Su He Xiang Wan 苏合香丸
Storax Pill

Tradition:
TCM
Source / Author:
Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era, 752 (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang)
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Styrax officinalis | 30 grams | |
Moschus moschiferus | 60 grams | |
Dryobalanops aromatica | 30 grams | |
Styrax benzoin | ||
Aucklandia lappa | ||
Santalum album | ||
Aquilaria agallocha | 60 grams ea. | |
Boswellia carterii | 30 grams | |
Syzygium aromaticum |
| |
Cyperus rotundus |
| |
Piper longum |
| |
Cornu Rhinoceri |
| |
Cinnabaris |
| |
Atractylodes macrocephala |
| |
Terminalia chebula | 60 grams ea. |
* Synthetic Musk or Musk substitutes are often used today.
** Water Buffalo horn concentrate is used in place of Rhinoceros horn
Preparation:
Powder and form honey pills of 3 grams each.
Function:
Clears Cold, Phlegm and Damp, Opens the Orifices, clears Turbidity, moves Qi
Use:
In all the following cases, there is a pale complexion, purplish or dull lips, excess mucus and saliva, cold extremities, a pale tongue with a thick coating and a deep pulse
1. Loss of Consciousness
2. CVA
3. Encephalitis
4. Seizures
5. Angina Pectoris
6. Hysteria
7. Post concussion syndrome
Dose:
1 pill (3 grams) once or twice daily with warm water
Cautions:
1. Not used during pregnancy
2. Not used long term
3. Not used in cases with marked Heat or Yin deficiency
Modifications:
A modified version was prepared as an ethanol extract and was proven to be useful for Alzhemier’s Disease:
Storax Su He Xiang
Nutmeg Rou Dou Kou
Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
Sandalwood Tan Xiang
Long Pepper Pi Pi Ling
Clove Ding Xiang
Cattail pollen Pu Huang
Salvia Dan Shen
Similar Formulas:
GENERAL:
–[Determination of major volatile components in suhexiang wan (storax pill) using analytical supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)].
INHIBITS CNS:
–Inhibitory effects of the essential oil from SuHeXiang Wan on the central nervous system after inhalation.
POST STROKE:
–Post-stroke treatment of storax improves long-term outcomes of stroke in rats.
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT:
–SuHeXiang Wan essential oil alleviates amyloid beta induced memory impairment through inhibition of tau protein phosphorylation in mice.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE:
–Suppressive effects of SuHeXiang Wan on amyloid-beta42-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase hyperactivation and glial cell proliferation in a transgenic Drosophila model of Alzheimer’s disease.
–A modified formulation of Chinese traditional medicine improves memory impairment and reduces Aβ level in the Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
–Neuroprotective effect of SuHeXiang Wan in Drosophila models of Alzheimer’s disease.
NEUROPROTECTIVE:
–Neuroprotective effects of Suhexiang Wan on the in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease.
–Neuroprotective effect of SuHeXiang Wan in Drosophila models of Alzheimer’s disease.
ANTIDEPRESSANT, ANXIOLYTIC:
–SuHeXiang Essential Oil Inhalation Produces Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Effects in Adult Mice.
Back to PILLS
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures


This is an extremely aromatic formula (most of the medicines contain ‘Xiang’ in their name, meaning ‘aromatic’). As such, it is very penetrating and activating, good to clear through turbid Phlegm and Damp and awaken the Mind and Spirit.