Musk is a name for a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried secretion from the mature male scent sacs of animals belonging to the genus Moschus in the deer family, specifically the forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii Flerov), the horse musk deer (M. sifanicus Przewalski), or the original musk deer (M. moschiferus Linnaeus). It has the therapeutic effects of opening the orifices and reviving the spirit, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and reducing swelling and relieving pain.It is primarily used to treat mental confusion due to obstruction, swollen and toxic sores, scrofula and phlegm nodules, sore throat, amenorrhea due to blood stasis, masses and masses, sudden pain in the chest and abdomen, headaches, trauma, arthralgia caused by wind, cold, and dampness, difficult labor, stillbirth, and retained placenta.
Musk
Musk is a name for a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried secretion from the mature male scent sacs of animals belonging to the genus Moschus in the deer family, specifically the forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii Flerov), the horse musk deer (M. sifanicus Przewalski), or the original musk deer (M. moschiferus Linnaeus). It has the therapeutic effects of opening the orifices and reviving the spirit, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and reducing swelling and relieving pain.It is primarily used to treat mental confusion due to obstruction, swollen and toxic sores, scrofula and phlegm nodules, sore throat, amenorrhea due to blood stasis, masses and masses, sudden pain in the chest and abdomen, headaches, trauma, arthralgia caused by wind, cold, and dampness, difficult labor, stillbirth, and retained placenta.
Chinese Name : 麝香
Latin Name : Moschus
Aliases : Yixiang, Qixiang, Xinjiexiang, Dangmenzi, Shengxiang, Sheqixiang, Siwei Chou, Yuancunxiang, Chouzi, Laizi, Xiangqizi
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Pungent in taste, warm in nature; enters the Heart and Spleen meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Opens the orifices and revives the spirit; promotes blood circulation and unblocks the meridians; reduces swelling and relieves pain.
Indications
1. Closed-syndrome mental confusion: Musk is pungent and warm, with an extremely fragrant aroma and a highly penetrating nature. It possesses potent effects in opening the orifices, resolving blockages, dispelling foul odors, and transforming turbidity, making it an essential herb for reviving the spirit and restoring consciousness. It can be used for mental confusion caused by various closed syndromes; it is effective regardless of whether the condition is due to cold or heat. 2. Boils, abscesses, swellings, and toxic sores; scrofula and phlegm nodules; sore throat: This herb is pungent and fragrant, with dispersing properties. It effectively promotes blood circulation, disperses nodules, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. For the treatment of the aforementioned conditions, it is highly effective when taken internally or applied externally. 3. Amenorrhea due to blood stasis; masses and masses; sudden pain in the chest and abdomen; headaches; trauma; and arthralgia caused by wind, cold, and dampness:This herb, with its pungent and aromatic nature, penetrates and moves freely through the body; it can disperse blood stasis and clear blockages in the meridians, thereby promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain. 4. Difficult labor, stillbirth, and retained placenta: This herb promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation; its pungent and aromatic properties allow it to penetrate deeply into the uterus, effectively inducing labor and facilitating delivery.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Incorporated into pills or powders at 0.03–0.1 g; generally not used in decoctions. External use: Apply an appropriate amount; grind into a powder and mix with a carrier, apply as a poultice, or incorporate into an ointment for topical application.
Precautions
Contraindicated in cases of collapse; as this herb can induce abortion whether taken internally or applied externally, it is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Chemical Constituents
The main components of musk include: musk macrocyclic compounds such as musketone; steroidal compounds such as testosterone, estradiol, and cholesterol; various amino acids such as aspartic acid and serine; as well as inorganic salts and other components such as allantoin and protein kinase activators.
Pharmacological Actions
Musk exerts a bidirectional effect on the central nervous system: it is stimulating at low doses and inhibitory at high doses. It enhances the central nervous system’s tolerance to hypoxia and improves cerebral circulation. Musk has a pronounced cardiotonic effect, stimulating the heart, increasing the amplitude of cardiac contractions, and enhancing myocardial function. It also has preventive and therapeutic effects on ischemic heart disorders caused by thrombosis.Musk possesses certain anti-inflammatory properties, with effects similar to those of hydrocortisone; it has a marked stimulating effect on the uterus, enhancing uterine contractions, and is particularly sensitive to the in vivo pregnant uterus. While its stimulating effect on the non-pregnant uterus occurs more slowly, it is long-lasting. Musk ketone can significantly increase the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions and exhibits anti-implantation and anti-early pregnancy effects, with these anti-pregnancy effects becoming more pronounced as pregnancy progresses;This product inhibits human tumor cells, with stronger effects at higher concentrations; it exhibits cytotoxic effects against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and S180 sarcoma cells in mice.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Mingyi Bielu*: “For sudden abdominal pain and distension, epigastric fullness, wind-toxin, difficult childbirth, abortion, removal of (black moles), and corneal opacities.”
