Dú Huó · Pubescent Angelica Root
Dú Huó (独活, Pubescent Angelica Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent, Bitter flavor, in the “Warm Exterior-Releasing” category. Tradition uses it to expel Wind-Cold-Damp, Relieve Pain, Release Exterior Wind-Cold.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Dú Huó
- Characters
- 独活
- Botanical name
- Angelica pubescens Maxim. f. biserrata Shan & Yuan
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent, Bitter
- Meridians
- Kidney, Bladder
- Category
- Warm Exterior-Releasing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Expel Wind-Cold-Damp
- Relieve Pain
- Release Exterior Wind-Cold
- Unblock Channels
Traditional uses
- Wind-cold-damp Bi syndrome especially in lower body
- Chronic low back and knee pain
- Exterior wind-cold with cold and headache
- Headache from wind-damp (Shao Yin channel)
- Leg and hip pain from wind-damp
Studied effects and current applications
- Powerfully expels wind-cold-damp from lower body
- Relieves chronic joint pain and stiffness
- Releases exterior wind-cold with headache
- Opens and warms the channels and collaterals
- Treats painful obstruction in lower back and legs
Applications under investigation
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatism
- Chronic lower back pain
- Sciatica and leg pain
- Degenerative joint disease
- Fibromyalgia
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Yin deficiency with heat patterns
- Excess interior heat conditions
Relative contraindications
- Blood deficiency
- Qi deficiency with interior cold but no wind-damp
- Pregnancy
- Use cautiously. Avoid large doses in pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Use cautiously in children only for wind-damp conditions.
- Older adults
- Excellent for elderly with chronic lower back and joint pain from wind-damp.
Possible adverse effects
- Possible photosensitivity (furanocoumarins)
- Mild nausea
- Dizziness
When to stop
- Photosensitivity develops
- Yin deficiency symptoms worsen
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photosensitizing drugs | Tetracyclines, Fluoroquinolones, Amiodarone | Moderate | Additive photosensitivity from furanocoumarins in Du Huo Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen during treatment. |
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin | Mild | Possible mild effect on clotting Monitor INR |
With other herbs
- sang_ji_sheng Classic combination in Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan for wind-damp arthritis
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 grams daily
- Tincture
- 2-4 ml (1:5) 3 times daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1-3 months for chronic arthritis
- Maximum
- 3 months then break
- Children
- Use cautiously in children only for wind-damp conditions.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 3-9g in 3 cups water 45 min. Take warm twice daily.
Chronic joint pain, wind-damp Bi syndrome
Soak 30g in 500ml rice wine 2-4 weeks. Take 1-2 tsp twice daily.
Chronic arthritis, lower back pain
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Coumarins (ostol, columbianetin) and phenolic acids
Chromene coumarin · Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, estrogen-mimetic
COX-2, PGE2 and TNF-α inhibition; activation of estrogen receptors; neuroprotection via Nrf2 · 0.1-0.5% in root
Furanocoumarins · Anti-inflammatory, antiaggregant
PAF (platelet activating factor) inhibition, COX-1/2 blockade · 0.05-0.2%
Furanumbellifera · Vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
Vascular smooth muscle relaxation, PGE2 inhibition · 0.1-0.4%
Phenolic acids · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Radical scavenging, NF-κB inhibition · 0.2-1.0%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (before bud break) or fall (after drying)
Roots harvested in spring or autumn from 2-3 year old plants. Sichuan produces the highest quality with the highest coumarin content.
Root cleaned, washed, softened in water, cut into slices and dried. Contains coumarins (ostol, columbianetin) and essential oils with anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
