huo xiang

藿香

About huo xiang

Huo Xiang (藿香) is a plant of the mint family, acrid and aromatic in flavour and slightly warm, entering the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the aromatic herbs that transform Damp. The name covers two plants, and the catalogue enters each of them separately as Guang Huo Xiang and Tu Huo Xiang.

Names

Pinyinhuo xiang
Chinese藿香

Classification

Channels
Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Flavour
Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature
Slightly Warm
Family
Labiatae
Species
Posostemon Cablin
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Aromatically transforms Damp, releases the Exterior and expels Summerheat

  • Turbid Damp blocking the Middle Jiao
  • Summerheat with Damp
  • Damp-Warm illness
  • Wind-Damp
  • Summer-Damp lodged in the Spleen and Stomach: a full, distended epigastrium and abdomen, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a greasy tongue coat, often with mild chills from the Exterior

Harmonises the Middle Jiao, awakens the Spleen and stops vomiting

  • Nausea or vomiting when Damp obstructs the Middle Jiao
  • Vomiting of other kinds, including morning sickness, in suitable combinations

Treats skin disorders and fungal infection

  • Skin conditions and fungal infections of the hands or feet, applied topically

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-10g; Double when fresh; Tincture: 2-4ml3-10 g2-4 ml

Cautions