State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Yo San University

Pharm Name

Ligustici Rhizoma

Common Name

Chinese Lovage Root

Category

Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior

Ingredients

Taste

Acrid

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Warm

Action / Indication

1. Discharges exterior conditions and disperses cold: for externally-contracted wind-cold, and especially for headache and nasal congestion, as in Magnolia Flower Powder (xin yi san). By itself it is used for wind-cold lodged in the greater yang with heachache involving the crown and vertex, or linked to the teeth and jaw.
2. Dispels wind, overcomes dampness, and alleviates pain: for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction as well as acute lower back pain due to invasion of wind-cold, as it treats both ends of the vessel, as in Notopterygiurn Decoction to Overcome Dampness (qiang huo sheng shi tang). Also used for dampness affecting the digestive system.

Treatment Principles

Releases Exterior Wind-Cold
Dispels Wind-Damp-Cold
Alleviates Pain

Contraindication

This herb is contraindicated for headache due to Liver yang rising, or blood deficiency. Use caution with blood and yin deficiency. Do not take long-term.

Dosages

3-9g

Meridians

UB, DU

Tom's Comment

Source

Formula Type