Gao Ben - 蒿本 / 藁本 - Rhizoma Ligustici
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Rhizoma Ligustici |
| Common English: | Chinese Ligusticum Chinese Lovage Root Jehol Ligusticum Rhizome Kao-ben Ligusticum Root Straw Weed |
Category
Herbs that Release the Exterior: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior (Wind-Cold Diaphoretics)Properties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid | Warm | Bladder | 2-10g Maximum dosage: 20g Tincture: 2-4ml |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Expels Wind and Cold | Wind-Cold, especially headache and nasal conditions Alone for Wind-Cold lodged in the Tai Yang with headache involving the crown and vertex or linked to the teeth and jaw |
Dispels Wind-Dampness and alleviates pain | Acute low back pain due to Wind-Cold Wind-Damp-Cold Bi pain |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Hb. Asari | Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae | Rx. Ligustici Chuanxiong |
Stiff neck and toothaches, Vertex headaches, Wind-Cold-Damp headache. | As a face cream for Wind and/or Dampness affecting the face with acne, rosacea or dandruff. With appropriate herbs, enhances the complexion. | Accentuates pain relieving effects. Often used together for headaches. |
| Rz. Atractylodis | Rx. seu Rz. Notopterygii | Rx. Saposhnikoviae |
Back pain and joint pain associated with early stage Bi. Abdominal pain due to Cold and Dampness. | Headache and stiffness of the nape of the neck due to Wind-Dampness in the Du channel. | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi. |
| Rz. Cyperi | Fr. Evodiae | Fr. Evodiae |
Epigastric pain due to Dampness Obstructing the Qi with a greasy sensation in the mouth, excessive saliva, dull aching in the epigastrium and flanks, and loose stools. | Abdominal pain and hernia due to Cold-Dampness. | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi. |
Rx. Saposhnikoviae | Hb. Schizonepetae | Rx. Saposhnikoviae |
Headaches. | Wind-Cold with aversion to Cold, fever, headache and muscle aches and pains. | External Wind-Cold-Dampness. |
Rx. Saposhnikoviae | Rx. Ligustici Chuanxiong | Hb. Asari |
Bi syndrome due to Wind-Cold-Dampness. | Headache due to Cold and Dampness. | Frontal and migraine headaches. |
Notes
- It acts on both ends of the Du Channel.
- It is the herb of choice for vertex headaches.
- It usually plays a supporting role in stopping pain, particularly headaches from Wind-Cold.
- Traditionally, it was used in menstrual remedies and cosmetic preparations.
- It is reputedly an ingredient in love potions.
- It is reported to warm the Lungs, promote menstrual flow and improve Blood circulation.
- It eases acute abdominal pain related to Wind-Dampness in the lower abdomen.
- For headaches, combine Gao Ben with Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng, wine-fried Rz. Cimicifugae Sheng Ma and Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu.
- For headaches at the vertex, Gao Ben is the best choice; for occipital headaches, Rz. seu Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo; for frontal headaches, Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae Bai Zhi; and for lateral headaches or those involving Blood Stagnation, Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong.
- Gao Ben and Rx. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong both treat headaches. Gao Ben concentrates on the Bladder and Du channels, following their course and unblocking both upward and downward, though it does not reach the Liver channel. Chuan Xiong concentrates on the Liver and Gallbladder and moves to the head and eyes, but it does not reach the vertex.
- Stops headache: Jue Yin (vertex) (Secondary source)
- Like Qiang Huo, it guides Qi to the Tai Yang and Du channels.