2. *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “It unblocks all orifices, opens the meridians, penetrates the muscles and bones, neutralizes alcohol toxicity, eliminates food stagnation from fruits and vegetables, and treats stroke, qi stagnation, sudden abdominal distress, phlegm-induced syncope, and masses and masses.” “Since musk has a penetrating and dispersing nature, it can unblock obstructed orifices and clear stagnation in the meridians. For conditions such as various types of wind, qi, blood disorders, pain, convulsions, and masses—where the meridians are obstructed and the orifices are blocked—how could one not use it as a guide to open and unblock them? It is not that it cannot be used; it is simply that one must not overuse it.”
3. *Collected Annotations to the Classic of Materia Medica*: “Treats snake venom.” “Treats the venom of snakes, vipers, and all kinds of insects.”
4. *Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Substances*: “Relieves heart pain, childhood convulsions and epilepsy, and sudden abdominal pain; calms the heart and soothes the spirit. Take one grain—about the size of a sesame seed—finely ground and washed down with boiled water. It stops frequent urination and diarrhea. It can erode pus from all types of boils and sores.”
5. *Rihua Zi*: “Kills intestinal parasites; treats snake and silkworm bites, as well as the venom of sand fleas, stream creatures, and miasma. Induces the expulsion of wind-phlegm. Regulates the uterus and warms the water organs; stops cold leukorrhea.”
6. *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Opens all orifices, unblocks meridians, penetrates muscles and bones, neutralizes alcohol toxicity, and eliminates food stagnation from fruits and vegetables.It treats stroke, qi collapse, sudden malignant attacks, phlegm-induced syncope, and masses and masses.”
7. *Ben Cao Zheng*: “It eliminates all malignant sores, hemorrhoids, fistulas, swelling, and pain; pus, exudate, and decaying flesh; and facial rashes and spots. It is suitable for all conditions caused by qi stagnation. For sores resulting from rat or insect bites, apply musk as a poultice.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
1. For heat-induced conditions such as fever sinking into the pericardium, phlegm-heat obscuring the orifices of the heart, infantile convulsions, and stroke-induced phlegm-induced syncope—all characterized by heat obstruction and loss of consciousness—it is commonly combined with ox bile, borneol, and cinnabar to form cooling and opening formulas, such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan (from *Treatise on the Differentiation of Warm Diseases*) and Zhi Bao Dan (from *Formulas of the Bureau of Medicinal Preparations*). Due to its warm nature, it is particularly suitable for conditions involving cold obstruction.
2. For treating sudden loss of consciousness due to stroke, or chest and abdominal distension and pain caused by sudden malignant influence—conditions characterized by cold turbidity or phlegm-dampness obstructing the flow of qi and obscuring the mind—it is often combined with Suhexiang, Sandalwood, and Benzoin to form warming and opening formulas, such as Suhexiang Pills (*Formulas of the Bureau of Medicinal Preparations*).
3. For treating sores, abscesses, and swellings caused by toxins, it is often used in combination with realgar, frankincense, and myrrh, such as in the Xingxiao Pills (from *Complete Collection of Surgical Prescriptions*); it may also be used with ox bile, frankincense, and myrrh, such as in the Ox Bile Xingxiao Pills (from *Complete Collection of Surgical Prescriptions*).
4. To treat sore and swollen throat, it can be combined with ox bile, toad venom, and pearl, as in Liusheng Pills (Manual of Chinese Herbal Formulations).
5. To treat amenorrhea due to blood stasis, it is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza, peach kernels, safflower, and Ligusticum chuanxiong; for severe blood stasis conditions such as masses, masses, and abdominal distension, it can be combined with leeches, horseflies, and Acorus tatarinowii, as in the Huazheng Huisheng Dan (from *Treatise on the Differentiation of Warm Diseases*).
6. For treating sudden pain in the chest and abdomen, it is often combined with Mu Xiang and Tao Ren, as in the Musk Decoction (from *Comprehensive Record of Holy Remedies*).
7. For treating unilateral or bilateral headaches that have persisted for a long time without resolution, it is often used in combination with Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong, and Tao Ren, as in the Decoction for Unblocking Orifices and Activating Blood Circulation (from *Corrections to Medical Literature*).
