Mu Xiang (Costus Root)

Chinese Name: 
Mu Xiang
English Name: 
Costus Root
Functions and Usage: 
  • Promotes the movement of Qi, alleviates pain - stagnant qi of the stomach and/or spleen causing lack of appetite, abdominal pain, distention, nausea; liver or gallbladder qi stagnation causing flank pain, distention.
  • Regulates stagnated Qi in the intestines - diarrhea, abdominal pain (common herb to treat tenesmus).
  • Strengthens the spleen and prevents stagnation, used with tonifying herbs to reduce side effects.
Functional Groupings (Click for Summary/Study Notes): 
Dosage and Preparation Notes: 
  • Dosage: 1.5-9g (add during the last 5 minutes)
Temperature and Taste Properties: 
Contraindications: 
There are currently no contraindications listed.
Notes: 

There are no additional notes for this herb.

TCM Herbal Sources and More Information

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were used within this section:

  • Jin, Yan Ping: New England School of Acupuncture, CHM Pharmacopoeia I and II, Formulas I and II Lecture Notes

For a complete list of valuable resources, see our Herbal Medicine Resources section. The most recommended texts are below: