Introduction of Gao Ben: Chinese Lovage

: ✵The article records the herb Chinese Lovage—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, property and flavor, and its botanical sources: two plant species, (1) Ligusticum sinense Oliv. and (2) Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag.—with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two plants; the characteristics of the herb Chinese Lovage; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.

Rhizoma Ligustici (Chinese Lovage): Pinyin Name: Gǎo Běn
English Name: Chinese Lovage or Chinese Ligusticum Rhizome
Latin Name: Rhizoma Ligustici
Property and Flavor: Warm, pungent.

Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Ligustici is the dried rhizome and roots of Ligusticum sinense Oliv. or Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag. It is used to alleviate vertex headache due to wind-cold invasion and rheumatic arthralgia. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Ligustici, Chinese Lovage, or Gao Ben.

Botanical Source: Rhizoma Ligustici (Chinese Lovage) is the dried rhizome and roots of Ligusticum sinense Oliv. or Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag., plants of the genus Ligusticum L., family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae, parsley family), order Apiales (formerly Umbellales). It is also known as Gao Ben, Chinese Ligusticum, Jehol Ligusticum, Chinese Ligusticum Rhizome, or Jehol Ligusticum Rhizome.

Classical herbal book define Rhizoma Ligustici (Chinese Lovage, Gao Ben) as the dried rhizome and roots of (1) Ligusticum sinense Oliv. and (2) Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag. These two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Ligusticum sinense Oliv.

Administration of Rhizoma Ligustici (Gǎo Běn):

(2) Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag.