All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli
- Chinese
- 广藿香
- Pinyin
- Guang Huo Xiang
- Latin
- Herba Pogostemonis
Known in TCM as Guang Huo Xiang (广藿香), this acrid, warm herb enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung. Traditionally, it aromatically resolves dampness and transforms turbidity, most often applied for nausea, diarrhea, and sinusitis. Modern research has identified Patchouli alcohol (patchoulol) among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Herba Pogostemonis | Pinyin: Guang Huo Xiang | Chinese: 广藿香
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Aromatically resolves dampness and transforms turbidity … used for damp obstruction in the Middle Jiao with chest tightness, nausea, loss of appetite, and a greasy tongue coat
- Harmonizes the Middle Jiao and stops vomiting … used for nausea and vomiting from damp-cold or summer-heat dampness obstructing the Stomach
- Releases the exterior and dispels summer-heat … used for early-stage damp-warm febrile disease and summer-heat with dampness presenting with fever, headache, and drowsiness
Secondary Actions
- Disperses turbid dampness to relieve abdominal pain and diarrhea from cold-damp patterns
- Opens nasal passages … used for sinusitis and nasal congestion from damp turbidity (secondary use)
Classic Formulas
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (藿香正气散) … Agastache Powder to Rectify Qi; treats externally contracted Wind-Cold with internal Dampness causing sudden gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Huo Pu Xia Ling Tang (藿朴夏苓汤) … Agastache, Magnolia, Pinellia, and Poria Decoction; treats early-stage damp-warm disease with dampness predominating
Classical References
- Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians, Tao Hongjing, c. 500 CE) … early documentation of Huo Xiang for aromatic transformation of dampness and summer-heat patterns
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Patchouli alcohol (patchoulol) … primary sesquiterpene alcohol; antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-H. pylori activity
- β-Patchoulene … major sesquiterpene hydrocarbon in essential oil; antifungal and anti-inflammatory
- Pogostone … phenylpropanoid ketone; potent antimicrobial, particularly against Candida species
- Patchoulene epoxide … sesquiterpene oxide; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Pachypodol … flavonoid; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Apigenin and luteolin … additional flavonoid constituents with anti-inflammatory activity
Studied Effects
- Anti-peptic ulcer … patchouli alcohol inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal damage; reduces gastric acid secretion in animal models (PMID 33413544)
- Antimicrobial … broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi; pogostone particularly active against Candida and drug-resistant pathogens (PMID 33413544)
- Anti-inflammatory … suppresses NF-κB pathway, reduces IL-6 and TNF-α production; in vivo anti-inflammatory in multiple models (PMID 33413544)
- Antitumor and antidiabetic … patchouli alcohol demonstrates cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines; reduces blood glucose in diabetic models (PMID 33413544)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Yin deficiency heat patterns … warm aromatic nature consumes Yin and is contraindicated without damp-cold component
Cautions
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli used for?
All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli is traditionally used to Aromatically resolves dampness and transforms turbidity … used for damp obstruction in the Middle Jiao with chest tightness, nausea, loss of appetite, and a greasy tongue coat, Harmonizes the Middle Jiao and stops vomiting … used for nausea and vomiting from damp-cold or summer-heat dampness obstructing the Stomach, Releases the exterior and dispels summer-heat … used for early-stage damp-warm febrile disease and summer-heat with dampness presenting with fever, headache, and drowsiness. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-peptic ulcer … patchouli alcohol inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal damage; reduces gastric acid secretion in animal models (PMID 33413544); Antimicrobial … broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi; pogostone particularly active against Candida and drug-resistant pathogens (PMID 33413544).
What are other names for All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli?
All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli is also known as Pogostemonis. In TCM: 广藿香 (Guang Huo Xiang); Herba Pogostemonis.
Is All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli safe during pregnancy?
The safety of All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli?
All-Grass of Cablin Potchouli should not be used in: Yin deficiency heat patterns … warm aromatic nature consumes Yin and is contraindicated without damp-cold component. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.