,其次黑
软,至虎斑金丝,皆杂木性下品也。
藏奇南香,以锡匣贮蜜苏合,凿窍为隔则润。若枯者用白萼叶苴之,瘗土数月即复,日
中少
忍溺法物理小识∶伽 糖结末作膏,贴会阴穴,则溺不出。
【桑叶滋】
采摘新鲜的桑叶,掰开后,叶脉中有白色的汁液流出,称为“桑叶滋”,又叫做“桑脂”。《本草纲目》中记载桑叶的用途非常广泛,唯独没有提到这种物质。
桑叶滋性微寒,味苦。如果有天丝(一种异物)进入眼睛,可以用它滴眼治疗。
《山海草函》记载:用桑叶滋点眼,可以治疗蜈蚣咬伤。
【治乳痈】
《集听》记载:取桑叶不拘是一头叶还是二叶,摘取半段,只取后半段的汁液三分,配合黄柏八钱,加水煎煮至干,只用三分药末,放在饭锅上蒸一次,夜间露天放置一夜,涂抹在患处。即使是皮肤溃烂见到骨头的情况,也能使伤口收敛平复。
【小石疖】
小石疖,现在的人称之为“扎马疔”。钱峻的经验单方说:采集二蚕期桑树的叶子,滴下汁液,用水调和后点涂患处,即可痊愈。
【消瘿瘤】
秋泉秘方:用蝌蚪一钱,蛇蜕泥球包裹焙干研为细末三分,鬼馒头(一种植物或真菌,此处指其分泌物/汁液)干燥后的汁液一钱,桑叶滋干燥后的汁液一钱,乳香、没药各三分,麝香一分,共同研成细末,用米饭调和捣制成锭剂。临用时,再取鬼馒头的汁液将其化开,用鸡毛蘸取涂抹在患处,过一夜即可消除。
【桑油】
万氏家抄中,有提取桑油的方法:将鲜桑木捶碎,装入瓶内,用一个瓶盖封口,倒埋于土中,用糠火煨烤,油就会自然滴落下来,储存在罐子里备用。
【伽香(奇楠香)】
现在的俗名叫奇楠,雅名叫奇南栈、香栈、木速香。广东人也称奇楠为栈,名字相同但香气不同。广东的海上香料术语中,伽香杂出於海上诸山。凡是香木的枝干有孔窍渗出的,树木站立而死但树根尚存的,其气性都是温热的,所以被大蚂蚁蛀穴,大蚂蚁食用的石蜜遗留渍在其中,岁月久远逐渐浸透,木材受到石蜜之气的影响,凝结而坚硬润泽,就形成了伽香。如果香木未死,蜜气未老熟的,叫做“生结”,是上等;树木已死但树根尚存,蜜气膏润于枯根,滋润像饴糖片一样的,叫做“糖结”,是次等;岁月尚浅,木与蜜的气尚未融合,木性多而香味少,叫做“虎斑金丝结”,又是次一等;颜色像鸭头绿色的,名叫“绿结”,掐它有痕迹,松开后痕迹愈合,按压可以变圆,放开后恢复方形,锯开时细屑成团,又名叫“油结”,是上中之品。
伽香本来与沉香同类,但分阴阳:有人说沉香是雌性,味道苦而性通利,香气含蓄,燃烧后才芳香猛烈,属于阴体阳用;伽香是雄性,味道辛而气甜,甘香勃发,且性能闭塞大小便,属于阳体阴用。然而以洋伽香为上品,产自占城的,剖开后香气很轻微,但长久不减退;产自琼州的叫“土伽香”,形状像油速香,剖开后香气特别酷烈,但手汗沾湿后,几个月就减退了,必须用清泉洗涤,涂上苏合油,或者藏在甘蔗心里,用白萼叶包裹,埋在土里几个月,中午稍微晒一下,然后香气之魂才能恢复。产自占城的气味静而常存,产自琼州的气动而易散,静的香气靠神行,动的香气靠气使。
收藏伽香要用锡做匣子,中间做一个隔板且有很多孔窍,下面放蜜,上面放伽香,让熏炙作为滋润,又用伽香的粉末来养护它,其他香的粉末则不行,因为它的本香能返回它的魂,即使只有微尘许,其元气也可以恢复,这是因为它的精华多而气浓的缘故。平常时候不要让它见水,不要让它见燥,风、霉、湿、土这些环境要避开并收藏它,否则香气会耗散。
