Herb

Tan Xiang

Sandalwood heartwood | 檀香

Also known as:

Bái Tán , Bái Tán Xiāng , White Sandalwood

Tan Xiang

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Properties

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药) · Warm

Traditionally supports*

Chest Pain Relief Digestive Health Heart health Stomach Pain Relief

Parts Used

Heartwood (心材 xīn cái)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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$24.00 ($0.42/g)
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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Sandalwood heartwood is an aromatic, warming herb primarily used to relieve chest and stomach pain caused by cold and stagnation. It is valued for its ability to open up the chest and settle the stomach, and is commonly found in formulas for angina and digestive discomfort. Its pleasant fragrance also has a calming quality.

Herb Category

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药)

Main Actions

  • Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
  • Disperses Cold and warms the Middle Jiao
  • Regulates Qi Flow in the Chest, Abdomen and Lower Body
  • Harmonizes the Stomach and Stops Vomiting

How These Actions Work

'Moves Qi and alleviates pain' means Tán Xiāng promotes the smooth circulation of Qi, particularly in the chest and upper abdomen. When Qi becomes stagnant (stuck or blocked), it causes pain, fullness, and discomfort. Tán Xiāng's acrid, aromatic nature penetrates and unblocks these areas, making it especially useful for chest pain, epigastric pain, and the sensation of tightness or oppression in the chest. It is a go-to herb for pain caused by Cold and Qi stagnation in the chest, and has been used in modern clinical practice for angina pectoris.

'Disperses Cold and warms the Middle Jiao' refers to Tán Xiāng's warm nature, which drives out Cold that has settled in the Stomach and Spleen. When Cold invades the digestive system, it can cause cramping abdominal pain, vomiting of clear watery fluid, and poor appetite. Tán Xiāng gently warms these organs and restores their normal function.

'Regulates Qi in the chest and diaphragm' highlights the herb's special affinity for the upper body. Classical texts describe it as being good at "adjusting the Qi above the diaphragm." Unlike Chén Xiāng (Agarwood), which primarily pulls Qi downward, Tán Xiāng lifts and spreads Qi upward and outward, opening up a congested chest and relieving the feeling of things being stuck in the throat or chest.

'Harmonizes the Stomach and stops vomiting' means Tán Xiāng helps settle a cold, rebellious Stomach. When Stomach Qi reverses upward instead of descending normally, it causes nausea and vomiting. Tán Xiāng's aromatic quality "awakens" the Spleen and Stomach, restoring the normal downward flow of digestion and relieving nausea, especially when the vomiting involves clear, watery fluid.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Tan Xiang is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Tan Xiang addresses this pattern

In this pattern, Cold pathogen lodges in the Stomach, congealing Qi and causing cramping pain with vomiting of clear fluid and poor appetite. Tán Xiāng's warm, acrid nature directly disperses the Cold while its aromatic quality "awakens" the Spleen and Stomach, restoring their digestive and descending functions. Its channel entry into the Spleen and Stomach makes it a well-targeted herb for this pathomechanism.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Epigastric Pain Relieved With Pressure Or Eating

Cold, cramping stomach pain that improves with warmth

Nausea Or Vomiting

Vomiting clear, watery fluid

Loss Of Appetite

Poor appetite with no desire for food

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Aromatic (芳香 fāng xiāng)

Channels Entered
Spleen Stomach Heart Lungs
Parts Used

Heartwood (心材 xīn cái)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

The best quality Tan Xiang is dense, hard, and difficult to break. The surface should be pale yellowish-brown, smooth and fine-textured. The cross-section should appear brownish-yellow with visible oil traces. The wood should have a strong, sweet, characteristic sandalwood fragrance that becomes more intense when burned or heated, with a slightly pungent taste when chewed. High oil content is essential: the Chinese Pharmacopoeia requires a minimum of 3% volatile oil content. Indian 'Old Mountain' (Lao Shan) sandalwood with a wavy grain pattern on its cross-section commands the highest quality grade. Avoid pieces that are light in weight, lack fragrance, have a pale or washed-out color, or feel dry and porous, as these indicate low oil content or inferior species.

