Single Herb Glossary
Xiāng Fù 香附
| Pharmaceutical name | Cyperi Rhizoma cyperus, nut-grass rhizome "aromatic appendage" |
| Category | Regulate Qi |
| Key Properties | Promotes the flow of Qi in LV & ST channel Regulate menstruation Alleviates pain |
| Properties | Acrid, Sl. Bitter/Sweet Neutral |
| Tropism | LV, SJ, GB |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Spreads & Regulates LV Qi (emotion) 2) Regulates Menstruation & Alleviates Pain (Commander in chief of Qi disorder for gynecology) |
| Dosages | 6-12g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Qi def & No stagnation, or patients with Yin def and heat, or heat in the blood. |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Cyperene, α-cyperone, β-cyperone, β-selinene, patchoulenone, limonene, limonene, β-pinene, p-cymene, camphene, cyperol, isocyperol, cyperolone, cyperotundone, sugenolacetate, α-rotunol, β-rotunol |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Sedative: intraperitoneal administration of essential oils in mice at 0.10 ml/kg demonstrated sedative effect similar to pentobarbital sodium solution with p<0.01; sedative effect also observed when essential oil was given to rabbits via intravenous administration • Uterine relaxant: oral administration of 5% solution of herb showed inhibitory effect on uterus in rats, rabbits, dogs and cats • Analgesic: administration of 20% herb injection in mice showed marked analgesic effects • Antipyretic: antipyretic effect approximately 6 times stronger than sodium salicylate in experiments conducted in rats • Cardiovascular: administration via subcutaneous injection demonstrated positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects in frogs, rabbits and cats; administration at 0.1 ml/kg via intravenous injection lowered blood pressure in cats and dogs for a duration of 5 to 8 minutes • Antibiotic: inhibitory effect against S. aureus, but with little or no effect against other pathogens |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.