Xiāng Fù (香附), known in English as Cyperus rhizome (Cyperus rotundus), is a neutral, acrid, slightly bitter and slightly sweet Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Liver, Spleen and Triple Burner channels. Its main action: spreads Liver qi, relieves constraint.
| Pinyin | Xiāng Fù (Xiang Fu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 香附 |
| English | Cyperus rhizome |
| Botanical name | Cyperus rotundus |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Acrid, Slightly bitter, Slightly sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Spleen, Triple Burner |
| Dosage | 6–9g |
| Cautions | Qi and Blood deficiency without stagnation |
Actions
- Spreads Liver qi, relieves constraint
- Regulates menstruation, relieves pain
- Main herb for Liver qi in gynaecology
Indications
- Liver qi stagnation: flank pain, hypochondriac distension
- Menstrual irregularity
- PMS
- Dysmenorrhoea
How to remember Xiāng Fù
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Acrid, Slightly bitter, Spleen channel: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Spreads Liver qi”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are warm or hot)
- Slightly sweet: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are acrid or bitter)
- Triple Burner channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Xiāng Fù
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xiāng Fù?
Xiāng Fù is neutral and acrid, slightly bitter and slightly sweet.
Which channels does Xiāng Fù enter?
Xiāng Fù enters the Liver, Spleen and Triple Burner channels.
What are the actions of Xiāng Fù?
Spreads Liver qi, relieves constraint; Regulates menstruation, relieves pain; Main herb for Liver qi in gynaecology.
What is Xiāng Fù used for?
Liver qi stagnation: flank pain, hypochondriac distension; menstrual irregularity; PMS; dysmenorrhoea.
Which formulas contain Xiāng Fù?
Chái Hú Shū Gān Sǎn, Yuè Jū Wán and Gé Xià Zhú Yū Tāng.
Practise Xiāng Fù 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.