LIGUSTICUM
Chuan Xiong

 

Ligusticum walichii

 
 

Attributes and Domain
acrid, warm; Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium

Major therapeutic action
Invigorates the Blood and promotes circulation of qi, expels Wind and alleviates pain.

 Dosage
The typical proportion when added to a constitutional formula is 6:1 formula to addition (15 grams in 75- 90 grams of formula). If a stronger effect is desired more can be added. When used alone the dose is three grams twice daily.

Indications
*  An important gynaecological herb, it can treat patterns of Blood and qi stagnation and pain with symptoms such as dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, postpartum abdominal pain or lochioschesis.
*  One of the principal herbs for headache, whether from Wind, Cold, Heat or deficient Blood.
*   Pain in the chest, hypochondriac area, joints, abdomen.
*  Sores, carbuncles and skin problems caused by Wind or Blood stasis
*  Abdominal masses.
*  Injuries from falls and contusions.
*  Colds, flu, migraine, coronary heart disease, angina, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, irregular menstruation, aplastic anaemia, subacute hepatitis, fulminant epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, toxic bacillary dysentery.

Cautions and contraindications
Yin deficiency and yang excess.
Patients with menorrhagia.
Pregnant women.

Combinations
*  With Bupleurum & Dang Gui or Si Ni San for premenstrual headaches, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea and pain in the chest and hypochondriac area.
*  With Kang Du San for viral infection with headache as a predominant symptom.
*  With Wu Jin Wan for deficient menstrual pain.
*  Xiao Yao San for premenstrual syndrome and stress-related headaches.