- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
Asia · Herb · № 659
Angelica dahurica
Herb · Asia
Dahurian angelica (bai zhi)
Angelica dahurica
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens the nose and relieves headache and toothache; helps drain pus.
Safety notes
Not with yin or blood deficiency. Can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that open the surface'. Bai zhi is used for headache at the forehead, a blocked nose and sinusitis, and externally on boils. In Chinese cosmetics it was used in masks for a fair complexion. It is part of Japanese and Korean prescriptions such as Senkyuchachosan.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, warm
- Meridians
- lung, stomach
Attributed effects
Expels wind in colds and allergy, warms the 'yang ming' meridians in frontal headache and a painfully blocked nose, dries dampness in joint pain and shrinks swellings or drains pus.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Combinations
- With spring onion, dan dou chi and fresh ginger for colds
- With cang er zi and xin yi hua for sinusitis
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction