Dú Huó (独活) — Pubescent Angelica root
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Dú Huó (独活) — Angelica pubescens — is known in English as Pubescent Angelica root. It belongs to the category of Herbs that expel Wind-Damp in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Dú Huó as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dú Huó |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 独活 |
| Latin name | Angelica pubescens |
| English name | Pubescent Angelica root |
| Nature | warm |
| Flavour | acrid, bitter |
| Channels entered | Kidney, Bladder |
| Category | Herbs that expel Wind-Damp |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Expels Wind-Cold-Damp and relieves Bi syndrome pain — particularly in the lower body
- Benefits the lower back and knees — the primary herb for lower body Wind-Damp pain
- Releases the Exterior in Wind-Cold invasion
Indications
- Lower back and knee pain from Wind-Cold-Damp Bi syndrome
- Sciatica and lumbar disc disease with Cold-Damp involvement
- Hip and sacral pain from Wind-Cold-Damp
- Arthritis of the lower limbs and chronic joint pain
- Common cold from Wind-Cold in the Shao Yin stage
4. Key formulas containing Dú Huó
Dú Huó appears in the following key formulas:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Angelica pubescens (Du Huo) is the primary herb in one of the most important classical formulas for musculoskeletal pain — Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan. Key bioactive constituents include osthole, columbianetin, bergapten and xanthotoxin (furanocoumarins). Research confirms anti-inflammatory effects (inhibiting COX-2 and prostaglandin production), analgesic properties, anti-arthritic activity and vasodilatory effects. Multiple clinical trials of Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan for osteoarthritis of the knee and lumbar region have confirmed significant pain reduction and improved function.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid in Yin deficiency with Heat patterns and excess Heat Bi syndrome — the warm, acrid nature is appropriate for Cold-Damp but will aggravate Heat patterns. Avoid in patients with photosensitivity (furanocoumarins are phototoxic in some individuals).
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Dú Huó as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Back pain, Sciatica, Hip pain, Knee pain, Rheumatoid arthritis. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
