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Ru Xiang乳香

Olibanum · Frankincense · Olibanum

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood 活血化瘀药《名医别录》

Overview

Frankincense: the fragrant resin of Boswellia trees, used in Chinese medicine as a blood-moving analgesic. Acrid, bitter and warm, it moves both blood and qi through the channels, and it is almost always paired with Mo Yao — the pair being the standard answer to traumatic injury, fixed stabbing pain and painful obstruction. Applied externally it reduces swelling and helps a wound close.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Heart · Liver · Spleen

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
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Actions

3 core actions

  • Invigorates blood, relieves painTraumatic injury and bruising, fixed stabbing pain, dysmenorrhea, epigastric and abdominal pain from stasis.
  • Moves qi, relaxes the sinewsPainful obstruction with stiffness and restricted movement of the limbs.
  • Reduces swelling, generates fleshSores, abscesses and slow-healing wounds, mostly applied externally.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ru Xiang

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Trauma, bruising and sports injury
    - Fixed stabbing pain, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain from stasis
    - Painful obstruction with stiff, restricted limbs
    - Sores and slow-healing wounds (topical)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Sports injuryArthritis painDysmenorrheaWound healing

Contraindications

Cautions

The resin is hard on the stomach — nausea and vomiting are the usual complaint — so it is normally used processed, in modest doses and after food, and avoided where the Spleen and Stomach are weak. Applied to the skin it can cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to resins or fragrance materials. As a strongly blood-invigorating herb it should be discussed with the prescriber by anyone taking an anticoagulant such as warfarin, and it is not used where bleeding is active, or on a sore that has already ulcerated and discharged.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it strongly invigorates the blood.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(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.