Sandalwood … Classic Formulas
Tan Xiang · Lignum Santali Albi
Primary Actions
- Moves Qi and alleviates pain ... Tan Xiang is prized for chest pain, epigastric pain, and oppressed tightness above the diaphragm when cold and Qi stagnation are the dominant mechanisms.
- Disperses cold and warms the middle burner ... it is used when cold lodges in the Stomach and Spleen, causing cramping discomfort, poor appetite, and cold-type digestive stagnation.
- Harmonizes the Stomach and helps stop vomiting ... especially when nausea or vomiting reflects cold and rebellious Stomach Qi rather than heat.
Classic Formulas
- Dan Shen Yin ... classic chest and epigastric pain strategy pairing Tan Xiang with Dan Shen and Sha Ren.
- Guan Xin Su He Wan ... modern-classical chest-obstruction formula in which aromatic woods and warm openers move constrained Qi.
- Kuan Xiong Wan ... cold-type chest pain logic emphasizing Tan Xiang's ability to open the chest and move Qi above the diaphragm.
Classical Text References
- Traditional herbology repeatedly says Tan Xiang is especially good at adjusting Qi above the diaphragm, which is why it is directed so often to chest and upper-abdominal pain.
- Its warm aromatic profile explains the combination of chest-opening, middle-warming, and anti-vomiting actions.
- Classical comparison notes often distinguish Tan Xiang from Chen Xiang by saying Tan Xiang spreads and opens the chest more, while Chen Xiang descends rebellious Qi more strongly.