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Cura x Cura

Mu Xiang木香

Aucklandiae Radix · Costus Root · Aucklandia Root

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药《神农本草经》

Overview

The dried root of aucklandia, heavy with aromatic oil and identifiable in a dispensary by smell alone. Acrid, bitter and warm, it is the reference herb for moving qi in the middle and lower abdomen — distension, griping pain, the urgent unproductive straining of dysenteric disorders. Because it also keeps rich tonics from clogging the digestion, small amounts are added to tonifying formulas for that reason alone. Its action lives in the volatile oil, so it goes into a decoction near the end rather than being boiled from the start.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Large Intestine · Gallbladder · San Jiao

Typical Dosage

1.5–6 g in decoction
木香Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Moves qi, stops painEpigastric and abdominal distension and pain, belching and poor appetite where qi is stuck.
  • Regulates the intestinesGriping and tenesmus in dysenteric disorders; the roasted root is preferred when diarrhea rather than distension is the problem.
  • Keeps tonics movingAdded in small doses to rich tonifying formulas so that they do not cause fullness and stagnation.
  • Courses the Liver and GallbladderFlank pain and the discomfort of stalled bile.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Mu Xiang

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Abdominal and epigastric distension with pain
    - Poor appetite and fullness after eating
    - Griping and tenesmus in dysenteric disorders
    - Flank pain and biliary discomfort

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Irritable bowel syndromeFunctional dyspepsiaColitisBiliary colic

Contraindications

Cautions

Aromatic, warm and drying, so it consumes fluids: it is used carefully — or with moistening partners — where there is yin deficiency, blood dryness or clear heat signs. Boiling it long destroys what makes it work, so it is added at the end of cooking.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.