8. For treating swelling and pain from falls and injuries, as well as fractures and sprains—whether taken internally or applied externally—it is highly effective. It is often combined with Frankincense, Myrrh, and Safflower, as in the “Qili Powder” (from *Collection of Effective Formulas*) and the “Bali Powder” (from *The Golden Mirror of Medical Orthodoxy*).
9. For pain associated with wind-cold-damp bi syndrome that is stubborn and persistent, it may be used in combination with Duhuo, Weilingxian, and Sangjisheng.
10. For treating difficult labor and stillbirths, it is often combined with Cinnamomum cassia, as in Xianggui San (from *Zhang’s Comprehensive Treatise on Medicine*); it is also used externally in combination with Saponaria officinalis and Trichosanthes kirilowii, formed into pills with scallion juice, as in the Abortion Pills (from *A Collection of Medicine and Pharmacy from Hebei*).
Related Medicines
Musk Heart-Protecting Pills, Musk Heart-and-Brain Comfort Tablets, Lingbao Heart-Protecting Pills, Musk Pain-Relieving Ointment, Musk Comfort Essence, Musk Analgesic Plaster, and Traumatic Injury Seven-Li Powder.
Related Prescriptions
An Gong Niu Huang Pills (*Treatise on Warm Diseases*), Zi Xue (*Secret Essentials from the Outer Court*), Zhi Bao Dan (*Effective Formulas of Su and Shen*), Su He Xiang Pills (*Formulas for Extensive Relief*, excerpted from *Secret Essentials from the Outer Court*), and Zi Jin Ding (*Jade Heart Manual*).
Notes
Modern research has involved extracting civet scent from the scent sacs of the small civet (Viverricula indica Desmarest) andthe large civet (Viverra zibeta L.), and from the scent sacs of adult male musk rats (Ondatra zibeta L.) of the family Cricetidae. These substances possess chemical compositions and therapeutic effects similar to those of musk and can be used as substitutes for musk in both external and internal applications.In addition, synthetic musk has therapeutic effects that are essentially similar to those of natural musk and is now widely used in clinical practice to replace natural musk and address shortages in the supply of medicinal ingredients.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Wild musk deer are typically hunted from winter through the following spring. After capture, the scent sac is excised and air-dried; this is commonly known as “hairy-shell musk.” When the scent sac is split open and the outer shell removed, the remaining substance is called “musk kernel,” and the granular portion within is known as “dangmenzi.”For domestically raised musk deer, the musk kernel is typically extracted directly from the scent sac and either air-dried or dried in a sealed dryer.
Processing Methods
Take the raw herbal material, remove the capsule shell, extract the musk kernel, remove impurities, and grind it into a fine powder.
Storage Methods
Store in a dry container, seal tightly, protect from light, and keep in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and insect infestation.
Crude Drug Identification
Identification
1. Take the musk in its hairy capsule and insert a specially made grooved needle through the capsule opening. Rotate the needle to extract the musk kernel. Inspect it immediately; the kernel inside the groove should gradually expand and rise above the surface of the groove—a phenomenon commonly known as “rising from the groove.” The musk kernel should be oily and moist, with loose granules, no sharp edges, and a strong fragrance. It should not contain foreign matter such as fibers or have any unusual odors.
2. Take a small amount of musk kernel powder and place it in the palm of your hand. Moisten it with water; when rubbed between your hands, it should form a ball, but when gently kneaded with your fingers, it should disperse. It should not stick to your hands, stain them, resist your fingers, or form lumps.
3. Take a small amount of musk kernel powder and sprinkle it into a red-hot crucible for calcination. Initially, it will crack and burst; it will then melt, expand, and bubble like pearls, releasing a strong, pervasive fragrance. There should be no hair, no burnt flesh odor, and no flames or sparks. After calcination, the residue should be white or grayish-white.
4. Musk kernel powder is brownish or yellowish-brown. It consists of a translucent or transparent mass formed by countless amorphous granules, appearing pale yellow or pale brown; square, columnar, octahedral, or irregularly shaped crystals are embedded within or scattered throughout the mass; round oil droplets are visible, and hairs and endodermis tissue are occasionally observed.
5. Take this product and test it according to the method described under [Assay]. The chromatogram of the test sample should show a peak with a retention time consistent with that of the reference standard.
