INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: TAN XIANG - 檀香 - LIGNUM SANTALI ALBI - SANDALWOOD

Pharmaceutical Latin: Lignum Santali Albi
Common English: Sandalwood
Santalum
Heartwood

CATEGORY

Herbs that Regulate Qi

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Aromatic
Warm
Lung
Spleen
Stomach
(Heart)
(Liver)
(Kidney)
1-5g
Tincture: 0.25-2ml
Essential Oil: 8-12 drops in water

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Promotes movement of Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and alleviates pain

Pain associated with Qi Stagnation in the chest and abdomen

Dispels Cold and improves digestion

Stomach Cold

Removes Blood Stagnation

Blood Stagnation

Treats coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Contraindicated for those with Excess Fire.
  • Use with caution during pregnancy.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Dan Shen
Fr. Amomi
Sha Ren
(Hb. Asari)
(Xi Xin)

Fr. Amomi
Sha Ren
Fr. Amomi Kravanh
Bai Dou Kou
Flos Caryophylli
Ding Xiang

Rx. Aucklandiae
Mu Xiang
Flos Caryophylli
Ding Xiang

Chest pain associated with obstructed Heart Qi.

Chest, epigastric, and abdominal pain due to stagnant Qi.

Chest, epigastric, and abdominal pain due to stagnant Qi due to Cold.

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu

Poria
Fu Ling
Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubrum
Ju Hong

Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Dan Shen

Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen to treat Liver QI Stagnation causing Spleen and Stomach disharmony with a stifling sensation in the chest and flanks, belching, sighing, loss of appetite and epigastric pain.

Powdered and chased with a decoction of Ginseng Ren Shen for dysphagia-occlusion when one suffers from a sense of food stuck in the throat.

Chest, epigastric and abdominal pain due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis.

Bul. Allii Macrostemi
Xie Bai

Fr. Amomi
Sha Ren
Fr. Amomi Kravanh
Bai Dou Kou
Flos Caryophylli
Ding Xiang
Rx. Linderae
Wu Yao

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubrum
Ju Hong

Warms the Yang , disperses clumps and unblocks painful obstruction to treat Chest Bi.

Abdominal pain with vomiting of clear fluids.

Hiccups.

Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Dan Shen
Fr. Amomi
Sha Ren
Rx. Linderae
Wu Yao
 Bul. Lilii
Bai He

Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi
Fr. Hordei Germinatus
Mai Ya
Rx. Glehniae/Adenophora
Sha Shen
Rx. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong

Rz. Corydalis
Yan Hu Suo
Fr. Piperis Longi
Bi Ba
Rz. Alpiniae Officinarum
Gao Liang Jiang
Borneolum
Bing Pian

Epigastric distention and bloating.

Poor appetite.

Chest pain.

NOTES

  1. Some sources say that this herb has diuretic properties.
  2. This herb is primarily used for pain syndromes, especially those with Stomach disorders and angina pectoris.
  3. This herb is imported to the West as a fragrance, and is also regarded as a urinary tract disinfectant.
  4. This herb is good for stagnant Lung Qi.
  5. Tan Xiang and Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang have similar Qi regulating functions. Tan Xiang is stronger at relieving chest pain due to Cold or Qi Stagnation. Mu Xiang is more effective at relieving abdominal pain caused by Cold and Qi Stagnation.