What is Chuanxiong? A Detailed Explanation of Its Four Major Differences from Angelica Sinensis

Chuanxiong, also known as xiongqiong and xiangguo, is a common Chinese medicinal herb in the southwestern region. Because it has the effects of dispelling wind and relieving pain and invigorating blood, it has high medicinal value, and it is currently cultivated in many areas. So what is Chuanxiong? What is the difference between it and angelica sinensis?

1. What is Chuanxiong?

1. Chuanxiong is a perennial herbaceous plant of the order Apiales, family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae, tribe Ammineae, genus Ligusticum. Its stems are erect, and the plant height is about 40-60 cm. It has many irregular nodular rhizomes and smells strongly aromatic. The grown stems are cylindrical and bear many longitudinal stripes and branches. The branches bear ovate-triangular leaves in outline, and the leaves have 4-5 pairs of pinnate leaflets. The flowers are white, obovate to cordate, and the fruits are laterally compressed on both sides. It generally flowers from July to August and sets young fruit from September to October.

2. Chuanxiong is a Chinese medicinal herb with very high medicinal value. It is widely cultivated in wasteland or on high mountains in Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places in China. Among them, Pengzhou City in Sichuan is the main producing area, and it is sold throughout China, and of course some is also sold to Vietnam and various countries in Southeast Asia.

3. Chuanxiong is a common medicinal material in daily life. Its underground tubers are mainly used as medicine, and the tubers are large, look like chrysanthemums, and have a strong aroma. It has the effects of dispelling wind and relieving pain, invigorating blood, calming, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and can effectively treat various conditions such as rheumatic arthralgia and head wind headache caused by blood stasis obstruction. It can be eaten together with chrysanthemum, mint, pubescent angelica root, and saposhnikovia divaricata to treat rheumatic arthralgia. It can be eaten together with dandelion, costus root and the like to treat abdominal distension and pain, acid regurgitation and heartburn and other symptoms. But it must not be eaten together with coptis chinensis, cornus officinalis, astragalus and the like, so as to avoid causing symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting.

2. What is the difference between Chuanxiong and angelica sinensis?

Difference 1, different family and genus: Chuanxiong is a perennial herbaceous plant of the order Apiales, family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae, tribe Ammineae, genus Ligusticum; angelica sinensis is a perennial herbaceous plant of the order Apiales, family Apiaceae, genus Angelica.

Difference 2, different growing environment: Chuanxiong is suitable for growing in fertile land with a mild climate, sufficient light, fewer disasters and sufficient rainfall; angelica sinensis is suitable for growing in fertile land with higher altitude, a cold, shady and humid climate, and frequent disasters.

Difference 3, different taste: Chuanxiong has no sweet taste when eaten, and the whole plant smells strongly aromatic; angelica sinensis tastes a little sweet.

Difference 4, different effects: Chuanxiong has the effects of dispelling wind and relieving pain, invigorating blood, calming, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and can effectively treat various conditions such as rheumatic arthralgia and head wind headache caused by blood stasis obstruction; angelica sinensis has the effects of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, relieving pain, and nourishing blood, and can effectively treat conditions such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, arm pain, blood in the urine, and incessant nosebleeds.

The above is a detailed introduction to what Chuanxiong is and the differences between it and angelica sinensis. I hope it is helpful to everyone.