Herb Herbs that open the Orifices

She Xiang

Musk | 麝香

Secretio Moschus

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Pungent

Organ Affinity

Spleen, Heart, Liver

Parts Used

Musk gland of the deer

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of She Xiang

Traditional Actions

Opens the Orifices and awakens the spirit.
Moves Blood and reduces inflammation and pain.
Moves downward, assisting the delivery of late or stillborn babies.

Key TCM Concepts

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), She Xiang belongs to the 'Herbs that open the Orifices' category. The functions of these herbs are much more platonic than the name implies. They're used to help treat conditions associated with central nervous system collapse, including strokes and coma.

 

Furthermore She Xiang is Warm in nature. This means that She Xiang tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition She Xiang can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

 

She Xiang also tastes Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like She Xiang tends to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.

 

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such She Xiang is thought to target the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. In addition to regulating Blood flow, the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Liver is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.

Common Applications

Loss of consciousness Convulsions Seizures Boils Carbuncles Traumatic injuries

Preparation & Dosage

Traditional and modern methods for preparing She Xiang

Traditional Preparation

The musk secretions should be extracted from the gland and dried.

Recommended Dosage

Note: The following information is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice.

0.075 - 0.15 grams

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for She Xiang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herb or supplement.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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

Related Educational Resources

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