Agastache Powder

Source: 500 Ancient Imperial Ladies’ Herbal Beauty Recipes Author: Zeng Xianbin | Yu Shengqing

Agastache Leaves 30g, Chinese Coin Grass 30g, Roasted Honeylocust Thorns (peeled and seedless) 30g, Sandalwood 30g, Agarwood 30g, Dahurian Angelica Root 60g, Fermented Fox Nut 21g, Donkey-hide Gelatin (crushed and stir-fried until pearl-like) 21g, Clove 21g, Borneol (ground separately) 7.5g & Glutinous Rice 750g

[Usage] Grind the above into a fine powder. Use it daily as usual to wash the beard, hair, hands, and face.

[Efficacy] After a hundred days, it makes the beard, hair, hands, and face smooth, bright, and moisturized.

[Indications] Dry and withered beard and hair, lackluster hands and face.

[Commentary] This is a secret imperial court prescription from the Yuan Dynasty. Among the ingredients, agastache leaves (Herba Agastaches), Chinese fleabane (Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.), angelica dahurica (Angelica dahurica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook.f. ex Franch. et Sav.), white sparrow droppings, clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry), and borneol (Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn.f.) are all aromatic herbs. They can regulate qi and transform dampness, dispel impurities and open the orifices, perfume the skin and moisturize the beard, and nourish the hair and beard. Chinese honeylocust (Gleditsia sinensis Lam.) can eliminate phlegm turbidity and remove skin dampness and wind. Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa L. var. glutinosa Matsum.) can tonify the middle-jiao and replenish qi, and when combined with donkey-hide gelatin (Colla Corii Asini), it nourishes the skin and hair. This prescription is particularly suitable for people with oily skin.

Q1: How to use agastache powder for digestive health?

A1: To use agastache powder for digestive health, it is typically taken orally by mixing 1–3 grams of the powder with warm water or honey, or as part of a larger herbal decoction. It can be consumed before meals to stimulate appetite and relieve bloating, but it is important to follow dosage guidance from a qualified practitioner, especially if combining with other herbs.

Q2: What are the agastache powder benefits in traditional Chinese medicine?

A2: In traditional Chinese medicine, agastache powder is valued for its ability to transform dampness, harmonize the middle jiao (stomach and spleen), and relieve summer-heat. It is commonly used to treat digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and poor appetite, especially when caused by damp heat or external pathogens.

Q3: What is agastache powder used for in herbal formulas?

A3: Agastache powder is used in herbal formulas primarily as a carminative and stomachic agent to address gastrointestinal discomfort. It frequently appears in formulas for clearing summer-dampness, such as Huoxiang Zhengqi San, and is combined with other herbs to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting by restoring the proper flow of qi and expelling dampness.

Q4: Can agastache powder help with bloating and gas?

A4: Yes, agastache powder can help with bloating and gas due to its aromatic and carminative properties. In TCM theory, it moves stagnant qi and dispels dampness, easing abdominal fullness and flatulence. Regular use in small doses can support healthy digestion, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Q5: How does agastache powder improve digestive health according to TCM?

A5: Agastache powder improves digestive health by warming the spleen and stomach, dispelling dampness, and regulating qi flow. It addresses the root cause of many digestive complaints—dampness obstructing the middle jiao—while also resolving nausea and vomiting. This makes it a key herb for restoring appetite and easing discomfort after eating.

Q6: Is agastache powder safe for long-term use in digestive formulas?

A6: Agastache powder is generally safe for short-term use in digestive formulas, but prolonged consumption is advised only under the guidance of a TCM practitioner. Overuse may lead to drying effects due to its aromatic nature. It is best used as part of a balanced formula tailored to individual patterns of disharmony, not as a standalone daily supplement.

5 thoughts on “Agastache Powder”

  1. This looks like a traditional herbal formula—fascinating to see such a precise blend! I’m curious about the ratio of glutinous rice to the herbs; seems like it’s used as a binder. Has anyone here tried making this powder? I’d love to hear how it compares to standard agastache preparations.

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  2. Que receita interessante! Nunca vi combinação tão rica de ervas e especiarias. O uso de âmbar e sândalo me parece especial. Vale a pena testar essa fórmula para fins medicinais? Obrigado por compartilhar!

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  3. Interesting mix of ingredients! I’ve used agastache in teas before, but never in a powder blend like this. The addition of agarwood and borneol is intriguing—sounds like a really aromatic formula. Would love to know more about the specific applications or benefits. Thanks for sharing this traditional recipe!

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  4. Interesting mix of herbs! I’ve used agastache in teas before, but never as a powder with ingredients like borneol and donkey-hide gelatin. Is this for external use or internal

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  5. This looks like a powerful traditional formula! I love how specific the quantities are—must be for a very precise medicinal effect. Have you tried making it yourself? Would be curious how the borneol and agarwood balance out the rest.

    Reply

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