gao ben

Name: gao ben
Creator: Bencao Index

藁本·Rhizoma Ligustici

Chinese Lovage Root

About gao ben

Gao Ben (藁本) is the rhizome of Chinese lovage, a plant of the carrot family, recorded as Rhizoma Ligustici. It is acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Bladder channel and the Governing Vessel. The catalogue files it among the acrid, warm herbs that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyin	gao ben
Chinese	藁本
Latin Name	Rhizoma Ligustici
English Name	Chinese Lovage Root·Chinese lovage root; ligusticum root·ligusticum root
Japanese	kohon
Korean	kobon

Classification

Category: Acrid, Warm, Release Exterior
Channels: Bladder, Governing Vessel
Flavour: Acrid
Temperature: Warm
Part used: Root
Family: Apiaceae
Species: Ligusticum Sinese
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Expels Wind-Cold and releases the Exterior

Invasion of Wind-Cold: chills, aches all over and headache
Wind-Cold affecting the head, especially headache and nose complaints
Headache at the crown from Wind-Cold lodged in Tai Yang, including pain that spreads to the cheeks, teeth or jaw; may be used alone
Headache from Wind-Cold-Damp

Dispels Wind-Damp and relieves pain

Wind-Damp-Cold Bi with joint pain
Sudden low back pain from exterior Wind-Cold; it reaches both ends of the Du Mai, which links the lumbar region to the vertex
Cold, cramping pain in the abdomen

Combinations

xi xin
Toothache, a stiff neck, vertex headache, and headache from Wind-Cold-Damp
bai zhi
Acne, rosacea or dandruff where Wind and/or Dampness affects the face, applied as a face cream; improves the complexion with suitable herbs
chuan xiong + bai zhi
Strengthens pain relief; a common pairing for headache
cang zhu
Early-stage Bi with pain in the back and joints; Cold and Damp causing abdominal pain
qiang hou
Wind-Dampness in the Du channel with a stiff nape and headache
fang feng + qiang hou + wei ling xian + cang zhu
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
xiang fu
Dampness blocking Qi with epigastric pain, a dull ache of the flanks and epigastrium, a greasy feeling in the mouth, profuse saliva and loose stools
wu zhu yu
Cold-Dampness causing hernia and abdominal pain
wu zhu yu + xiao hui xiang
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
fang feng + jiu chao sheng ma + jiu chao chai hu
Headaches.
jing jie + fang feng + cang zhu + chen pi
Wind-Cold presenting with fever, headache, aching muscles and aversion to Cold
fang feng + qiang hou
External Wind-Cold-Dampness.
fang feng + qiang hou + wei ling xian
Wind-Cold-Dampness Bi syndrome
chuan xiong + xi xin
Cold and Damp headache
xi xin + shi gao + bai zhi
Frontal and migraine headaches.

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 2-10g; Maximum dosage: 20g; Tincture: 2-4ml	2-10 g	—	2-4 ml	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Headache arising from Blood deficiency, as the herb is very drying
contraindication Headache from Liver Yang rising
contraindication Yin deficiency, which its warm, acrid, drying nature makes worse
contraindication Heat disorders
contraindication Headache in warm disease with fever and thirst
contraindication Aching bones, or damage from Cold during the summer
contraindication Headache from Yang disorders
contraindication Blood deficiency after childbirth with flaring Fire
contraindication Vertex headache that comes from a Jue Yin disorder
caution Headache of internal origin, rather than an external Wind-Cold or Damp invasion
caution Not for long-term use

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