Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong)
Promotes blood circulation and alleviates chest pain,
specifically effective for chest obstruction and heart pain.
Highly effective for dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea,
use with caution in cases of excessive menstruation.
Dispels wind and alleviates pain for headaches,
provides relief for rheumatic pain.
Chuanxiong is the dried rhizome of the plant Ligusticum chuanxiong, belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is harvested in summer when the nodes on the stem are prominently protruding and slightly purplish, cleaned of soil, sun-dried, and then dried further. It is distributed in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, mostly cultivated. Major cultivation areas include Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, and Gansu.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chuanxiong has a pungent flavor and a warm nature. It enters the liver, gallbladder, and pericardium meridians. It promotes blood circulation and dispels stasis; regulates qi and relieves stagnation; dispels wind and alleviates pain. It is indicated for irregular menstruation; amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea; postpartum stasis and pain; masses and lumps; chest and flank pain; headaches and dizziness; wind-cold-damp bi syndrome; trauma; and carbuncles and sores.
【Dosage】Internal use: decoction, 3-10g; powdered, 1-1.5g per dose; or in pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, powdered and sprinkled; or decocted for gargling.
【Caution】Avoid use in individuals with yin deficiency and excess heat, as well as those with a weak constitution.
Modern research indicates:
Chuanxiong contains volatile oils, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and other functional components, which have effects such as vasodilation, anti-thrombus formation, alleviating spasms, analgesic effects, and anti-cancer properties.
1、Cardioprotective
Chuanxiong has a significant protective effect on the human heart; it promotes blood circulation, increases heart rate, enhances myocardial contractility, and dilates blood vessels, increasing vascular elasticity. Regular consumption can improve heart function and resistance to hypoxia, effectively reducing the occurrence of various heart diseases.
2、Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
Chuanxiong is an herbal material that can combat bacteria and inflammation. It has a significant inhibitory and eliminatory effect on Escherichia coli, Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and typhoid bacteria. When individuals experience enteritis and diarrhea, drinking Chuanxiong decoction can lead to rapid improvement in symptoms. Chuanxiong can also inhibit the activity of various skin fungi, and using its decoction can treat various fungal dermatitis, providing quick relief from itching and pain.
3、Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation is also an important function of Chuanxiong. It is a commonly used herb for treating women’s menstrual irregularities, especially effective for dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. Taking Chuanxiong can help restore normal menstrual cycles. Additionally, Chuanxiong has strong analgesic properties; its warming and dispersing nature can promote blood circulation and alleviate pain, making it suitable for treating blockages in meridians, joint pain, and rheumatic bone pain.
Specific therapeutic effects of Chuanxiong are as follows:
1、Chuanxiong Qi Tea
Ingredients: Chuanxiong, appropriate amount; wax tea 5 grams.
Preparation: Grind Chuanxiong into powder, decoct wax tea to extract the juice, and use 6 grams of Chuanxiong powder with the wax tea broth for each serving.
Effects: Promotes blood circulation, regulates qi, nourishes yin, and replenishes deficiency.
2、Chuanxiong, Peach Kernel, and Green Peel Porridge
Ingredients: Chuanxiong, raw Rehmannia each 15 grams; green peel 8 grams; peach kernel 10 grams; rice 50 grams.
Preparation: Combine Chuanxiong, raw Rehmannia, peach kernel, and green peel in a pot, decoct to extract the medicinal juice, wash the rice, soak for half an hour, and cook with the medicinal juice.
Effects: Promotes blood circulation, resolves stasis, regulates qi, and alleviates pain, effective for angina and arteriosclerosis.
3、Lamb and Angelica Chuanxiong Soup
Ingredients:
Chuanxiong, Angelica each 30 grams; lamb 100 grams; ginger slices, appropriate amount.
Preparation: Clean the lamb, cut into small pieces, wash Chuanxiong and Angelica, then add lamb, Angelica, Chuanxiong, and ginger slices into a pot, add appropriate amount of water, boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then simmer on low heat for half an hour, strain and consume the soup and meat.
Effects: Strengthens the spleen, replenishes deficiency, nourishes yin, and stops bleeding, suitable for those with anemia and weak constitution.
4、Chuanxiong and Bai Zhi Fish Head Soup
Ingredients: Fish head 1 piece; Chuanxiong 5 grams; Bai Zhi 1 gram; ginger, salt, appropriate amount.
Preparation: Clean the fish head, remove the gills and internal organs, drain, and fry in oil until slightly yellow, set aside. Wash Chuanxiong, Bai Zhi, and slice ginger. Place Chuanxiong, Bai Zhi, ginger slices, and fish head in a stewing pot, add appropriate amount of boiling water, cover, and steam on low heat for 2 hours, then season with salt.
Suitable for: Promotes blood circulation, resolves stasis, dispels wind, and alleviates pain. Suitable for patients with cerebrovascular sclerosis and stroke.
