Chuān Xiōng (川芎) — Sichuan lovage root / Chuanxiong

Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) is the leading herb in Chinese medicine for headache and migraine, and one of the most important Blood-invigorating herbs in the Chinese Materia Medica. Warm, acrid and entering the Liver, Gallbladder and Pericardium channels, it simultaneously moves Blood and Qi to relieve pain across the head, chest, abdomen and limbs — classically prescribed in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San for Wind headaches, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for chest pain and Blood stasis, and the Si Wu Tang family for irregular menstruation. Contraindicated in pregnancy and in Yin-deficient headaches.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic
9. Frequently asked questions

1. Overview

Chuān Xiōng (川芎) — Ligusticum chuanxiong — is known in English as Sichuan lovage root / Chuanxiong. It belongs to the category of Herbs that invigorate Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Chuān Xiōng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Invigorates Blood and promotes the movement of Qi — the leading herb for Blood and Qi stagnation combined
2. Expels Wind and relieves pain — the most important herb for headache in Chinese medicine
3. Activates circulation and relieves pain throughout the body
4. Warms the channels and disperses Cold

Indications

1. Headache from any cause — Blood stasis, Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat or Liver Yang — the primary herb for headache
2. Migraine — especially with a Blood stasis component
3. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea from Blood stasis
4. Chest pain and angina from Heart Blood stasis
5. Rheumatic pain and Bi syndrome
6. Traumatic injury

4. Key formulas containing Chuān Xiōng

Chuān Xiōng appears in the following key formulas:

• Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
• Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
• Ba Zhen Tang
• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) is one of the most clinically important and extensively researched Chinese medicinal herbs. Its primary bioactive constituents include ligustilide, senkyunolide A and ferulic acid. Research confirms potent anti-platelet aggregation effects, cerebrovascular and coronary vasodilatory activity, anti-inflammatory properties, analgesic effects and neuroprotective actions. Ligustilide is the principal smooth muscle relaxant responsible for its effects on blood vessels and the uterus. Chuan Xiong is used clinically in China for ischaemic stroke and is one of the primary herbs in cardiovascular formulas. Its combination with Bai Zhi (LI 11) is the classical formula for frontal headache.

6. Incompatibilities

Chuān Xiōng (川芎) Sichuan lovage root / Chuanxiong is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

7. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid in Yin deficiency patterns with headache from Empty Yang rising. Contraindicated in haemorrhagic conditions and during pregnancy (use with caution in appropriate formulas only). Avoid in excess sweating.

Pattern contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy — Blood-invigorating herbs can stimulate uterine contraction and threaten the pregnancy. Use cautiously in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding disorders or recent surgery.

Modern drug interactions

Mild antiplatelet activity — review with your doctor if on warfarin or antiplatelet drugs.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Chuān Xiōng as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Migraines, Headaches, Irregular menstrual cycle, High blood pressure. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.

9. Frequently asked questions about Chuan Xiong

What is Chuan Xiong used for?

Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong, Sichuan lovage root) is the leading Chinese herb for headache and migraine of any type — Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Blood stasis or Liver Yang headaches. It also treats irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhoea from Blood stasis, chest pain from Heart Blood stasis, and rheumatic joint pain (Bi syndrome). It is one of the most frequently used Blood-invigorating and Qi-moving herbs in the Chinese Materia Medica.

What is Chuan Xiong in English?

Chuan Xiong (川芎, chuān xiōng) is known in English as Sichuan lovage root or Chuanxiong. Its Latin botanical name is Ligusticum chuanxiong. The herb is a rhizome from a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae) and is closely related to Western lovage.

Is Chuan Xiong safe in pregnancy?

No. Chuan Xiong is contraindicated in pregnancy because Blood-invigorating herbs can stimulate uterine contraction and threaten the pregnancy. It should also be used cautiously in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding disorders or recent surgery, and reviewed with a doctor if you take warfarin or antiplatelet medication.

Can Chuan Xiong treat migraines?

Yes — Chuan Xiong is the single most important Chinese herb for headache and migraine, particularly when Blood stasis is part of the underlying pattern. It is the chief herb of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, the classical formula for Wind-Cold headache, and is included in most modern Chinese herbal formulas for chronic headache and migraine. Modern research confirms it has cerebrovascular vasodilatory effects via ligustilide.

What formulas contain Chuan Xiong?

Chuan Xiong appears in dozens of classical Chinese herbal formulas including Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San (Wind headache), Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood stasis above the diaphragm), Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (irregular menstruation with Blood stasis), Ba Zhen Tang (Qi-Blood deficiency) and Si Wu Tang (the foundational Blood-tonifying formula). It is one of the most frequently prescribed Chinese herbs.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.