Description

Angelica dahurica(‌白芷) has the main effects of relieving exterior syndromes and dispelling cold, dispelling wind and relieving pain, clearing nasal passages, drying dampness and stopping leukorrhea, reducing swelling and draining pus. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as colds due to wind-cold, headaches, toothaches, nasal congestion and runny nose, excessive leukorrhea, and sores and swellings.

1. Relieving Exterior Syndromes and Dispelling Cold: Angelica dahurica is warm in nature and pungent in taste, and can dispel wind-cold. It is suitable for symptoms such as chills and fever, and headache without sweating in the early stages of exogenous wind-cold. It is often used in combination with Saposhnikovia divaricata and Notopterygium incisum.

2. Dispelling Wind and Relieving Pain: It is particularly effective in treating headaches (frontal headache, supraorbital neuralgia) and toothaches caused by Yangming meridian disorders. Its active ingredients can inhibit inflammatory responses and relieve trigeminal neuralgia and migraines.

3. Clearing Nasal Passages: It has a good effect on nasal congestion, runny nose, and decreased sense of smell caused by allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. It is often used in combination with Xanthium sibiricum and Magnolia biondii.

4. **Drying and Stopping Leukorrhea:** Suitable for copious, thin leukorrhea caused by cold-dampness accumulation in the lower body. Often combined with spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos, as in Wan Dai Tang (a traditional Chinese medicine formula).

5. **Reducing Swelling and Draining Pus:** Promotes the rupture and drainage of pus from sores. Used for skin abscesses, mastitis, etc. Can be used externally or internally. Often used with heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs such as Lonicera japonica and Taraxacum mongolicum.

In addition, Angelica dahurica is often used as a spice in cooking to remove fishy odors, enhance aroma, and improve appetite, and has certain medicinal value. However, caution should be exercised: those with yin deficiency and blood heat should use it with caution; pregnant women should use it under the guidance of a physician; long-term, high-dose use may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or photosensitivity.