Tianma is a commonly used medicinal herb in daily life. Tianma stewed chicken is a popular medicinal food, which not only tastes delicious but also has the effect of treating headaches and dizziness. Can Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) be taken together with Tianma?
Can Tianma and Chuanxiong be taken together?
Yes, they can be taken together.
Chuanxiong has the effects of promoting qi circulation, relieving stagnation, and activating blood circulation. It can be used to treat wind-cold headaches, dizziness, flank pain, abdominal pain, cold arthralgia, menstrual disorders, postpartum blood stasis pain, abscesses, and ulcers.
Tianma has a mild nature and sweet taste. It has the effects of soothing the liver, relieving wind, and stopping spasms. It is mainly used to treat dizziness, numbness of limbs, and infantile convulsions.
There is no incompatibility between Chuanxiong and Tianma. Their medicinal effects do not conflict with each other, and taking them together can enhance the efficacy of the herbs.
The benefits of taking Tianma and Chuanxiong together
Promoting blood circulation and qi circulation
Chuanxiong has the effect of promoting blood circulation and qi circulation. It can be used to treat blood stasis pain, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, contusions, and swelling. Tianma contains effective ingredients such as gastrodin and tianmasu, which have the function of promoting blood circulation and unblocking collaterals. Taking Chuanxiong and Tianma together can enhance their medicinal effects.
Dispelling wind and relieving pain
Taking Tianma and Chuanxiong together can dispel wind and relieve pain. It can be used to treat flank pain, abdominal pain, rheumatic pain, and headaches. "Yi Xue Qi Yuan" recorded that Chuanxiong "nourishes blood and treats blood deficiency headaches." Tianma is an essential herb for treating vertigo and headaches. Taking them together can provide better results, especially for vertigo, headaches, and migraines.
Lowering blood pressure
Chuanxiong contains ingredients such as ligustilide, which can dilate arteries, reduce cerebral vascular resistance, increase blood flow, and improve microcirculation disorders. Chuanxiong has a certain antihypertensive effect. Tianma contains ingredients such as gastrodin, vanillin, and tianma polysaccharides, which can assist in lowering blood pressure. Taking them together has a certain effect on hypertension.
Sedation and pain relief
The volatile oil of Chuanxiong can inhibit the brain, and ligustilide has analgesic effects. Gastrodin and tianmasu have sedative and analgesic effects. Taking Chuanxiong and Tianma together can be used to relieve headaches, rheumatic pain, flank pain, and other symptoms.
Can Tianma and Chuanxiong be taken for a long time?
It is not recommended to take them for a long time.
Tianma and Chuanxiong contain various effective ingredients that can protect the cardiovascular system and assist in lowering blood pressure. However, they are not suitable for long-term use. As the saying goes, "All medicines have three parts poison." Tianma and Chuanxiong are both Chinese medicinal herbs, and long-term use may cause harm to the body. Moreover, Tianma has certain toxic side effects. Long-term use may lead to chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, etc. It is recommended to take Tianma and Chuanxiong 2-3 times a week or under the guidance of a doctor.
What should not be taken with Chuanxiong?
1. Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis) and Lang Du (Aconitum carmichaelii)
Chuanxiong is incompatible with Shan Zhu Yu and Lang Du. Taking them together will reduce the efficacy of Chuanxiong in promoting blood circulation, qi circulation, dispelling wind, and relieving pain.
2. Nitrates, talc, and Coptis chinensis
Chuanxiong is incompatible with nitrates, talc, and Coptis chinensis. Taking them together will reduce their respective efficacies and may cause discomfort.
3. Li Lu (Veratrum nigrum)
"Ben Cao Zheng" mentioned that Chuanxiong is incompatible with Li Lu. Taking Chuanxiong and Li Lu together may produce adverse reactions. Therefore, they should not be taken together.
How to take Tianma and Chuanxiong together
Tianma and Chuanxiong Tea
Ingredients:
5g Tianma, 10g Chuanxiong, 3g Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica), 3g green tea.
Instructions:
1. Grind Chuanxiong, Tianma, and Bai Zhi into fine powder and mix well.
2. Fill the mixed powder into a tea bag and seal it.
3. Put the tea bag and green tea into a teapot, pour in boiling water, and let it steep for 15 minutes before drinking.
