Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Rhizoma Ligustici |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 藁本 · Gao Ben |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Exterior-releasing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried root and rhizomes of Ligusticum sinense Oliv.(Apiaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Bladder |
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What Is Gao Ben?
Gao Ben (Ligusticum Root) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Warm
Channels Entered: Bladder
Gao Ben: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Rhizoma Ligustici
Botanical Origin
The dried root and rhizomes of Ligusticum sinense Oliv.(Apiaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has even size and potent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Rhizome is irregular knotty cylindrical shape, slightly twisted with branches, 3~10cm long, 1~2cm diameter. Externally brown or dark brown, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles; apex has numerous remnants of indented round stem base, base has numerous spotty raised scars of root and remnants of root. Light and relatively hard texture, easily broken; fractured surface is yellow or yellowish-white, fibrous. Potent aromatic odor; acrid and bitter taste, slightly numbing to the tongue.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; WarmBladder
Traditional Functions
Dispels wind, disperse cold, eliminates dampness, stops pain. Apply to cold induced by pathogenic wind-cold, parietal headache, rheumatic arthralgia of limbs.
Classical Formulas Containing Gao Ben
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gao Ben? Are Chuan Xiong, Qiang Huo and Bai Zhi the same?
Official Gao Ben (藁本) is the dried rhizome and root of Ligusticum sinense or Ligusticum jeholense. The pharmacopoeial name is Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix. Chuan Xiong is acrid-warm: invigorates Blood, moves qi, expels wind and stops pain—Shaoyang and blood-stasis headache. Qiang Huo is acrid-bitter-warm: releases the exterior, disperses cold, expels wind and overcomes damp—upper body, Taiyang. Bai Zhi is acrid-warm: releases the exterior, disperses cold, expels wind, stops pain and opens the nose—Yangming forehead pain. Write Gao Ben. Use caution in yin-blood vacuity headache.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Gao Ben?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Gao Ben is acrid and warm, enters the Bladder channel, and acts to expel wind, disperse cold, eliminate damp and stop pain. It is used for wind-cold common cold, vertex pain and wind-damp impediment pain. Acrid-warm, aromatic and drying, it reaches the vertex—not yin-blood vacuity, Liver-yang hyperactivity or heat headache.
How do you choose Gao Ben versus Liao Gao Ben? Can Chuan Xiong replace it?
Both are official sources and similar in action. Chuanxiong invigorates Blood and moves qi; it cannot replace vertex cold pain by equal weight. Dahurian angelica opens the nose and cannot replace vertex pain.
Learn More About Gao Ben
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Gao Ben.
Read the Gao Ben Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
