宣、解表、泻下气、治风痰。
辛以畅肺。解风寒。甘以入脾。理胸腹。（气香。）苦泄厥阴（肝）之热。寒散太阳（膀
胱）之邪
。性阴而降。功颛下气。气下则火降而痰消。（气有余便是火、火则生痰。）能除实（热。）
治痰热哮喘。咳嗽呕逆。痞膈霍乱。（乃手足太阴、阳明之药、与柴胡纯阳上升、入少
阳、厥阴者不同。）无实热与外感者忌用。（柴胡前胡、均是风药、但柴胡性升、前胡性降为
异、
之。）味甘气香。性软。冬月采者良。内有硬者。名雄前胡。须拣去
勿用。半夏为使。恶皂角。忌火。
宣、理伏风、去湿。
辛苦微温。气缓善搜。入足少阴气分。（肾）以理伏风。治本经伤风头痛。头晕目眩。（宜
与
细辛同用。）风热齿痛。（文潞公药准、用独活地黄等分为末、每服三钱。）痉痫湿痹。（项背
强直、手足反张曰痉、湿流关节、痛而烦、曰湿痹、风胜湿、故二活兼能去湿。）奔豚疝瘕
。（肾积曰奔豚、风寒湿客于肾家所致、疝瘕亦然。）古方唯用独活。后人分二种。以形虚大
。有臼如鬼眼。节疏色黄者。为独活。色紫节密。气猛烈者。为羌活。并出蜀汉。又云∶自
西羌来者。为羌活。（故又名胡王使者。喻嘉言曰∶羌活之独本者、即真独活。）
To disperse, release the exterior, direct rebellious Qi downward, and treat wind-phlegm.
The pungent flavor unblocks Lung Qi and resolves wind-cold; the sweet flavor enters the Spleen and regulates the chest and abdomen. (Aromatic odor.) The bitter flavor drains heat from the Jueyin (Liver); the cold nature disperses pathogenic factors from the Taiyang (Bladder).
Its nature is Yin and descending, with efficacy dedicated to directing Qi downward. When Qi descends, Fire subsides and phlegm dissipates. (Excess Qi becomes Fire; Fire generates phlegm.) It can eliminate excess heat, treating asthma, cough, vomiting, and regurgitation caused by phlegm-heat, as well as epigastric fullness, diaphragmatic obstruction, and cholera-like disorders. (It is a herb for the Hand-Taiyin, Foot-Taiyin, and Foot-Yangming meridians, differing from Chaihu [Bupleuri Radix], which is purely Yang and ascending, entering the Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians.) It is contraindicated in cases without excess heat or exterior contraction. (Both Chaihu and Qianhu are wind-dispelling herbs, but Chaihu has an ascending nature while Qianhu has a descending nature, which is their difference.)
It has a sweet taste and aromatic odor, and a soft texture. Those harvested in winter are superior. Those with hard interiors are called "Xiong Qianhu" (Male Peucedani Radix) and must be discarded. Banxia [Pinelliae Rhizoma] serves as its guide drug. It is incompatible with Zaojiao [Gleditsiae Spina]. It should not be processed with fire.
To disperse, regulate latent wind, and remove dampness.
Pungent, bitter, and slightly warm; its action is slow yet effective at searching out pathogens. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin meridian (Kidney) to regulate latent wind, treating headache, dizziness, and vertigo caused by wind-cold affecting this meridian. (Should be used together with Xixin [Asari Radix et Rhizoma].) Toothache due to wind-heat. (In Wen Lugong's *Yao Zhun*, equal parts of Duhuo [Angelicae Pubescentis Radix] and Dihuang [Rehmanniae Radix] were ground into powder, taken three qian per dose.) Spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome. (Stiffness of the neck and back with opisthotonos of the limbs is termed spasm; pain and irritability due to dampness flowing into joints is termed damp-bi; since wind overcomes dampness, both Qianghuo and Duhuo can remove dampness.) Ben tun (fleeing pig) and hernia masses. (Renal accumulation of Qi is termed Ben tun, caused by wind-cold-dampness lodging in the Kidney; hernia masses are similar.) Ancient formulas used only Duhhuo. Later generations divided it into two types. Those that are hollow, large, with pores like ghost eyes, sparse nodes, and yellow color are called Duhhuo [Angelicae Pubescentis Radix]; those with purple color, dense nodes, and intense aroma are called Qianghuo [Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix]. Both originate from Shu and Han regions. It is also said that those coming from Western Qiang are called Qianghuo. (Thus also known as Huwang Shizhe [King of Hu's Envoy]. Yu Jiayan stated: The single-stemmed Qianghuo is the true Duhhuo.)