《本草乘雅》说:奇南与沉香同类,因树木分雌雄,所以阴阳、形质、臭味、情性各不相同。形成沉香的根本是雌性为阴,所以味道苦浓,性通利,气味含蓄,燃烧后气味更胜,是阴体阳用,藏精而起急;形成奇南的根本是雄性为阳,所以味道辛辣,气味显发,性禁止,能闭塞大小便,是阳体阴用,卫外而为固。至于像黄栈这类产品分成四种结状,共有四十二种(沉香有四十二品)。只是雌性多而雄性少,唯独奇南世称最贵,即使是黄栈二等,也得以借此来论断高下。沉香本是黄熟,确实坎端棕透,浅而材白,气味也容易散失;奇南本是黄熟,不仅棕透,而且黄质深邃纹理,犹如加了熟色,远胜过生香,经过长时间熏炙,依然香气袭人难以忍受。栈就是奇南,渡海重量大的叫金丝,其熟结、生结、虫漏、脱落四品,虽然统称奇南结,但在四品之中,又有分别,油结、糖结、蜜结、绿结、金丝结,为生为熟,为漏为落,井然有序地形成等级。大抵沉香所重在质地,所以通体作香,入水便沉。奇南虽然结同四品,不仅味道极辛辣,着舌便麻木,而且在四结之中,每必抱木,曰油、曰糖、曰蜜、曰绿、曰金丝,色相生成,迹象迥然不同。
奇南这一品,本草失载,后人仅用于房中术,以及佩戴、围系、手握的供玩赏,取其气味尚且稀奇,如果用它的形体和味道,想必更特异。沉香以“力行”和“行止”为用,奇南以“力行止”和“行为”为体,体中包含用,用中包含体,雌雄阴阳互相呈现,先后顺序可以默会领悟。
《宦游笔记》说:伽香一作琪香,出产於粤东海上诸山,即沉香木中的佳品。是黄蜡沉。香木枝干孔窍渗出,大蚂蚁蛀穴其孔窍,蚂蚁吃石蜜,回来后将香气遗留在其中,岁月久远逐渐浸渍,木材受蜜气影响,凝结而坚润,香气就形成了。香气形成则木材逐渐坏掉,旁边的草树都枯萎了。有生结的,红色而坚硬;糖结的,黑色而柔软。琼州草也有土伽香,白色质地黑色斑点。现在南海人在深山中取沉速伽香,看见有蚂蚁堆封高二三尺的地方,随即挖掘,那下面必有异香。南方香料不下数百种,然而各种香料赋性大多燥烈,熏烧日久,能让人发白血枯,唯有伽香香气温细,性质甚益于人,而范石湖的《桂海香志》唯独不记载,难道不让宝鸭金猊之间,少了一桩风雅之事吗!但是好的也已经很难得。
《陈让海外逸说》说:伽香与沉香并生,沉香质地坚硬,雕刻剔除时像刀刮竹子;伽香质地软,手指刻画像锥画沙,味道辣且有油脂,嚼起来粘牙,其气上升,所以老人佩戴它,小便就会减少。上等的叫莺歌绿,颜色像莺毛,最为难得;次等的叫兰花结,颜色微绿而黑;再次等的叫金丝结,颜色微黄;再次等的叫糖结,黄色的是;下等的叫铁结,颜色黑而微坚,都各有膏腻。工匠用鸡刺木、鸡骨香及速香、云头香之类,浸润伽香的液体和碎屑来伪充。
《物理小识》说:奇南与沉香同类,自己分阴阳:沉香是雌性,味道苦性通利,香气含蓄,燃烧更芳烈,是阴体阳用;奇南是雄性,味道辣沾舌麻木,香气忽发,且性能闭塞大小便,是阳体阴用。其品种有绿结、油糖、蜜结、金丝虎斑等,锯开细屑成团,舶来品较好。
《东西洋考》说:交趾产奇南,用手爪刺它能入爪,出来后,香痕复合。又有奇楠香油,真品难得。现在的人用奇楠香碎片浸泡在油中,加蜡熬制而成,微有香气,这是伪品。
黎曾《仁恕堂笔记》说:高棉是日本的一个支国。夜里看不见奎宿,国人多骑象,产奇楠。他们取奇楠的方法:国人先杀牲口,秘密祈祷占卜有无,走进密林,听到树头有像小儿说话的声音,就急忙砍几斧头返回,迟则有鬼抓人,隔年才去一次。取来的要先给国王及三位将军(读如马,彼国专政之将军也)重新清洗剔除,看上面的留下。
金立夫说:盛侯担任粤海监督时,需要上号伽香入贡,命令十三洋行在外洋各处购求,一年多竟然没有好的。据说是旧器物中,还有所谓的油结,颜色绿,掐它有痕迹,松开后渐渐愈合,现在海外诸山都难得了。即使是占城所产的,香气轻微,长久不减退,冬寒时香气收藏,春暖时香气发散,静而常存的,是蜜结,嗅之香甜,其味辛辣,入手柔嫩而体轻,是上上品,现在时也罕有。在熟结、生结、虫漏、脱落四结之中,每必抱木,曰油、曰糖、曰蜜、曰绿、曰金丝。其生结者,红而坚;糖结者黑而软,或黄或黑,或黄黑相兼,或黑质白点,花色相生,成迹迥别。现下广东所产的,东莞县产的“女儿香柑”,似色淡黄,木嫩而无滋腻,质粗松,气味薄,久藏不香,不是用香液屑养不可,不足宝贵,其入药功力也薄,识者辨别它,味辛性敛,佩戴它收缩大小便,固脾保肾,入汤剂能闭精固气,所以房术多用它,不知道气脱必陷之症,可以用它留魂驻魄。李时珍《纲目》香木类三十五种,质汗返魂,还搜罗奇必备,却唯独遗漏了这个,为什么呢?
