Pinyin: Songxiang
Aliases
Songzhi, Bai songxiang, Songzhixiang.
Source
The solid resin remaining after the oil resin exuded from certain plants of the Pinaceae family, genus Pinus, has been distilled or extracted to remove the volatile oil.
Harvesting and Processing
Select pine trees with a diameter of 20-50 cm, cut an opening on the trunk at a height of 2 m above the ground; before cutting, scrape off the rough bark without damaging the xylem, with the scraped area measuring 50-60 cm in length and 25-40 cm in width; in the center of the scraped area, cut a central groove 35-50 cm long, 1-1.3 cm wide, and 1-1.2 cm deep into the xylem; install a resin collector at the base of the central groove, then cut another pair of lateral grooves from the central groove to continuously collect the oleoresin. Harvesting is best at 30-35°C, i.e., from May to October south of the Yangtze River, and from June to September in North and Northeast China; heat the collected pine oleoresin with water, filter out impurities, and perform steam distillation; separate and remove water from the distillate to obtain turpentine oil. The residue left after distillation is allowed to cool and solidify, which is rosin.
Medicinal Properties
This product appears as transparent or semi-transparent irregular lumps of varying sizes, with colors ranging from light yellow to dark brown. At room temperature, the texture is relatively brittle, with a smooth fractured surface exhibiting a glassy luster and a faint odor. When heated, it first softens, then melts, and upon burning, produces a thick yellow-brown smoke.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains abietic anhydride and abietic acid.α1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.β- α-pinene, L-camphene, dipentene, quercetin, and kaempferol components.
Pharmacology
Has inhibitory effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and also exhibits antitussive, expectorant, and blood pressure-lowering effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, sweet, warm; enters the Liver and Spleen channels.
Functions and Indications
Expels Wind, dries Dampness, discharges pus, draws out toxins, generates tissue, and alleviates pain. Indicated for: abscesses and malignant sores, scrofula, fistulas, scabies and tinea, white scalp ringworm, leprosy, Bi (obstruction) syndrome, incised wounds, sprains, leukorrhea in women, and thromboangiitis obliterans.
Dosage and Administration
External application: appropriate amount, ground into powder for dry application; or mixed for topical application. Internal use: decoct in water, 3-5 g; or made into pills or powder, also can be soaked in wine for consumption.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in those with Blood deficiency or internal Heat with Excess Fire. Should not be taken long-term. Do not take without strict processing.
Prescriptions
1. For neurodermatitis: Songxiang (pine resin) and lard in appropriate amounts, cook into a paste. Apply to the affected area several times daily. (Guangxi *New Herbal Medicine Prescription Collection*) 2. For infantile eczema: Songxiang 200 g, calcined gypsum 10 g, dried alum 10 g, realgar 3 g, borneol 2 g. Grind together into a fine powder, add 55 g of Vaseline, and mix into an ointment. Clean the affected area with hydrogen peroxide solution first, then apply the ointment, cover with gauze, and change every other day. (*National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine*) 3. For pediatric tinea capitis (white bald sore): Refined Songxiang (pine resin) and lead oxide each 15 g, calomel 9 g. Grind together into a fine powder, mix with tea seed oil to apply; first wash the area with rice-washing water, then apply the medicine once daily. (*Jianji Fang*) 4. For women with leukorrhea: Songxiang 150 g, wine 2 liters. Boil until dry, grind finely in a wooden mortar, form into pills with wine and flour paste, the size of wutong seeds (approximately 5 mm). Take 100 pills each time with warm wine. (*Zhaixuan Fang*) 5. For infantile tight lips: Roast Songxiang (pine resin) and apply it directly to the lips. (*Shenghui Fang*)
