Library

[Names] Qianghuo (from *Shennong Bencao Jing* / *Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*), Qiangqing (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Duyao Cao (from *Mingyi Bielu* / *Record of Famous Physicians*), Huqiang Shizhe (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Huwang Shizhe (from *Wu Pu Bencao* / *Wu Pu's Materia Medica*), Changsheng Cao. Tao Hongjing stated: This herb has a single stem growing straight up, not swaying in the wind, hence named "Duhuo" (Solitary Living). *Mingyi Bielu* stated: This herb does not sway when there is wind, but moves automatically when there is no wind, hence named "Duyao Cao" (Swaying Alone Grass). Meng Shen stated: Duhuo is the mother of Qianghuo. Li Shizhen stated: Duhuo from the Qiang region (modern Gansu and western Sichuan) is of superior quality, hence the names Qianghuo and Huwang Shizhe; these are actually two varieties of the same species. This is similar to the relationship between Chuanxiong and Fuxiong, Baizhu and Cangzhu, which are used differently in clinical practice.

[Collected Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* stated: Duhuo grows in the river valleys of Yongzhou, or in Longxi and Nan'an regions. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. Tao Hongjing stated: These prefectures and counties were inhabited by the Qiang people. Qianghuo is slender with many nodes, soft and moist, and has a very potent aroma. Those produced in Yizhou, Beidu, and Western Sichuan are called Duhuo; they are slightly white in color, large and hollow in shape, and have similar but slightly inferior efficacy. Duhuo is prone to insect damage and should be stored in sealed containers. Su Song stated: Duhuo and Qianghuo produced in the Shu-Han region are the best. Sprouts emerge in spring, with leaves resembling green hemp. Flowers bloom in clusters in June, varying in yellow or purple colors. When fruits mature, those with yellow leaves grow in rocky crevices; those with green leaves grow in soil veins. *Shennong Bencao Jing* stated that these two belong to the same category. Currently, people classify purple ones with dense nodes as Qianghuo; yellow ones forming blocks as Duhuo. However, Tao Hongjing described Duhuo as slightly white and large/hollow, with usage similar to Qianghuo. Currently, there is a large Duhuo in Shu, resembling Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng) but larger, with an aroma unlike Qianghuo, possessing mild cold properties and less efficacy. There is another Duhuo from Shu, resembling Qianghuo, slightly yellow and very large, cut into inch-length pieces and dried upon harvest; its aroma is fragrant and potent, slightly like Qianghuo but also with the scent of Sophora japonica (Huaihua) leaves. This is widely used below the capital and is extremely effective; it is presumed to be the true authentic material. However, merchants sometimes select large Qianghuo to pass off as Duhuo, which is inappropriate. Generally, this substance has two types: those from Western Shu are yellow and fragrant like honey; those from Longxi are purple, referred to by Qin-Long people as Shanqian Duhuo. Ancient formulas used only Duhuo, while modern formulas use both Duhuo and Qianghuo, which is erroneous. Kou Zongshi stated: In *Shennong Bencao Jing*, Duhuo was also named Qianghuo; originally, they were not two distinct things. Later generations, seeing differences in shape, color, and aroma, raised objections. However, things are rarely uniform; within one species, variations exist. Zhang Zhongjing used tight and solid Duhuo for Shaoyin diseases; Li Dongyuan used light and hollow Qianghuo for Taiyang diseases. This is analogous to Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), where dry and floating pieces are named Pianqin for treating Taiyin diseases, and solid strips are named Ziqin for treating Yangming diseases. Moreover, ancient formulas used only Duhuo without Qianghuo, whereas modern formulas use both; it is unknown whether this is due to indications requiring both, or lack of examination. Li Shizhen stated: Duhuo and Qianghuo are one species with two varieties; those from other regions are Duhuo, while those from Western Qiang are Qianghuo. Su Song's description is quite clear. According to Wang Kuang's *Quansheng Zhimi Fang*: Qianghuo must be purple with silkworm-head-like nodes. Duhuo is the largest Qianghuo with socket-like textures resembling ghost eyes. Commonly, old Puhu (Peucedani Radix) is mistaken for Duhuo, which is incorrect. Recently, a type of Tu Danggui (Angelica sinensis substitute) appears in the mountains of Jianghuai, nearly one chi long, with white flesh and black skin, having a fragrant aroma like Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), also called Shui Baizhi. It is used to substitute Duhuo for dispersing wind, but must be distinguished carefully.

