Su He Xiang (苏合香) is storax, the balsam of a liquidambar tree, recorded as Styrax. It is sweet and acrid in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Heart and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the aromatic substances that open the orifices.

Pinyin

su he xiang

Chinese

苏合香

Latin Name

Styrax

English Name

Resin Of Rose Maloes·storax

Japanese

sogoko

Korean

sohaphyang

Actions and indications

Opens the Orifices, revives the Spirit and penetrates turbidity

Closed disorders, especially Cold ones: abrupt collapse or unconsciousness when Wind-stroke of Cold type, or Phlegm clouding the Heart, blocks awareness
Phlegm collapse
Epidemic toxic diseases

Warms and disperses Cold, opens stagnation, moves Qi, clears turbidity and relieves pain

Cold or Phlegm stagnation with a stifling chest, Cold fullness, and pain of the chest, epigastrium or abdomen
Coronary artery disease and angina-type chest pain
Biliary colic
Chilblains, applied topically

Combinations

she xiang + ding xiang + an xi xiang

Sudden unconsciousness or coma, chest pain, convulsions in infants, or seizures, particularly where Phlegm and Qi are obstructed

bing pian + ru xiang + tan xiang + qīng mù xiāng

Angina pectoris

she xiang

Restores consciousness in closed-type Wind-Stroke or Phlegm collapse; cramping and spasm of the channels from the miasmic Damp Qi of mountain mists

she xiang + bing pian + zhu sha

Closed disorders of the Cold type, or sudden loss of consciousness

chen xiang + tan xiang + xiang fu + ding xiang

Chest and abdominal pain

an xi xiang

Pierces the turbidity surrounding the Orifices to open closed disorders and bring back consciousness

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 0.3-3g; Tincture: 0.2-1.5ml

0.3-3 g

—

0.2-1.5 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication High fever with coma, or any closed disorder of Heat type

contraindication Spontaneous sweating

contraindication Collapse, including Yang desertion with pouring sweat

contraindication Yin deficiency

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy

caution Meant for short-term or emergency use under a qualified practitioner who has distinguished Cold from Heat collapse, not for ongoing therapy

su he xiang

About su he xiang

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Opens the Orifices, revives the Spirit and penetrates turbidity

Warms and disperses Cold, opens stagnation, moves Qi, clears turbidity and relieves pain

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions