Gǎo Běn (藁本), known in English as Chinese lovage root (Ligusticum sinense), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Cold) category. It enters the Bladder channel. Its main action: expels Wind-Cold, releases exterior.
| Pinyin | Gǎo Běn (Gao Ben) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 藁本 |
| English | Chinese lovage root |
| Botanical name | Ligusticum sinense |
| Category | Release exterior (Cold) |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Bladder |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Headache from Blood deficiency or Heat |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Cold, releases exterior
- Expels Wind-Damp, relieves pain — vertex headache
Indications
- Wind-Cold exterior with headache
- Vertex headache extending to the teeth or cheeks
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi pain
How to remember Gǎo Běn
Release exterior (Cold) herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Cold) herbs
- Learn by heart
- Bladder channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Release exterior (Cold) herbs
- Má Huáng
- Guì Zhī
- Zǐ Sū Yè
- Jīng Jiè
- Fáng Fēng
- Xì Xīn
- Bái Zhǐ
- Cōng Bái
- Shēng Jiāng
- Xīn Yí Huā
- Cāng Ěr Zǐ
- Xiāng Rú
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Gǎo Běn?
Gǎo Běn is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Gǎo Běn enter?
Gǎo Běn enters the Bladder channel.
What are the actions of Gǎo Běn?
Expels Wind-Cold, releases exterior; Expels Wind-Damp, relieves pain — vertex headache.
What is Gǎo Běn used for?
Wind-Cold exterior with headache; vertex headache extending to the teeth or cheeks; Wind-Cold-Damp Bi pain.
Practise Gǎo Běn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.