Mu Xiang - 木香 - Radix Aucklandiae - Saussurea
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Aucklandiae |
| Common English: | Aucklandia Costus Root Saussurea Wood Aromatic Root |
Category
Herbs that Regulate QiProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Bitter | Warm | Gallbladder Large Intestine Spleen Stomach San Jiao (Lung) | 1.5-10g Tincture:1-4ml Add during the last 5 minutes of cooking. 3-9g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain | Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with anorexia, a feeling of food sitting in the Stomach, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea and vomiting Liver or Gallbladder Qi Stagnation with flank pain, distention or soreness |
Adjusts and regulates stagnant Qi in the Intestines | Intestinal Qi Stagnation with diarrhea or dysenteric disorders, abdominal pain and tenesmus |
Strengthens the Spleen and prevents Stagnation | Stagnation from tonic herbs, especially when the transportive and transformative functions of the Spleen are weak Food Stagnation |
Dispels Damp-Heat and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen | Disharmony of the Liver and Spleen with hypochondriac pain and distention, a bitter taste in the mouth, a yellow tongue coat and possibly jaundice |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Fr. Aurantii | Fr. Amomi | Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
Epigastric and abdominal pain and distention due to Qi Stagnation. | Distention, epigastric and abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery or tenesmus due to Qi Obstruction and/or Food Stagnation. | Anorexia with epigastric and abdominal pain and distention. |
| Rx. Bupleuri Or Rx. Bupleuri | Per. Citri Reticulatae Viride | Per. Arecae |
Damp-Heat causing flank pain and distention and a bitter taste in the mouth. | Abdominal pain, distention and belching. | Descends Qi and guides out Stagnation. |
| Sm. Arecae | Rz. Coptidis | Fr. Amomi |
Epigastric and abdominal fullness, distention, and pain with constipation. Red and white dysenteric diarrhea due to Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines transforming into Damp-Heat. | Dysentery and diarrhea, especially when accompanied by tenesmus and abdominal distention and discomfort. | Anorexia and abdominal distention and fullness which improves with warmth applied locally. |
Sm. Arecae | Rz. Coptidis | Rx. Paeoniae Alba |
Qi Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines due to Food Stagnation with abdominal distention and fullness, anorexia, aversion to the smell of food, nausea without the ability to vomit and an uncomfortable urge to defecate which is often unsuccessful. Intestinal parasites with a pressing pain around the umbilicus and intermittent focal distention in the abdomen. Relieves tenesmus and the passage of mucus in dysenteric disorders. | Damp-Heat diarrhea. | Diarrhea with profuse pus and Blood. |
Cx. Phellodendri | Sm. Coicis | Sm. Arecae |
Dysentery with severe Heat. | Dysentery with severe Dampness. | Food Stagnation, Qi Stagnation, diarrhea and tenesmus due to Damp-Heat. |
Rx. Linderae | Rx. et Rz. Rhei | |
Lower abdominal Coldness and pain. | Damp-Heat Accumulation. |
Notes
- Its slightly astringent nature makes this a common herb for tenesmus.
- Its main use is for severe Qi disturbance accompanied by pain, digestive upset, or bloating with diarrhea.
- With its strong antiseptic properties, it is used for vaginal and bronchial infections.
- Applied topically, the essential oils serve as an antiseptic.
- It moves Qi throughout all three Jiaos.
- It relieves every type of pain (Stagnation, Cold, Heat, Excess and Deficiency).
- Upper abdominal and periumbilical pain respond especially well to it.
- It works well for stagnant Qi in the chest and abdomen accompanied by diarrhea.
- It has been used with success in treating asthma.
- The herb is also described as aromatic and drying.
- Its indications include chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea (baked), anorexia, cold epigastric pain and peptic ulcers.
- According to some sources, this herb warms the Center and harmonizes the Stomach.
- Mu Xiang and Rz. Cyperi Xiang Fu are both bitter and acrid; both promote the flow of Qi, relieve pain and, most importantly, enter the San Jiao channel. Mu Xiang moves clumped Qi in the Stomach and Intestine channels and reduces Food Stagnation, so it is used for epigastric fullness, abdominal distention and diarrhea. Xiang Fu dredges and disperses Qi Stagnation in the Stomach and Liver, excelling at relieving Liver Qi Stagnation, regulating menstruation and stopping pain. Its uses include emotional constraint, distending pain in the ribs and flanks, and irregular menstruation.
- Baked Aucklandia Wei Mu Xiang contains less oil and has a weaker acrid, dispersing quality. Its drying, inhibiting action awakens the Spleen and halts diarrhea, and it can be given to those with Spleen Yin Deficiency.
- Rx. Vladimiriae Chuan Mu Xiang has similar but weaker effects.
From Class
- Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Strong for liver-qi stagnation and drying dampness, but overly drying in yin deficiency — avoid Chai Hu formulas then. (Lewis)
- Spleen-strengthening herbs: Mu Xiang/Sha Ren, Lian Zi, Fu Ling: Materia medica differentiates herbs that strengthen the Spleen — e.g., Sha Ren, lotus seed (Lian Zi), Fu Ling — the root (ben) treatment of phlegm. (Yuen)
- Xiang Fu / Mu Xiang / Chen Pi: Harmonizing qi movers that don't dry as much — alternatives to Chai Hu when yin deficient. (Lewis)
- Mu Xiang (Saussurea/Aucklandia): For those who died unprepared (accidents, martyrs, suicide): 'fragrance of wood', planting new growth; historically used to treat ghosts — keeps the deceased from becoming a ghost/attached. (Yuen)