Notopterygium root (Qianghuo)

Pharmaceutical Name : Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii

Botanical Name : 1. Notopterygium incisium Ting ex H. T. Chang; 2. Notopterygium forbesii Boiss.

Common Name : Notopterygium root

Source of Earliest Record : Yaoxing Lun

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The root, or rhizome, is dug in the early spring or autumn, dried and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste : Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridians : Kidney and urinary bladder

Functions :
1. To release the exterior and disperse cold;
2. To dispel wind and eliminate dampness;
3. To stop pain

Indications & Combinations:
1. Wind-cold exterior syndrome manifested by chills, fever, headache and severe general pain. Notopterygium root (Qianghuo) is used with Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng), Dahurian angelica root (Baizhi) and Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu).

2. Wind-cold-damp bi syndrome manifested as joint pain and soreness and pain in the shoulders and upper back. Notopterygium root (Qianghuo) is used with Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng) and Turmeric (Jianghuang).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: The herb is contraindicated in joint pain due to deficient blood and headache due to deficient yin.