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) |
Liang Fu Wan (Galangal & Cyperus Pill) 良附丸 Yue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill) 越鞠丸 Guo Qi Yin (Delayed Menstruation Decoction) 過期飲 Shi Shen Tang (Ten-Miracle Decoction) 十神湯 Su He Xiang Wan (delete She Xiang, Zhu Sha, An Xi Xiang) (Liquid Styrax Pill) 蘇合香丸（減麝香，硃砂，安息香） Xiang Fu Xuan Fu Hua Tang (Cyperus and Inula Decoction) 香附旋覆花湯 Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Powder to Dredge the Liver) 柴胡疏肝散 Gu Jing Wan (Stabilize the Menses Pill) 固經丸 (固经丸) Jia Wei Xiang Su San (Augmented Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder) 加味香蘇散 |
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.