Chen Xiang - 沉香 - Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum |
| Common English: | Aloeswood Aquilaria Wood Eaglewood |
Category
Herbs that Regulate QiProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Bitter Aromatic | Warm | Kidney Spleen Stomach (Lung) | 1-4g (add near the end) Tincture: 1-2ml 1-1.5g (powder); add near the end in decoction (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Promotes movement of Qi and alleviates pain | Qi Stagnation, with distention, pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest, epigastric or abdominal region Especially useful for Deficiency Cold or Blood Stagnation |
Descends Qi, regulates the Middle, dispels Cold, warms the Spleen and Stomach and stops vomiting | Rebellious Qi wheezing from either Excess or Deficiency Vomiting, belching or hiccup due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold |
Warms the Kidneys and aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi | Asthma and wheezing due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Rx. Linderae | Cx. Cinnamomi | Fr. Foeniculi |
Lower abdominal pain, especially with lower abdominal Cold and tension. Stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm with wheezing, distention and anorexia. | Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold with epigastric, abdominal and hypochondriac Cold pain. | Cold hernial disorders. |
| Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata | Rx. Aucklandiae | Rx. Aucklandiae |
Intensely cold limbs from diminished Ming Men Fire. | Relieves pain. Retention of urine or excessively repressed sexual activity leading to urinary difficulty, especially when diuretics have been unsuccessful. Rebellious Middle Jiao Qi with belching, hiccup, nausea and vomiting, epigastric and abdominal distention, a stifling sensation in the epigastrium and diarrhea. | Constipation due to Liver Qi Stagnation. |
| Fol. Perillae | Sm. Raphani | Fr. Psoraliae |
Hiccups and vomiting due to Stomach Cold or Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach. Nausea and discomfort associated with morning sickness. | Rebellious Qi and wheezing due to either Qi Obstruction in the Lungs or an inability of the Kidneys to grasp Qi. | Wheezing due to Deficiency Cold of the Lower Jiao. |
Fr. Perillae | Fr. Psoraliae | Hb. Cistanches |
Wheezing due to Phlegm Excess above with Deficiency below. | Premature ejaculation due to Cold Jing. | Constipation due to Qi Deficiency. |
Rx. Linderae | Cx. Cinnamomi | Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata |
Chest and abdominal distention and pain due to Accumulation of Cold. | Epigastric, hypochondriac and/or abdominal fullness and pain with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold. | Extreme coldness of the limbs with abdominal and umbilical pain due to Insufficiency of Ming Men Fire. |
Flos Caryophylli | Fr. Psoraliae | |
Nausea and vomiting. | Difficult inhalation due to Deficiency Cold of the Kidneys. |
Notes
- In psychiatric diseases it is used as incense.
- Its most common use is for pain from Stagnant Qi and/or Blood affecting the Spleen/Stomach, Intestines and Heart.
- It is beneficial for stagnant Lung Qi.
- This herb is described as warm without being Dry, and flowing rather than astringing.
- It is further said to tonify the Spleen, act on the Kidney and return pathogenic Fire to its source.
- Reports indicate that it inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
- Reportedly, it regulates the Middle Jiao, invigorates the five Zang, replenishes Jing, reinforces Yang, removes pathogenic Wind and resolves abdominal masses.
- Its ascending, descending, dispersing and invigorating functions are also described as very powerful.
- Being antibacterial, it treats typhoid fever and dysentery.
- It is said to cure every type of itching.
- Do not boil it; instead, steep it in herbs that have already been boiled
- Lignum Aquilariae Chen Xiang and Cx. Cinnamomi Cassiae Rou Gui are both effective for lower abdominal pain caused by Qi and Blood Stagnation from Deficiency Cold. Chen Xiang is better at regulating Qi, while Rou Gui is better at warming Yang.
- Chen Xiang and Rx. Linderae Wu Yao both warm the Spleen, mobilize the Qi, disperse Cold and treat distention and fullness of the chest and abdomen with wheezing from rebellious Qi. Chen Xiang is bitter, draining and descending, helps the Kidneys Grasp Qi, and is warmer than Wu Yao. Wu Yao, by contrast, has a mobile quality that reaches everywhere and suits any rebellious disorder, such as Cold in the San Jiao, Qi Blockage or congealed Blood due to Cold.
- Medicated Leaven of Lignum Aquilariae Chen Xiang Qu is Bitter and Warm and enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung meridians; it expels Wind, eliminates Dampness and strengthens the Spleen. It is used for Wind-Cold, vomiting, diarrhea and stomachache. The dosage is 9g, and it is contraindicated during pregnancy and in Internal Heat due to Yin Deficiency.
From Class
- Incense: A Wei (asafoetida), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Tan Xiang (sandalwood), Chen Xiang: Ritual incense with eight candles (bagua): A Wei and Xuan Shen 'the mysterious root' invoke the spirit; sandalwood or aquilaria draws from heaven. (Yuen)
- Chen Xiang (Aquilaria, agarwood): Burned for self-awareness, letting go of what defines you; some can't stand it because it provokes change. (Yuen)