Chuan Xiong - Szechuan Lovage Root
TCM Materia Medica
Chuan Xiong TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "chuan xiong" which in english is 
"szechuan lovage root", is categorized within the "herbs that invigorate blood" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the gall bladder, liver and pericardium channels and exhibits acrid and warm (wen) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 3-6g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Invigorate blood, promote movement of Qi - any blood stasis pattern, important for gynecological issues (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, difficult labor, lochioschesis).
- Expels wind and alleviates pain - headache (temporal, vertex), dizziness, painful obstructions, skin issues.
- Headache - moves qi upward and alleviates pain; headaches due to wind, heat, cold, blood deficiency.
Our clinical staff have made the following notes, regarding chuan xiong:
- Common Herbs for Headaches:
- Bai Zhi, Chuan Xiong, Gao Ben, Qiang Huo.
- All are warm, pungent - move qi, disperse dampness, qi and blood stagnation, dry dampness.
Chuan Xiong may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain - cramps), headache, labor promotion and/or skin problems (rash)
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, chuan xiong is generally included in the following 44 formulas:
ViewBa Wei Dai Xia Fang (Eight Herb Powder for Vaginal Discharge)
Clearing damp heat in the lower warmer, particularly with underlying blood deficiency - vaginal disharge, vaginal itching, vaginal inflammation along with constipation, possibly anemia, low back pain…
ViewBa Zhen Wan (Eight Treasure Combination)
For recovery of qi and blood after acute trauma or accident For frequent heavy menstrual cycles Pale complexion, fatigue, dizziness from qi deficiency Vertigo, palpitations, anxiety from blood def…
ViewBu Yang Huan Wu Tang Wan (Great Yang Restoration Pills)
Fatigue, weakness, with pale complexion due to chronic qi and blood deficiency. Hemiplegia, slurred speech or involuntary muscle control due to blockage of the channels and collaterals.
ViewBu Yang Huan Wu Wan (Tonify Yang To Restore Five Tenths Decoction)
Post-stroke recovery when stasis is from qi and yang deficiency - post-stroke symptoms, paralysis, atrophy of the limbs, drooling, slurred speech, etc. Other potential uses with the correct underly…
ViewChai Hu Shu Gan Wan (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver)
Liver qi stagnation signs - hypochondriac tension, abdominal pain, IBS symptoms Alternating chills and fever.
ViewChuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan (Ligusticum Tea Pills)
Headaches, primarily from wind-cold (but used with wind-heat/wind-damp), with neck stiffness, muscle aches and/or nasal discharge. In certain cases may be useful for migraines, frequent headaches - …
ViewDang Gui Wan (Tangkuei Powder)
For recovery of qi and blood after acute trauma or accident, similar in usage to ba zhen wan. A range of menstrual issues when they arise from qi and blood deficiency - amenorrhea, menorrhagia, irre…
ViewDan Gui Shao Yao Wan (Dang Gui And Peony Powder)
Blood deficiency with poor water circulation - generally used for abdominal pain during pregnancy - mild to moderate possibly with cramps, lower body edema and difficult urination. Above issues wi…
ViewDan Gui Yin Zi (Tangkuei Decoction)
Exterior wind skin conditions with underlying blood deficiency - eczema (particularly dry and flaky), hives (urticaria), neurodermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, itchy skin that is generally worse at…
ViewDan Shen Huo Xue Wan (Red Sage Root Decoction for Promoting Blood Circulation)
Phlebitis, generally chronic.
ViewDu Huo Ji Sheng Wan (Solitary Hermit Teapills)
For chronic pain due to obstruction (bi zheng) with liver and kidney deficiency. For lower back pain often with weakness and/or pain in the knees. For arthritis, especially the type affected by col…
ViewFang Feng Tong Sheng Wan (Ledebouriella Pills to Sagely Unblock)
High fever with aversion to cold. Thick phlegm that may be both in sinus and chest. Vertigo or dizziness that is caused by excess heat. Rashes, carbuncles, and other types of skin disorders that…
ViewGe Xia Zhu Yu Wan (Drive Out Blood Stasis Below The Diaphragm Decoction)
For blood stasis below the diaphgram - abdominal masses, liver and spleen masses/swelling, colitis. A range of liver disorders are possibly applicable - cirrhosis, hepatic hemangioma, hepatitis, jau…
ViewHuang Lian Shang Qing Wan (Coptis Clearance Pill)
Dispels wind heat, clear toxic heat - generally used short-term for inflammatory conditions of the face, mouth, head - sore throat, conjunctivitis, acne, swollen gums. Can be a supportive formula fo…
ViewJiang Dan Gu Chun Wan (Contribute To Youthfulness Pills)
For high cholesterol, generally focuses on strengthening metabolism, transforming dampness, tonifying spleen qi, and mildly moving blood stasis in Chinese Medicine terms.
ViewJiao Ai Wan (Ass-Hide Gelatin and Mugwort Formula)
Uterine bleeding/spotting. Abdominal/Uterine/Ovarian cramping. Irregular menstruation, history of miscarriage - due to spleen failing to regulate the blood.
ViewJing Fang Bai Du Wan (Schizonepeta and Siler Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences)
Early stages of disease arising from wind cold damp - common cold, flu, bronchitis, mumps. Early stages of skin diseases - boils, carbuncles, eczema, dermatitis with the right underlying factors. M…
ViewNuan Gong Yun Zi Wan (Warm Uterus & Conception Pills)
Infertility, history of miscarriage due to blood deficiency and/or cold in the lower jiao from kidney yang deficiency. Irregular menstruation. Lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, uterine and/or …
ViewPian Tou Tong Wan (Migraine Pills)
Headaches and/or migraines caused by liver yang or liver fire rising.
ViewPing Gan Liu Qi Yin Wan (Dang Gui And Pinellia Combination)
Liver qi stagnation with blood deficiency heat - signs of heat, red eyes, possibly anxiety and/or irritability, etc. along with digestive issues such as gastritis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, hernia.…
ViewQing Bi Wan (Clear The Nose Decoction)
Sinus issues arising from damp-heat pattern in Chinese Medicine - yellow and sticky discharge, sinusitis, rhinitis acute or chronic. Sinus headache, decreased olfactory sense.
ViewQi Xue Da Bu Wan (Nourish Qi & Blood Pills)
Fatigue, lethargy, sensation of feeling heavy or cold. Low appetite, bloating, borborygmus, loose bowels. Impotence, infertility, low libedo. Insomnia, night sweats, vivid dreams, nightmares.
ViewRen Shen Bai Du Wan (Ginseng Detoxification Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewShao Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Abdominal Stasis Relief Pills)
Qi and blood stagnation in the lower jiao - lower abdominal masses, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis. Fertility issues in both men and women with the right underlying signs - amenorrhea, dysme…
ViewShen Tong Zhu Yu Wan (Remove Stagnant Blood from a Painful Body Pills)
Qi and Blood stagnation blocking the channels and collaterals - pain in the extremities, shoulder pain, elbow pain, leg pain. With the right underlying patterns - possibly useful for fibromyalgia, c…
ViewShi Quan Da Bu Wan (Ten Tonics Nourishment Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewShu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)
Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lowe…
ViewSi Wu Tang Wan (Four Substances Pills)
The primary base formula for tonifying the blood and regulating menstruation in Chinese Medicine terms - irregular cycles, amenorrhea or long cycles. Postpartum issues such as uterine bleeding when …
ViewSuan Zao Ren Wan (Sour Jujube Decoction)
Shen related issues when arising from liver blood deficiency - anxiety, insomnia. Menopausal heat contributing to sleep and/or anxiety issues. Palpitations, night sweats, and general dryness.
ViewTao Hong Si Wu Wan (Four Substances Pills With Safflower And Peach Pit)
A modified version of si wu tang with the inclusion of tao ren and hong hua which make it slightly more moving for the blood - for blood deficiency with blood stagnation with particular emphasis on t…
ViewTe Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan (Specially Effective Nasal Allergy Pills)
Generally useful for a range of allergy symptoms - seasonal allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, dry or watery eyes, sinus headaches, etc. Can be used both as a preventative and as a symptomatic aid for …
ViewTe Xiao Jing Zhui Tong Wan (Patent Neck Pain Relief Pills)
Stiffness, pain, and/or tightness of the neck.
ViewTong Qiao Huo Xue Wan (Unblock the Orifices and Invigorate the Blood Decoction)
Blood stagnation particularly in the head - migraines and/or headaches with other sensory factors - auras, sound sensitivity, etc. Dizziness, tinnitus, hair loss - with underlying blood stagnation s…
ViewWen Jing Wan (Warm the Menses Formula)
Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding or spotting between cycles. Infertility, history of miscarriage.
ViewWu Ji Bai Feng Wan (Black Chicken White Phoenix Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewXiao Huo Luo Wan (Minor Invigorate Channels Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewXi Guan Jie Bi Tong Wan (Knee Joint Pain Relief)
Arthritis from damp heat in Chinese Medicine terms. Knee issues with kidney and liver systems involvement. Lower body pain and/or inflammation - hips, knees, ankles, toes especially when the pain m…
ViewXin Yi Wan (Magnolia Flower Powder)
Colds and/or allergies with cold signs (white mucus and/or no fever, etc.). Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell. Headaches from sinus congestion.
ViewXue Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Blood Stasis Relief Pills)
Qi and Blood stagnation - pain, cardiovascular issues, physical organ issues. Coronary artery disease, angina and other cardiovascular issues. Hepatitis and other liver function issues. Migraines,…
ViewYi Gan Wan (Restrain The Liver Powder)
Anxiety, palpitations, easily frightened, alternating fevers/chills; heat from deficiency in the liver.Originally designed for Children who had issues such as anger, fright, fevers, insomnia, digesti…
ViewYu Dai Wan (Cure Discharge Leucorrhea Pill)
Abnormal vaginal discharge - yellow or green colour, cottage-cheese like texture and foul smelling. Painful urination, burning, increased urgency/frequency. Yeast infection.
ViewYue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill)
An important formula for plum pit qi and related issues arising from qi stagnation (from many factors) - an oppressive sensation in the chest and/or diaphgram, gerd, reflux, indigestion, nausea, belc…
ViewZhong Feng Hui Chun Wan (Stroke Recovery Pills)
Bell's Palsy, facial paralysis, slurry of speech, difficulty swallowing. Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack.
ViewZuo Gu Shen Jing Tong Wan (Sciatica Pills)
Wind-cold-damp bi syndromes with particular issues in the lower back and legs - sciatic pain, heaviness in the lower body, hip and knee pain, arthritis in those areas (osteo or rheumatoid).
As noted above, chuan xiong is within the herbs that invigorate blood functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... for blood stasis - pain, abscesses and ulcers, abdominal masses. )".
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