Storax
- Chinese
- 苏合香
- Pinyin
- Su He Xiang
- Latin
- Resina Liquidambaris Orientalis
Known in TCM as Su He Xiang (苏合香), this pungent, warm herb enters the Heart and Spleen. Traditionally, it opens the orifices and revives consciousness ... Su He Xiang is classically used for cold-type closure, phlegm obstruction, and sudden collapse with loss of awareness, most often applied for stroke, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Modern research has identified Aromatic among its active constituents.
Part used: Resin
Also Known As
Latin: Resina Liquidambaris Orientalis | Pinyin: Su He Xiang | Chinese: 苏合香
TCM Properties
- Taste
- pungent
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Heart, Spleen
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Opens the orifices and revives consciousness ... Su He Xiang is classically used for cold-type closure, phlegm obstruction, and sudden collapse with loss of awareness.
- Dispels cold, moves Qi, and alleviates pain ... aromatic resin use extends to chest or abdominal pain where cold and turbidity obstruct free movement.
- Transforms foul turbidity ... it belongs to the emergency aromatic-resin family rather than to ordinary daily decoction herbs.
Secondary Actions
- This page stays on the imported storax resin lane of Liquidambar orientalis and should not be collapsed into the already-live benzoin page or the future storax-oil page.
- Compared with benzoin, Su He Xiang is being documented here as the classic cold-closure storax resin lane rather than as a general balsamic resin category.
Classic Formulas
- Su He Xiang Wan ... classic cold-closure emergency formula in which storax joins other aromatic resins to open the orifices and dispel turbidity.
- Chest-pain aromatic pill traditions ... used when cold obstruction and stagnation predominate.
- Small-dose powder or pill use ... more representative than prolonged decoction because strong heating damages aromatic resins.
Classical References
- Traditional Chinese herbology describes Su He Xiang as a warm pungent resin for opening the orifices, dispersing cold, and relieving pain.
- The core identity is emergency aromatic-resin use, not casual wellness supplementation.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Aromatic resin acids and phenylpropanoid derivatives
- Anti-inflammatory resin constituents
- Additional sweetgum-oil and resin fractions of pharmacologic interest
Studied Effects
- A 2022 study profiled Liquidambar orientalis and explored biologic activity through NF-κB and apoptotic pathways, giving a modern phytochemical and pharmacologic anchor for storax-source material (PMID 34291706).
- A 2025 paper isolated five anti-inflammatory compounds from the resins of Liquidambar orientalis, directly supporting the resin-focused medicinal lane of storax (PMID 39066681).
- A 2016 rat study reported antioxidant and protective effects of sweetgum oil from Liquidambar orientalis against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, showing that sweetgum-derived resin products remain pharmacologically active in modern models (PMID 26079853).
PubMed References
- The Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. var. orientalis via NF-κB and Apoptotic Pathways in Human Colorectal Cancer. (2022)
- Five anti-inflammatory compounds from the resins of Liquidambar orientalis. (2025)
- Protective effect and antioxidant role of sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) oil against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. (2016)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Yin deficiency with pronounced dry heat
- Heat agitation without cold closure or turbid obstruction
Cautions
- Storax is a concentrated aromatic resin used in very small amounts and is not well suited to ordinary high-dose decoction use.
- Imported resin identity and purity matter because storax naming can blur across related balsamic products.
Conditions
- Stroke Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Chest Pain Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Abdominal Pain Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Phlegm Accumulation Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Storax used for?
Storax is traditionally used to Opens the orifices and revives consciousness ... Su He Xiang is classically used for cold-type closure, phlegm obstruction, and sudden collapse with loss of awareness., Dispels cold, moves Qi, and alleviates pain ... aromatic resin use extends to chest or abdominal pain where cold and turbidity obstruct free movement., Transforms foul turbidity ... it belongs to the emergency aromatic-resin family rather than to ordinary daily decoction herbs.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2022 study profiled Liquidambar orientalis and explored biologic activity through NF-κB and apoptotic pathways, giving a modern phytochemical and pharmacologic anchor for storax-source material (PMID 34291706).; A 2025 paper isolated five anti-inflammatory compounds from the resins of Liquidambar orientalis, directly supporting the resin-focused medicinal lane of storax (PMID 39066681)..
What are other names for Storax?
Storax is also known as Storax resin, Liquidambar orientalis resin, Oriental sweetgum storax. In TCM: 苏合香 (Su He Xiang); Resina Liquidambaris Orientalis.
Is Storax safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Storax during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Storax?
Storax should not be used in: Yin deficiency with pronounced dry heat; Heat agitation without cold closure or turbid obstruction. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.