Formula Formulas that warm and open sensory orifices

Su He Xiang Wan

苏合香丸

Also known as:

Liquid Styrax Pill

Formula Composition

Su He Xiang
Su He Xiang
She Xiang
She Xiang
Bing Pian
Bing Pian
An Xi Xiang
An Xi Xiang
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Tan Xiang
Tan Xiang
Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang
Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang
Ding Xiang
Ding Xiang
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Bi Ba
Bi Ba
Shui Niu Jiao
Shui Niu Jiao
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
He Zi
He Zi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices
  2. Promotes the movement of Qi
  3. Transforms turbidity

Patterns Treated

Phlegm Misting the Heart

Historical Origin

Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library (752 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Su He Xiang Wan

Main Actions

Warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices
Promotes the movement of Qi
Transforms turbidity

Key TCM Concepts

Su He Xiang Wan is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Styrax (Su He Xiang), Musk (She Xiang), Borneol (Bing Pian) and Benzoin (An Xi Xiang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 752 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and open sensory orifices. Its main actions are: 1) warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices and 2) promotes the movement of Qi.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Su He Xiang Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm Misting the Heart. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as cerebrovascular accident, encephalitis or hysteria for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm Misting the Heart

Common Applications

Cerebrovascular accident Encephalitis Hysteria Epilepsy Hepatic coma Postconcussion syndrome Angina pectoris Allergic rhinitis

Ingredients in Su He Xiang Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Su He Xiang Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Su He Xiang
Su He Xiang

Styrax

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart
Parts Used The dried resin
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Su He Xiang aromatically opens the sensory orifices, dispels Cold, regulates Qi, penetrates through and transforms turbidity. It is powerful in treating Wind and Phlegm affecting the head. The strong, aromatic properties of the key and deputy ingredients release and eliminate the Qi and Blood Stagnation.
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She Xiang
She Xiang

Musk

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Musk gland of the deer
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
She Xiang break up turbidity, open the sensory orifices, as well as unblock the channels and collaterals throughout the body. It is powerful in treating Wind and Phlegm affecting the head.
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Bing Pian
Bing Pian

Borneol

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Organic compound obtained from plant extracts
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Bing Pian break up turbidity, open the sensory orifices, as well as unblock the channels and collaterals throughout the body. It is powerful in treating Wind and Phlegm affecting the head.
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An Xi Xiang
An Xi Xiang

Benzoin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used The dried resin
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
An Xi Xiang penetrates through the turbidity surrounding the sensory orifices, opens closed disorders and restores consciousness. It is powerful in treating Wind and Phlegm affecting the head.
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Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Tu Si Zi is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity.
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Tan Xiang
Tan Xiang

Sandalwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lungs
Parts Used The wood
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Tan Xiang is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity. It is specifically treats both chest and abdominal pain as well as sudden turmoil disorder. The strong, aromatic properties of the key and deputy ingredients release and eliminate the Qi and Blood Stagnation.
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Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang

Agarwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Wood shavings
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Chen Xiang is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity.
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Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang

Frankincense

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used An aromatic resin obtained from boswellia trees
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Ru Xiang is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity. Therefore this herb helps alleviate pain.
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Ding Xiang
Ding Xiang

Cloves

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried flower bud
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Ding Xiang is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Xiang Fu is acrid, dispersing, warm, and moving in nature. It promotes the Qi movement, directs Rebellious Qi downward, removes Stagnation, dispels Cold, and transforms turbidity.
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Bi Ba
Bi Ba

Long peppers

Temperature Hot
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried nearly ripe fruit-spike
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Bi Ba reinforces the actions of warming the Middle Burner, dispelling Cold, arresting pain, and opening up areas of Stagnation.
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Shui Niu Jiao
Shui Niu Jiao

Water buffalo horns

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used The horn, as a powder or as thin scrapes
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
Shui Niu Jiao resolves toxicity. Although cold in nature, its clear, aromatic properties enable it to penetrate the turbidity without causingstagnation.
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Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
In general Zhu Sha's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins."

In the context of Su He Xiang Wan, it is used because it sedates the Heart and calm the Mind.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."

In the context of Su He Xiang Wan, it is used because it tonifies Qi, strengthens the Spleen, dries Dampness, and transforms turbidity.
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He Zi
He Zi

Terminalia fruits

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Dry ripe fruits
Role in Su He Xiang Wan
He Zi restrains the leakage of Qi. It prevents the acrid, aromatic properties of the other ingredients from consuming or dispersing the normal Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Su He Xiang Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Because the formula is very acrid and aromatic and thus has a very dispersing effect, the dosage should be carefully monitored. Contraindicated during pregnancy or for hot closed disorders.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Su He Xiang Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.