Use of Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage roots) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities and smaller roots, wash and dry.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Chuan Xiong may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Irregular menstruation
Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Chest pain
Headache
Arthralgia
Contraindications*: Not to be used for headaches that occur because of Deficiency of Yin or from raising Liver Yang; it should not be used when there is abnormal bleeding or during pregnancy.
Common TCM formulas in which Chuan Xiong is used*
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Yue Ju Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Yue Ju Wan, Chuan Xiong helps remove Blood Stagnation and the pain typically associated with it.
Read more about Yue Ju Wan
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang, Chuan Xiong nourishes and invigorates the Blood
Read more about Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Read more about Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Read more about Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, Chuan Xiong alleviates headaches along the Lesser Yang and Terminal Yin Channels around temporal and vertex.
Notopterygium root also alleviates headaches but along the Greater Yang Channel around occipital.
Angelica root is along the Yang Brightness Channel.
All these three are King herbs of the formula, and they treat headache in
any part of the head.
If the pain is localized, the dosage of the corresponding herb can be increased accordingly.
Read more about Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Chai Hu Shu Gan San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Chuan Xiong is a powerful herb that can enter the Qi and Blood aspects of the Liver to remove stagnation and stop pain.
Read more about Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Si Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Si Wu Tang, Chuan Xiong facilitates the flow of Blood through the vessels, alleviates symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain.
Read more about Si Wu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the blood and promotes the movement of Qi. Above, it directs the Blood to the head, relieving symptoms like headache, dizziness, and blurred vision, while below, it moves the 'Sea of Blood' (the complex Blood system that is the Liver, the Penetrating vessel and the Womb). Overall, by facilitating the flow of Blood through the Vessels and Collaterals it releases constraint, opens knotting, and alleviates pain.
Read more about Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Wen Jing Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Wen Jing Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates and nourishes the Blood, unblocks Blood Stagnation and regulates the menses
Read more about Wen Jing Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Shen Qi Si Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shen Qi Si Wu Tang, Chuan Xiong facilitates the flow of Blood through the vessels, alleviates symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain.
Read more about Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Ren Shen Bai Du San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ren Shen Bai Du San, Chuan Xiong assists the two key herbs in releasing the Exterior, invigorates the Blood and dispels Wind. It strengthens the the formula's pain relieving action, particularly in the head and neck.
Read more about Ren Shen Bai Du San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Jing Fang Bai Du San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Jing Fang Bai Du San, Chuan Xiong assists the two key herbs in releasing the Exterior, invigorates the Blood and dispels Wind. It strengthens the the formula's pain relieving action, particularly in the head and neck.
Read more about Jing Fang Bai Du San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
Read more about Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
Read more about Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Bu Gan Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Bu Gan Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the flow of Blood through the vessels, alleviates symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain.
Read more about Bu Gan Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, Chuan Xiong assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior. It also relives headache and body pain.
Read more about Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Shi Shen Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shi Shen Tang, Chuan Xiong circulates Qi within the Blood.
Read more about Shi Shen Tang
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Shi Wei Bai Du San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shi Wei Bai Du San, Chuan Xiong invigorates Blood and thrusts out pus.
Read more about Shi Wei Bai Du San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Guo Qi Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Guo Qi Yin, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and moves Blood Stagnation.
Read more about Guo Qi Yin
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Dang Gui Shao Yao San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Dang Gui Shao Yao San, Chuan Xiong is acrid and warming. It gets into the sea of Blood to dispel Stagnation and invigorate the Blood.
It assist the King ingredient in removing Stagnation by dredging the
vessels and collaterals.
Read more about Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Suan Zao Ren Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Suan Zao Ren Tang, Chuan Xiong is acrid, warming, and aromatic. It regulates the Liver Blood by
encouraging it to flow freely, calming the Mind by providing
them with their natural abode.
Read more about Suan Zao Ren Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Ba Zhen Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ba Zhen Tang, Chuan Xiong promotes Qi movement and invigorates Blood.
Read more about Ba Zhen Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood so as to relieve headache as well as feeling of heaviness and pain.
Read more about Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Da Fang Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Fang Feng Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates and tonifies Blood at the same time. It is one of the four ingredients for the formula Si Wu Tang which is commonly use for Blood tonifying and invigorating purpose.
Read more about Da Fang Feng Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, Chuan Xiong moves and nourishes the Blood. It is used to treat Blood Stagnation.
Read more about Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Hai Tong Pi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Hai Tong Pi Tang, Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation.
Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing is
less obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
Read more about Hai Tong Pi Tang
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in An Tai Zhu Gao. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In An Tai Zhu Gao, Chuan Xiong regulates and moves the Blood.
Read more about An Tai Zhu Gao
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Xie Qing Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xie Qing Wan, Chuan Xiong nourishes and moves the Liver Blood, preventing Fire from damaging the
Yin.
This is necessary because the Liver is 'Yin in Essence' and tends toward 'hardness.' Unless the Liver Blood is strong and soft, the Liver Qi cannot be controlled.
Read more about Xie Qing Wan
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Ji San, Chuan Xiong nourishes and invigorates the Blood.
Read more about Wu Ji San
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, Chuan Xiong harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
Read more about Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Xin Yi San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xin Yi San, Chuan Xiong circulates the Blood by removing the Stagnation. It is used to relieve headache and dizziness.
Read more about Xin Yi San
In Di Gu Pi Yin, Chuan Xiong facilitates the flow of Blood through the vessels and alleviates symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain
Read more about Di Gu Pi Yin
Key TCM concepts behind Chuan Xiong's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chuan Xiong belongs to the 'Herbs that invigorate the Blood' category. Like the name indicates these herbs tend to stimulate the Blood flow. In TCM they're used to help the circulation of Blood in cardiovascular conditions or menstrual irregularities as well as to treat acute pains caused by Blood Stagnation. They can also be used to treat Blood Stagnation when it causes certain tumors, cysts and hardened clots.
Furthermore Chuan Xiong is Warm in nature. This means that Chuan Xiong tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Chuan Xiong can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Chuan Xiong also tastes Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like Chuan Xiong tends to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Chuan Xiong is thought to target the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium. Similar to modern medicine, in TCM the Gallbladder stores and releases bile produced by the Liver. It also controls the emotion of decisiveness. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions. The Pericardium is also called the "heart protector". It is the first line of defence for the Heart against external pathogenic influences
Research on Chuan Xiong
Ligusticum chuanxiong could help treat cardiovascular diseases because it contains ligustilide and senkyunolide A which both have vasorelaxation activities.1.
Sources:
1. SSK Chan, TY Cheng, G Lin (2007). Relaxation effects of ligustilide and senkyunolide A, two main constituents of Ligusticum chuanxiong, in rat isolated aorta. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 111(3), p. 677-680. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.12.018