5、Tianma Bitter Melon Stuffed Meat
Ingredients: Tianma 4 grams; Chuanxiong 4 grams; Poria 4 grams; green bitter melon 300 grams; minced pork 150 grams.
Preparation: Cut the bitter melon into rounds, remove seeds and white membrane. Mix minced pork with seasonings, fill into the bitter melon. Decoction of Chuanxiong, Poria, and Tianma, then pour over the stuffed bitter melon, steam in a steamer for 15-20 minutes.
Suitable for: Clears heat, promotes blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces blood lipids, effectively preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
6、Chuanxiong Boiled Egg
What to eat for qi stagnation and blood stasis? Chuanxiong boiled egg is remarkably effective!
For physical pain and discomfort, as well as emotional irritability, today I will introduce a method for Chuanxiong boiled egg. One egg daily can promote qi circulation, invigorate blood, and nourish blood, rolling away worries.
Only three steps, very simple!
1、Put 15g of Chuanxiong and 1 raw egg into cold water and boil over high heat,
2、After the egg is cooked, remove the shell and boil for a while longer to allow the medicinal properties to infuse,
3、Serve the egg and medicinal broth in a bowl, add a little brown sugar for flavor, and enjoy the egg soup.
7、Chuanxiong is a key herb for treating headaches
7.1External Wind Headache
External wind headache is primarily caused by wind evil. The classics say: “Wind enters from the outside, causing chills, sweating, and headache.” At high altitudes, only wind can reach, and Chuanxiong can directly ascend to the top, dispelling wind evil and allowing qi and blood to flow, relieving headaches. However, “wind is the leader of all diseases,” and wind evil often accompanies other evils. For wind-cold headache, use Chuanxiong tea with herbs like Jing Jie, Bo He, Qiang Huo, Xi Xin, Bai Zhi, Fang Feng, and Gan Cao; for wind-heat headache, combine Chuanxiong with Ju Hua, Shi Gao, and Jiang Can; for wind-damp headache, use Chuanxiong with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San to dispel wind and dampness.
7.2Blood Stasis Headache
Blood stasis headache often results from prolonged illness leading to obstruction of blood flow, with stasis blocking the brain channels. This type of headache is often chronic, with stabbing pain that is fixed and unchanging. Clinically, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is commonly used, which is reliable and can include 15-30g of Chuanxiong. Chuanxiong is a qi herb in the blood, ascending to the head, and when used in larger amounts, it breaks blood stasis and promotes qi flow, quickly alleviating headaches.
7.3Blood Deficiency Headache
Headaches caused by deficiency of nourishing blood cannot properly nourish the brain channels. Throughout history, many physicians have praised Chuanxiong for treating this condition. Zhang Yuan Su called Chuanxiong the “holy herb for blood deficiency headaches.” Li Dongyuan also stated that Chuanxiong can “nourish blood and treat blood deficiency headaches,” and for headaches due to both qi and blood deficiency, use Tiao Zhong Yi Qi Tang with Chuanxiong, Man Jing Zi, and Xi Xin for effective results. Wang Haogu stated: “Chuanxiong searches the liver for wind, nourishes liver blood, moistens dryness, and replenishes deficiency wind.” Chuanxiong can invigorate blood and dispel stasis while also nourishing blood and promoting nourishment, thus it is often included in tonifying formulas with herbs like Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shu Di, Huang Qi, Gou Qi Zi, Nu Zhen Zi, and Ju Hua.
7.4Phlegm-Damp Headache
According to the “Jin Kui Yi” it states: “Phlegm obstructing headache occurs when phlegm travels from the spleen to the stomach. The spleen is responsible for transporting fluids. If the spleen is ill, the fluids cannot circulate, accumulating into phlegm, which then attacks the head along the Yangming channel, causing pain.” Chuanxiong has a light flavor and strong qi, ascending to clear phlegm and open the orifices. Zhang Jingyue stated: “For phlegm obstructing headache, Ping Wei San with Chuanxiong, Xi Xin, and Man Jing Zi is the main treatment.” The formula Xiong Xing Tang is designed for phlegm-damp headache, using Wu Tou, Nan Xing, Gan Jiang, Chuanxiong, Gan Cao, Xi Xin, and Sheng Jiang, which has shown many clinical effects.
7.5Yin Deficiency Headache
Physicians say: “Insufficient kidney water allows evil fire to invade the brain channels, causing headaches. The treatment should greatly nourish kidney water to alleviate headaches.” For yin deficiency headaches, I often use Shu Di, Yu Zhu, Shan Zhu Yu, Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi, Xuan Shen, Dang Gui, and Chuanxiong, and several doses can lead to recovery. This formula uses Chuanxiong in conjunction with nourishing yin herbs to guide them to the brain channels, nourishing the brain marrow and calming the evil fire, thus alleviating headaches.