Notopterygium: Two Major Benefits and Effects, How to Use It, and Who Should Avoid It

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history, and today many people take Chinese herbs to regulate their health. Today I will introduce a Chinese herb——notopterygium (Qianghuo), which has excellent therapeutic effects for dispelling wind-dampness. What are the benefits and effects of notopterygium? How do you take it? Who should not take it?

I. Introduction to Notopterygium

Notopterygium, also known as Canqiang, Zhujieqiang, Datouqiang, Gouyinzi Flower, Quyao, Qiangqing, Huqiang Messenger, Huwang Messenger, Qianghua, Tuifeng Messenger, and Heiyao, is the rhizome and root of plants in the genus Notopterygium and the same genus, including broadleaf notopterygium or Sichuan notopterygium, in the family Apiaceae. It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Henan, Hubei and other places, and grows at an altitude of 2000-4000 m in forest margins and thickets.

II. Benefits and Effects of Notopterygium

1. Notopterygium has the effect of dispersing wind-cold: Notopterygium is pungent and warm and can disperse wind-cold from the body surface. Because its diaphoretic power is relatively strong and it also has an analgesic effect, it is especially often used for those with wind-cold headache and body pain, and is often combined with Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Atractylodes lancea (Cangzhu) and the like; it is also added to diaphoretic and heat-clearing medicines to treat externally contracted wind-heat with obvious headache.

2. Notopterygium has the effect of dispelling wind-dampness and relieving pain: Notopterygium is pungent and warm and can disperse wind-cold, and it also has a very good effect on dispelling wind-dampness. It is a commonly used item for dispelling wind and overcoming dampness. It not only dispels wind-dampness but also unblocks painful obstruction and relieves pain. It is used for wind-cold-dampness painful obstruction, especially commonly for pain in the upper half of the body, and is often combined with Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), Qianghuang, or with Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Angelica sinensis (Danggui) and the like.

III. Dietary Contraindications for Notopterygium

Notopterygium is relatively pungent and drying in nature, so people with blood-deficiency painful obstruction, yin-deficiency with external contraction, those who sweat easily, and those with weak spleen and stomach should not use it.

IV. How to Take Notopterygium

Dosage and usage: 3-10 grams, decocted in water and taken.

1. To treat cold with fever and tonsillitis (Notopterygium and Dandelion Decoction): Notopterygium 20-25g, Isatis root and dandelion 50g each; decoct in water and take, one dose per day, taken in two divided doses.

2. To treat externally contracted wind-cold-dampness pathogen with fever and aversion to cold, absence of sweat on the body surface, headache, stiff neck, and sore, aching limbs (Notopterygium and Saposhnikovia Decoction): Notopterygium 5g, Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Rehmannia raw (Shengdi), Atractylodes lancea (Cangzhu), Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), Asarum (Xixin), Glycyrrhiza (Gancao), and Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 3g each, decoct in water and take.

3. To clear heat and remove toxin, induce sweating and release the exterior (Isatis Root and Notopterygium Tea): Isatis root 30g, notopterygium 15g, brew with boiling water before taking; for severe cases, steep 2 doses per day.

4. To dispel wind-dampness and relieve pain (Wind-Dampness-Removing Notopterygium Decoction): Notopterygium and Angelica pubescens (Duhuo) 1 qian each (5g), Ligusticum sinense (Gaoben), Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), and honey-fried Glycyrrhiza (Gancao) 5 fen each (3g each), Vitex rotundifolia (Manjingzi) 3 fen (2g), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 2 fen (1.5g), decoct in water and take.

5. To induce sweating and remove dampness (Nine-Herb Notopterygium Decoction): Notopterygium, Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), and Atractylodes lancea (Cangzhu) 9g each, Asarum (Xixin) 3g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong), fragrant Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), raw Rehmannia (Shengdi), Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), and Glycyrrhiza (Gancao) 6g each, decoct in water and take warm.

Note: Notopterygium has a strong odor, and excessive dosage can easily cause vomiting. When using it, one must pay attention to the patient's condition and master an appropriate dosage. (Remember that using notopterygium to treat illness must follow a doctor's advice; this article is only for sharing and reference.)

Conclusion: As a Chinese medicinal herb, notopterygium has many medicinal values and has certain therapeutic effects for dispelling wind-dampness and treating colds, but after all it is a medicinal material, so it should also be taken under a doctor's guidance.