Huoxiang, a Chinese medicine. The former is commonly known as "Guang Huoxiang" and is mainly produced in Guangdong, Taiwan, and other places. The latter is commonly known as "Tu Huoxiang" and is produced throughout the country. Today, the editor will take you to understand the chemical composition of Huoxiang and its selected formulas!
【Benefits and Functions of Huoxiang】
The chemical composition of Guang Huoxiang contains about 1.5% volatile oil, with the main component being Guang Huoxiang alcohol, accounting for about 52-57%. Other components include benzaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde, Guang Huoxiang alcohol, Guang Huoxiang pyridine, and table-yuchuang pyridine. There are also various other sesquiterpenes such as selinene, β-santalene, neroliene, γ-Guang Huoxiangene, β-caryophyllene, α-yuchuang woodene, valencene, α-caryophyllene, γ-bichengqieene, δ-yuchuang woodene, α-Guang Huoxiangene, and dihydroaristolene.
Huoxiang contains 0.28% volatile oil, with the main component being methyl eugenol, accounting for over 80%. It also contains anethole, anisaldehyde, d-limonene, as well as p-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, octanone-3, octanol-3, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, octen-1-ol-3, benzyl alcohol, l-selinene, β-santalene, β-caryophyllene, α-ylangene, β-jinhehuane, γ-bichengqieene, and dihydroaristolene. Huoxiang dried material produced in Northeast China contains 0.54% volatile oil, as well as trace amounts of tannins and bitter substances.
The pharmacological effects of Huoxiang
① Antifungal effect: In vitro experiments have shown that Huoxiang decoction (8-15%) has inhibitory effects on various pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum. The ethyl ether extract (3%) and alcohol extract (1%) of Huoxiang can also inhibit various pathogenic fungi, and the antifungal effect of the water extract is similar to that of the decoction. The decoction at 15% concentration inhibits Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, while the ethyl ether extract at 3%, alcohol extract at 5%, and water extract at 10% all exhibit bacteriostatic effects. Therefore, the extract of Huoxiang has stronger antibacterial power than the decoction.
② Antispirochetal effect: Huoxiang water decoction (15 mg/ml) has inhibitory effects on Treponema pallidum, but the concentration must be increased to 31 mg/ml to kill Treponema pallidum.
③ Effects on the gallbladder: Oral administration of Huoxiang decoction, using X-ray cholecystography, has proven that Huoxiang does not have a contracting effect on the gallbladder.
【Selected Formulas of Huoxiang】
① For the treatment of headache, cold and heat, cough, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cholera, visceral weakness, malaria, general body swelling, pre and postpartum blood and qi stinging pain, and malnutrition in children: Dahufu, Baizhi, Zisu, Fuling (peeled) each 1 or 2 liang, Banxia Qu, Baizhu, Chenpi (peeled), Houpo (removed coarse skin, fried with ginger juice) each 2 liang, Huoxiang (removed soil) 3 liang, Gancao (fried) 2 and a half liang. Grind into fine powder, take 2 qian (about 6 grams) per dose, with a cup of water, 3 slices of ginger, and 1 jujube, decoct until 7 parts are left, and take it while hot. If you want to sweat, cover yourself with blankets, then decoct and take again. (From "Jufang" Huoxiang Zhengqi San)
② For the treatment of vomiting and diarrhea in hot summer: Huashi (fried) 2 liang, Huoxiang 2 qian (about 6 grams), cloves 5 fen. Grind into powder, take 1-2 qian (about 3-6 grams) per dose, mix with rice soup, and take it. (From "Yujiang Lecturer's Experience Formula")
③ For the treatment of cholera with vomiting and diarrhea: Chenpi (peeled), Huoxiang leaves (removed soil). Divide into equal parts, take 5 qian (about 15 grams) per dose, with one and a half cups of water, decoct until 7 parts are left, and take it while warm, regardless of the time. (From "Baiyi Xuanfang" Huisheng San)
④ For the treatment of malaria: Gaoliangjiang, Huoxiang, each half to 2 liang. Grind into powder, divide into four doses, take one dose with a bowl of water, decoct until a cup is left, and take it while warm. Take another dose if necessary. (From "Jifeng Puci Fang" Huoxiang San)
⑤ For fresh breath and odor removal: Clean Huoxiang, decoct and use it as a mouthwash from time to time. (From "Zhaiyuan Fang")
⑥ For the treatment of children's dental caries with ulceration, pus and blood, bad breath, and swollen mouth: Tu Huoxiang, mix with a small amount of alum powder, and apply it to the roots of the teeth. (From "Dian Nan Bencao")
⑦ For the treatment of restless fetal movement, qi stagnation, and vomiting of sour water: Xiangfu, Huoxiang, Gancao, each 2 qian (about 6 grams). Grind into powder, take 2 qian (about 6 grams) per dose, add a little salt, and mix with boiling water to take. (From "Shenghui Fang")
⑧ For the treatment of cold and dew sores: Huoxiang leaves, fine tea, equal parts. Burn to ash, mix with oil and apply it to the leaves. (From "Baohui Yingyan Fang")
⑨ For the treatment of bleeding from knife wounds: Tu Huoxiang, Longgu, grind into powder, and apply externally. (From "Dian Nan Bencao")
