Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
降真香 / 降香 / 紫藤香 / 小花黄檀 / 降真檀 — Dalbergia parviflora Roxb. / Dalbergia cumingiana
Pinyin: Jiàng Zhēn Xiāng / Jiàng Xiāng / Zǐ Téng Xiāng · Malay: Kayu Laka / Laka / Gaharu Laka / Pokok Laka · Family: Fabaceae / Papilionoideae (豆科)
Energetics
Warm, Aromatic, Piercing (温 / 辛苦温芳烈通络理气止血止痛)
Flavor
Pungent, bitter, warm, intensely resinous-aromatic (辛、苦、微温、气极浓郁降真奇香清冽; heavenly resin aroma enters the Heart and Liver, pungency disperses stagnant blood, bitterness clears phlegm)
Meridians
Heart (心经), Liver (肝经), Spleen (脾经)
Traditional Edict
Kayu Laka (Jiang Zhen Xiang / Jiang Xiang). Ancient resin-impregnated crimson heartwood. Sacred Sovereign of Royal Temple Incense and Coronary Stabbing Pain (Guan Xin Bing Xiong Bi / Raja Gaharu Sembahyang, Penawar Sakit Jantung & Luka Berdarah): burning the dark resinous chips purges epidemic pestilential miasmas, while decocting or taking the fine powder dissolves coronary micro-thrombi, relieves suffocating chest tightness, and arrests bleeding wounds without causing clot stasis.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Contains volatile sesquiterpenes; avoid prolonged over-boiling exceeding 20 minutes in open vessels. Contraindicated in severe Qi and blood deficiency without blood stasis. Safe during lactation; use moderate doses during pregnancy.
Clinical Applications
- Coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia and chest stabbing pain (Xiong Bi); traumatic contusions, bleeding lacerations and incised surgical wounds; functional dyspepsia, epigastric cold pain and vomiting; epidemic pestilential miasma prevention and air purification.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
Nerolidol (>= 25.0% of volatile oil) and dalbergin (>= 0.80%) inhibit ADP- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation (IC50 = 1.2 uM), dilating coronary microvessels and increasing myocardial blood flow; isoflavones downregulate vascular endothelial adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and NF-kB; volatile sesquiterpenes exert broad-spectrum bactericidal action against MRSA and wound pathogens.
Preparation & Dosage
Decoction: 6 to 12 g dried sliced heartwood chips (maximum 15 g; add late in decoctions to preserve volatile nerolidol). Fine powder: 1.0 to 2.5 g per dose with warm water. Standardized extract: 200 to 400 mg twice daily. Sacred incense: wood chips burned on charcoal for aromatic purification.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Coronary Angina & Chest Pain Draught (Jiang Xiang Dan Shen Yin / 降真活血通脉饮): Kayu Laka heartwood 9 g (added late), Dan Shen 15 g, Chuan Xiong 9 g, Hong Hua 6 g decocted in 600 mL water for 20 min; take warm twice daily to relieve chest pain. 2. The Traumatic Wound Hemostasis & Pain Relief Powder (Serbuk Kayu Laka Hentikan Darah): Fine Kayu Laka heartwood powder 10 g, Xue Jie 5 g, San Qi 5 g pulverized together; dust over bleeding wounds or take 1.5 g with warm water.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
