Frankincense — Classic Formulas
Ru Xiang · Resina Olibani
Primary Actions
- Invigorates blood and moves qi to relieve pain - Ru Xiang is a major resin for fixed pain from trauma, qi stagnation, or blood stasis in the chest, abdomen, sinews, and joints.
- Reduces swelling and promotes healing of sores - it is used for abscesses, ulceration, painful swelling, and wounds that are slow to close.
- Opens the collaterals and eases menstrual or musculoskeletal pain - traditional pairings use it for dysmenorrhea, sprains, bruising, and chronic obstruction.
Classic Formulas
- Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan - classic blood-stasis pain formula pairing Ru Xiang with Dan Shen, Dang Gui, and Mo Yao.
- Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin - classical abscess and carbuncle formula using Ru Xiang to move blood, reduce swelling, and relieve pain.
- Zhan Jin Dan - trauma formula lineage using Ru Xiang to activate blood, move qi, relieve pain, reduce swelling, and support tissue recovery.
Classical Text References
- TCM Wiki describes Ru Xiang as pungent, bitter, and warm, entering the Liver, Heart, and Spleen to activate blood, move qi, relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote tissue regeneration.
- Ming Yi Bie Lu is cited as an early classical source for Ru Xiang.
- Traditional literature repeatedly emphasizes the Ru Xiang-Mo Yao pairing for trauma, sores, and fixed stasis pain.