Evidence supporting the use of: Ligustilides
For the health condition: Chest Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Ligustilides are a group of phthalide compounds found primarily in plants such as Angelica sinensis (Dong quai) and Ligusticum chuanxiong. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), preparations containing these plants have been historically used to support blood circulation and alleviate chest pain, often attributed to "blood stasis" or "Qi stagnation" in TCM theory. The traditional use is rooted in centuries-old herbal practices, with Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis commonly prescribed for cardiovascular complaints, including chest discomfort, menstrual disorders, and headaches.
However, scientific validation specific to ligustilides for chest pain is limited. While some preclinical studies have explored the vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties of ligustilides, these investigations are mostly in vitro or in animal models, and they do not provide direct clinical evidence for efficacy in treating chest pain (angina or otherwise) in humans. Clinical studies on herbal formulas containing these plants sometimes report benefits for cardiovascular health, but isolating the effects of ligustilides themselves remains challenging. Consequently, the recommendation of ligustilides for chest pain is primarily justified by traditional usage rather than robust scientific proof. The evidence rating reflects the lack of high-quality human trials directly addressing this use.
Other ingredients used for Chest Pain
Allspicebasil
betel
clove
turmeric
fish oil
garlic bulb
ginger
hawthorn
magnesium
pear
plantain
pomegranate
rhizome
rosemary
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
alpinia galangal
inula racemosa
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Szechuan lovage
siler root
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
Menthol oil
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
ash
avens
Ardisia
anamu
Aconite
Ajuga
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Bidens pilosa
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Barleria
bitter grass
Bombax
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Clerodendrum trichotomum
capillary artemisia
citron
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Dianthus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
essential oil blend
Euphorbia
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
Gnaphalium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Higenamine
honey
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
Huang hua
long pepper
Indian fagonia
joe-pye
Lebbek
ligustilides
luffa
lodhtree
Ligustrazin
labrador tea
little ironweed
mallow
marigold
Nardostachys
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Osha
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
prepared aconite tuber
Pepper
Peucedanum
Portulaca
Patrinia
poppy
Petiveria
Quisqualis
reed herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sagebrush
Stereospermum
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Violet
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by ligustilides
Abdominal PainAngina
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colds (antiviral)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (general)
Depression
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Endometriosis
Fatigue
Fibrosis
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension