Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum
Aliases：Mì Xiāng (Honey Fragrance), Chén Shuǐ Xiāng (Water-Sinking Fragrance), Shuǐ Chén Xiāng (Water Agarwood), Zhàn Xiāng (Stack Agarwood), Jiā Nán Xiāng (Gahnan Agarwood), Qí Nán Xiāng (Qinan Agarwood), Qí Nán (Qinan), Qí Nán (Qinan), Qí Nán (Qinan), Jiā Luó (Kyara), Hǎi Nán Chén (Hainan Agarwood), Hǎi Nán Xiāng (Hainan Fragrance), Bái Mù Xiāng (White Wood Fragrance), Tǔ Chén Xiāng (Earth Agarwood), Nǚ Ér Xiāng (Daughter’s Fragrance), Guǎn Xiāng (Guangdong Agarwood), Yá Xiāng Shù (Tooth-Fragrance Tree), Liù Má Shù (Six-Hemp Tree), Yuán Xiāng (Yuan Fragrance), Jiǎo Chén (Horn Agarwood), Huáng Chén (Yellow Agarwood), Qīng Guì (Green Osmanthus), Jī Gǔ Xiāng (Chicken Bone Fragrance), Mǎ Tí Xiāng (Horseshoe Fragrance), Péng Lái Xiāng (Penglai Fragrance), Yá Xiāng (Cliff Fragrance), Yào Chén (Medicinal Agarwood), Luò Shuǐ Chén (Sinking Agarwood), Bó Chén (Imported Agarwood), Fān Chén (Foreign Agarwood).
Chén Xiāng is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the resinous wood of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. and Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, plants belonging to the genus Aquilaria of the family Thymelaeaceae. The plant is an evergreen large tree, reaching up to 15 meters in height, with a fragrant aroma. Agarwood is formed when the tree is wounded—either by natural causes such as lightning, wind breakage, or insect infestation, or by human activity—and secretes resin that becomes infected by fungi during the healing process, condensing into a solid mass. Agarwood is both a precious traditional Chinese medicine and a famous natural fragrance, widely used in medicine, religious ceremonies, cosmetics, and the perfume industry. It has been a valuable medicinal material since ancient times, first recorded in Mingyi Bielu (Records of Famous Physicians) by Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty, where it was classified as a “superior-grade” herb. It ranks first among the four most renowned fragrances—“Chen (Agarwood), Tan (Sandalwood), Long (Ambergris), and She (Musk)”—and is known as the “King of Fragrances”. Agarwood has been listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is a protected plant species.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes Qi flow and relieves pain; warms the middle and stops vomiting; supplements the Kidneys and calms wheezing.
Indications
Indicated for chest and abdominal distension and pain due to cold congealing and Qi stagnation, vomiting and hiccups due to stomach cold, and wheezing due to Kidney deficiency with Qi counterflow. It may also be used for chest and hypochondriac distension and pain due to cold congealing and Qi stagnation, epigastric cold pain due to Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, and deficiency wheezing due to Kidney Yang deficiency with failure to grasp Qi.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effects: Agarwood extracts exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity. Analgesic effects: Agarwood possesses good analgesic properties. Antiasthmatic effects: Possesses antiasthmatic activity. Antiemetic effects: Possesses antiemetic activity. Sedative and calming effects: Possesses sedative and mind-calming effects. Regulation of gastrointestinal motility: Regulates gastrointestinal motility and relieves gastrointestinal spasms. Gastric mucosal protection: Protects the gastric mucosa. Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects: Exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant activities. Diuretic effects. Anti-myocardial ischemia effects.
Ingredients
Sesquiterpenoids: Agarospirol, baimuxinol, furanobaimuxinol, and others. 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones: These are the characteristic components of agarwood. Aromatic compounds: Baimuxinic acid, baimuxinal, benzylacetone, and others. Phenolic components, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 1.5–5 g; when used in a decoction, it should be added last. Alternatively, grind into powder and take with water, 0.5–1.5 g each time. It may also be ground with water for juice, or made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, grind into powder and mix for topical application, or incorporate into plasters for external use.
Contraindications
Use with caution or avoid in cases of Yin deficiency with fire excess—as agarwood is warm in nature and may generate heat, its use may aggravate the condition. Use with caution or avoid in cases of Qi deficiency with sinking. Use with caution during pregnancy. Contraindicated in cases of excess heat patterns. Not suitable for patients with hypotension. Use with caution in those with allergic predisposition. Contraindicated in cases of visceral prolapse.
Selected Formulas
For cold qi attacking with cardiac and abdominal pain, and chest and abdominal distension (Weisheng Jiabao / Guanjufang Yaobu, Chenxiang Simo Tang) Take equal parts of Chenxiang (Agarwood), Wuyao (Lindera), Muxiang (Costus root), and Binlang (Areca seed). Decoct in water and drink. For spleen-stomach deficiency cold with epigastric and abdominal cold pain (Weisheng Baojian, Chenxiang Guifu Wan) Take Chenxiang with Rougui (Cinnamon), Ganjiang (Dried ginger), and Fuzi (Aconite). Make into pills and take. For triple energizer stagnation with qi obstruction, cardiac and abdominal pain, vomiting phlegm foam, and hypochondriac distension (Yuyuan Yaofang, Chenxiang Jiangqi San) Take 9g of Chenxiang, 21g of Sharen (Amomum), 15g of honey-fried Gancao, 150g of Xiangfu (wine-fried), 30g of Yanhusuo (wine-fried), and 30g of Chuanlianzi (processed). Make into powder and take. For lower burner deficiency cold with kidney failing to grasp qi, manifested as deficiency wheezing (Heji Ju Fang, Heixi Dan) Take Chenxiang with Rougui, Fuzi, and Buguzhi (Psoralea). Make into pills and take. For upper excess with lower deficiency pattern of phlegm-rheum wheezing and cough (Heji Ju Fang, Suzi Jiangqi Tang) Take Chenxiang with Zisuzi (Perilla fruit), Banxia (Pinellia), and Houpo (Magnolia bark). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Agarwood Tea: Steep an appropriate amount of agarwood slices or powder in boiling water, cover and steep for 5–10 minutes, then drink. It has the effects of promoting Qi flow, relieving pain, warming the middle, and stopping vomiting. Agarwood Congee: Cook agarwood powder with rice to make congee. Red dates, longan, and other ingredients may be added. It has the effect of strengthening the Spleen and nourishing the Stomach. Agarwood Wine: Soak agarwood together with prepared Rehmannia, Goji Berry, and other medicinal materials in white wine. Seal and steep for 10 days, then drink. Take 10 ml each time, three times daily.
Medicinal Parts
Resin-containing wood (agarwood resinous wood).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container, sealed, in a cool and dry place. Protect from oil rancidity and drying out.
