Sū Hé Xiāng (苏合香), known in English as Storax resin (Liquidambar orientalis), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Open orifices category. It enters the Heart and Spleen channels. Its main action: opens orifices, resuscitates from Cold collapse.
| Pinyin | Sū Hé Xiāng (Su He Xiang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 苏合香 |
| English | Storax resin |
| Botanical name | Liquidambar orientalis |
| Category | Open orifices |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Heart, Spleen |
| Dosage | 0.3–1g (pills or powder only — not decocted) |
| Cautions | Heat-type closed disorders; open collapse (Tuo syndrome); pregnancy |
Actions
- Opens orifices, resuscitates from Cold collapse
- Moves qi, relieves Cold pain
Indications
- Cold-type closed disorders: unconsciousness, stroke with Cold-Phlegm
- Chest Bi from Cold and qi stagnation
How to remember Sū Hé Xiāng
Only 2 herbs in Open orifices, so learn each one on its own.
- Learn by heart
- Warm
- Acrid
- Heart and Spleen channels: nothing in its actions points to them
Other Open orifices herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Sū Hé Xiāng?
Sū Hé Xiāng is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Sū Hé Xiāng enter?
Sū Hé Xiāng enters the Heart and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Sū Hé Xiāng?
Opens orifices, resuscitates from Cold collapse; Moves qi, relieves Cold pain.
What is Sū Hé Xiāng used for?
Cold-type closed disorders: unconsciousness, stroke with Cold-Phlegm; chest Bi from Cold and qi stagnation.
Practise Sū Hé 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.