Pinyin: Fengxiangzhi
Aliases
Bai Jiaoxiang, Feng Zhi, Jiao Xiang
Source
Plant of the family Hamamelidaceae, *Liquidambar formosana* Hance.Liquidambar formosanaDried resin of Hance.
Botanical Description
See the entry under "Lulutong".
Harvesting and Processing
Select trees that have been growing for more than 20 years with thick and robust trunks. In July to August, chisel open the bark, creating staggered holes every 15-20 cm starting from the tree base. Collect the resin that flows out from October to April of the following year. Dry in the sun or allow to air-dry naturally.
Medicinal Properties
This product appears in irregular lumps or roundish granules, varying in size, with a diameter of 0.5-1 cm, and a few can reach 3 cm. The surface is pale yellow to yellowish-brown, translucent or opaque. It is brittle and easily broken, with a glassy luster on the broken surface. It has a clear, fragrant odor, which becomes stronger upon burning, and a bland taste.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains ambronic acid, ambrolic acid, ambradiolic acid, liquidambaric acid, liquidambronic acid, liquidambrodiolic acid, and liquidambranovic acid.
Pharmacology
Has antithrombotic effects, promotes fibrinolytic activity and increases platelet cAMP, and also has hemostatic effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Acrid, bitter, and neutral. Enters the Spleen, Lung, and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Activates blood circulation and alleviates pain, resolves toxicity and generates muscle tissue, cools blood and stops bleeding. Used for traumatic injuries from falls and contusions, abscesses and swelling pain, hematemesis, epistaxis, and external wound bleeding.
Dosage and Administration
External use: appropriate amount, ground into powder and sprinkle or mix for application, or make into plaster for spreading; it can also be made into fumigation smoke. Internal use: decoct in water, 3-6 g; generally used in pill or powder form.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Prescriptions
1. For chronic leg ulcers: Bai Jiaoxiang 30 g, Huangbai 30 g, soft Shigao 30 g, Qingdai 15 g, Longgu 15 g, grind together into fine powder, mix with sesame oil and apply topically. (Zhengzhi Zhunsheng) 2. For chancre (genital sores): transparent Bai Jiaoxiang ground into powder, add a small amount of Qingfen and Shexiang, mix with oil and apply topically. (Xiuzhen Fang) 3. For pediatric scabies and tinea: Bai Jiaoxiang, Huangbai, Qingfen. Grind the above ingredients into fine powder, mix with sheep bone marrow and apply to the affected area. (Rumen Shiqin) 4. For severed tendons from metal wounds: Fengxiang (resin) powder, apply topically. (Daiyi Dexiao Fang) 5. For incessant vomiting of blood: Bai Jiaoxiang in any amount, finely grind into powder, take 6 g per dose, mix with freshly drawn water and swallow. (Jianyao Jizhong Fang) 6. For consumptive disease with incessant hemoptysis: Fengxiang resin in any amount, finely grind into powder. Take 3 g per dose, decoct Renshen in glutinous rice water and mix in, take at any time. (Shengji Zonglu, Dusheng San) 7. For epistaxis (nosebleed): Gefen and Bai Jiaoxiang in equal parts. Mix with good quality Songyan ink juice and take orally. (Baiyi Xuanfang)
