Chuanxiong is a blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing medicine, which may have adverse effects on the body if taken for a long period of time and is not recommended to be taken for a long period of time.
Ligusticum chuanxiong was first published in the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica. It is a pungent, warming and relaxing herb that is effective in promoting blood circulation, eliminating blood stasis, promoting circulation of Qi and resolving stagnation. It is used for pains in the heart, abdomen, chest and ribs caused by stagnation of Qi and blood and for bruises and injuries caused by bruises and injuries.
Chuanxiong is a pungent, warm, ascending and dispersing herb that dispels wind and relieves pain, making it an important treatment for headaches. If treating wind-cold headache, it is often combined with Qiangwu, Xinxin, and Angelica dahurica; if treating wind-heat headache, it can be combined with Gypsum, and Zingiber officinale. If treating headache with blood stasis, it can be combined with Tianma.
Chuanxiong has a strong effect on activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Long-term use of Chuanxiong may lead to excessive menstruation and increase the risk of bleeding disorders, therefore long-term use is not recommended. The adverse effects of Rhizoma Ligusticum Chuanxiong are unclear. It is pungent, warm, ascending and dispersing, and is contraindicated in cases of excessive sweating and headache with yin deficiency and hyperactivity of yang. The drug should be used under medical supervision to avoid medication risks.