Chuān Xiōng · Sichuan Lovage Root
Chuān Xiōng (川芎, Sichuan Lovage Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent flavor, in the “Blood Moving” category. Tradition uses it to invigorate Blood, Move Qi, Expel Wind.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Chuān Xiōng
- Characters
- 川芎
- Botanical name
- Ligusticum chuanxiong S.H.Qiu et al.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent
- Meridians
- Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
- Category
- Blood Moving
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China (Sichuan)
Actions according to tradition
- Invigorate Blood
- Move Qi
- Expel Wind
- Relieve Pain
Traditional uses
- Headaches of all types (wind, blood stasis)
- Irregular menstruation from blood stagnation
- Chest and flank pain from qi and blood stagnation
- Painful periods and postpartum pain
- Wind-cold-damp Bi syndrome (joint pain)
Studied effects and current applications
- Promotes blood circulation and breaks blood stasis
- Relieves pain especially headaches and migraines
- Regulates menstruation by moving blood
- Expels wind-cold and opens collaterals
- Warms and activates the channels
Applications under investigation
- Migraine headaches
- Cardiovascular disease and angina
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity
- Cerebrovascular conditions
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Yin deficiency heat with red tongue
Relative contraindications
- Blood deficiency without stagnation
- Headaches from yin deficiency
- Pregnancy
- Strong blood-moving action can cause miscarriage. Avoid especially in first trimester.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution. Blood-moving action may affect nursing.
- Children
- Not recommended in children due to strong blood-moving action.
- Older adults
- Use cautiously in elderly with bleeding tendency or hypertension.
Possible adverse effects
- Headache (paradoxically in some)
- Nausea
- Dizziness with large doses
When to stop
- Signs of excessive bleeding
- Dizziness or headache worsens
- During pregnancy or heavy menstruation
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants/Antiplatelet | Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidogrel | Moderate | Additive antiplatelet effects - increased bleeding risk Monitor INR and bleeding time closely |
| Antihypertensives | Amlodipine, Lisinopril | Mild | May enhance antihypertensive effect Monitor blood pressure |
| Ergotamine | Ergotamine, DHE | Severe | May interact unpredictably in migraine treatment Avoid combination |
With other herbs
- angelica Classic combination for blood deficiency with stagnation
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 grams daily
- Powder
- 1-3 grams daily
- Tincture
- 1-3 ml (1:5) 3 times daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 3-4 weeks then break
- Maximum
- Short-term use preferred
- Children
- Avoid in children. Blood-moving action too strong.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 3-9g in 3 cups water 30-40 min. Add late in formula for volatile compounds.
Pain relief and blood moving
Take 1-3g powder with green tea for headaches.
Headache and migraine relief
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Phthalides (ligustilide, butylidenephthalide) and ferulic acid
Dihydro phthalide · Cerebral vasodilator, uterine antispasmodic, neuroprotective
Ca2+ channel blockade, vascular smooth muscle relaxation, TXA2 inhibition · 45-60% of the essential oil; 0.5-2% in rhizome
Fathalida · Antispasmodic, antiaggregant, neuroprotective
Blocking Ca2+ channels, inhibiting platelet aggregation · 20-30% of the essential oil
Methoxylated cinnamic acid · Antiplatelet, antioxidant, cardioprotective
TXA2 inhibition, OH and peroxyl free radical scavenging · 0.05-0.1%
Methylated pyrazine · Vasodilator, antiplatelet agent, neuroprotective
PDE inhibition, Ca2+ channel blockade, PAF antagonism, leukocyte adhesion reduction · 0.01-0.05%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Summer (May-June) when the leaves begin to yellow
Rhizomes harvested when the leaves show the first signs of yellowing. Sichuan is the main producing region. The rhizomes are dried in the sun or with controlled heat; Excessive heat removes volatile oils.
Rhizome cleaned, immersed in water until slightly softened (no more than 30 min), cut into thin slices and dried at a gentle temperature (do not exceed 60°C to preserve ligustilide and essential oils).
Slices mixed with yellow wine and fried over medium heat. Wine enhances blood activation and analgesic effect.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
