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Ligusticum wallichii - Franch.

Common Name Chuan Xiong
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shady slopes in forests at elevations of 1500--3700 metres in western China[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas, from India to China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Ligusticum wallichii Chuan Xiong


Ligusticum wallichii Chuan Xiong

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ligusticum wallichii is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cholera  Haemostatic  Nervine  Oxytoxic  Vasodilator

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. It is used as a main ingredient of a 'coronary pill' which is said to have a definite therapeutic effect on heart problems. Carthamnus is the other major ingredient whilst Acronychia and Salvia are also included[218]. Haemostatic[172]. The root is analgesic, emmenagogue, nervine, oxytocic, sedative and vasodilator[176, 218]. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, cerebral embolism, coronary heart disease, headaches and body aches[176]. The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup', the most widely used woman's tonic in China[254]. The other species used are Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica sinensis and Paeonia lactiflora[254]. The root has also shown antibacterial activity against E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Pseudomonas, B. typhi, B. paratyphi, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio Proteus[176].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[1, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse or cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: India (Meghalaya, Nagaland), Nepal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ligusticum brachylobum Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM02 
Ligusticum canadenseCanadian Licorice RootPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM210
Ligusticum canbyiOshaPerennial1.2 3-6 MLMHFSM302
Ligusticum filicinumFernleaf Licorice Root 0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Ligusticum hulteniiHulten's Licorice RootPerennial0.0 -  LMHNM20 
Ligusticum jeholense Perennial0.7 -  LMHNM02 
Ligusticum mutellinaMountain Lovage, Alpine lovagePerennial0.5 5-9  LMHNM11 
Ligusticum porteriPorter's Licorice RootPerennial0.9 5-9  LMHNDM13 
Ligusticum scoticumScottish Lovage, Scottish licorice-root, Hulten's licorice-rootPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHNDM322
Ligusticum sinenseChuang XiongPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHNM03 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Ligusticum wallichii

Administrator .

Mar 22 2011 12:00AM

presently classified as Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. see THE STATE PHARMACOPOEIA COMMISSION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. English Edition 2005.Vol. I. People’s Medical Publishing House. 2005 pag. 254 - 255

Author

Franch.

Botanical References

266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Arnold Kim   Wed Apr 10 16:58:54 2002

Link: DreamPharm Ligusticum chuan xiang

Avril   Fri Apr 11 2008

can it aggravate epilipsy

Jose Waizel-Bucay   Fri Aug 14 2009

Synonyms: Selinum striatum (DC.) C.B. Clarke Used as antiasthmatic

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