与独活生禀虽同，但性温辛苦气浓，于味浮而升，阳也。手足太阳行经风药，并入
足厥阴、少阴经气分。
羌活，气平微温，乃手足太阳表里引经之药，以理游风，兼入足少阴，厥阴气分，
非比柔儒之主，诚拨乱反正，大有作为者也。泻肝气搜肝风，小无不入，大无不通，
能散肌表八邪之风，善利周身百节之痛，排巨阳肉腐之疽，除新旧风湿之症。如若加入
川芎，立止本经头痛。性上行而治风，其性雄，凡太阳头痛风湿相搏，骨节疼痛之要
药。
按∶羌活治肢节痛，因于风者宜之，若血气虚而痛者，误用之反致增剧。
禀天地正阳之气以生，故味苦甘平。洁古益之，以辛微温无毒，气味俱薄浮而升，
阳也。得风不摇，无风自动，故名独摇草，足少阴引经气分之药。
独活，入足少阴表里引经，专治头风与少阴伏风，而不治太阳经也，故两足湿痹，
不能动履，非此莫痊。风毒齿痛，头眩目晕，有此堪治。虽仗治风，又资燥湿，然羌
疗水湿游风，独疗水湿伏风；羌之气清，行气而发散荣卫之邪，独之气浊，行血而温养
荣卫之气；羌有发表之功，独有助表之力，凡内湿痿痹，透关利节之要剂也。性下行而
治水，其气细，凡少阴伏风，头痛湿痹之要药。
主治（痘疹合参） 凡痘初发热，身热头痛，表发痘疮，二活皆不可缺。经跌扑
者，尤所重焉。若在夏天及汗多表虚者忌之。
Although Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) share the same innate natural endowment, Qianghuo is warm in nature, pungent and bitter, with a strong aroma. Its action floats and ascends, belonging to Yang. It is a wind-dispelling herb that traverses the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians, and also enters the Qi aspect of the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyin meridians.
Qianghuo has a neutral and slightly warm qi. It serves as the guiding herb for the exterior and interior of the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians. It regulates wandering wind and additionally enters the Qi aspect of the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Jueyin meridians. Unlike those soft and ineffectual herbs, it is truly capable of restoring order and achieving significant results. It drains Liver Qi and searches out Liver wind, penetrating into the smallest openings and unblocking the largest obstructions. It can disperse wind from the eight pathogenic factors on the muscle surface, effectively relieving pain in all joints of the body, expelling abscesses causing muscle rot in the Great Yang (Taiyang), and eliminating both old and new rheumatism syndromes. If added with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), it can immediately stop headaches in its own meridian. Its nature ascends to treat wind; its character is vigorous. It is a key herb for Taiyang headaches, wind-dampness bi-syndrome, and joint pain.
Note: Qianghuo is suitable for treating limb and joint pain caused by wind. However, if the pain is due to deficiency of Blood and Qi, misuse will aggravate the condition.
(Duhuo) is born from the righteous Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth, hence its taste is bitter, sweet, and neutral. Zhang Yuansu (Jiegu) supplemented that it is pungent and slightly warm, non-toxic, with light and thin qi and flavor, floating and ascending, belonging to Yang. It does not sway when there is wind but moves spontaneously when there is no wind, thus named "Duyao Cao" (Swaying Grass). It is a guiding herb for the Qi aspect of the Foot Shaoyin meridian.
Duhuo enters the exterior and interior of the Foot Shaoyin meridian as a guiding herb. It specifically treats Head Wind and latent wind in the Shaoyin meridian, but does not treat the Taiyang meridian. Therefore, for damp-bi syndrome in both legs resulting in inability to walk, this herb is essential for recovery. It can treat toothache caused by wind toxicity, dizziness, and vertigo. Although it relies on treating wind, it also aids in drying dampness. However, while Qianghuo treats wandering wind caused by water-dampness, Duhuo treats latent wind caused by water-dampness; Qianghuo's qi is clear, moving Qi and dispersing pathogens in the Ying and Wei; Duhuo's qi is turbid, moving Blood and warming/nourishing the Ying and Wei Qi; Qianghuo has the function of releasing the exterior, while Duhuo assists the exterior's strength. It is a crucial agent for internal dampness, flaccidity, and bi-syndrome, penetrating joints and benefiting segments. Its nature descends to treat water; its qi is subtle. It is a key herb for Shaoyin latent wind, headache, and damp-bi syndrome.
Main Indications (Integration with Smallpox/Rash): Whenever smallpox/rash initially presents with fever, body heat, headache, and eruption on the surface, both Qianghuo and Duhuo are indispensable. They are particularly important for cases involving falls or trauma. However, they are contraindicated in summer or in patients with excessive sweating and deficient exterior.