法苑珠林 36.84

36.84

Frankincense (xunluxiang). The Weilüe states: 'Da Qin produces frankincense.' The Nanfang caowu zhuang states: 'Frankincense comes from the state of Da Qin. It is said that by the seashore, large trees naturally grow in the sand. At the height of summer, the tree resin flows out onto the sand. The barbarians collect it and sell it to others.' (The Nanzhou yiwu zhi says the same, differing only in saying: 'Its form is like peach resin.' The Dianshu says the same, differing only in saying: 'Taken according to the method for consuming pine resin over a long period, it enables communication with divine spirits.') The letters of Yu Yiqi state: 'All the various fragrances share a single tree; the tree resin is frankincense.'