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Danggui from Wenzhou
Danggui from Chuzhou

Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Temperature: Warm. The aroma and flavor are both light; it can ascend and descend. It is Yang in nature, with a slight Yin quality within Yang. Non-toxic. Grows in the regions of Qin (Shaanxi) and Shu (Sichuan), coming in two sizes. The variety with large leaves is named *Mawei Danggui* (Horse-tail Tail Danggui); it is yellowish-white, fragrant, plump, and moist. (This is the superior grade; the market often substitutes inferior goods soaked in wine and sun-dried then moistened to pass them off, so one must be careful.) The variety with small leaves is named *Chantou Danggui* (Silkworm-head Danggui); it is dark, hard, thin in aroma, and dry. (This is the inferior grade and unsuitable for medicinal use.)

Another view states: *Chuangui* (Danggui from Sichuan) has a strong force suitable for attacking pathogens, while *Qinguai* (Danggui from Shaanxi) has a gentle force suitable for tonification. When seeking medicine to save lives, one must distinguish between superior and inferior qualities. It is incompatible with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome), Haizao (Sargassum Herba), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), and Mumeng. It dislikes Ru (likely referring to specific vegetables or herbs like 茹菜) and damp flour. The rhizome base and sprouts must be removed completely; it should be refinedly processed with pure wine. To promote its action on the exterior, wash it for a moment; to promote its action on the upper jiao, soak it overnight. For patients with a fat body and abundant phlegm, soaking in Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) is appropriate. Sun-dry and chew/crush it; it must be used for treating blood disorders.

Li Dongyuan said: The head stops bleeding and moves upward; the body nourishes blood and stays central; the tail breaks blood stasis and moves downward; the whole root invigorates blood without moving excessively. Zhang Yishuo (Yilao) said: It enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian because the Heart governs blood; it enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian because the Spleen manages blood; it enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian because the Liver stores blood. If combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) in a formula, it can tonify blood; if combined with Qianniuzi (Pharbitidis Semen) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), it can break blood stasis. Following Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Zhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) makes it hot; following Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang makes it cold. *Bieshuo* further states: It allows qi and blood to return to their proper places, hence the name "Danggui" (Returning to the Proper Place). It expels blood stasis from bruises and falls, and clears pain and stagnation in the intestines and stomach caused by dysentery with heat; it treats cough and rebellious qi ascending, as well as warm malaria with chills and fever stuck in the skin; it addresses various deficiencies in women's pregnancy and postpartum conditions, and insufficiency due to overwork in men; it treats unbearable pain from eye and tooth diseases, prevents muscle growth in carbuncles and traumatic wounds; it treats wind-stroke with spasms and curling, sudden collapse from evil invasion, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea dripping, dryness and withering; these urgent conditions require its use, and it cannot be omitted. Also, when used together with Xiongqiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), it treats headache, because most headaches belong to Liver Wood pathology, thus it serves as a blood herb to treat them. It causes slippery bowels; those with diarrhea must avoid it.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: *Zhengzhuan* states: Danggui can expel blood stasis and generate new blood, making the blood vessels smooth and allowing it to circulate continuously with qi, hence the name. However, the upper half ascends in qi and blood flow, governed by Heaven Qi; the lower half descends, governed by Earth Qi; the middle part remains central and does not move excessively. The human body follows this same principle. Therefore, for blood stasis in the Upper Jiao or deficiency of blood in the Upper Jiao, use the upper section (head); for blood stasis in the Lower Jiao or deficiency of blood in the Lower Jiao, use the lower section (tail); to move blood stasis in the Middle Jiao or tonify blood deficiency in the Middle Jiao, use the middle section (body). This applies not only to Danggui but also to Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix). Considering this view, although different from Li Dongyuan's, it is reasonable and not baseless. I append it at the end of the chapter for people to follow as they see fit.

Furthermore: The Classic states it treats cough and rebellious qi ascending. Critics argue that since Danggui is a blood herb, how can it treat qi disorders in the chest? They do not realize that Danggui not only treats blood but, having a pungent and dispersing taste, is an "Qi herb within Blood." Moreover, cough and rebellious qi arise from various causes; some result from Yin deficiency where Yang has no anchor. By using blood herbs to tonify Yin, balancing it with Yang, the blood harmonizes and the qi descends. The meaning in the *Benjing* likely stems from this.