《药性考》说:伽香味辛,下气辟恶,风痰闭塞,精鬼蛊着,通窍醒神,邪风追却。十香返魂丹中,配药以香,中带辛辣,红坚者佳,其次黑软,至虎斑金丝,都是杂木性下品。
收藏奇南香,用锡匣贮存蜜和苏合,凿窍为隔则湿润。如果干枯的用白萼叶包裹,埋在土里几个月就恢复。
《忍溺法物理小识》说:伽香糖结末做成膏,贴敷会阴穴,则小便不出。
[Sangye Zi (Mulberry Leaf Exudate)]
When fresh mulberry leaves are picked and torn open, a white juice flows from the leaf veins. This is called "Sangye Zi" (Mulberry Leaf Exudate), also known as "Sangzhi" (Mulberry Fat). *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) records that the uses of mulberry leaves are very extensive, but it does not mention this substance.
Sangye Zi has a slightly cold nature and a bitter taste. If foreign bodies such as "Tiansi" (sky silk, referring to fine filaments or debris) enter the eye, it can be applied as eye drops for treatment.
*Shanhai Caohan* records: Applying Sangye Zi to the eyes can treat centipede bites.
[Treatment for Breast Abscess]
*Jiting* records: Take mulberry leaves regardless of whether they are first or second flush leaves. Pick half a segment, extracting three fen (approx. 1.5g) of the juice from the posterior half. Combine with eight qian (approx. 30g) of Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). Decoct in water until dry. Use only three fen of the resulting powder. Steam it once over rice, then expose it to night dew overnight. Apply to the affected area. Even if the skin is ulcerated down to the bone, it can promote wound contraction and healing.
