Herb module
Mu Xiang
Costus RootAucklandia lappa
A fragrant, woody root that Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on to get stuck Qi moving in the belly.
Mu Xiang is an aromatic root that Traditional Chinese Medicine uses to promote the movement of Qi and ease discomfort, especially in the intestines. It strengthens the Spleen and helps the Liver and Spleen work in harmony. Zoi includes it in Metabolic Balance™, Digestive Relief | Édafos™, and Spleen Meridian™.
Best functions
- Traditionally used to move Qi and ease discomfort in the abdomen
- Regulates stuck Qi in the intestines and helps keep things from stagnating
- Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
- Used to clear Damp-Heat
- Studies suggest it supports healthy digestive movement
Fascinating facts
- Mu Xiang means 'wood fragrance,' a fitting name for a root with a strong, woody scent.
- In English it is known as costus root. It is described as an aromatic 'mover' that keeps Qi flowing through the digestive system.
- The aromatic root has a long history beyond medicine, used in incense and perfumery.
- In animal studies, researchers have looked at how it calms inflammation in the digestive tract, protects the cells that make the gut's protective mucus, and supports the movement of the gut.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
Mu Xiang is warm, with a pungent and bitter flavor, and it is a Qi-regulating herb. It enters the Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach, and Triple Burner (San Jiao) channels.
Biomedical deep dive
Mu Xiang Costus Root
From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.
On the fact sheet
- Mu Xiang (Costus Root, Auklandiae lappe) is warm and enters the GB, LI, SP, ST, and SJ channels; promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain, regulates stagnant Qi in the intestines, strengthens the Spleen, prevents stagnation, dispels Damp-Heat, and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen. Metabolic Balance · Digestive Relief | Édafos · · Spleen Meridian sheets
Key active constituents
The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.
Pharmacology and mechanisms
- In animal studies, Aucklandia (Mu Xiang) lowered inflammation, protected mucus-secreting cells, helped heal gastric lesions and improved gut motility (movement).
- Aucklandia showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in the intestine and supported gastric ulcer healing in animal studies.
- Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone (its active compounds) inhibit NF-κB, a master switch for inflammation. · Noa’s notes
- Prokinetic: enhances movement of the stomach and intestines. Noa’s notes
- Antimicrobial against H. pylori and Candida albicans (a yeast). Noa’s notes
What the research says
- In mice, a Radix Aucklandiae preparation reduced intestinal inflammation (mucositis) caused by the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (Liu et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2021).
- Aucklandia extract and its active substances affected movement in isolated rat intestinal strips (Guo et al., Pharm Biol 2014).
- Ethanol extracts of Mu Xiang supported gastric ulcer healing in rats (Xu et al., J Tradit Chin Med 2020).
Safety, interactions and cautions
- Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
- The Metabolic Balance fact sheet cautions that the formula may be contraindicated with prescription blood thinners or anti-diabetic drugs.
- Avoid in Yin deficiency with fluid depletion or Heat, or in excess Heat conditions (Traditional Chinese Medicine terms). Noa’s notes
- Metabolic Balance™ is not for everyday use in children. It can be used short term to support the gut with parasites or gut infections in children, at 1 dropper full 3x per day. Always review an infection with your physician.
In these Zoi formulas
- Metabolic Balance (#12 on the fact sheet)
- Digestive Relief | Édafos (#12 on the fact sheet)
- Spleen Meridian (#5 on the fact sheet)