Root

[Preparation] Lei Xiao stated: After harvesting, finely chop, mix with Epimedium (Yinyanghuo), steam for two days, dry in the sun, remove Epimedium, and use. This prevents disturbing the mind. Li Shizhen stated: This is a method used by alchemists/health cultivators; ordinarily, simply removing the peel or baking is sufficient.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, sweet, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* stated: Slightly warm. Li Dangzhi stated: Bitter, pungent. Zhang Yuansu stated: Duhuo is slightly warm, with flavors of sweet, bitter, and pungent. Its qi and flavor are thin, rising and floating, belonging to Yang. It is a Qi-class medicine for the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) channel. Qianghuo is warm, with bitter and pungent flavors. Its qi and flavor are thin, rising and floating, belonging to Yang. It is a Wind-dispelling medicine for the Hand and Foot-Taiyang channels, entering the Qi class of the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) channels. Xu Caizhi stated: Tunshi (likely referring to a specific seed or fruit, possibly confused with Lishi) acts as its guiding agent. Tao Hongjing stated: The pharmacopoeia lacks Tunshi; it is likely Lishi (Vicia cracca seeds).

[Indications] Strikes by wind-cold, pain relief for metal wounds, Ben-tun (rushing pig) epilepsy/spasms, women's hernia masses. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats various thief-winds, gout in all joints, regardless of duration (*Mingyi Bielu*). Duhuo: Treats various wind-damp-cold strikes, rushing panting/rebellious Qi, severe skin itching, spastic pain and strain of hands and feet, wind-toothache. Qianghuo: Treats thief-wind causing aphasia, excessive itching, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, generalized numbness, and blood stasis/miasma (Zhen Quan). Qianghuo and Duhuo: Treat all wind and Qi stagnation, tendon contraction, joint soreness, dizziness, red painful eyes, five exhaustions and seven injuries, benefiting the five zang organs and Fu-liang water accumulation (Meng Shen). Treats wind-cold-damp bi-syndrome, soreness and numbness, various wind-induced tremors/dizziness, and stiff neck difficult to extend (Li Gao). Removes wind-pathogens from the kidney region.

[Elucidation] Su Gong stated: For treating wind, use Duhuo; if combined with water-dampness, use Qianghuo. Liu Wansu stated: Duhuo treats wind without stirring it; Lemna minor (Fuping) promotes urination without sinking in water. This follows the principle of counteracting based on superiority. Zhang Yuansu stated: Wind can overcome dampness, thus Qianghuo can treat water-dampness. Duhuo combined with Asarum (Xixin) treats Shaoyin headache, dizziness, and vertigo; nothing else can eliminate it. Qianghuo combined with Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) treats Taiyang and Shaoyin headaches, penetrating joints and gates, treating Du Mai disorders with spinal rigidity and syncope. Hao Gu stated: Qianghuo is a medicine for the Foot-Taiyang, Jueyin, and Shaoyin channels, indistinguishable from Duhuo in origin. Later generations distinguished them because Qianghuo has a vigorous qi and Duhuo has a subtle qi. Thus, the vigorous one treats Foot-Taiyang wind-damp binding, headache, limb/joint pain, and whole-body pain; nothing else can eliminate it, making it the sovereign drug for restoring order. The subtle one treats Foot-Shaoyin latent wind, headache, damp-bi in both legs, and immobility; nothing else can treat it, and it does not treat Taiyang syndromes. Li Shizhen stated: Both Qianghuo and Duhuo dispel wind and overcome dampness, penetrating joints and gates, differing only in the strength of their qi. *Suwen* states: For conditions rising from below, guide them outward. These two are bitter, pungent, and warm; with thin flavors, they are Yang within Yin, thus able to guide Qi upward, permeate the whole body, and disperse wind and dampness. Wen Xi recorded: The brother of Liu Shizhen in the Tang Dynasty suffered from wind disease and dreamed of a deity saying: Take Huwang Shizhe, soak it in wine, and drink it to recover. Shizhen asked around but knew not what it was. He then dreamed of his mother saying: Huwang Shizhe is Qianghuo. He sought and used it, and his brother recovered. Jiamo stated: Qianghuo is primarily a guiding medicine for the exterior-interior relationship of the Hand and Foot-Taiyang channels, also entering the Foot-Shaoyin and Jueyin channels. Listed among the sovereign drugs, it is not like gentle ministers. It penetrates the small and unblocks the large. Thus, it can scatter the eight winds from the muscle surface and relieve pain in all joints of the body.