[Xiaoshi Jie (Small Stone Boil)]
Xiaoshi Jie, now commonly referred to as "Zhama Ding" (Horse-tying Carbuncle). Qian Jun's empirical prescription states: Collect leaves from mulberry trees during the second silkworm rearing period. Extract the exudate, dilute with water, and apply to the lesion. It will heal.
[Resolution of Goiter and Tumors]
Qiuquan Secret Recipe: Use one qian (approx. 3.75g) of tadpoles. Wrap snake slough in mud and bake into powder, using three fen (approx. 1.5g). Mix with one qian of dried Gui Manto (Ghost Bun, likely a local plant/fungus exudate) and one qian of dried Sangye Zi. Add three fen each of Ruxiang (Frankincense) and Moyao (Myrrh), and one fen of Shexiang (Musk). Grind all into a fine powder. Knead into pills using rice paste. When ready to use, dissolve the pill with Gui Manto exudate. Apply to the affected area with a chicken feather. The tumor will disappear after one night.
[Sang You (Mulberry Oil)]
Wanshi Jiachao describes a method for extracting mulberry oil: Crush fresh mulberry wood, place it in a bottle, seal the mouth with a bottle cap, and bury the bottle upside down in the soil. Roast slowly with chaff fire. The oil will drip out naturally. Store in a jar for use.
[Jia Xiang (Agarwood/Kynam)]
The common name is Qinan (Kynam), while the elegant name is Qinan Zhan, Xiang Zhan, or Musuxiang. People in Guangdong also call Qinan "Zhan," where the names are the same but the aromas differ. In the aromatic terminology of Guangdong's maritime trade, Jiaxiang originates from various mountains along the sea. It forms when branches or trunks of agarwood trees have exposed pores. If the tree stands dead but the roots remain alive, its nature is warm. Large ants bore holes into these pores, and the residue of honeydew eaten by the ants accumulates inside. Over many years, the wood absorbs the essence of the honeydew, condensing into a hard, moist, and fragrant resin, forming Jiaxiang.
If the agarwood tree is still alive and the honeydew essence is not yet mature, it is called "Shengjie" (Raw Knot), which is of the highest grade. If the tree is dead but the roots remain, and the honeydew essence moistens the dead roots like maltose slices, it is called "Tangjie" (Sugar Knot), which is of secondary grade. If the time elapsed is short, and the wood and honeydew essences have not fully merged, with more woody character and less fragrance, it is called "Huban Jinsixie" (Tiger-stripe Gold-thread Knot), which is of a lower grade. If the color is green like a duck's head, it is named "Lujie" (Green Knot); it shows indentations when pinched which disappear upon release, can be rounded by pressure but returns to square when released, and sawdust clumps together. It is also called "Youjie" (Oil Knot), which is of the upper-middle grade.
Jiaxiang is originally of the same category as Chenxiang (Agarwood) but is distinguished by Yin and Yang. Some say Chenxiang is female; it tastes bitter and promotes flow, its fragrance is contained, becoming intensely fragrant only when burned, representing Yin body and Yang function. Jiaxiang is male; it tastes pungent and smells sweet, its fragrance erupts vigorously, and it has the property of obstructing urination and defecation, representing Yang body and Yin function. However, foreign Jiaxiang is considered superior. Agarwood from Champa (central Vietnam) has a very slight fragrance that lasts long without diminishing. Agarwood from Hainan (Qiongzhou) is called "Tujiaxiang" (Local Jiaxiang); its shape resembles Yousuxiang (Oily Fast Agarwood). Its fragrance is extremely intense when cut, but diminishes within months if touched by sweaty hands. It must be washed with clear spring water, coated with Suheliu (Styrax Oil), or stored in sugarcane hearts wrapped in Bai'e leaves, buried in soil for several months, and sun-dried briefly at noon before its aromatic soul recovers. Champa agarwood is quiet and enduring; Hainan agarwood is active and dissipates easily. Quiet fragrance moves through spirit; active fragrance moves through qi.
