Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) is derived from the dried rhizome of the plant in the Umbelliferae family, primarily produced in Sichuan. Chuanxiong is warm in nature, pungent in flavor, and enters the Liver (Gan), Gallbladder (Dan), and Heart (Xin) meridians. It has the effects of invigorating blood circulation, promoting qi flow, dispelling wind, and alleviating pain.
1. Promoting Qi and Invigorating Blood
Chuanxiong is aromatic and dispersive, warming and unblocking the meridians. It invigorates blood and dispels stasis, while also promoting qi flow and alleviating stagnation, making it effective for treating chest and rib pain caused by Liver qi stagnation, chest obstruction and heart pain due to blocked heart vessels, and stabbing pain in the chest and ribs due to blood stasis, as well as various traumatic injuries and pain from swelling.
2. Dispelling Wind and Alleviating Pain
Chuanxiong not only invigorates blood and promotes qi to relieve pain but is also adept at dispelling wind and alleviating pain, making it suitable for treating headaches caused by various factors. It is commonly used for external wind headaches, whether due to wind-cold, wind-heat, or blood stasis, and has good efficacy.
3. Unblocking Meridians and Alleviating Pain
Chuanxiong is pungent and dispersive, capable of unblocking the meridians, and has the effect of dispelling wind and alleviating pain. It can be used to treat various rheumatic pains and joint pains in the limbs.
4. Dietary Methods for Chuanxiong
Chuanxiong and Bai Zhi Fish Head Soup
Ingredients: 9g Chuanxiong, 10g Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica), 1 fish head, 10 red dates, appropriate amount of ginger, and salt.
Method:
1. Remove the gills from the fish head, rinse off blood and impurities, and clean it.
2. Wash Chuanxiong, Bai Zhi, red dates, and ginger separately.
3. Sear the fish head in a frying pan until slightly yellow.
4. Place the fish head, Chuanxiong, Bai Zhi, red dates, and ginger into a stew pot, adding an appropriate amount of water.
5. Cover and stew for about 2 hours, then add salt to taste.
Efficacy: Chuanxiong and Bai Zhi Fish Head Soup has the effect of nourishing blood and can help replenish qi and blood, warm the meridians, and regulate women’s menstruation. It is rich in protein, cholesterol, DHA, DPA, and various vitamins necessary for the human body, helping to replenish nutrition and maintain bodily functions.
Chuanxiong Duck
Ingredients: 5g Chuanxiong, 200g duck meat, appropriate amounts of ginger strips, salt, and vegetable oil.
Method:
1. Clean the duck meat and cut it into pieces.
2. Heat oil in a pan, sauté ginger strips, then add duck pieces and stir-fry briefly, adding an appropriate amount of water.
3. Add Chuanxiong and simmer on low heat for 1 hour, finally adding salt to taste.
Efficacy: Invigorates blood and promotes qi, dispels stasis.
Chuanxiong Boiled Snails
Ingredients: 3g Chuanxiong, 50g snails, appropriate amounts of ginger slices, green onion segments, cooking wine, salt, chicken essence, and sesame oil.
Method:
1. Soak Chuanxiong until soft and slice it; clean the snails, removing shells and entrails.
2. Place Chuanxiong, snails, green onion segments, ginger slices, cooking wine, salt, chicken essence, and sesame oil into a pot.
3. Add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer until cooked.
Efficacy: Invigorates blood and resolves stasis, suitable for cervical spondylosis with qi stagnation and blood stasis.
5. Dietary Contraindications for Chuanxiong
1. Avoid Excessive Use
Excessive or improper use of Chuanxiong can cause nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, skin itching, and rashes, thus it should be used symptomatically and dosage should be controlled.
2. Avoid in Cases of Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat
Chuanxiong is warm and pungent, which can increase dryness in the body and damage qi and blood. Patients with existing yin deficiency and excess heat may experience worsening of their condition, so those with red tongue and dry mouth should avoid it.
3. Avoid in Cases of Excessive Menstrual Flow
Chuanxiong has the effect of invigorating blood and promoting qi, which may lead to increased menstrual flow or prolonged menstrual cycles in patients with excessive menstruation, thus it should be avoided.
4. Pregnant Women
Chuanxiong is a medicinal herb, and improper use may adversely affect the health of pregnant women and fetuses, so it is best for pregnant women to avoid it.
Central Plains ZOY—Medical Exchange Platform