Wrinkled Gianthyssop Herb — Classic Formulas
Huo Xiang · Herba Agastaches
Primary Actions
- Transforms Dampness and harmonises the Middle Jiao — principal aromatic Dampness-transforming herb; nausea, vomiting, epigastric fullness, abdominal distension, and diarrhea from Damp obstructing Spleen-Stomach
- Releases exterior and dispels Summer-Heat-Damp — summer febrile illness with fever, chills, nausea, heavy limbs, and diarrhea from Wind-Cold attacking surface while interior Dampness is present
- Stops vomiting — one of the premier anti-emetic herbs in TCM; effective for vomiting from multiple causes including morning sickness, motion sickness, and post-operative nausea
Classic Formulas
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (藿香正气散) — one of the most widely prescribed formulas in Chinese medicine; Huo Xiang combined with Bai Zhi, Zi Su, Hou Po, Ban Xia, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, Jie Geng, Da Fu Pi, and Zhi Gan Cao; for Exterior Wind-Cold with Interior Damp; summer gastroenteritis, food poisoning, motion sickness, and diarrhoea from summer cold; sold as Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (pills) and liquid — one of the most commercially available OTC Chinese herbal medicines
- Huo Xiang Huang Lian Tang (藿香黄连汤) — combined with Huang Lian (黄连) for Damp-Heat nausea and vomiting; Stomach rebelliousness with Damp-Heat signs
Classical Text References
- Jing Yue Quan Shu (景岳全书, Zhang Jingyue, 1624): 'Huo Xiang (aromatic herb) is the commander of all aromatic herbs that transform Dampness — it awakens the Spleen, harmonises the Stomach, stops vomiting, and resolves summer-heat; combined with other aromatic Damp-transforming herbs it treats all exterior-interior combined Damp disorders'
- SPECIES NOTE: Two distinct plants are called Huo Xiang in Chinese medicine: (1) Agastache rugosa (Fischer & Meyer) Kuntze (土藿香, Tu Huo Xiang — 'local Huo Xiang'; Lamiaceae; this herb #86, Herba Agastaches), used primarily in northern China; (2) Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (广藿香, Guang Huo Xiang — 'Guangdong Huo Xiang'; also Lamiaceae; the official Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 species for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi formulas). Agastache rugosa is widely used as a substitute but has a different essential oil composition (methyl chavicol-dominant vs. patchouli-oil-dominant)