Huò Xiāng (藿香), known in English as Patchouli herb (Pogostemon cablin), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Aromatic, transform damp category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels. Its main action: aromatically transforms turbid Damp.
| Pinyin | Huò Xiāng (Huo Xiang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 藿香 |
| English | Patchouli herb |
| Botanical name | Pogostemon cablin |
| Category | Aromatic, transform damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; vomiting from Stomach Heat |
Actions
- Aromatically transforms turbid Damp
- Harmonises Middle Jiao, stops vomiting
- Releases exterior, resolves summer-Heat
Indications
- Damp turbidity obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness and nausea
- Vomiting from Damp
- Summer-Damp exterior patterns
- Early Damp-Warmth with fever, fatigue and chest oppression
- Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea from Cold-Damp
How to remember Huò Xiāng
Aromatic, transform damp herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Aromatic, transform damp herbs
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its action “Harmonises Middle Jiao”
- Lung channel: from its action “Releases exterior”
Formulas containing Huò Xiāng
Other Aromatic, transform damp herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Huò Xiāng?
Huò Xiāng is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Huò Xiāng enter?
Huò Xiāng enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Huò Xiāng?
Aromatically transforms turbid Damp; Harmonises Middle Jiao, stops vomiting; Releases exterior, resolves summer-Heat.
What is Huò Xiāng used for?
Damp turbidity obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness and nausea; vomiting from Damp; summer-Damp exterior patterns; early Damp-Warmth with fever, fatigue and chest oppression; abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea from Cold-Damp.
Which formulas contain Huò Xiāng?
Gān Lù Xiāo Dú Dān.
Practise Huò Xiāng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.