Tán Xiāng (檀香), known in English as Sandalwood (Santalum album), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, Heart and Lung channels. Its main action: moves qi, warms Middle Jiao.
| Pinyin | Tán Xiāng (Tan Xiang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 檀香 |
| English | Sandalwood |
| Botanical name | Santalum album |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lung |
| Dosage | 2–5g (add near the end) |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat |
Actions
- Moves qi, warms Middle Jiao
- Opens appetite, relieves pain
Indications
- Qi stagnation from congealed Cold with chest oppression, chest Bi pain and epigastric and abdominal pain
- Vomiting and poor appetite
How to remember Tán Xiāng
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its action “warms Middle Jiao”
- Learn by heart
- Heart and Lung channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tán Xiāng?
Tán Xiāng is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Tán Xiāng enter?
Tán Xiāng enters the Spleen, Stomach, Heart and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Tán Xiāng?
Moves qi, warms Middle Jiao; Opens appetite, relieves pain.
What is Tán Xiāng used for?
Qi stagnation from congealed Cold with chest oppression, chest Bi pain and epigastric and abdominal pain; vomiting and poor appetite.
Practise Tán 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.