Gaoben is the dried rhiome and root of Ligusticum sinensis Oliv. or Ligusticum jeholense Nakai et Kitag., pertaining to Umbelliferae. It is collected in fall when the leaf becomes yellow or in next spring when the plant begins to sprout. After the earth and sand is removed, it is sun dried or baked, and then cut into slices. The raw form is used.
[ Medicinal Properties ]: Pungent and warm; relate to bladder and liver meridian.
[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Disper cold, release superficies; dispel wind, remove dampness; stop pain
[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3-9g
[ Precautions ]: Avoid with headache due to blood deficiency and warm syndrome.
[ Clinical Applications]: 1. Wind-cold of exterior type, and headache on the top Gaoben treats wind-cold attacking the taiyang meridians, manifesting as headache, nasal congestion, severe pain on the top of head, in combination with Qianghuo, Cangzhu and Chuanxiong. It treats external wind-cold with dampness, manifesting as obvious headache and body pain, in combination with Qianghuo, Duhuo and Fangfeng; for example in Qianghuo Shengshi Decoction.
2. Wind-cold-damp arthralgia It treats body pain due to wind-cold, in combination with Qianghuo, Fangfeng and Cangzhu.
藁本为伞形科植物藁本Ligusticum sinensis Oliv.或辽藁本Ligusticum jeholense Nakai et Kitag.的干燥根茎及根。藁本主产于陕西、甘肃、河南、四川、湖北、湖南等省。辽藁本主产于辽宁、吉林、河北等省。秋季茎叶枯萎或次春出苗时采挖,除去泥沙,晒干或烘干。切片,生用。