Difference between Xiang and Chen Xiang
Xiang and Chen Xiang have different effects, both of them are warm and aromatic herbs. Chen Xiang, also known as water Chen Xiang, has a unique fragrance and has been used as an aid to sleep since ancient times. Xiang and Chen Xiang both have unique aromas, so what is the difference between Xiang and Chen Xiang?
Difference between Xiang and Chen Xiang
Xiang is the root heartwood of the leguminous plant Xiang Tan. It is warm and pungent, and belongs to the liver and spleen meridians. It has the functions of dispersing blood stasis, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain. It is commonly used in clinical practice for treating traumatic blood stasis, bleeding, and qi stagnation and blood stasis in the chest. It is often used in combination with Mu Xiang, Yan Hu Suo, and Tao Ren. In recent years, it is often combined with Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, Chi Shao, Dan Shen, etc. to treat coronary heart disease and angina. It can also be used in combination with Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, Xue Jie, etc. to treat bruises, blood stasis, and pain. It can be used alone as a powder for external application or in combination with San Qi and other hemostatic drugs. Therefore, Xiang has a clear and refreshing aroma, which can dispel impurities and turbidity. It is often used in combination with Huo Xiang, Pei Lan, and Mu Xiang to treat dampness and turbidity in the spleen and stomach, and qi stagnation. The clinical manifestations include nausea, vomiting, distention and fullness of the epigastric region, and greasy tongue coating.
Chen Xiang is the wood of the Lauraceae plants Chen Xiang and Bai Mu Xiang, which contain dark brown resin. After drying, it is processed into a fragrant and pungent herb. It is warm in nature and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and kidney meridians.
It has a heavy and descending nature, can descend to the lower dantian to warm the kidneys and gather qi, and its aromatic and pungent properties can promote qi circulation and relieve pain. It can also dispel cold from the interior and is a good herb for warming the middle, warming the kidneys, and regulating qi. Therefore, it is often used in clinical practice for conditions such as cold stagnation in the organs, reversed flow of liver qi causing lung and stomach qi counterflow, chest discomfort, and loss of appetite, often used in combination with Wu Yao, Mu Xiang, Bing Lang, etc. If there is spleen and stomach deficiency with cold accumulation, abdominal distension and pain, aversion to cold, hiccup, vomiting, poor appetite, cold limbs, and weakness, as well as loose stools, it is often used in combination with Fu Zi, Gan Jiang, etc. If there is excessive yin and cold, extreme coldness in the limbs, cold and pain in the navel and abdomen, it should be combined with Fu Zi, Ding Xiang, She Xiang, and other powerful warming and pain-relieving herbs to restore yang and relieve counterflow.
In addition, it can be used for conditions such as asthma and dyspnea due to kidney qi deficiency, with symptoms of shortness of breath, worsened by movement and accompanied by sweating, pale and floating complexion, and thin pulse (such as bronchial asthma). It is often used in combination with Wu Wei Zi, Ge Jie, Ren Shen, Shu Di, etc. If used with Cen Bai Ye before sleep, it has a good effect in treating bronchial asthma. If there is stagnation of qi and cold, chest discomfort, abdominal distension, shortness of breath, dry retching, irritability, cough with phlegm and saliva, it is suitable to be used in combination with Xiang Fu, Sha Ren, Gan Cao, etc. For cold vomiting, hiccup that has not been cured for a long time (acute and chronic gastritis), it can be used in combination with Bai Dou Kou, Ding Xiang, Shi Di, Zi Su, etc.
In addition, it can be used in combination with Rou Cong Rong to treat qi deficiency constipation, and with Dong Kui Zi, Bai Tou Weng to treat facial edema and difficulty urinating, and other conditions.
