Qiāng Huó (羌活), known in English as Notopterygium (Notopterygium incisum), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Bladder and Kidney channels. Its main action: releases exterior Wind-Cold, dispels Wind-Damp.
| Pinyin | Qiāng Huó (Qiang Huo) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 羌活 |
| English | Notopterygium |
| Botanical name | Notopterygium incisum |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Bladder, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin or Blood deficiency Bi; profuse sweating |
Actions
- Releases exterior Wind-Cold, dispels Wind-Damp
- Relieves pain — especially upper body and occiput
Indications
- Wind-Cold-Damp: occipital headache, neck and shoulder stiffness
- Upper body Bi
How to remember Qiāng Huó
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Kidney channel: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
- Bladder channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Qiāng Huó
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qiāng Huó?
Qiāng Huó is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Qiāng Huó enter?
Qiāng Huó enters the Bladder and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Qiāng Huó?
Releases exterior Wind-Cold, dispels Wind-Damp; Relieves pain — especially upper body and occiput.
What is Qiāng Huó used for?
Wind-Cold-Damp: occipital headache, neck and shoulder stiffness; upper body Bi.
Which formulas contain Qiāng Huó?
Jiǔ Wèi Qiāng Huó Tāng, Chuān Xiōng Chá Tiáo Sǎn and Juān Bì Tāng.
Practise Qiāng Huó and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.