What are the functions and effects of Agastache?
Aug 06, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb with aromatic dampness-resolving properties, Agastache (Huoxiang) has functions and benefits including relieving summerheat, resolving dampness, stopping vomiting, clearing turbid phlegm through aromatic action, harmonizing the middle jiao and regulating qi, and inhibiting bacteria. When using Agastache, it is important to appropriately combine it with other herbs according to specific conditions, while paying attention to dosage and method of use, avoiding blind application in order to better exert its therapeutic effects.
Generally, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb with aromatic and dampness-resolving properties, Agastache (Huoxiang) has functions and benefits mainly including relieving summerheat, resolving dampness, stopping vomiting, eliminating turbidity through its aromatic nature, harmonizing the middle jiao and regulating qi, and inhibiting bacterial growth. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Relieving summerheat and resolving dampness: Agastache is warm in nature and pungent in taste, entering the spleen and stomach meridians. It is particularly effective at relieving summerheat and resolving dampness. During hot and humid summer months, the body is prone to invasion by summerheat and dampness, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, headache, chest tightness, physical heaviness, and discomfort. Agastache can disperse summerheat and dampness and promote the function of the spleen and stomach, helping to alleviate these symptoms and restore a sense of clarity and comfort.
2. Stopping vomiting: Agastache is a commonly used herb for relieving vomiting, especially vomiting caused by dampness obstructing the spleen or summerheat-dampness. It helps regulate the qi mechanism of the spleen and stomach, reducing abnormal gastrointestinal reactions. It can alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by dampness blocking the spleen and stomach, as well as morning sickness during early pregnancy due to turbid dampness.
3. Eliminating turbidity through its aromatic properties: Agastache has a strong aromatic odor, which gives it a powerful effect in resolving turbidity. When dampness and turbidity accumulate in the body, causing symptoms such as a sticky mouth, halitosis, thick greasy tongue coating, and epigastric fullness and oppression, the aroma of Agastache can stimulate the spleen and stomach, dispel dampness and turbidity, promote smooth qi circulation in the spleen and stomach, and improve the greasy condition of the body.
4. Harmonizing the middle jiao and regulating qi: Agastache can harmonize the middle jiao and regulate qi, thus improving the function of the spleen and stomach. For symptoms such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, and indigestion caused by disharmony of the spleen and stomach, Agastache can regulate the qi mechanism of the spleen and stomach, promote secretion of digestive fluids, enhance gastrointestinal motility, alleviate abdominal distension, stimulate appetite, and improve the overall function of the spleen and stomach.
5. Inhibiting bacterial growth: Agastache contains multiple active components that provide certain antibacterial properties. It can inhibit the growth and proliferation of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections, such as Escherichia coli and Shigella, helping to reduce the occurrence of intestinal infections and supporting the maintenance of intestinal health.
When using Agastache, it is important to appropriately combine it with other herbs according to specific conditions, and pay attention to dosage and method of use. Avoid indiscriminate use in order to better harness its therapeutic effects.
