Evidence supporting the use of: Lingusticum wallichii
For the health condition: Chest Pain

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ligusticum wallichii (also known as Chuanxiong or Szechuan Lovage Rhizome) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been used for centuries, particularly in formulas aimed at promoting blood circulation and alleviating various types of pain, including chest pain (often described as "xiong bi" or chest impediment in Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM). Its traditional use is primarily for conditions associated with "blood stasis" and to "invigorate the blood," which, in TCM theory, is thought to underlie symptoms such as angina or localized chest discomfort.

Classical Chinese medical texts and modern TCM practitioners often recommend Ligusticum wallichii as a core ingredient in herbal formulas for cardiovascular complaints. It is commonly combined with other herbs, such as Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), in patent medicines or decoctions for angina-like symptoms.

While Ligusticum wallichii has demonstrated some vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet effects in laboratory and animal studies, robust clinical evidence in humans is limited. Most available data are either preclinical or derived from small, low-quality clinical trials, often with mixed herbal combinations rather than the isolated herb. Thus, while the traditional use for chest pain is well documented, scientific validation is currently modest, and more rigorous research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in modern clinical contexts.

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