tan xiang

檀香·Lignum Santali Albi

Sandalwood

About tan xiang

Tan Xiang (檀香) is the heartwood of white sandalwood, recorded as Lignum Santali Albi. It is acrid and aromatic in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that regulate Qi.

Names

Pinyintan xiang
Chinese檀香
Latin NameLignum Santali Albi
English NameSandalwood
Japanesedanko
Koreandanhyang

Classification

Category
Regulate Qi
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Flavour
Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature
Warm
Family
santalaceae
Species
santalum album
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Moves Qi, harmonises the Middle Jiao and Stomach, and relieves pain

  • Chest and abdominal pain from Qi stagnation
  • Epigastric and abdominal pain with belching, hiccups, poor appetite and nausea rising into the chest and throat
  • Vomiting of clear fluid

Disperses Cold, aids digestion and relieves pain

  • Stomach Cold
  • Cold-type pain of the abdomen and epigastrium
  • Tight, constricting chest pain with a sense of oppression and laboured breathing

Removes Blood stasis

  • Blood stasis

Used for coronary artery disease

  • Coronary artery disease

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 1-5g; Tincture: 0.25-2ml; Essential Oil: 8-12 drops in water1-5 g0.25-2 ml

Cautions