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Cura x Cura

Qing Mu Xiang青木香

Aristolochiae Radix · Aristolochia Root · Slender Dutchman's Pipe Root

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药《新修本草》

Overview

Withdrawn — this entry is a record of the classical materia medica, not a treatment option. Qing Mu Xiang is the root of Aristolochia debilis, and it contains aristolochic acid, which causes irreversible kidney failure and urothelial cancer. China's drug regulator cancelled its national drug standard in 2004, and it does not appear in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is not dispensed, not compounded and not substituted into old prescriptions. Where a historical formula calls for it, modern practice replaces it with Mu Xiang 木香 (Aucklandiae Radix) for the qi-moving and pain-relieving role, or Tu Mu Xiang 土木香 (Inulae Radix) where the aromatic bitter Stomach action was intended.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Cold

Channels

Liver · Stomach

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
青木香Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Historical record — moved qi and stopped painThe classical literature used it for distending epigastric and abdominal pain and for hypochondriac pain of Liver-Stomach disharmony. Modern practice uses Mu Xiang 木香 or Tu Mu Xiang 土木香 for these presentations instead.
  • Historical record — resolved toxicity, reduced swellingRecorded for sores, snakebite and swollen painful throat. Not used today; heat-clearing, toxin-resolving herbs without aristolochic acid cover this ground.
  • Why it was withdrawnAristolochic acid is nephrotoxic and a proven human carcinogen. Injury can follow relatively short exposure, is not dose-recoverable, and may present years later as kidney failure or urothelial carcinoma. There is no safe preparation method, processing step or dose.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Qing Mu Xiang

Indications & Clinical Uses

No current indications. The historical indications above are listed so that a practitioner reading an old formula recognises the herb and knows to substitute it.

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Aristolochic acid nephropathyWithdrawn herbal drugUrothelial carcinomaHerb safety

Contraindications

Cautions

Banned material. Do not use, dispense, import or substitute. The root contains aristolochic acid, an established nephrotoxin and human carcinogen (IARC Group 1). China cancelled the national drug standard for Qing Mu Xiang in 2004, and many other jurisdictions prohibit aristolochic-acid-containing botanicals outright. Related material carries the same risk and the same prohibition: (Aristolochiae manshuriensis Caulis), (Aristolochiae fangchi Radix), Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochiae Fructus), Tian Xian Teng (Aristolochiae Herba) and (Aristolochiae mollissimae Herba). Name confusion is itself a hazard — Qing Mu Xiang, Mu Xiang 木香 and Tu Mu Xiang 土木香 are three different plants, and only the last two are usable. If a patient reports taking any aristolochia product, kidney function should be assessed by a physician.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Absolutely contraindicated — as it is for everyone. This herb is not used at all.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 国家食品药品监督管理局: 取消青木香药用标准的公告 (2004).
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》(2020 edition) — not listed.
    3. IARC Monographs vol. 100A — aristolochic acid, Group 1 human carcinogen.
    4. 《中药学》(新世纪第二版), chapter on herbs that regulate the qi.

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.