Evidence supporting the use of: Sichuan Lovage
For the health condition: Chest Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sichuan Lovage (Ligusticum chuanxiong, also called Chuanxiong) is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of chest pain, particularly pain attributed to "blood stasis" or impaired circulation. Historical TCM texts describe its use in formulas such as Xuefu Zhuyu Tang and Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San, which are prescribed for chest tightness, angina-like discomfort, and headaches. The traditional rationale is that Sichuan Lovage "invigorates the blood and promotes the movement of qi," which is believed to relieve pain and improve cardiovascular function.
Modern scientific research on Ligusticum chuanxiong has primarily focused on its active compounds, like ligustilide and ferulic acid, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and antithrombotic effects in laboratory and animal studies. However, clinical trials in humans for chest pain (such as angina pectoris) are limited in number, small in scale, and generally of low methodological quality. As a result, while there is some scientific plausibility for its traditional use, robust clinical evidence is lacking. Therefore, its use for chest pain is justified primarily by tradition, with only preliminary supporting evidence from laboratory and animal studies.
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
lingusticum wallichii
siler root
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
menthol oil
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
Ash
Avens
Ardisia
Anamu
Aconite
Ajuga
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Acetylsalicylic acid
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
Little ironweed
Mallow
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Sichuan Lovage
Abdominal PainAngina
Arthritis
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Dandruff
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis