Single Herb Glossary
Chuān Xiōng 川芎
| Pharmaceutical name | Chuanxiong Rhizoma Szechuan lovage root, cnidium |
| Category | Invigorate Blood |
| Key Properties | Invigorate Blood, Promote movement of Qi, Expels wind, Stops pain (especially useful for Headache) |
| Properties | Acrid Warm |
| Tropism | LV, GB, PC |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Invigorate Blood & Promote Movement of Qi (any Blood disorder pattern) 2) Expels Wind & Alleviates Pain (especially Headache, Tropism: head, LV, GB) |
| Dosages | 3-9 (12-15)g; when taken as a powder, 1-1.5g per dose |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Yin Def Fire, red tongue, dry mouth Caution with hypermenorrhea due to strong function to activate Qi and Blood circulation |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Alkaloids ( chuanxiongzine, tetramethylprazine, L-isoleucine- L-valine anhydride, L-valine-L-valine anhydride, trimethylamine, choline, perlolyrine, cnidiumlactone, chuanxingol, 4-hydroxy-3-butyl-phathalide, ligustilide, neocnidilide ); organic acids (ferulic acid, sedanonic acid, folic acid, vanillic, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, chrysophanol, methyl phenylacetate, sedanoic acid lactone, methyl pentadecanoate); essential oils (ethyl pentadecanoate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl heptadecanoate, ethyl isoheptadecanoate, ethyl octadecanoate, ethyl isoctadecanoate, methyl palmitate, methyl linolenate) |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Cardiovascular: dilates blood vessels to lower blood pressure, increases blood perfusion to coronary arteries, and decreases oxygen consumption by cardiac muscle; effect on cardiovascular system varies depending on dosage given, as demonstrated in frog studies; at 20 to 30 g/kg via oral route, there is positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effect on heart; at 40 g/kg, heart may exert little or no contraction • Antiplatelet and anticoagulant: demonstrated marked antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in various animal studies • Circulatory: associated with increased blood perfusion to and reduced swelling of brain, and is commonly used to treat disorders such as cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, and migraine headache • Sedative: oral administration of decoction to mice and rats has sedative effect on CNS, as it decreases motor activities, prolongs phenobarbital-induced sleeping time, and counteracts stimulating effects produced by caffeine; • Effects on smooth muscle: marked influences on smooth muscle of uterus and intestines; at small dosages, leads to mild contraction and/or spasms of smooth muscle; at large dosages, causes numbness and inhibits contraction of smooth muscle; subcutaneous administration of 20% injection at 4 ml/100g may cause fatality of fetus in pregnant mice or rabbits, presumably due to severe contraction of the muscles shutting off blood circulation • Protective effect against radiation: intramuscular, oral and intraperitoneal administration have all been associated with protective effect against radiation in dogs, mice and rats |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs: herb has antiplatelet action, should be used with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet med ications; may potentiate effect of drugs such as warfarin |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.