[Attached Formulas] Eight old, seven new.
Stroke with locked jaw, cold body, unconsciousness. Duhuo 4 liang. Good wine 1 sheng, decoct to half a sheng, take orally. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Stroke with inability to speak: Duhuo 1 liang. Wine 2 sheng, decoct to 1 sheng. Soybeans 5 he, stir-fry until sizzling. Pour hot medicinal wine onto beans, cover for a long time, take 3 he warm. Repeat if not cured. (Chen Yanzhi *Duanju Fang*)
Hot wind paralysis, frequent recurrences. Qianghuo 2 jin, Goji berries (Gouqi) 1 sheng. Grind into powder. Each time, take a square-inch spoonful with wine, three times daily. (*Guangji Fang*)
Postpartum stroke with slurred speech, limb contracture. Qianghuo 3 liang. Grind into powder. Each dose 5 qian, decoct with one cup of wine and one cup of water until reduced by half, take. (*Duanju Fang*)
Postpartum wind deficiency: Duhuo, Dictamnus root bark (Baixianpi) each 3 liang. Water 3 sheng, boil to 2 sheng, divide into three doses. If tolerant of alcohol, add wine and boil together. (*Duanju Fang*)
Postpartum abdominal pain: Qianghuo 2 liang, decoct in wine and take. (*Bixiao Fang*)
Prolapsed rectum after childbirth: Formula same as above. (*Zimu Milu*)
Edema during pregnancy: Qianghuo, Radish seeds (Luobozzi) stir-fried together until fragrant, take only Qianghuo and grind into powder. Each dose 2 qian, taken with warm wine. One dose daily, two doses on the second day, three doses on the third day. Passed down by Zhang Changming, Magistrate of Jiaxing. (Xu Xueshi *Benshi Fang*)
Wind-water edema: Formula same as above. Polyarthralgia (Lijie Feng): Duhuo, Qianghuo, Pine joints (Songjie) in equal parts. Decoct in wine, drink one cup on an empty stomach daily. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Wind tooth swelling and pain: *Zhouhou Fang*: Use Duhuo decocted in wine, rinse hot. Wen Lugong *Yaozhun*: Use Duhuo, Rehmannia (Dihuang) each 3 liang, grind into powder. Each dose 3 qian, decoct with one cup of water, take warm with dregs, take again at bedtime.
Throat closure with locked jaw: Qianghuo 3 liang, Arctium seeds (Niubangzi) 2 liang. Decoct in water to one zhong, add a little alum, administer for effect. (*Shengji Lu*)
Eyelid drooping to nose: Eyelid suddenly droops to the nose, black and dark, unbearable pain, or occasional bloody stools, named Gan Zhang (Liver Distension). Use Qianghuo decoction, drink several cups, will heal spontaneously. (Xia Zi Yi *Qiji Fang*)
Taiyang Headache: Qianghuo, Fang... [Text cuts off]