Mo Yao, 1lb

Mo Yao, commonly known as Myrrh or Commiphora, is a bitter, neutral Chinese herb classified among herbs that regulate and invigorate the Blood. Its pharmaceutical Latin names are Myrrh and Resina Commiphorae. Mo Yao enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen channels and is traditionally used to invigorate the Blood, dispel Blood Stasis, alleviate pain, reduce swelling, generate flesh, and promote healing.

TCM Herb Profile

Mo Yao is primarily used when pain is associated with Blood Stasis, particularly when the pain is severe. Traditional indications include pain from trauma, sores, carbuncles, swellings, fixed abdominal masses, painful obstruction, chest pain, abdominal pain, and amenorrhea. Its combination of Blood-invigorating, Stasis-dispersing, pain-relieving, and swelling-reducing actions makes it especially associated with presentations in which obstruction and stagnation are prominent.

Mo Yao also generates flesh and promotes healing. Traditional applications include chronic non-healing sores, particularly where impaired healing is associated with the herb's Blood-moving and tissue-supporting actions.

Additional Traditional Uses

Traditional notes describe Mo Yao as an herb used especially for severe pain caused by Blood Stasis. It is also described as having an astringent action when applied to the lips. Some traditional descriptions additionally attribute a Qi-regulating action to Mo Yao.

Mo Yao is the resin obtained from the stem of the plant. Historically, myrrh resin was applied to corpses in ancient Egypt as a preservative.

Mo Yao and Ru Xiang

Mo Yao and Ru Xiang, Olibanum, share several important actions. Both invigorate the Blood, disperse Stasis, relieve pain, reduce swelling, and generate flesh. Their traditional characteristics differ, however. Ru Xiang is warm and piercingly aromatic. It is described as more powerfully stopping pain, acting more strongly on Qi, more powerfully invigorating the Blood, and relaxing the sinews.

Mo Yao is neutral and bitter. It is described as more powerfully breaking up Stagnation, with draining and dispersing actions that act more directly on the Blood. When Mo Yao and Ru Xiang are combined, the dosage of Mo Yao should be reduced.

Prepared and Unprepared Forms

Unprepared Myrrh, Shen Mo Yao, is generally used externally or incorporated into pill form. Prepared Myrrh, Zhi Mo Yao, has a less disagreeable effect on digestion and a more agreeable taste. The prepared form is also described as stronger for invigorating Blood, stopping pain, restraining and inhibiting, and generating flesh.

Traditional Use Considerations

Mo Yao is intended for presentations in which Stasis is present and is contraindicated in the absence of Stasis. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy, in cases of excessive uterine bleeding, and when there is excessive loss of postpartum lochia accompanied by abdominal pain due to Deficiency. Caution is advised for those with weak Stomachs, and long-term use is not recommended.