Qiāng Huó (羌活) — Notopterygium Rhizome
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Qiāng Huó (羌活) is the dried rhizome of Notopterygium incisum (or N. forbesii). It belongs to the category of Warm-acrid herbs that release the Exterior and is one of the most useful herbs in Chinese herbal medicine for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction (Bi syndrome), especially in the upper body, neck, shoulders and upper back.
I prescribe Qiāng Huó as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Qiāng Huó |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 羌活 |
| Latin name | Notopterygium incisum |
| English name | Notopterygium rhizome |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, bitter |
| Channels entered | Bladder, Kidney |
| Category | Warm-acrid herbs that release the Exterior |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Releases the Exterior and disperses Wind-Cold
- Dispels Wind-Damp from the channels and alleviates pain
- Particularly affinity for the upper body and the Tai Yang channel
Indications
- Wind-cold colds with marked body aches, stiff neck, shoulder and upper-back pain, headache
- Wind-cold-damp painful obstruction (Bi syndrome) in the neck, shoulders, upper back and upper limbs
- Acute torticollis from cold exposure
4. Modern research
Notopterygium rhizome contains coumarins (notopterol, isoimperatorin), volatile oils and polyacetylenes. Pharmacological studies report anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antiplatelet activity. Notopterol has been investigated for analgesic effects in models of arthritis.
5. Cautions and contraindications
Contraindicated in Blood and Yin deficiency without wind-cold-damp. The acrid warming nature can be drying; use carefully in patients with marked Yin deficiency. May cause nausea at high doses.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Qiāng Huó as part of tailored herbal formulas for neck pain, frozen shoulder of cold-damp origin, upper-back stiffness, and acute wind-cold colds with marked body aches. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.
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