Huo Xiang "Fragrance of the rainy season" Hb. pogostemi Patchouli
Properties: acrid slightly warm
Channels: Spleen Stomach Lung
Functions: Releases Exterior, expels damp for Wind-cold damp
during humid summer
weather exacerbated by eating cold foods
aromatically transforms damp and harmonizes digestion
for poor appetite,
morning sickness, cold food stagnation
opens the nose for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.
breath fumes from cooking patchouli in water.
Dosage for decoction: 5-10g, double the dosage when it is fresh
Note:
Huo Xiang is also Agastache rugosa, pictured to the left. Agastache rugosa and Patchouli are used interchangeably in Chinese medicine.
When on a tour of a medicinal herb garden with experienced Chinese
Medicine Dr. Jian-Feng Yang, we came across some Lemon-Balm/Melissa officinalis
. Dr. Yang
smelled and tasted this plant commenting on how is was 'a huo xiang.'
Chinese fairly often
use many herbal species interchangeably and giving them
the same common Chinese name. Since Lemon balm is easy to grow in Europe and
N. America this may be a good alternative to Patchouli. Lemon-Balm, like huo xiang/ Patchouli,
is useful for
for treating indigestion, colic, gas, i.e. symptoms associated with dampness
in the Middle burner. In addition Lemon Balm is used for insomnia, and post
partum depression.
References:
1. Lecture and notes from Pharmacopoeia II
1998. Dr. Li Jin LAc,
OMD of the Su & Jin Family Acupuncture and Herb Clinic. p. 3
This image was taken at the Bastyr Medicinal herb garden May 2005.
This herb is the second stop on the Chinesetherapeutics.org tour of the Bastyr Chinese
Herb Garden Click here to continue the tour.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Index