Qiang Huo - 羌活 - Rhizoma Et Radix Notopterygii
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii / Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix |
| Common English: | Chiang Huo Notopterygium Root |
Category
Herbs that Release the Exterior: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior (Wind-Cold Diaphoretics)Properties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Bitter Aromatic | Warm | Bladder Kidney | 3-10g Maximum dosage: 30g Tincture: 2-4ml |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Releases the Exterior and disperses Cold | Wind-Cold with chills, fever, headache, body aches and pains Usually used when accompanied by Dampness with joint pain, a general feeling of heaviness, sleepiness or occipital pain |
Expels Wind-Cold-Dampness, unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi especially in the upper limbs and back |
Guides Qi to the Tai Yang and Du channels | Directs the other herbs to the Tai Yang and Du channels |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Rz. Ligustici Chuanxiong | Rx. Saposhnikoviae | Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis |
Headaches and generalized body aches and pains associated with the common cold or painful obstruction. | Pain due to External Wind-Dampness. | Wind-Dampness. |
| Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae | Rx. Platycodi | Rx. Saposhnikoviae |
Headaches. | Skin conditions. | Wind-Cold with aversion to Cold, fever, headaches and muscle aches. |
| Rx. Saposhnikoviae | Rz. Curcumae Longae | Hb. Schizonepetae |
Wind-Cold. | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi. | Occipital headache from Wind-Cold without perspiration. |
Rz. Atractylodis | Rx. Gentianae | Rx. Saposhnikoviae |
Heavy-headed sensation. | Red eyes from Wind-Heat attacking the head. | Muscle aches and joint pain due to Wind-Cold-Dampness. |
| Rz. Curcumae Longae Jiang Huang Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi | Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng Rz. Ligustici Gao Ben Rz. Ligustici Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong | Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao Flos Carthami Hong Hua Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian |
Arthritis of the upper body or upper limbs. | Wind-Damp headache. | General arthritis. |
Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis | ||
Rheumatic arthritis. Rheumatic fever. Rheumatoid arthritis. |
Notes
- Certain classification systems place this herb among the anti-rheumatics.
- It ranks among the principal analgesic herbs for surface complaints such as headaches, joint pain, and painful sores and inflammations.
- Tai Yang (occipital) headaches respond best to this herb.
- Its properties include anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and analgesic effects.
- For headaches it is nearly always paired with Rx. Angelica Dahuricae Bai Zhi, and for skin conditions with Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng .
- Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng is a similar herb, but it is used more frequently because of its tonic properties.
- Numbness and pain, particularly in the upper back, are where it excels. It also suits upper respiratory infections accompanied by muscle aches and pains.
- Qiang Huo and Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo both expel Wind-Dampness, remove painful obstruction and relieve pain. Qiang Huo is preferred for superficial Wind-Dampness and the upper extremities; being harsher, it is better suited to Wandering Bi. Du Huo is gentler, works better for deeper Wind-Dampness and the lower extremities, and is more capable of regulating lurking Wind.
- Qiang Huo and Rz. Ligustici Gao Ben both enter the Du channel. Qiang Huo drives out Wandering Bi from the muscles and exterior, and is the best choice for neck and shoulder pain and for freeing the joints by venting pathogens lodged between the sinews and bones. It ascends more strongly than Gao Ben's which, although it can reach the vertex, is better for disorders of the lower body.
- Qiang Huo and Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi. both dispel Wind-Cold. Qiang Huo works well on Wind-Cold in the limbs, whereas Gui Zhi is more effective at expelling Wind-Cold from the upper back and neck.