Ligusticum
Ligusticum (Chuan Xiong)
Botanical Name: Ligusticum chuanxiong (aka L. wallichii)
Long used by the Chinese as a medicinal herb it is also used in cooking and as fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Not to be confused with Ligusticum sinense or Ligusticum porteri, plants in the same genus with different attributes.
Below is an overview of ligusticum, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of ligusticum.
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Western
Western Name: Ligusticum
Also Known As: N/A
Organs/Systems: Blood, Immunity, Menses
Key Western Actions & Medicinal Uses: Immune Enhancement, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-spastic, Sedative, Pain Relief. Treats a wide variety of hematological disorders including ischemia and thrombosis.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Chuan Xiong
Also Known As: Szechuan Loveage Root
Meridians: Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium
Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Invigorates Qi and Blood: Often used to relieve symptoms related to menstruation (cramping, headaches, nausea, late start) and general gynecological disorders. Also angina, coronary and cerebral ischemia. Relieves Pain and Inflammation: even associated with traumatic injuries. Dispels Wind: a leading herb for any externally contracted wind disorder characterized by headache, dizziness or painful obstruction.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Root, Rhizomes
Flavors/Temps: Acrid, Warm
Caution: None noted.
History/Folklore: Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) is not to be confused with Chinese Lovage Root (Gao Ben). Both Chaun Xiong and Gao Ben treat headaches. Gao Ben focuses on the Bladder and Du channels. Chaun Xiong focuses on the Liver and Gallbladder Channels, moving to the head and eyes, but not the parietal headache. Gao Ben is considered a very drying herb, so not the best to treat yin deficient conditions.
Key Constituents:
Volatile Oil (Ligusticum Sinensis and Ligusticum Jeholense), Limonene, Terpinolene, Elemicin, Lavandulol.
Move Blood and Qi
A highly aromatic herb use by the Chinese to move Blood (Xue) and Qi, as well as warm the meridians, protect blood and cool excess fire.
Cleanse the Liver
Ligusticum is so good at improving circulation that it is considered an excellent liver cleansing tonic.
Combines Well
Ligusticum combines well with almost any other tonic herb and may be added to almost any formula.
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