To store Jiaxiang, use a tin box with a perforated partition. Place honey below and Jiaxiang above, allowing the heat of incense burning to provide moisture. Nourish it with Jiaxiang powder; other powders do not work because only its own original scent can restore its soul. Even a tiny amount can recover its essence due to its high concentration of spirit and qi. Avoid water and excessive dryness. Store away from wind, mold, dampness, and earth, otherwise the aroma will dissipate.
*Bencao Chengya* states: Qinan and Chenxiang are of the same category. Because trees are divided into male and female, their Yin/Yang, form, quality, odor, and temperament differ. The basis of Chenxiang is female/Yin, so it tastes bitter and strong, promotes flow, contains its odor, becomes stronger when burned, represents Yin body and Yang function, storing essence to respond urgently. The basis of Qinan is male/Yang, so it tastes pungent and spicy, emits odor openly, restricts function, obstructs urination and defecation, represents Yang body and Yin function, guarding the exterior and maintaining solidity. Regarding products like Huangzhan categorized into four knot types totaling forty-two varieties (Chenxiang has forty-two varieties), although female types are more numerous than male, Qinan is uniquely prized as the most expensive. Even second-grade Huangzhan can be evaluated based on this. Chenxiang is typically yellow-ripe, penetrating deeply, light-colored, and loses scent easily. Qinan is also yellow-ripe but penetrates deeper, with dense texture and rich grain, appearing more mature than raw agarwood, far surpassing it. After prolonged heating, its lingering scent remains overpowering. Zhan refers to Qinan; those crossing the sea with heavy weight are called Jinsixie (Gold Thread). The four types—Shunjie (Ripe Knot), Shengjie (Raw Knot), Chonglou (Insect-bored Knot), and Tuoluo (Fallen Knot)—are collectively called Qinan knots, but distinctions exist among them: Youjie, Tangjie, Mijie, Lujie, and Jinsixie. They are classified as raw or ripe, bored or fallen, forming an orderly hierarchy. Generally, Chenxiang values quality, being fragrant throughout and sinking in water. Qinan, despite similar knot types, is extremely pungent and numbing to the tongue. Among the four knots, each embraces the wood, varying in color and appearance, distinctly different in manifestation.
Qinan is not recorded in ancient materia medica. Later generations used it mainly for sexual arts or for wearing, wrapping, and holding, valuing its rare scent. Its physical form and taste must be even more unique. Chenxiang functions through action and stillness; Qinan embodies action-stillness and behavior. Body contains function, function contains body, male-female and Yin-Yang interplay, allowing one to understand the sequence intuitively.
*Huanyou Biji* notes: Jiaxiang, also written as Qixiang, comes from mountains off the coast of eastern Guangdong, being the finest quality of agarwood. It is Huangxachen (Yellow Wax Agarwood). When agarwood branches have exposed pores, large ants bore into them. Ants eat honeydew and leave aromatic residues. Over years, the wood absorbs the honeydew essence, condensing into hard, moist, fragrant resin. As fragrance forms, the wood decays, killing surrounding vegetation. Shengjie is red and hard; Tangjie is black and soft. Hainan grass also produces Tujiaxiang, with white flesh and black spots. Now, people in Nanhai dig deep in mountains for Chen-su Jiaxiang. Where ant mounds are two or three feet high, digging reveals rare fragrance. Southern spices number in hundreds, but most are dry and hot; long-term burning causes hair loss and blood depletion. Only Jiaxiang has a gentle, fine aroma beneficial to health. Fan Shihu's *Guanghai Xiangzhi* omitted it, missing a poetic element in incense burners. Good quality is now rare.
