(Follow the Materia Medica Study to learn about herbal knowledge)【Basic Introduction to Chuan Xiong】
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) is also known as Jing Xiong and Guan Xiong. It is the dried rhizome of the plant Ligusticum chuanxiong, belonging to the Umbelliferae family. It is harvested 4-5 days after the Xiaoman solar term and completed by the Mangzhong solar term. On sunny days, the whole plant is dug up, the stems and leaves are removed, and the soil is cleaned off. The rhizomes are slightly sun-dried in the field before being transported for processing, and they must be dried promptly, usually using a fire kiln.
【How the Medicine King Sun Simiao Discovered It】
(Legend) The Medicine King Sun Simiao traveled with his disciples to Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan to gather herbs. While resting near a cave, he noticed a large female crane with its head and neck drooping, trembling on its feet, and continuously crying out. The Medicine King immediately understood that this crane was suffering from an illness.
The next morning, the Medicine King and his disciples returned to the pine forest. Not far from the crane’s nest, the moans of the sick crane could be clearly heard.
On the third day, when they returned to the pine forest, the moans from the crane’s nest had ceased. Looking up, several white cranes were soaring in the sky, dropping a small white flower and some leaves that resembled carrot leaves. The Medicine King instructed his disciple to collect and preserve them.
Days passed, and the female crane had completely recovered, able to lead the young cranes in play. The Medicine King observed that the white cranes loved to frequent an ancient cave with a flat top, where a patch of greenery grew, and the flowers and leaves were the same as those that had fallen from the crane’s beak.
Instinctively, the Medicine King connected the crane’s recovery with this herb. After experimentation, he discovered that this plant had the effects of invigorating blood circulation, promoting menstruation, and dispelling wind to alleviate pain. He instructed his disciple to take this herb down the mountain to treat patients according to their symptoms, and it proved to be effective.
Excited, the Medicine King casually recited: “Qingcheng is the most secluded in the world, the first cave in western Sichuan; where the immortal cranes pass, the good medicine descends from the heavens. Let’s name this herb Chuan Xiong!” Thus, it was named Chuan Xiong.
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【Identification of Characteristics】
Chuan Xiong appears as irregular, nodular, fist-shaped clusters. The surface is yellow-brown to yellow-brown, rough and shriveled, with a cross-section that is yellow-white or gray-yellow, featuring wavy ring patterns. The entire body is scattered with yellow-brown oil spots. It has a strong aromatic scent!
【Growth Distribution】
Mainly produced in Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, etc., with the best quality coming from Guan County (now Dujiangyan City)!
【Taste and Properties】
Taste: Spicy; Nature: Warm; Channels: Liver, Gallbladder, Heart.
【Medicinal Effects】
Invigorates blood circulation, promotes Qi, dispels wind, and alleviates pain. It can treat: headaches, dizziness, flank pain, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis pain, and wind-cold-damp obstruction.
【Precautions】 Use with caution in cases of Yin deficiency with excess heat and in pregnant women.
【Preparation Explanation】
1. Chuan Xiong: Take the raw herb, remove impurities, separate by size, wash clean, soak until semi-transparent, take out, moisten until fully transparent, slice thinly, and dry or low-temperature bake.
2. Stir-fried Chuan Xiong: Take clean Chuan Xiong slices, place in a pan, and stir-fry over low heat until yellow, then take out and cool.
3. Wine-fried Chuan Xiong: Take clean Chuan Xiong slices, mix with yellow wine, moisten thoroughly, place in a pan, and stir-fry dry over low heat, then take out and cool. For every 100 kg of Chuan Xiong, use 10 kg of yellow wine. After wine-frying, it can enhance the upward movement of the herb, increasing its effects of invigorating blood circulation and alleviating pain.
4. Wheat bran stir-fried Chuan Xiong: Heat the pan, sprinkle in wheat bran, and when it starts to smoke, add Chuan Xiong slices, stir-fry until deep yellow, take out, sift out the burnt bran, and cool. For every 100 kg of Chuan Xiong, use 15 kg of wheat bran.
【Folk Uses】
To regulate blood stasis-type headaches:
Chuan Xiong 6g, Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) 3g, green tea as appropriate. Decoction and drink as tea.
To regulate Qi deficiency and blood stasis-type coronary heart disease:
Chuan Xiong 5g, Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) 5g, Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanax gracilistylus) 10g. Decoction and drink as tea.