The efficacy and function of Ligusticum chuanxiong

In daily life, we are not only very familiar with various foods, but also come into contact with a lot of medicines in daily life. Among them, Water Ligusticum chuanxiong is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material. Given that there are still many people who don’t know much about Water Ligusticum chuanxiong, let’s take a detailed look at it below.

【Other name】 Huang Ligusticum

[Source] Medicinal material source: the roots and rhizomes of the Apiaceae plant Ligusticum chuanxiong.

[Original form] Perennial herb, up to 2m tall. The rhizome is well developed, nodular, and brown. The stem is cylindrical, hollow, spun, and slightly purple. The middle leaf below the stalk has a long petiole, which is expanded into a sheath at the base; the leaves on the upper part of the stem have a petiole, which is 5-7cm long; the leaf blade is papery, triangular-ovate in outline, about 15cm long and 17cm wide, and three times pinnate-lobed, with the first pinnae triangular-ovate, 8-10cm long and 6-7cm wide; the second pinnae are oblong-lanceolate, 3-5cm long and 1.5-2cm wide, and the apex often extends into a tail-like shape; the final lobe is nearly ovate, 5-15mm long and 5-10mm wide, with a cuneate base and pinnate-lobed at the top, and the teeth have small tips. The compound umbels are terminal or lateral, with pedicels up to 15 cm long and densely covered with rough hairs at the top; the terminal umbel is about 4 cm in diameter; there are 6 bracts, linear, often caducous; there are 12-23 rays, 2-3 cm long; there are 6-10 bracteoles, linear. The fruit is ovate, about 3mm long and 2mm wide; the dorsal ridge is raised or wing-shaped, the lateral ridges are wing-shaped, there are 2-3 (-4) oil tubes in each groove, and 6-8 oil tubes on the symphysis. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is September-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing under forests, grasslands and cracks in cliffs at an altitude of 1500-3500m.

[Properties] Property identification: This product is in a clumpy shape, without branches, with obvious internodes, 3-5.5cm long and 0.8-3cm in diameter. The surface is gray-brown and the cork is not easy to peel off. Heavy, hard, difficult to break, with a yellowish-brown cross section that is slightly flat and has no cracks. The aroma is weak and the taste is sweet and numb.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; bitter; warm

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and cold; remove dampness and relieve pain. It is used for colds caused by wind and cold; headaches; wind-cold-dampness arthralgia; abdominal pain; hernia

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-10g; or made into pills or powder.

【Note】 People with blood deficiency and headache due to heat should take this medicine with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

We know the effects and functions of Ligusticum chuanxiong, how to eat Ligusticum chuanxiong, etc. I believe the above content can help you!