Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Qiang Huo 羌活
Radix Et Rhizoma Notopterygii Notopterygium Root
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Warm
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Bitter, Aromatic, Warm
- Channels Entered
- BL, KI
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Radix Et Rhizoma Notopterygii
- Chinese
- 羌活
- Tone Marks
- qiāng huó
Chinese Herb Actions
- Releases the Exterior and Disperses Cold For chills, fever, headache and a heavy sensation in the body.
- Stops Damp Bi Pain For Wind-Cold-Damp Bi pain, especially in the upper parts of the body, including the occiput.
- Guides Qi to the Greater Yang and Governing Vessels This herb directs other herbs to regions traversed by these channels.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 6-15 grams.
- Part used: root or rhizome.
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Caution in cases of blood, Yin, and exterior deficiency. Over dosage may cause nausea and vomiting.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt