Ru Xiang (乳香) is frankincense, the resin of a boswellia tree, recorded as Olibanum. It is acrid and bitter in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Heart, Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that invigorate the Blood.

Pinyin

ru xiang

Chinese

乳香

Latin Name

Olibanum

English Name

boswellin·Frankincense·frankincense; boswellin; libanotus; libanus; mastix·libanotus·libanus·mastix

Japanese

nyuko

Korean

yuhyang

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood and moves Qi

Pain from Blood stasis after traumatic injury
Toxic sores, carbuncles and painful swellings in their early stage
Chest, epigastric or abdominal pain from Blood stasis
Amenorrhea and painful periods

Relaxes the sinews, opens the channels and relieves pain

Wind-Damp Bi with stiffness and spasm

Reduces swelling and generates flesh (topical)

Applied as an ointment or powder to ease swelling and pain and help sores, ulcers, carbuncles and injuries heal
Painful, red, swollen gums, mouth or throat

Combinations

mo yao

Pain from traumatic injury. Blood Stasis blocking the channels, with pain in the epigastrium, flanks, abdomen and joints. Menstrual abdominal pain. Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with numbness of the whole body and limbs that do not respond. Chronic ulcerated sores that fail to heal. Skin lesions and ulcers, as a topical powder

mo yao + xiong huang + she xiang

Carbuncles and ulcers that have not opened. Chronic wounds and ulcers that fail to heal, applied topically

she xiang + bing pian

Pain from trauma.

chuan lian zi + mu xiang + xiang fu

Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis with epigastric and stomach pain

hong teng + zi hua di ding

Intestinal abscess where Heat and Blood Stagnation clog the Intestines

qiang huo + qin jiao

Joint pain from Wind-Cold-Damp Bi

di long + zhi chuan wu

Wind-Stroke with rigidity and spasms; Wind-Damp-Cold Bi