Aromatic Medicines in Ancient Texts: From Bencao Gangmu to Xiang Cheng

Aromatic medicines in ancient texts serve both as drugs and incense materials. This article compares the records of agarwood and other aromatics in Bencao Gangmu and Xiang Cheng, revealing their dual medicinal and aromatic value, and offers key points for identification and use.

1. Bencao Gangmu: Medicinal Priority with Aromatic Notes

Li Shizhen's Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) disperses aromatic medicines across the wood and herb sections, detailing the nature, flavor, and meridian tropism of agarwood, sandalwood, borneol, and others. For agarwood, it records its “acrid, slightly warm, non-toxic” property and indications such as dispelling wind-dampness, removing foul qi, and tonifying the five viscera, emphasizing its medicinal effects of regulating qi, relieving pain, and warming the middle. Li also noted the aromatic nature of these medicines, citing predecessors on their use in eliminating turbidity. This approach reflects the historical fact that aromatic medicines entered the materia medica primarily as drugs before the Ming dynasty. For a deeper look at the medicinal history of agarwood, see the Agarwood Encyclopedia.

2. Xiang Cheng: A Comprehensive Incense System

Zhou Jiazhou's Xiang Cheng (Incense Compendium) of the Ming dynasty is a monumental work of ancient incense studies, systematically covering the origins, processing, blending, and lore of aromatic medicines. Unlike Bencao Gangmu's focus on efficacy, Xiang Cheng approaches aromatics from the perspective of incense use, embedding them in formulas, rituals, and implements. It details the quality of agarwood by origin, processing methods, and numerous blending formulas, highlighting the multifaceted roles of aromatics in sacrifice, fumigation, and daily life. Zhou also stressed authenticity in identification, opposing adulteration. For further study of ancient incense literature, see the special topic Chinese Incense Studies · Agarwood Identification.

3. From Medicine to Incense: Modern Insights into Dual Value

Bencao Gangmu and Xiang Cheng represent two threads—medicinal and aromatic—that are not separate but extensions of the same substance in different contexts. In modern incense studies, aromatic medicines such as agarwood are used in aromatherapy and holistic wellbeing while remaining important in traditional Chinese medicine. Understanding ancient records helps us identify authentic materials and use them appropriately. For example, Xiang Cheng's notes on “insect-bored” and “fallen” agarwood provide historical references for morphological identification in the modern Identification Pillar Page. Kyara, a special category of agarwood, is also sporadically recorded in ancient texts and can be cross-referenced with the Kyara Pillar Page.

4. Key Takeaways

Bencao Gangmu integrates incense into medicine, establishing the medicinal status of aromatics; Xiang Cheng gathers medicines into incense, building a comprehensive incense system. Together they present the dual value of aromatic medicines in Chinese culture. When reading ancient texts, combine modern identification knowledge with incense practice to avoid literal misinterpretation. The use of aromatic medicines lies in seeking truth, reasonableness, and moderation.

(This is industry observation and popular-science summary, not investment advice. Buy agarwood through legal channels with traceable, testable sources.)