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(Baked for use.) This herb does not sway when the wind blows, yet moves spontaneously when there is no wind; hence its name "Duyao Cao" (Herb of Independent Swaying).
Bitter, pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic, with an ascending nature. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) Meridian. Assists Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) in treating dizziness and vertigo; serves as the sovereign herb paired with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) to treat toothache caused by wind-heat. It treats spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome; it cures Ben Tun (Rushing Pig Qi), hernia, and Jia masses (abdominal lumps). It searches out various wind pathogens and simultaneously treats latent wind in the Kidney system; it eliminates various dampness and treats damp-bi in the feet.
Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) and Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) are of one category but two species. Those produced in China or Shuhan are called Duhuo; those from Western Qiang are called Qianghuo. In spring, the seedlings and leaves grow like green hemp; in the sixth month, they flower in clusters, either yellow or purple. Nowadays, people identify Qianghuo by its purplish root with dense nodes, and Duhuo by its yellowish root appearing in blocks. Recently, a type of "Tu Danggui" (Wild Angelica) has appeared in the mountains of Jianghuai; it has white flesh and black skin, and its aroma is also fragrant. Some people use it to pass off as Duhuo, which must be known. Ancient formulas only used Duhuo, likely because this is one substance with two varieties, just as Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Fuxiong (Ligustici Rhizoma), and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) share similar principles. Later generations considering them as two distinct substances is incorrect.
For stroke causing lockjaw and cold body: decoct four liang in wine and take in divided doses. (Verified Formula No. 1.)
For Lijie Feng pain (painful obstruction of joints): decoct with Qianghuo and Songjie (Pinus Massoniana Node) in wine and take. (No. 2.)
For wind-induced swollen and painful teeth: decoct in wine and gargle. (No. 3.)
For stroke causing aphasia: decoct one liang of Duhuo in wine; stir-fry one liang of Heidou (Black Soybean) until it makes sound; pour the hot medicinal wine over the beans, cover and keep warm for a long time. If not cured after prolonged use, continue taking it. (No. 4.)

Bitter, pungent, warm, non-toxic, with an ascending nature. Enters the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder), Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney), and Foot-Jueyin (Liver) Meridians. Searches out wind and releases the exterior; overcomes dampness and dispels bi-syndrome. It is a crucial agent for treating dizziness and red eyes, and a fine medicine for spinal pain and neck stiffness. For hemiplegia, facial paralysis (crooked mouth and eyes), wind-induced aphonia, Ben Tun, epilepsy, and spasms, it disperses wind pathogens on the muscle surface and benefits pain in all joints of the body. For headache due to blood deficiency, both Duhuo and Qianghuo should be avoided.
For contagious diseases in all seasons with swollen, red, painful, and tearing eyes: Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Qianghuo, fried Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Guiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma); decoct in water.
For postpartum abdominal pain, when other postpartum medicines fail: decoct two liang in wine and take. (Verified Formula No. 1.)
For postpartum uterine prolapse: Same method as above. (No. 2.)
For edema during pregnancy: Stir-fry together with Laifuzi (Raphani Semen), remove Laifuzi, grind into powder, and take with wine. (No. 3.)
For Fengshui edema (wind-water swelling): Same method as above. (No. 4.)
For throat closure and lockjaw: Decoct with Niubangzi, add a small amount of Baifan (Alumen), and take. (No. 5.)
For eyeballs protruding to the nose, named Gan Zhang (Liver Distension): Decoct urgently and take. (No. 6.)
For frequent bloody stools with pain: Same method as above. (No. 7.)
For Taiyang headache: Mix with Fangfeng powder and insufflate into the nose. (No. 8.)
For colds in spring, summer, and autumn with headache, fever, body ache, floating and moderate pulse with sweating: Qianghuo, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Chuanxiong, Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) in small amount, Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) in small amount, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Fangfeng.
Jiuwei Qianghuo Tang (Nine-Ingredient Notopterygium Decoction): Qianghuo, Fangfeng, Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Chuanxiong, Xixin, Baizhi, Danggui, Huangqin, Gancao, with Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus).
Treats colds in spring, summer, and autumn with headache, fever, stiff spine, absence of sweat, and tight floating pulse. (First among Various Formulas.)
Sudden onset of red and painful eyes due to seasonal pathogens: Qianghuo, Cangzhu, Fangfeng, Chuanlian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Chuanxiong, Baizhi (each 8 fen), Gancao (3 fen), Xixin (5 fen); use Shengjiang as guide. Externally fumigate with Baifen (Alumen) and Lvfan (Chalcanthite), close eyes and wash with hand. (No. 2.)
Dim vision due to seasonal pathogens: Caojueming (Cassiae Semen), Fangfeng, Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Jingzi (Schizonepetae Spica), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica Praeparata), Qianghuo, Guiwei, Chuanxiong, Baizhi, Bohe, Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shengjiang.
Take five to seven doses as the limit. (No. 3.)