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
AconiteAdrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
Ajuga
Allspice
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Arani
Ardisia
Arisaema
ash
avens
balsam
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
betel
Bidens pilosa
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black galingale
blackboard tree
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
capillary artemisia
Chinese raisintree
citron
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
commiphora
cowherb
Dianthus
essential oil blend
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
fish oil
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
hawthorn
heal-all
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
Higenamine
honey
Horsemint
Huang hua
Indian fagonia
inula racemosa
joe-pye
labrador tea
Lebbek
ligustilides
Ligustrazin
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
magnesium
mallow
marigold
Menthol oil
Mugwort
Nardostachys
Nutmeg
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
Osha
Oxystelma
Patrinia
paw paw
pear
Pepper
Petiveria
Peucedanum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pomegranate
poppy
Portulaca
prepared aconite tuber
Quisqualis
rhizome
rosemary
Sagebrush
scrophularia root
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
Stereospermum
Szechuan lovage
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
thyme
Trichosanthes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Violet
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zingiberene
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
