Synopsis

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

Ligusticum wallichii (also known as Chuanxiong or Szechuan lovage) is a well-known herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it has been used for centuries. In TCM, it is prescribed to invigorate the circulation of blood and dispel wind to relieve pain, making it a common ingredient in herbal formulas for musculoskeletal disorders, including conditions resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as "Bi syndrome" (painful obstruction syndrome). Historical medical texts and TCM practices describe its use for joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, symptoms that overlap with those of RA.

While there is substantial traditional use, high-quality scientific clinical evidence specifically supporting Ligusticum wallichii for rheumatoid arthritis is limited. Some modern pharmacological studies have explored its bioactive compounds, such as ligustilide and ferulic acid, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory effects in vitro and in animal models. These mechanisms could, in theory, benefit inflammatory joint conditions. However, there are few—if any—well-controlled human clinical trials directly assessing its efficacy for RA. Therefore, the evidence supporting its use is primarily traditional and preclinical, with a moderate rating (2) due to the lack of direct clinical validation in RA patients.

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