Mù Xiāng · Costus Root
Mù Xiāng (木香, Costus Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent, Bitter flavor, in the “Qi-regulating herbs” category. Tradition uses it to regulate Qi and relieve pain, Harmonize the Spleen and Stomach, Stop diarrhea.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Mù Xiāng
- Characters
- 木香
- Botanical name
- Aucklandia lappa Decne.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent, Bitter
- Meridians
- Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Triple Burner, Gallbladder
- Category
- Qi-regulating herbs
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China (Yunnan), India
Actions according to tradition
- Regulate Qi and relieve pain
- Harmonize the Spleen and Stomach
- Stop diarrhea
Traditional uses
- Qi stagnation in the Middle Jiao with distention and pain
- Diarrhea and dysentery with tenesmus
- Vomiting due to inversion of Stomach Qi
- Pain due to hernia of the Liver canal
- Epigastric distension with lack of appetite
Studied effects and current applications
- Powerful Qi regulator that relieves bloating and abdominal pain
- Harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach, stopping nausea and diarrhea
- Mueve el Qi estancado en el Jiao Medio y Bajo
- Estimula la motilidad gastrointestinal
- Antiinflamatorio intestinal
Applications under investigation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Dispepsia funcional
- Biliary colic
- chronic gastritis
- Nausea and vomiting
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Yin deficiency with internal heat and dryness
Relative contraindications
- Internal heat without Qi stagnation
- Pregnancy (precaution for action on Qi)
- Pregnancy
- Use with caution in pregnancy. Regulating action of Qi.
- Breastfeeding
- Generally safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Use with caution and reduced dosage in children.
- Older adults
- Useful for digestion in the elderly. Caution with Yin deficiency.
Possible adverse effects
- Dry mouth with prolonged use
- Occasional gastric irritation
When to stop
- Sequedad interna empeora
- Signs of Yin Deficiency
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antacids and IPP | Omeprazol, Ranitidina | Mild | May affect gastrointestinal motility and drug absorption Separate by at least 2 hours. |
With other herbs
- sha_ren Classic combination to aromatize and move the Qi of the Middle Jiao
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 g daily
- Powder
- 1.5-3 g daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- Short use preferred; avoid prolonged use that depletes Yin
- Children
- Use with caution in children. Reduce dose.
Forms of preparation
Add at the end of cooking (last 5-10 min) to preserve aromatic oils. Boil 3-9g.
Abdominal distension, pain, diarrhea
Take 1.5-3g in warm water. Do not boil, to preserve volatile oils.
Acute abdominal pain, fast action
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Sesquiterpene lactones (costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone) and essential oils
Guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones · Qi regulator, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective
NF-κB inhibition, gastrointestinal motility stimulation · 0.5-2.0%
Sesquiterpene lactones · Antispasmodic, intestinal anti-inflammatory
Smooth muscle relaxation, COX-2 inhibition · 0.2-1.0%
Volatile terpenes · Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic
TRPA1 receptor stimulation, smooth muscle relaxation · 1-4%
Flavonoids · Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective
NF-κB inhibition, free radical scavenging · 0.1-0.5%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Fall (September-November), roots 3+ years
Roots harvested in autumn. They are cleaned, cut into slices and dried. Saussurea costus (云木香) from Yunnan is the true variety; that of Sichuan (川木香) is alternative.
Root cut into diagonal slices and dried in the sun.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
