气微温，味苦、甘，平；苦、辛，气味俱轻，阳也。无毒。
足太阳经、厥阴经药，太阳经本经药也。
《象》云∶治肢节痛，利诸节，手足太阳经风药也。加川芎，治足太阳、少阴头痛，透
关节。去黑皮并腐烂者用。
《心》云∶去温，湿风。
《珍》云∶骨节痛，非此不能除。
《液》云∶君药也，非无为之主，乃却乱反正之主。太阳经头痛，肢节痛，一身尽痛，
非此不治。又云∶羌治，足太阳、厥阴、少阴药也。与独活不分二种，后人用羌活，多用鞭
节者；用独活，多用鬼眼者。羌活则气雄，独活则气细，故雄者入足太阳，细者入足少阴也
。又钱氏泻青丸用此，壬乙同归一治也。或问∶治头痛者何？答曰∶巨阳从头走足，惟厥
阴与督脉会于巅，逆而上行，诸阳不得下，故令头痛也。
气味与羌活同。无毒。气浓味薄，升也，苦辛。足少阴肾经行经之药。
《本草》云∶主风寒所击，金疮止痛，贲豚痫 ，女子疝瘕。疗诸贼风，百节痛风，无
久新者。
《液》云∶独活细而低，治足少阴伏风，而不治太阳。故两足寒湿痹，不能动止，非此
不能治。
《象》云∶若与细辛同用，治少阴经头痛。一名独摇草，得风不摇，无风自摇。去皮净
用。
《心》云∶治风须用，又能燥湿。经云∶风能胜湿。
《珍》云∶头眩目晕，非此不能除。
Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix): The nature is slightly warm, the taste is bitter and sweet, neutral; it also has bitter and pungent tastes, with light aroma and flavor, belonging to Yang. It is non-toxic.
It enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, serving as a primary herb for the Taiyang Meridian.
Li Dongyuan (*Xiang*) states: It treats pain in limbs and joints, unblocks various joints, and is a wind-dispelling herb for the Hand and Foot Taiyang Meridians. When combined with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), it treats headache of the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyin Meridians, penetrating the joints. Use after removing the black skin and rotten parts.
Zhang Yuansu (*Xin*) states: It eliminates warm pathogens, dampness, and wind pathogens.
Wang Haogu (*Zhen*) states: For bone and joint pain, this herb is indispensable for elimination.
Luo Tianyi (*Ye*) states: It serves as the sovereign herb, not merely governing through non-action, but as the master who restores order from chaos. For Taiyang meridian headache, limb and joint pain, and generalized body pain, treatment without this herb is ineffective. He further states: Qianghuo acts on the Foot-Taiyang, Foot-Jueyin, and Foot-Shaoyin meridians. Qianghuo and Duhuo were not originally distinguished as two separate species; later practitioners used Qianghuo, preferring specimens with whip-like nodes; and used Duhuo, preferring specimens with "ghost eye" markings. Qianghuo has a vigorous qi, while Duhuo has a subtle qi; thus, the vigorous one enters the Foot-Taiyang meridian, and the subtle one enters the Foot-Shaoyin meridian. Additionally, Qian Yi’s Xie Qing Wan uses this herb, reflecting that Ren (Water/Kidney) and Yi (Wood/Liver) are treated together. A question was asked: Why does it treat headache? The answer is: Juyang (Taiyang Meridian) runs from head to foot. Only the Jueyin Meridian and Du Mai intersect at the vertex. If rebellious qi ascends, the Qi of all Yang meridians cannot descend, causing headache.
Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix): Its aroma and flavor are similar to Qianghuo. It is non-toxic. Its qi is dense and its flavor is thin, ascending, with bitter and pungent tastes. It is an herb that travels through the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
*Bencao* states: It primarily treats strikes by wind-cold, relieves pain from metal wounds, Ben Tun (fleeing gut) epilepsy, and women’s shenjia (abdominal masses). It cures various thief winds, gout in all joints, regardless of whether the condition is chronic or acute.
Luo Tianyi (*Ye*) states: Duhuo is fine and low-acting, treating latent wind in the Foot-Shaoyin meridian, but not the Taiyang meridian. Therefore, for cold-damp bi syndrome in both legs resulting in immobility, treatment without this herb is impossible.
Li Dongyuan (*Xiang*) states: When used with Asari Radix (Xixin), it treats Shaoyin meridian headache. Also known as Duyao Cao (Swaying Grass), it does not sway when there is wind, but sways spontaneously when there is no wind. Use after cleaning and removing the peel.
Zhang Yuansu (*Xin*) states: It must be used to treat wind, and it can also dry dampness. The classics state: Wind can overcome dampness.
Wang Haogu (*Zhen*) states: For dizziness and vertigo, this herb is indispensable for elimination.