The Three Major Benefits and Effects of the Chinese Herb Mu Xiang, How to Take It, and the Difference Between Yun Mu Xiang and Guang Mu Xiang

Mu Xiang is the general name for the Asteraceae plants Yun Mu Xiang and Chuan Mu Xiang, mainly produced in Yunnan and Sichuan, growing by streams, roadsides or in mountain shrublands at altitudes above 2500 m, and it has a certain medicinal value. So what are the benefits and effects of Mu Xiang? How do you take it? What are the differences between it and Yun Mu Xiang and Guang Mu Xiang?

I. Introduction to Mu Xiang

Mu Xiang is also called Mi Xiang, Qing Mu Xiang, Wu Xiang, Wu Mu Xiang, Nan Mu Xiang, Guang Mu Xiang and Yun Mu Xiang. It is the dried root of the Asteraceae plant Mu Xiang, harvested in autumn and winter, with mud, sand and fibrous roots removed, cut into sections, and the large ones split lengthwise into pieces, then after drying the coarse bark is rubbed off. Mu Xiang is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical in shape, 5-10 cm long and 0.5-5 cm in diameter. The outer bark is yellow-brown to grayish-brown, with longitudinal wrinkles. It is hard and not easily broken; the cut surface is brownish-yellow to brownish-brown, with a distinct chrysanthemum-heart-shaped radial texture in the middle and a brown cambium ring. It has a distinctive aromatic odor and a slightly bitter taste.

II. Benefits and Effects of Mu Xiang

1. Mu Xiang has the effects of promoting qi flow and relieving pain, and strengthening the spleen and aiding digestion: Mu Xiang is pungent and bitter in taste and warm in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, large intestine, sanjiao and gallbladder meridians. It has the effects of promoting qi flow and relieving pain, and strengthening the spleen and aiding digestion, and has a good therapeutic effect on stomach and epigastric distension and pain, belching, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting caused by qi stagnation. It also has a certain therapeutic effect as an adjunct for hepatitis and cirrhosis.

2. Mu Xiang has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects: According to clinical trials, the water decoction of Yun Mu Xiang has a certain inhibitory effect on various pathogenic fungi, and can be used as an adjunct treatment for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory purposes, thus it can play a role in reducing inflammation and protecting the liver.

3. Mu Xiang has a blood pressure-lowering effect: Mu Xiang can also be used to lower blood pressure, and has a mild diuretic effect.

III. How Do You Take Mu Xiang?

1. Usage and dosage of Mu Xiang

(1) Internal use: decoct in water, 0.5-1.5 qian; grind into juice or make into pills or powder.

(2) External use: grind into powder and apply mixed, or apply with honey.

2. How to take it

(1) Mu Xiang, Wu Mei and Mai Dong soup: Put 6 g Mu Xiang, 10 g Wu Mei and 15 g Mai Dong into clean water and decoct for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. Mu Xiang has the effect of promoting qi flow and relieving pain, while Wu Mei and Mai Dong can nourish the stomach and promote fluid production, so the combination can treat patients with chronic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis.

(2) Chen Pi and Mu Xiang pork slice soup: Stir-fry the pork gently in a pan for 1 minute, then pour in water, add Chen Pi and Mu Xiang, simmer for half an hour, then add salt to season and eat.

(3) Grind Mu Xiang with warm water into a thick juice, mix with hot wine and drink, which can help treat disharmony of qi with pain.

(4) Take 1.5 g each of Mu Xiang, Ru Xiang and Mo Yao, decoct in water and take, which can treat abdominal pain.

Note: (Remember that using Mu Xiang to treat illness must follow a doctor's advice; this article is for sharing and reference only)

IV. Contraindications for Taking Mu Xiang

Mu Xiang is pungent, warm, aromatic and drying, and can damage yin and add to fire, so it is not suitable for people with yin deficiency, those with collapse of primordial qi, those with dryness-heat in the organs, those with weak stomach qi, those with yin deficiency and internal heat, or those with heart fire.

V. The Difference Between Mu Xiang, Guang Mu Xiang and Yun Mu Xiang

In fact, Guang Mu Xiang and Yun Mu Xiang are just Mu Xiang; it is only that Guang Mu Xiang is produced in Guangdong and Yun Mu Xiang is produced in Yunnan. There is little difference in their effects, only the place of origin is different.

Conclusion: According to the introduction in this article, Mu Xiang, as an important herb, has many medicinal values and is also very beneficial to the human body, but when we use it we also need to note that people with yin deficiency and dryness-heat should not consume it.