Angelica pubescens, Du Huo, 独活
Du Huo (TCM)
Angelica pubescens flowerPhoto by Koichi Oda
Botanical name:
Angelica pubescens; others used include A. brevicaulis, A. polyclada, A. hemsleyanum
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, bitter
Classification:
D. Clear Wind and Damp
Uses:
1. Clears Wind and Damp, Eases Pain:
-acute and chronic painful obstruction, especially in the Lower Back, Hips, Legs and Feet
-Toothache, Headache, Vertigo, pain of the occiput and neck
-acute or chronic arthritis due to Wind (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
2. Clears Wind-Cold-Damp from the Exterior:
-acute Wind-Cold-Damp with Headache, Fever, Chills, joint and muscle pain
3. Moves the Blood, Resolves Stasis:
-‘dissolves hard and moving mass in the abdomen of a woman’ (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-‘disperses mass from the epigastrium’ (Da Ming)
-‘removes Blood Stasis’ (Zhang Yuan Su)
Comment:
1. Out of the three main types of Angelica used in TCM (Dang Gui, Du Huo and Bai Zhi), Angelica Bai Zhi is most similar in use to the Western Angelica. However, the western Angelica has been used similarly to all three Angelica of TCM at different times.
2. All are warm, dry, pungent medicines which open obstructions of Cold and Damp, and benefit Circulation. Bai Zhi and Du Huo are both very effective for promoting and cleansing the micro-circulation in the capillaries.
3. Bai Zhi is most used for exterior conditions, especially affecting the Head, Face and Sinus. It can beautify the skin by clearing the capillary circulation.
4. Du Huo clears the Channels and is used for Wind-Cold Joint and Muscle pain.
5. Dang Gui works more deeply and nourishes the Blood and Liver while helping to move the Blood.
Dose:
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Main Combinations:
1. External Wind-Cold body aches and pains without sweating, Angelica Du Huo, with Ephedra Ma Huang.
2. Chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and legs, Angelica Du Huo, with Loranthus Sang Ji Sheng, Eucommia Du Zhong, Angelica Dang Gui.
3. Numbness in the legs, Angelica Du Huo with Saposhnikovia (Siler) Fang Feng.
4. Leg weakness associated with Wind, form a medicated wine with Angelica Du Huo and Aconitum Fu Zi. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
5. Swelling of the ankles and feet, Angelica Du Huo with Achyranthes Niu Xi (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
6. Arthritis and Rheumatism, Lower Back Pain, Angelica Du Huo with Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), Saposhnikovia (Siler) Fang Feng. (as in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang)
7. Infantile Paralysis, Lower Back and Knee Pain, or chronic Rheumatism Angelica Du Huo with Dang Gui, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Astragalus Huang Qi, Cyathula Chuan Niu Xi (as in Du Huo Tang)
8. Carbuncles and Abscesses, Angelica Du Huo, with Scutellaria Huang Qin, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Dang Gui, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony root) (as in Du Huo San)
Major Formulas
Da Qin Jiao Tang
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Juan Bi Tang
Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Shi Wei Bai Du San
Cautions:
1. Very drying, so not suitable in Yin or Blood deficiency.
2. Not used in people with Internal Wind (Hypertension, headache, dizziness)