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Chuanxiong, also known as Chuanxiong.

Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi) serves as its guiding herb (shi). It is inhibited by Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian). It can suppress Orpiment (Fushi Huang).

Pungent in taste, warm in nature. It enters the Qi level of the Hand and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. It is a Qi-moving herb within the Blood. Its action ascends to the head and eyes and descends to the Sea of Blood (Chong Mai). It disperses Wind-Cold, treats headache, breaks up blood stasis accumulation, and regulates the meridians. It treats cold bi syndrome with tendon spasms, excessive tearing and nasal discharge, failure of smallpox eruptions, bloody dysentery with stagnation pain, and various pains in the heart and hypochondrium. Combined with Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin), it treats metal wounds. Combined with Wheat Qu (Maiqu), it treats damp diarrhea. Combined with Ostrea Concha (Muli), it treats cephalalgia due to wind with vomiting and regurgitation. Combined with La Cha (aged tea), it treats postpartum cephalalgia due to wind. Paired with Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), it stops metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (bleeding not during menstruation). (Because blood flows smoothly without stagnation.) Paired with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and [text missing, likely Astragali Radix], it tonifies Original Yang. (Exerts the function of regulating Qi.) Paired with Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe) and Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao), ground into powder, a small amount blown into the nose, it treats pediatric brain heat with closed eyes and redness/swelling. Assisted by Sophorae Semen (Huai Zi), it treats upward rushing of Wind-Heat. Assisted by Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao), Bovis Calculus (Niuhuang), and Xi Cha (fine tea), it eliminates phlegm-fire and clears eye diseases.

Those produced in Sichuan are superior if they are white inside, not oily, and have a pungent-sweet taste. For ascending actions (treating upper body conditions), use a small dose. For descending actions (treating lower body conditions), use a larger dose. Steam together with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), dry by baking, then remove Baizhi. Long-term single use damages Liver Wood, which is then attacked by Lung Metal. (Since pungent flavors enter the Lung, if Lung Qi becomes excessive, Liver Wood suffers punishment; over time, this leads to extreme deficiency of Liver Qi and sudden death.) Contraindicated in cases of ascending Qi with phlegmatic wheezing, severe fire causing middle jiao fullness, spleen deficiency with poor appetite (due to pungency scattering Qi), and headache due to constrained fire.

Strange Syndrome: Postpartum breast suspension (Ru Xuan). The breasts suddenly elongate, becoming thin like intestines, hanging down past the lower abdomen, with unbearable pain, life-threatening in an instant. Use 1 jin each of Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui). Take half a jin, chop and scatter, decoct strongly in water in a clay vessel, and administer frequently. Take the remaining one jin half, slice, burn to produce smoke, and have the patient inhale the smoke. If not cured after using this amount, prepare another dose, and additionally paste one Ricini Semen (Bimazi/Castor Bean seed) on the vertex (Baihui point).

When depression is in the Middle Jiao, this herb is used to lift the Qi; when Qi ascends, the depression naturally resolves. It acts as a messenger to unblock Yin-Yang and Blood-Qi. (This differs from Chuanxiong.) Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) is a herb that moves Qi and invigorates Blood. Long-term or heavy use consumes Blood-Qi, gradually weakens sinews and strength, and leads to a constitution of gradual debility. Moreover, Xiongqiong (Chuanxiong) scatters and dissipates True Qi, similar to Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) and Magnoliae Flos (Xinyi); how can it be a herb for regular daily consumption?

Those produced in Jiangnan are called Fujiong.