What are the functions and effects of Ligusticum chuanxiong?

Sep 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, as a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) has functions and effects mainly including promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, dispelling wind and relieving pain, improving blood circulation, alleviating headaches, and regulating irregular menstruation. During use, attention should also be paid to its contraindications and precautions, for example, those with yin deficiency and excessive fire should use it cautiously, and medication should strictly follow medical instructions to ensure safe and effective usage.

Generally, as a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) has functions and benefits mainly including promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, expelling wind to relieve pain, improving blood circulation, alleviating headaches, and regulating menstrual disorders. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Promote blood circulation and regulate qi: Chuan Xiong has a spicy and warm nature, which can promote the circulation of qi and blood. It is suitable for symptoms such as chest and rib distension pain, epigastric stabbing pain, swelling and pain caused by traumatic injuries due to blood and qi stagnation. By promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, it can dissipate blood stasis, alleviate pain, and improve local blood and qi circulation.

2. Expel wind and relieve pain: Chuan Xiong is effective in dispelling wind pathogens and relieving pain, making it a commonly used herb for treating pain caused by wind pathogens. It is effective in alleviating headaches and body aches caused by wind-cold感冒, or joint pain and limb numbness caused by rheumatic pain. It can relieve discomfort by expelling wind and promoting meridian circulation.

3. Improve blood circulation: Chuan Xiong can improve poor blood circulation and is suitable for symptoms such as limb numbness and insensitivity of the skin caused by blood stasis. By promoting blood circulation, it enhances the nourishment of the limbs by qi and blood, thus alleviating local malnutrition caused by poor blood flow.

4. Alleviate headaches: Chuan Xiong can relieve various types of headaches, especially those caused by blood stasis or wind pathogens, such as migraine and tension-type headaches. It targets the underlying causes of headaches and alleviates pain through blood-activating or wind-dispelling actions, improving head discomfort.

5. Regulate menstrual disorders: Chuan Xiong has certain benefits in regulating women's menstruation, particularly for symptoms such as delayed menstruation, reduced menstrual flow, and dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis. By promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, it helps regulate the menstrual cycle, alleviate menstrual pain, and improve menstrual irregularities caused by blood stasis.

Attention should also be paid to its contraindications and precautions during use. For example, individuals with yin deficiency and excessive fire should use it cautiously, and medication should strictly follow medical advice to ensure safety and efficacy.

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What are the functions and benefits of Chuanxiong wine?

In general, Chuanxiong wine is a beverage primarily made by steeping Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), and its functions and effects mainly include promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, dispelling wind to relieve pain, improving circulation, alleviating headaches, and regulating menstruation. When using Chuanxiong wine, it is important to drink in moderation and avoid excessive consumption; special populations such as pregnant women, lactating women, and individuals allergic to alcohol should avoid its use.

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What are the functions, effects, and contraindications of Chuanxiong?

The functions and effects of Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) generally include promoting blood circulation and Qi movement, dispelling wind to relieve pain, improving circulation, regulating menstruation and alleviating pain, and relieving headaches. It has a pungent and warm nature, and is particularly effective in promoting blood and Qi circulation, thus treating symptoms such as chest and rib distension pain, and epigastric stabbing pain caused by Qi and blood stagnation. Contraindications generally include avoiding use in pregnant women, caution in patients with excessive menstrual bleeding, individuals with Yin deficiency and internal heat, those with bleeding tendencies, and situations where excessive dosage should be avoided.

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Are Chuanxiong and Chuan Xiong the same?

Chuanxiong is the dried rhizome of the plant Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., belonging to the family Umbelliferae. It is mainly produced in Sichuan Province and named after its place of origin. Chuanxiong is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb. The character "穹" in the term "川穹" is a misspelling. In fact, there is no independent herb named "川穹." In herbal markets, pharmacopoeias, and clinical applications, "川芎" is the standardized name, and both terms refer to exactly the same substance.

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What are the functions and effects of Chuanxiong Granules?

Chuanxiong Granules usually refer to Dachuanxiong Granules. As a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Dachuanxiong Granules have effects and functions including promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, expelling wind to relieve pain, alleviating headaches, improving dizziness, and dredging meridians and collaterals. When using Dachuanxiong Granules, it is necessary to clearly identify the applicable conditions, follow the recommended dosage on the package insert or take as directed by a physician. Special populations such as pregnant women and lactating women should use with caution.