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Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong)

Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats headache caused by wind-stroke pathogen invading the brain, cold-bi syndrome causing tendon spasm or flaccidity, metal wounds (trauma from sharp metal objects), amenorrhea leading to infertility in women, eliminates cold sensations in the brain, wandering wind on the face, tearing, excessive nasal discharge and saliva, mental confusion resembling drunkenness, various cold qi causing hardness and pain in the heart and abdomen, sudden attack of foul pathogens (sudden exposure to turbid pathogens), acute swelling and pain, wind-pain in the hypochondrium, warms the middle jiao, and dispels internal cold. Also known as Huqiong, also known as Xiangguo. Its young leaves are called Miwu. It grows in the valleys of Wugong and the west ridge of Xiegu. The roots are harvested in March and April and dried in the sun. (When combined with Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄), it treats metal wounds and stops pain; when combined with Ostrea Concha (Muli, 牡蛎), it treats cephalalgia due to wind and vomiting. Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, 白芷) acts as its guiding herb.)

Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, only Liyang produces it, with thick nodes and thin stems, shaped like a horse bit, called Ma-xian Chuanxiong. Shu region also produces it but it is finer; people suffering from bleeding gums can hold it in their mouth, and it often heals. The seedling is called Miwu, which is also used in medicine, described separately below. Secular prescriptions use it frequently, and Daoists sometimes require it. Hu Jutu said: Wugong is two hundred li from Chang'an, directly west of Chang'an, close to Fufeng Didao; Xiegu is at the foot of the west ridge of Chang'an, one hundred and eighty li from Chang'an, with mountains connecting for seven hundred li.

The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: Currently, Chuanxiong produced in Qinzhou, if cultivated by people, has large chunks, is heavy and solid, and rich in oil. Those harvested from mountains are thin and slender. The taste is bitter and pungent. Harvesting in September and October is best. The current mention of March and April is incorrect and not the appropriate season. Tao did not see Chuanxiong from Qin land, hence he said it only comes from Liyang; Chuanxiong from Liyang is no longer used now. Ministers Yuxi et al. carefully followed the *Shuben Tujing*: The seedlings resemble celery, coriander, and Cnidium seeds, growing in clusters, with white flowers. Chuanxiong from Qinzhou is the best, and harvesting roots in September is ideal. Wu Shi stated: For Chuanxiong, Shennong, the Yellow Emperor, Qibo, and Leigong considered it pungent and non-toxic. Bian Que considered it sour and non-toxic. Ji Shi considered raw form warm and cooked form cold. Some grow in the shade of Huwutao Mountain, some in Mount Tai; leaves are fragrant and fine, green-black with red veins like Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome (Gaben, 藁本). They grow in clusters in winter and summer, bloom red flowers in May, bear black fruits in July, have two leaves at the stem tip, and are harvested in March; roots have nodes, resembling a horse bit.

*Yaoxing Lun* states: Chuanxiong is a minister herb. It can treat weakness in the waist and legs, hemiplegia, retained placenta, and cold pain in the abdomen.

Ri Hua Zi stated: It fears Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 黄连). It treats all wind syndromes, all qi disorders, all exhaustion injuries, all blood disorders, tonifies the five deficiencies, strengthens sinews and bones, regulates various pulses, breaks masses and old blood, nourishes new blood, promotes flesh growth, treats epistaxis, hematemesis, and hematuria, hemorrhoids, brain abscess, back carbuncle, scrofula, goiter and warts, sores and scabies, promotes pus discharge, and dissipates blood stasis.

*Tujing* states: Chuanxiong grows in the valleys of Wugong and the west ridge of Xiegu. Miwu is the seedling of Chuanxiong. It grows in the rivers and marshes of Yongzhou and Yuanju. Currently, there are many in Guanzhong, Shaanxi, Shuchuan, and Jiangdong mountains, with Shuchuan being superior. The seedlings emerge in April and May, leaves resemble celery, coriander, and Cnidium, growing in clusters with thin stems. As mentioned in *Huainanzi*, confusing people is like distinguishing between Chuanxiong and Gaben, or Snake Bed Seed and Miwu. Its leaves are doubly fragrant. If planted in gardens, fragrance fills the paths. People in Jiangdong and Shuchuan harvest its leaves to make incense for drinking, claiming it can stop diarrhea. White flowers open in July and August, roots are hard and thin, yellow-black, harvested in March and April, and dried. Another view says September and October are best, and March and April are not the right time. Those from Guanzhong are commonly called Jingxiong, generally used, but prized for heavy, solid chunks resembling sparrow brains, called Que-nao Chuanxiong, which has the strongest efficacy. Miwu is also known as Qi (ancient character for Celery). Ancient prescriptions used Chuanxiong alone, chewed to treat dental diseases. In recent times, it is sometimes mixed with honey into finger-sized pills taken before sleep, treating wind-phlegm excellently.

