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She Xiang (麝香), musk, is the most powerful aromatic orifice-opening herb. It strongly restores consciousness, invigorates the blood to reduce swelling and pain, and promotes labour. Owing to conservation, synthetic musk or substitutes are generally used today.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Moschus (musk; synthetic substitute commonly used)
Common English Name
Musk
Taste
Acrid
Temperature
Warm
Channels Entered
Heart, Spleen
Actions & Functions
- Powerfully opens the orifices and restores consciousness
- Invigorates the blood, reduces swelling and relieves pain
- Promotes labour and the movement of qi
Indications
Loss of consciousness and collapse (heat or cold types, in pills); blood stasis with masses, trauma and sores; and difficult labour or stillbirth.
Dosage
0.03-0.1 g in pills or powder (never decocted).
Common Combinations
A key ingredient of An Gong Niu Huang Wan and Su He Xiang Wan for resuscitation.
Cautions & Contraindications
Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy. Use only legal, sustainable (synthetic) sources; natural musk is from a protected species.