Properties of Crude Drugs
1. Hairy Musk: A flattened circular or elliptical sac-like structure, 3–7 cm in diameter and 2–4 cm thick. The open surface is slightly convex, leathery in texture, and brownish-black. It is densely covered with white or grayish-brown short hairs arranged radially from both sides toward the center; in the center is a small sac-like opening, 1–3 mm in diameter.The opposite side consists of a brownish-red, slightly purplish membrane that is slightly wrinkled and occasionally reveals muscle fibers. The texture is loose and elastic; when cut open, the middle layer of the membrane appears brownish-red or grayish-brown and translucent, while the inner layer is brown and contains granular or powdery musk kernels, along with a small amount of fine hairs and shed inner membrane (commonly known as “silver skin”).
2. Musk Kernel: Wild specimens are soft, oily, and loose in texture; among these, the granular variety is commonly known as “Dangmenzi,” appearing as irregular spheres or granules. The surface is typically purplish-brown, oily, and lustrous, with faint mottled patterns; the cross-section is dark brown or yellowish-brown;powdered forms are mostly brownish-black or yellowish-brown and contain a small amount of shed inner membrane and fine hairs. Cultivated musk appears in granular, short strip-like, or irregular clump forms; the surface is uneven, purplish-black or dark brown, distinctly oily, with a slight sheen, and contains a small amount of hair and shed inner membrane.It has a strong, distinctive aroma and a slightly spicy, slightly bitter, and slightly salty taste.
Botanical Information
Morphological Characteristics
1. Forest Musk Deer: The forest musk deer is approximately 75 cm long and weighs about 10 kg. Its coat is relatively dark, ranging from dark brown to grayish-brown; adult individuals generally lack distinct cinnamon-yellow or earthy-yellow spotted markings.The back of the ears is mostly brown or dark brown; the edges and tips of the ears are mostly dark brown or brownish-black, while the inside of the ears is white. Below the eyes, two bands of white or yellowish-white fur extend to the neck and chest. The front of the limbs appears lighter in color than the body, while the rear is mostly dark brown or black.The forelimbs are short, while the hindlimbs are long; the back is arched like a rabbit’s, and the hindlimbs are plantigrade. Adult male musk deer have a pair of exposed upper canine teeth, known as tusks, and a musk-secreting gland sac on the underside of the abdomen, opening near the front of the genital opening. Female musk deer lack both the gland sac and tusks. The tail is short and small, concealed within the fur on the hindquarters.
2. Horse Musk Deer: The horse musk deer is larger in size, with a body length of 85–90 cm and a weight of about 15 kg. Its entire body is sandy yellow-brown or gray-brown, with a more pronounced brownish-red hue on the hindquarters. The face, cheeks, and forehead are bluish-gray; the area above the eyes is pale yellow, and the area below the eyes is yellowish-brown.The dorsal tips and edges of the ears are yellowish-brown, while the inner edges and bases of the ears are sandy yellow or yellowish-brown. The nape of the neck features chestnut-colored patches, with tufts of earthy yellow or cinnamon-yellow fur forming 4–6 spots arranged in two rows. The white band on the lower neck is inconspicuous, forming a yellowish-white area due to the mixture of brownish-yellow and white hairs. The underside is earthy yellow or brownish-yellow.
3. Original Musk Deer: Body length is approximately 85 cm, and body weight is approximately 12 kg. The ears are long and erect, with rounded upper parts; the tip of the nose is bare and hairless. In males, the upper canines are well-developed, protrude beyond the lips, and curve backward to form fangs. In females, the upper canines are small and do not protrude beyond the lips. The limbs are slender and long, with the hind limbs longer than the forelimbs, resulting in a rump higher than the back.The main hooves are narrow and elongated, and the side hooves are long enough to reach the ground. The tail is short and hidden within the fur of the hindquarters. Males have a musk gland—a sac-like structure known as the musk sac—located between the navel and the scrotum. It is slightly raised on the outside and features two small openings: the one in front is the opening of the musk sac, and the one behind is the urethral opening.The entire body is brownish-yellow or dark brown; the muzzle and cheeks are grayish-brown, with two white stripes formed by white hair on each cheek extending straight to the chin. The backs and tips of the ears are brownish or dark brown, while the insides of the ears are white.On either side of the neck, white fur extends to the armpits, forming two broad white bands. The nape and back of the body feature earthy yellow or cinnamon-yellow spots arranged in 4–6 vertical rows. The fur on the underside is lighter in color, typically yellowish-white or yellowish-brown. The inner sides of the limbs are light brownish-gray, while the outer sides are dark brown or brownish-gray. The tail is light brown.
Distribution Area
1. Forest Musk Deer: Found in Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, as well as Hubei, Sichuan, and Guizhou. 2. Horse Musk Deer: Found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in Gansu, Yunnan, and Sichuan. 3. Wild Musk Deer: Primarily found in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Hebei.