*Chen Rang Haiwai Yishuo* states: Jiaxiang grows alongside Chenxiang. Chenxiang is hard, carving like scraping bamboo; Jiaxiang is soft, fingernail marks like scratching sand. It tastes spicy, has grease, sticks to teeth, and its qi rises. Thus, elders wear it to reduce urination. Top grade is Yinggelv (Oriole Song Green), colored like oriole feathers, very rare. Next is Lanhuajie (Orchid Knot), slightly green and black. Then Jinsixie (Gold Thread), slightly yellow. Then Tangjie (Sugar Knot), yellow. Lowest is Tiejie (Iron Knot), black and slightly hard. All have greasy textures. Craftsmen fake them using Jicimu, Jigu Xiang, Suxiang, and Yuntouxiang, soaked in Jiaxiang liquid and dust.
*Wuli Xiaoshi* states: Qinan and Chenxiang are same category, divided by Yin/Yang. Chenxiang is female, bitter, promoting flow, contained fragrance, intensifies when burned, Yin body/Yang function. Qinan is male, spicy causing numbness, sudden fragrance, obstructs urination/defecation, Yang body/Yin function. Varieties include Lujie, Youtang, Mijie, Jinsixie Huban. Sawdust clumps; imported goods are better.
*Dongxiyang Kao* states: Jiaozhi produces Qinan; fingernails penetrate it, leaving marks that close after removal. There is also Qinnan Essential Oil, true ones are rare. Modern fakes are made by soaking Qinan fragments in oil with wax, having slight scent.
Li Zeng's *Renshutang Biji* states: Kampuchea (Cambodia) is a vassal of Japan. The Big Dipper is not visible at night; people ride elephants. It produces Qinnan. Extraction method: Sacrifice animals, pray secretly for omens, enter dense forests. If tree tops sound like children talking, chop quickly and return; delay invites ghosts. Visit only once a year. First kings and three generals (read as Ma, military governors) wash and clean the best pieces. Keep the top tier.
Jin Lifu says: When Sheng Hou was Supervisor of Yuehai, he needed top-grade Jiaxiang for tribute. Ordered thirteen trading houses to buy overseas. After a year, no good quality found. Only old artifacts had Youjie, green, indented when pinched, closing slowly. Now rare overseas. Even Champa production, slight scent lasting long, hiding in winter cold, emitting in spring warmth, quiet and enduring, is Mijie. Smells sweet, tastes spicy, soft and light, top grade, now rare. Among Shunjie, Shengjie, Chonglou, Tuoluo, each embraces wood: You, Tang, Mi, Lv, Jinsixie. Shengjie is red/hard; Tangjie is black/soft, or yellow/black mixed, or black with white spots. Colors vary, traces distinct. Current Guangdong production, Dongguan's "Daughter Incense Citron," pale yellow, tender wood, non-greasy, coarse/porous, thin scent, loses scent if stored long, needs infusion, not precious, weak medicinal power, discernible by experts. Pungent/astringent, wearing it constricts urination/defecation, strengthens spleen/kidneys, closes essence/qi in decoctions, used in sexual arts to retain soul/spirit in collapse cases. Li Shizhen's *Gangmu* listed 35 aromatic woods, searched for rare essentials, yet omitted this. Why?
*Yaoxing Kao* states: Jiaxiang is pungent, directs qi downward, repels evil, treats wind-phlegm obstruction, spirit/demon attachment, opens orifices, awakens spirit, drives away evil wind. In Shixiang Fanhun Dan, paired with incense, pungent. Red/hard is best, then black/soft. Huban Jinsixie are inferior mixed wood.
Store Qinnan in tin boxes with honey and Suheliu, perforated partitions keep it moist. If dry, wrap in Bai'e leaves, bury in soil for months to recover.
*Renni Fa Wuli Xiaoshi* states: Paste of Tangjie powder applied to Huiyin (CV1) acupoint stops urination.