*Shenghui Fang*: Treats uterine bleeding in women, day and night without stopping. Take one liang of Chuanxiong, cut into pieces, add one large cup of wine, decoct until reduced to half, remove dregs, add two he of fresh Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang, 生地黄) juice, boil three times vigorously, take divided into two doses before meals.

*Qianjin Fang*: Treats metrorrhagia, day and night without stopping. Take eight liang of Chuanxiong, five sheng of clear wine, decoct to obtain two and a half sheng, divide into three doses. For those intolerant, administer slowly.

*Jingyan Houfang*: Treats cephalalgia due to wind, resolves phlegm. Take Chuanxiong in any amount, wash and soak in clean water, slice thinly. Dry in the sun or bake, pound into powder, mix with refined honey to make pills the size of small marbles. Take one pill chewed with tea or wine at any time.

*Doumen Fang*: Treats hemicrania. Use finely cut Jingxiong, soaked in wine, taken for good effect.

*Lingyuan Fang*: Treats meridian obstruction in women, amenorrhea for three months. Pregnancy test method: Pound raw Chuanxiong into powder, decoct mugwort water strongly, take one spoonful on an empty stomach. Slight movement in the abdomen indicates pregnancy.

*Xu Shiquan Fang*: Treats fetal distress due to sudden falling, or injury from lifting heavy objects causing abdominal discomfort and intrauterine fetal death. Take Chuanxiong powder, administer one cunbi with wine, repeat one or two times shortly after, leads to immediate expulsion. Another prescription: For periodontal disease with bad breath due to wind toxicity, simply hold Chuanxiong in the mouth.

*Yuyao Yuan Fang*: Granted by Emperor Zhenzong to Chancellor Gao, clears phlegm, brightens eyes, promotes appetite.

Shengxi Wan: Take ten liang of tight, small Chuanxiong, soak in millet washing water for three days changing water daily, slice, dry in sun, pound into powder, divide into two batches. Each batch adds one fen of Moschus (Shexiang, 麝香), one fen of Borneolum Syntheticum (Nao, 脑), and half liang of Rhinocerotis Cornu (Shengxi, 生犀), stew over water, mix with honey to make pills the size of small marbles. Take one pill chewed with tea or wine. Add half liang of Cinnabar (Zhusha, 朱砂) for phlegm. Add one fen of Bovis Calculus (Niuhuang, 牛黄) and one fen of Ferrum Preparatum (Tiefen, 铁粉) for chest congestion. Add one fen of Asari Radix (Xixin, 细辛) for dizziness of head and eyes. Add one fen of prepared Pinelliae Tuber (Paotian Nanxing, 炮天南星) for facial paralysis.

*Chunqiu Zhu* notes: Wheat yeast and Juqiong are used to resist dampness. In Emperor Jianwen's advice to physicians regarding wheat yeast and Chuanxiong, it can stop intestinal fish-disease (diarrhea).

*Yanyi* states: Chuanxiong currently produced in Sichuan forms large chunks, white inside, not oily; those that taste slightly pungent and sweet when chewed are best. Other varieties are not suitable for medicine, only for powder or decoction for bathing. This herb is currently most widely used; it is indispensable for wind affecting the head and face, but must be assisted by other herbs. Shen Kuo said: A relative of mine previously took Chuanxiong long-term. Doctor Zheng Shuxiong saw this and said Chuanxiong should not be taken long-term as it may cause sudden death. Later, my relative indeed died suddenly without illness. Also, the wife of court official Zhang Zitong suffered from cephalic wind, took Chuanxiong for a long time, and also died suddenly one day. These were witnessed personally. This is likely due to single administration. If taken singly for a long time, it disperses true qi. However, if assisted by other herbs and not taken long-term, stopping when the disease is cured, how could such results occur?