Primary Growing Regions

The finest quality Tan Xiang (known as 'Old Mountain Sandalwood' or Lao Shan Tan, 老山檀) comes from the Mysore (Karnataka) region of southern India, where the dry rocky terrain and specific soil conditions produce heartwood with the highest essential oil content and the most prized fragrance. India and Indonesia are the primary sources historically used in TCM. Within China, sandalwood has been cultivated in Hainan, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Taiwan, though Chinese-grown material is generally considered inferior to Indian imports. Australia (particularly Western Australia) has become a major commercial source, though this is typically the related species Santalum spicatum rather than S. album. The dao di (道地) concept for Tan Xiang points firmly to India, particularly the Mysore region, as the traditional terroir for the highest quality medicinal material.

Harvesting Season

Can be harvested year-round, but summer is considered optimal. The tree must be mature (typically 30 years or older) for the heartwood to have developed sufficient essential oil content.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Miscellaneous Info

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

2-5g

Maximum

Generally not exceeded beyond 5g in decoction. As a non-toxic herb, moderate increases are tolerated, but doses above standard range offer diminishing returns and may cause mild gastric irritation due to the essential oil content.

Notes

Tan Xiang is typically used in the range of 2-5g in decoction. For chest pain and angina-type patterns (as in Kuan Xiong Wan), 1.5-3g is common when combined with other Qi-moving herbs. When used in powdered form (taken directly with warm water or ginger decoction), smaller amounts of 1-1.5g per dose may suffice. The herb is aromatic and its volatile oils are easily lost with prolonged boiling, so it should be added near the end of decoction (hou xia, 后下). In pill or powder preparations, standard doses apply.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Tan Xiang is classified as non-toxic in classical and modern sources. The Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao and Tang Ye Ben Cao both explicitly state it is without toxicity (无毒). However, sandalwood oil in excessive doses can cause irritation to the stomach, kidneys, and skin. At standard medicinal dosages in decoction or powder form, it poses no toxicity concerns.

Contraindications

Caution

Yin deficiency with vigorous Fire, or conditions with Heat moving the Blood causing cough with blood. As stated in the Ben Cao Hui Yan: those with Yin deficiency and Fire flaring, with bleeding or cough, should not use this herb.

Caution

Stomach or abdominal pain due to Heat patterns (Excess Heat in the Stomach or Liver Fire). Tan Xiang is warm and acrid, which would worsen Heat conditions.

Caution

Qi or Blood Heat patterns with signs of restlessness, thirst, red tongue, and rapid pulse. The warming nature of this herb is inappropriate for any Heat-predominant condition.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

No specific classical contraindication during pregnancy exists for Tan Xiang. However, as a warm, Qi-moving aromatic herb, it should be used with caution during pregnancy. Qi-moving herbs can theoretically disturb the fetus if used in excessive doses. Use only when clearly indicated and at conservative doses, under practitioner supervision.

Breastfeeding

No specific data exists on the safety of Tan Xiang during breastfeeding. As an aromatic herb, its volatile oils could theoretically transfer into breast milk. Use with caution and only when clearly indicated, at standard or reduced doses.

Pediatric Use

No specific classical guidance exists for pediatric use. If indicated, reduce dosage proportionally based on age and body weight, typically to one-third to one-half the adult dose. The warm, aromatic nature of this herb means it should be used cautiously in children, who tend toward Heat constitutions. Not commonly used as a primary herb in pediatric formulas.

Drug Interactions

No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been established for Tan Xiang at standard medicinal doses. However, based on the known pharmacology of its active compounds (alpha-santalol and beta-santalol):

  • Sandalwood oil has mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Concurrent use with anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial drugs is unlikely to cause significant interactions at standard oral doses.
  • Some preclinical evidence suggests sandalwood oil may affect hepatic enzyme activity. Patients on medications with narrow therapeutic indices should exercise general caution, though clinical evidence of significant CYP interactions is lacking.

Overall, clinically significant drug interactions at typical TCM decoction doses are not expected.

Dietary Advice

Avoid cold, raw, and greasy foods while taking Tan Xiang, as these can impede the Qi-moving and Stomach-warming actions of the herb. Warm, easily digestible foods support its therapeutic effect. Because this herb is warm and acrid, those already experiencing signs of Yin deficiency or internal Heat (dry mouth, thirst, irritability) should moderate intake of spicy and heating foods to avoid compounding dryness.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this herb is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.