Single Herb Glossary
Qiāng Huó 羌活
| Pharmaceutical name | Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix |
| Category | Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior |
| Key Properties | Clear, strong aroma Travels to Qi level Light in weight Reach vertex & upper body Travels to the limbs Expels Exterior Dampness |
| Properties | Acrid, Bitter Aromatic Warm |
| Tropism | UB, KD |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Releases Ext & Disperses Cold 2) Unblocks Painful Obstruction, Alleviates Pain (Wind-Cold-Damp) 3) Guides Qi to UB & DU Channel (Tropism to Neck/Occipital) |
| Dosages | 3-9 g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Febrile disorders, Yin Deficiency, muscle aches/pain due to Blood Deficiency Blood Deficiency Bi and Bi syndrome with red tongue with little or no coat |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Essential oil 0.16-2.70% (α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, α-phellandrene), coumarins (nodakenin, notopterol, 6- 0-transferuloynodakenin, isoimperatorin, cnidilin, nodakenetin, bergaptin, bergapten, bergaptol, demethylfuropinnarin, phellopterin, osthenol, notoptol, anhydronotoptol, karatavicin, marmesin, imperatorin, columbianetin), p-hydroxyphenethyl anisate, ferulic acid, phenethyl ferulate |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antipyretic: essential oil administered via intraperitoneal injection and oral ingestion lowers body temperature in rats • Analgesic: essential oil administered via intraperitoneal injection for three days relieves muscle aches and pain in mice • Cardiovascular: essential oil increases blood circulation to coronary artery in mice; also good effects in treating arrhythmia in mice, especially if arrhythmia associated with aconitine overdose |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Shu Zao Yin Zi (Dredging and Cutting Drink) 疏鑿飲子 Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San Ligusticum Chuanxiong Powder to be Taken with Gree 川芎茶調散 (川芎茶调散) Da Qin Jiao Tang (Major Large Gentian Decoction) 大秦艽湯 Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Pry Out Pain) 當歸拈痛湯 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium) 九味羌活湯 Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness 羌活勝濕湯 (羌活胜湿汤) Ren Shen Bai Du San (Gingseng Powder to Over come Pathogenic Influences) 人參敗毒散 Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan (Pill to Treat Painful Wind Anywhere) 上中下通用痛風丸 Bao Chan Wu You Fang (Worry-Free Formula to Protect Birth) 保產無憂方 Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Buplerum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer) 柴葛解肌汤 Juan Bi Tang (Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction) 蠲痺湯 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang (Raise the Yang and Augment the Stomach Decoction) 升陽益胃湯 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.