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Cura x Cura

Chuan Xiong川芎

Chuanxiong Rhizoma · Sichuan Lovage Rhizome

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood 活血化瘀药《神农本草经》

Overview

The qi within the blood: acrid, warm and restlessly mobile, it moves blood and qi together, rises to the head and spreads to the limbs, which is why almost no headache formula is written without it. Dry-frying tempers its acrid dispersing edge for weaker patients; wine-frying pushes it further upward and outward for headache and channel pain.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Liver · Gallbladder · Pericardium

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
川芎Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Invigorates blood, moves qiPainful or blocked periods, fixed stabbing chest and flank pain, abdominal masses, post-traumatic stasis — the moving partner of Dang Gui.
  • Expels wind, stops painHeadache of every pattern when correctly paired, plus wind-damp joint pain and numbness of the limbs.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Chuan Xiong

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dysmenorrhea, irregular or blocked periods with stasis
    - Stabbing chest and flank pain, abdominal masses, traumatic injury
    - Headache and migraine, combined according to the pattern
    - Wind-damp joint pain, numbness and stiffness

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

MigraineTension headacheDysmenorrheaAnginaPeripheral circulation

Contraindications

Cautions

Acrid, warm, ascending and dispersing: use carefully in yin deficiency with heat, Liver-yang headache and dizziness, and heavy menstrual bleeding or any active bleeding tendency; it can consume qi and yin if used long at high dose. As a strongly blood-invigorating herb, tell the treating practitioner about anticoagulants such as warfarin.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Generally avoided in pregnancy — used only where a practitioner judges it appropriate

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.