Mu Xiang Shun Qi San: Relieving Digestive Stagnation and Dampness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Hongji Medical
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San is a classic formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), originating from the Ming Dynasty physician Zhang Jiebin’s Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Jing Yue) and later documented in texts like Hui Chun.
Renowned for its ability to regulate qi, resolve dampness, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach, this formula is widely used to treat symptoms like abdominal bloating, chest tightness, and belching caused by qi stagnation and dampness.
Named after its key herb, Costus Root (Mu Xiang), the formula is carefully crafted to promote qi flow, alleviate pain, and support digestion, making it a go-to remedy for spleen and stomach disorders.
Composition of Mu Xiang Shun Qi San
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San consists of multiple herbs, organized according to the TCM principle of "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy":
Monarch Herbs: Costus Root (Mu Xiang), Cyperus (Xiang Fu)
Costus Root, pungent, bitter, and warm, targets the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. It promotes qi flow, relieves pain, strengthens the spleen, and aids digestion, addressing bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Cyperus, pungent, slightly bitter, and neutral, targets the liver and triple burner meridians. It soothes liver qi, relieves depression, alleviates pain, and regulates menstruation.
Together, these aromatic, warming herbs excel at relieving qi stagnation and pain.
Minister Herbs: Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi), Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Magnolia Bark (Hou Po), Amomum (Sha Ren)
Green Tangerine Peel, bitter and warm, targets the liver, gallbladder, and stomach, breaking up qi stagnation and resolving food retention.
Dried Tangerine Peel, pungent and warm, targets the spleen and lung, regulating qi, strengthening the spleen, and drying dampness.
Magnolia Bark, bitter and warm, targets the spleen, stomach, lung, and large intestine, promoting qi flow, drying dampness, and relieving abdominal distension.
Amomum, pungent and warm, targets the spleen, stomach, and kidney, resolving dampness, stimulating appetite, and warming the spleen.
These herbs work together to regulate qi, clear dampness, and address middle-jiao dampness.
Assistant Herb: Bitter Orange (Zhi Qiao)
Bitter, pungent, and slightly cold, it targets the spleen, stomach, and large intestine, promoting qi flow and relieving bloating.
Assistant Herbs for Warming: Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Dried Ginger, pungent and hot, targets the spleen, stomach, kidney, and heart, warming the middle, dispersing cold, and restoring yang.
Cinnamon Bark, pungent, sweet, and very hot, targets the kidney, spleen, heart, and liver, warming channels, relieving pain, and supporting yang.
These herbs warm the interior, alleviate cold-related abdominal pain, and enhance qi flow.
Envoy Herb: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Sweet and neutral, it targets the spleen, lung, and heart, harmonizing the formula, tonifying qi, and supporting spleen function.
Pathological Mechanism
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San targets spleen and stomach qi stagnation with dampness obstruction, with the following mechanisms:
Spleen and Stomach Weakness: Impaired spleen and stomach function leads to dampness accumulation.
Qi Stagnation: Emotional stress or improper diet causes qi stagnation, disrupting spleen and stomach digestion.
Dampness Obstruction: Stagnant qi and dampness block the middle jiao, impairing qi movement and digestion.
Common Symptoms: Chest and abdominal fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, poor appetite, and loose stools with a greasy white tongue coating.
Functions and Indications
Functions
Promotes qi flow and resolves dampness.
Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach.
Indications
Chest and abdominal fullness.
Bloating and abdominal pain.
Belching and nausea.
Poor appetite and loose stools.
Greasy white tongue coating.
Comparison with Other Formulas
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San is distinct among qi-regulating formulas:
Yue Ju Wan: Treats stagnation of qi, blood, phlegm, fire, dampness, and food, with broader applications but less focus on resolving dampness compared to Mu Xiang Shun Qi San.
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan: Targets damp-heat stagnation with constipation, emphasizing food retention and purgation, unlike Mu Xiang Shun Qi San’s focus on qi and dampness.
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San excels in treating spleen and stomach qi stagnation with dampness, particularly for bloating and digestive discomfort.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern studies highlight Mu Xiang Shun Qi San’s benefits:
Digestive Regulation: Promotes gastrointestinal motility, improving digestion and relieving bloating and belching.
Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief: Herbs like Costus Root and Dried Tangerine Peel reduce inflammation and alleviate abdominal pain.
Calming Effects: Certain herbs have sedative properties, helping to relieve stress and improve mood.
Clinical Uses: Effective for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, functional dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome when diagnosed as spleen-stomach qi stagnation with dampness.
Precautions for Use
Syndrome Differentiation: Suitable for spleen-stomach qi stagnation with dampness. Avoid in cases of yin deficiency or internal heat.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women should use cautiously under medical guidance.
Yin or Qi-Blood Deficiency: The formula’s warm, drying herbs may deplete qi or fluids, so avoid in yin or qi-blood deficiency.
Consultation: Always use under the guidance of a TCM practitioner to ensure proper application.
Conclusion
Mu Xiang Shun Qi San, rooted in Jing Yue Quan Shu, is a powerful TCM formula for relieving spleen and stomach qi stagnation with dampness. Its balanced herbs promote qi flow, resolve dampness, and support digestion, effectively addressing bloating, chest tightness, and poor appetite.
Proper syndrome differentiation and professional guidance are essential for safe and effective use, making it a valuable remedy in both traditional and modern contexts.
