What are the effects of the Chinese herbal medicine Chuanxiong?

I'm afraid many people don't know that Chuanxiong is a Chinese herbal medicine. This medicinal material is mainly used to treat headaches. It has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and has a good effect on cardiovascular diseases. Because Chuanxiong can act on the heart, it has the same effect as Salvia miltiorrhiza on chest tightness and angina pectoris caused by heart disease. It can also relieve smooth muscle spasms and relieve pain. It has obvious effects on dysmenorrhea and swollen and painful joints. It can also be used to treat colds, rheumatism, numbness of the legs and feet, and has the effect of promoting qi circulation for gastrointestinal bloating.

1. Promote blood circulation and qi movement: ① Used for angina pectoris caused by coronary heart disease, with symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, and frequent tenderness in the precordial area. It can be used together with safflower, salvia miltiorrhiza, agarwood, and red peony root, Coronary Heart Disease Formula No. 2. ② It is used for diseases caused by qi and blood stasis, such as early menstruation, heavy red menstruation, which is caused by blood heat. It can be used together with raw rehmannia, peony bark, angelica, etc.; in late menstruation, once every 1 to 2 months, waist and abdominal pain during menstruation, and white leucorrhea, it can be used together with angelica, roasted ginger, eucommia, cinnamon, etc. ③ Used for dysmenorrhea. If there is severe waist and abdominal pain before menstruation and menstruation comes one day after the pain, use it together with angelica, peach kernel and safflower; if it is amenorrhea but no physical discomfort, use it together with angelica, peach kernel, dried ginger and cinnamon; if it is postpartum abdominal pain, use it together with angelica, roasted ginger, etc. ④ Used for bruises, local swelling and pain, and can be used together with gardenia, peach kernel, and safflower.

2. Dispel wind and relieve pain: ① For cold and headache, if it is caused by wind-cold, it can be used together with Schizonepeta, Saposhnikovia and Angelica dahurica; if it is caused by wind-heat, it can be used together with chrysanthemum and mint. ② Used for rheumatic pain, can be used together with Notopterygium root, Angelica dahurica, Saposhnikovia root, etc.

Although Chuanxiong has medicinal value, it also has certain side effects. High doses and high concentrations of Chuanxiong will have toxic reactions. It should not be taken by people with menorrhagia, hemorrhagic diseases such as low platelets, and pregnant women, as it can easily aggravate bleeding and cause uterine contractions and miscarriage in pregnant women. Therefore, the above-mentioned people should take it with caution. In addition, you must master the dosage and it is best to use it under the guidance of a professional doctor.