Mu Xiang and Digestive Disorders

Mu Xiang and Digestive Disorders

Now let's take a look at a particular herb called "Mu Xiang." Mu Xiang, which literally translates to "wood fragrance" is also known as Radix Auclandiae Lappe (Latin) or Costus root (English) and is in the "Regulate Qi" category in the Chinese Herbal Pharmacopoeia. "Regulate Qi" can be translated as "to keep processes/functions moving properly." Mu Xiang's function is to regulate qi movement and alleviate pain associated with the digestive tract. Three indications to use this herb would be:

1. Qi stagnation in the epi-gastrium and abdomen, which causes distention.
   a. This can be seen as a blockage of food within the intestines and/or peristalsis (the smooth muscle contraction, which pushes the food along) isn't functioning properly.
2. Qi deficiency leading to loss of appetite and oppression fullness in the epi-gastrium and abdomen along with nausea.
   a. This can be seen as a lack of muscle tone in the digestive tract and/or decreased gastric juices so food isn't being broken down appropriately.
3. Painful diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain and tenesmus (a feeling of an incomplete bowl movement)
   a. Not only can Mu Xiang increase muscle tone it can also decrease muscle spasm causing cramps, diarrhea and swelling of the tissues.

Mu Xiang treats the symptoms and it also, mildly, treats the source/root of the problem by strengthening the spleen and stomach (ie: digestion).
In a study done on mice in 2005 Radix Aucklandiae had "surprising inhibition activity on hydrochloric acid-ethanol type acute gastric ulcer (P<0.01). It also could obviously reduce the index of gastric ulcer induced by reserpine and chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid (P<0.05-0.01)."
With some scientific evidence stating that Radix Aucklandiae (Mu Xiang) helps reduce gastric ulcers let us take a look at some basic formulary examples an herbalist might use for a patient with IBD:
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang "Six Gentlemen Decoction with Aucklandiae and Amomum" is used for "Spleen Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Dampness and pain" and "Stomach Cold." Some of the symptoms this formula treats are nausea, vomiting, emaciation, lack of appetite with full feeling after eating very little, acid regurgitation, epigastric and abdominal distention and pain, loose stools and diarrhea, fatigue. The pulse will be deep and weak. The tongue will show a thin white coat and a pale flabby body with possible teethmarks.
Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang "True man's decoction to nourish the organs" treats a Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency by warming the middle/abdomen, strengthening the spleen and stomach, astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea. Manifestations of this pattern present as chronic diarrhea/dysentery with possible blood and/or mucus, fecal incontinence, tenesmus, abdominal pain that's better with warmth, reduced appetite, poor appetite, and lower back pain. The pulse will be thin and slow and the tongue will be pale with a white coat.
Shao Yao Tang "Peony Decoction" treats a Large Intestine Damp-Heat with Qi and Blood stagnation causing bleeding by unblocking the qi and blood, clearing heat, draining dampness, resolving toxicity and pain. Some of the symptoms would include: abdominal pain, difficulty defecating, blood and pus in stool, burning sensation around the anus, fever and no thirst. The pulse is slippery and rapid and the tongue will be greasy slightly yellow coat.

This article is from Acupuncture Today.