Aromatic Herbs that Open the Orifices: She Xiang (musk)

she xiang (musk)

麝香 secretio moschi moschiferi

she = musk deer
xiang = fragrance

Teeny tiny dosage: 0.03 - 0.1 grams

WARM
Acrid and aromatic

Heart, Spleen, Liver

CI: Pregnancy; yin deficient heat

WHAT IS MUSK and WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Bensky has an informative section about how musk is obtained and what exactly it is. The musk deer is not from the same family as the deer we see commonly. Musk deer are from a more ancient time and they live mainly in the Himalayas. Musk deer differ from "true deer" in that they don't have antlers, possess just two nipples, and the males have a musk gland which -- it is guessed -- is used to attract mates (and probably to mark territory?).

The musk is so highly coveted that it is worth 2 to 3 times the price of gold. As Bensky writes, the musk is present after the male musk deer reaches one year and is found in a "walnut-sized gland located very close to the male deer genitals."

Traditionally, the musk was obtained after killing the male musk deer -- and often, for some reason, after killing the rest of the members of his family as well. "Since 1958, methods to remove the musk without killing the deer have been under development in China." Musk is also "collected" from musk deer in Russia. From my knowledge of Russians and their methods of obtaining Lu Rong (deer antler), I'm guessing that there are many instances where no anesthetic is used.

Musk is currently on the CITES II list, meaning that the species are not protected, but are being watched.

According to the Wikipedia entry about musk, The grain of musk will distinctly scent millions of cubic feet of air without any appreciable loss of weight, and its scent is not only more penetrating but more persistent than that of any other known substance.

There are also synthetic sources of musk (which are not all very safe substances) commonly used in perfumes. Reportedly, real musk is now used only in Chinese medicine.

WHAT ARE THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF SHE XIANG?

She Xiang's acrid nature disperses, its warmth unblocks, and its aroma travel through and pierces-- a combination that places it squarely in the "Aromatic Herbs that Open the Orifices" category. Though She Xiang officially travels to the Heart, Liver, and Spleen, it is said to mobilize and unblock all twelve channels. It is the primary herb in formulas designed to revive consciousness due to high fever, wind-stroke, and phlegm collapse -- all excess conditions. Since it opens every orifice, it is not to be used in cases of collapse from deficiency.

SPECIFIC INDICATIONS:

1. Vigorously opens the orifices / Revives the Spirit / Unblocks Closed Disorders

* problems of impaired consciousness - hot or cold:
- heat entering the PC due to warm-heat pathogen disease (convulsions, delirium, stupor, fainting)
- closed disorders
- tetanic collapse
- phlegm collapse
- seizures

2. Invigorates Blood / Dissipates Clumps / Reduces Swelling / Alleviates Pain
* problems due to blood stasis:
- fixed masses
- toxic sores & carbuncles
- traumatic injuries
- painful obstruction
- amenorrhea

3. Hastens Delivery / Facilitates Passage of Stillborns