← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Aromatic Orifice-Opening, Resuscitation & Cardioprotective Sovereign (开窍醒神 / 辟秽化浊行气活血止痛散寒解郁治心腹卒痛 — 历代芳香开窍辟秽第一安息香 / 传统苏门答腊神木香胶 / 中药苏合香丸与安息香丸核心主药)

    安息香 / 爪哇安息香 / 苏门答腊安息香 / 避邪香 / 拙贝罗香 — Styrax benzoin Dryand. (and Styrax tonkinensis, Styrax sumatrana)

    Pinyin: Ānxīxiāng / Zhǎowā Ānxīxiāng / Sūméndálà Ānxīxiāng · Malay: Kemenyan / Kemenyan Putih / Kemenyan Madu / Luban Jawi · Family: Styracaceae (安息香科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to Warm (平 / 平温)

    Flavor

    Acrid, bitter, sweet, intensely balsamic-vanilla aromatic (辛、苦、甘、微温、气味芳香浓烈沉降)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Spleen (脾), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Sumatra Benzoin (Kemenyan / An Xi Xiang / Luban Jawi). Translucent golden-amber resin tears with milky almond inclusions. Crowning jewel of emergency resuscitation pills (Su He Xiang Wan): awakens comatose stroke patients, terminates sudden angina chest pain.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • DO NOT BOIL IN WATER (resin is water-insoluble; volatile aromatics evaporate; use pills/powders). Use strictly for Closed-Pattern Stroke (Bi Zheng); CONTRAINDICATED in Open Prostration Stroke (Tuo Zheng). Safe in lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute ischemic stroke coma with phlegm-blockage (closed-pattern Bi Zheng), acute angina pectoris and coronary artery spasm, and upper respiratory tract steam inhalation (Friar's Balsam).

    Quality Markers

    Coniferyl Benzoate >= 15.0%-30.0%, Free Cinnamic Acid >= 10.0%-20.0% & Free Benzoic Acid >= 10.0% (HPLC ChP/BP standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Coniferyl benzoate stimulates the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS), accelerating consciousness recovery in stroke coma. 2. Cinnamic compounds induce nitric oxide vasodilation, relieving coronary vasospasm. 3. Antiseptic expectorant.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN SU HE XIANG RESUSCITATION PILL: 10 g An Xi Xiang levigated into fine powder compounded with Su He Xiang, Borneol, and Musk into 3 g honey pills; 1 pill taken for stroke coma or chest pain. Steam inhalation: 2-3 g in boiling water. Decoct: FORBIDDEN.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Aromatic Orifice-Opening Emergency Synergy (Su He Xiang Wan) with Borneol and Aquilaria (Chen Xiang). 2. Cardiac Angina Chest-Oppression Powder with Dan Shen.

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only