Source The dried herb of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.
Producing Areas Guangdong, Hainan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Yunnan etc.
Properties Spicy, Slightly Warm
Channels Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Action
For weak digestion, lack of appetite, diarrhoea or vomiting, dysentery, coughing, bad breath and stuffiness of the chest or abdomen caused by deficiency in the spleen.
Usage and Dosage
The fresh is effective for clearing away summer heat, dampness and turbidity.
5 – 10g is decocted for oral use, or 10 – 15g used in tea or soup. The amount of the fresh is doubled.
Notes Contraindicated in the case with the weak stomach causing nausea, heat in the stomach causing vomiting and flaming-up fire in the middle energiser. Use with caution for the person with hyperactivity fire due to yin-deficiency, or with red tongue without coating.
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place and protect from light and wind.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is stout, strongly aromatic and without rootlets.
Professional Advice
Shipai Guanghuoxiang (Herba Agastachis, produced in Shipai, Guangdong) has thinner stems, bigger and protruding leaf scares and small thick leaves.
Hainan Guanghuoxiang (Herba Agastachis, produced in Hainan) has stouter stems, small leaf scares and bigger and thin leaves.
Tu Huoxiang is the dry aerial part of Huoxiang (Agastache rugosa (Fisch.et Mey.) O.Ktze.), with empty centre or small hole in the pith, yellowish green leaves and regular saw teeth.
