Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Pogostemonis Herba |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 廣藿香 · Guang Huo Xiang |
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| Medicinal Part | Whole herbs |
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| Efficacy Category | Dampness-transforming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried aerial portion of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.(Lamiaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Slightly warm |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
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What Is Guang Huo Xiang?
Guang Huo Xiang (Cablin Potchouli Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the areas of Suixi and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Slightly warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Guang Huo Xiang: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Pogostemonis Herba
Botanical Origin
The dried aerial portion of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.(Lamiaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the areas of Suixi and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has grayish-green, numerous leaves, and potent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Stem is slightly square, with branches, long and curved, 30~60cm long, about 0.2~0.7cm diameter; externally covered with soft hairs; brittle texture, easily broken; fractured surface center has pith; old stems are sub-cylindrical, 1~1.2cm in diameter, covered with grayish-white cortex. Opposing leaves wrinkled into lumps, oval or elliptical when flattened, 4~9cm long, 3~7cm wide; both sides covered with grayish-white hairs; apex is short pointy or blunt round; base is wedge-shaped or round, with uneven blunt teeth at the edges; thin leaf stem, 2~5cm long, covered with hairs. Distinctive aromatic odor; slightly bitter taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Slightly warmSpleenStomachLung
Traditional Functions
Aromatically transforms dampness, harmonizes the middle, and releases the exterior. Apply to damp-turbidity of the middle jiao, vomiting, summerheat-damp, and early-stage exterior dampness.
How Guang Huo Xiang Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Guang Huo Xiang is classified among the Dampness-transforming herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Guang Huo Xiang? Are Agastache and Pei Lan the same?
Official Guang Huo Xiang (广藿香) is the dried aerial part of Pogostemon cablin. The pharmacopoeial name is Pogostemonis Herba. It is mainly produced in Guangdong. Huo Xiang sometimes refers to a related species. Pei Lan is acrid-neutral: aromatically transforms dampness, arouses the Spleen and opens the appetite. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Guang Huo Xiang. Yin vacuity is contraindicated.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Guang Huo Xiang?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Guang Huo Xiang is acrid and slightly warm, enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels, and acts to aromatically transform turbidity, harmonize the middle and stop vomiting, release the exterior and resolve summerheat. It is used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle, epigastric oppression and vomiting, summerheat-damp exterior patterns, early damp-warm disease, fever with fatigue, chest oppression, cold-damp closed summerheat, abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea, and nasal congestion with headache. Acrid and slightly warm, it suits damp turbidity obstructing the middle—not yin vacuity, or absence of dampness.
How do you choose dried versus fresh herb? Can Pei Lan replace it?
Dried herb is stronger for aromatically transforming turbidity. Fresh herb is purer for resolving summerheat. Eupatorium leans to arousing the Spleen and opening the appetite; it cannot replace stopping vomiting by equal weight. Commercial patchouli tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Guang Huo Xiang
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Guang Huo Xiang.
Read the Guang Huo Xiang Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
