Musk (Shexiang)
Moschus berezovskii Flerov (Fam. Cervidae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Moschus
Zoological Name: 1. Moschus berezovskii Flerov; 2. Moschus sifanicus Przewalski; 3. Moschus moschiferus L. (Fam. Cervidae)
Common Name: Musk
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The secretion is obtained from the naval musk gland of male musk deers. It is dried in the shade in winter or spring.
Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm.
Meridians: Heart and spleen.
Functions: 1. To open the orifices and clear the mind; 2. To invigorate the blood and disperse nodules; 3. To stop pain; 4. To expel placenta labor.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Unconsciousness due to high fever.Musk (Shexiang) is used with Ox gallstone (Niuhuang) and Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) in the formula Zhibao Dan.
2. Unconsciousness due to windstroke. Musk (Shexiang) is used with Storax (Suhexiang) and Cloves (Dingxiang) in the formula Suhexiang Wan.
3. Carbuncles, furuncles and swellings. Musk (Shexiang) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao) and Realgar (Xionghuang) in the formula Xingxiao Wan.
4. Sudden severe pain in the chest and abdominal region. Musk (Shexiang) is used with Costus root (Muxiang), Peach seed (Taoren) and herbs that invigorate the blood in a formula such as Shexiang Tang.
5. Swelling and pain caused by external injuries. Musk (Shexiang) is used with Sappan wood (Sumu), Myrrh (Moyao) and Safflower (Honghua) in the formula Bali San.
6. Dead fetus or placenta failing to be expelled. Musk (Shexiang) is used with Cinnamon bark (Rougui) in the formula Xiang Gui San.
7. For gastric and abdominal pain, it is used with Radix Aucklandiae (Mu Xiang) and Semen Persicae (Tao Ren). For traumatic pain, it is used with Lignum Sappan (Su Mu) and Myrrha (Mo Yao).
8. For masses in the abdomen, amenorrhea, retention of dead fetuses or retained placenta.
Dosage: 0.06-0.1 g used in pill or powder, not in decoction. Appropriate amount for external use.
Cautions & Contraindications: The substance must not be cooked. It is contraindicated during pregnancy.
