Gao Ben
StarLigusticum sinense Oliv.
☯ TCM Properties
Disperses Wind-Cold; Drains Dampness; Alleviates Pain; Reaches the Vertex of the Head
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gao Ben (Chinese lovage rhizome, ligusticum sinense) is a warm, pungent herb with a strong affinity for the Taiyang and vertex regions of the head. It releases Wind-Cold from the Exterior and dispels Wind-Cold-Damp from the channels, making it a primary herb for Wind-Cold headaches affecting the vertex, occiput, and upper back — the Taiyang channel distribution. It also relieves body aches and stiffness from Wind-Cold invasion. Its strong upward-moving, dispersing nature directs its action specifically to the uppermost regions of the head.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Ligusticum sinense is a stout perennial aromatic herb in the Apiaceae family native to the cool montane regions of central and northern China, where it is cultivated for its medicinal rhizome. From a thick knotty branched rhizome and stout fibrous roots arises an erect ridged hollow stem 30-100 cm tall. The leaves are large, two- to three-times pinnately compound, with ovate, deeply incised and serrated leaflets and conspicuously sheathing petioles; foliage and rootstock emit a strong celery-like, slightly camphoraceous aroma owing to ligustilide and related phthalides. Small white flowers are borne in flat compound umbels 6-12 cm across at the stem tips and upper axils in summer, followed by oblong-ovate ribbed mericarps. The pale yellow-brown gnarled rhizome with its protruding nodal scars is the medicinal material Gao Ben.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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