Library

Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Nature: Warm to Greatly Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic.
Indications: Mainly treats cough with rebellious Qi (Ke Ni Shang Qi), the chills and fever of warm malaria (Wen Nue) manifesting as a sensation of cold washing over the skin, leukorrhea or metrorrhagia in women (Lou Xia), infertility (Jue Zi), various malignant sores with itching (E Chuang Yang), traumatic injuries caused by metal weapons (Jin Chuang). Decocted and drunk. It warms the middle Jiao and alleviates pain, eliminates stagnant blood within (Ke Xue Nei Sai), treats wind-stroke (Zhong Feng), absence of sweating, damp-bi syndrome (Shi Bi), sudden attack by evil Qi (Zhong E), deficiency-cold from pathogenic Qi (Ke Qi Xu Leng), tonifies the five Zang organs, and promotes muscle growth.
Alternative name: Gan Gui (Dry Return).
Habitat: Produced in Longxi river valleys.
Harvesting: Roots are harvested in the second and eighth months and dried in the shade.
Contraindications/Interactions: Averse to Ru grass; fears Chang Pu (Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizome), Hai Zao (Sargassum), and Mu Meng.

Tao Hongjing states: Currently, Danggui from Heishui, Taoyang, Longxi, has thick flesh and few branches, possesses an aromatic fragrance, and is named "Ma Wei Danggui" (Horse-tail Danggui); it is somewhat difficult to obtain. Danggui from Northern Sichuan has many branches and is thin. The variety from Liyang is white in color and thin in aroma and flavor, differing significantly, and is called "Cao Danggui" (Grass Danggui), used only when supplies are scarce. Formulary texts refer to "Zhen Danggui" (True Danggui), which precisely refers to this variety, due to the existence of good and inferior qualities. It is widely used in secular practice and frequently required in Daoist prescriptions.
The Tang Ben Zhu notes: There are two types of Danggui seedlings: one resembles Da Ye Xiong Qiong (Large-leaf Ligusticum); the other resembles Xi Ye Xiong Qiong (Fine-leaf Ligusticum), but its stems and leaves are lower than those of Xiong Qiong. Currently, it is produced in Dangzhou, Dangzhou, Yizhou, and Songzhou, with Dangzhou being the best. The fine-leaf type is named "Can Tou Danggui" (Silkworm-head Danggui), and the large-leaf type is named "Ma Wei Danggui". Currently, Ma Wei Danggui is mostly used, while Can Tou Danggui is inferior and no longer used. The Danggui from Liyang mentioned by Tao is Can Tou Danggui.
Chen Yuxi and others respectfully cite the *Erya*: "Bi, Shan Qi." The commentary on the *Guangya* states: "Shan Qi is Danggui." Danggui currently resembles Qi vegetable but is thicker.
Wu Shi states: Shennong, Huangdi, Tongjun, and Bianque considered Danggui to be Sweet and non-toxic. Qibo and Leigong considered it Pungent and non-toxic. Ji Shi considered it Slightly Warm. Some grow in the lands of Qiang and Hu.
Fanzi states: Danggui without withering is superior.
The *Yaoxing Lun* states: Danggui, when used as a minister drug, dislikes heat and noodles. It stops vomiting and rebellious Qi, treats deficiency-labor with chills and fever, breaks old blood, mainly treats metrorrhagia in women, cools the intestines and stomach, tonifies various deficiencies, and stops dysentery and abdominal pain. Decocted alone and drunk, it treats warm malaria and mainly treats leukorrhea and lower back pain in women, and unbearable toothache. For patients with deficiency-cold, it is added to prescriptions.
Ri Hua Zi states: It treats all wind conditions, all blood disorders, tonifies all deficiency-fatigue, breaks evil blood, nourishes new blood, and mainly treats mass formations (Zheng Pi).

The *Tu Jing* states: Danggui grows in Longxi river valleys. Currently, it is found in Sichuan, Shu, Shaanxi prefectures, as well as Jiangning Prefecture and Chuzhou, with the Sichuan variety being superior. It sprouts in spring with green leaves having three leaflets. It flowers in the seventh and eighth months, resembling Shiluo, with light purple petals. The root is black-yellow. Roots are harvested in the second and eighth months and dried in the shade. However, there are two types of seedlings, both resembling Xiong Qiong, but differing in leaf size, with stems much lower than Xiong Qiong. There are also two types of roots: large-leaf is named Ma Wei Danggui, and fine-leaf is named Can Tou Danggui. Generally, those with thick flesh and not withered are superior. Respectfully citing the *Erya*: "Bi (pronounced Bu Ge), Shan Qi (ancient character for Qin, pronounced Ju Jin)." Guo Pu's commentary cites the *Guangya*: "Shan Qi is Danggui." It resembles Qi vegetable but is thicker. Explanation: The *Shuowen* states: "Qi is a grass. Those growing in mountains are named Bi, also known as Shan Qi." Thus, Danggui belongs to the celery family. Those growing in flatlands are named Qin (celery), while those growing in mountains and being thick are named Danggui.
Leigong states: When using, first remove dust and the hard tip of the head, about one cun long, and soak in wine overnight. If the intention is to break blood, use the hard part of the head segment. If the intention is to stop pain and bleeding, use the tail. If used together, it is better not to use them; taking them together is ineffective, while using them separately is excellent.
The *Waitai Miyao* states: Treats severe headache. Danggui 2 liang, wine 1 sheng, decoct to obtain 6 he, drink up to two doses. Another prescription: Treats heart pain. Danggui powdered, taken with wine using a square-inch measure.
The *Zhouhou Fang* states: Treats infants prone to fetal coldness and crying, day and night without stopping, leading to epilepsy. Danggui powder, size of a small bean, administered with breast milk, three to four times a day, until recovery.
Ge Shi Fang states: Treats hematuria. Danggui 4 liang, finely chopped, wine 3 sheng, decoct to obtain 1 sheng, take in one dose.
Mei Shi Fang states: Treats threatened miscarriage with bleeding, abdominal pain, unknown outcome of life or death. Taking this decoction, if alive, will stabilize; if dead, will expel. Use Danggui 4 liang, Xiongxiong 9 liang, finely chopped, with wine 3 sheng and water 4 sheng, decoct to obtain 3 sheng, divide into doses.
The *Zimu Milu* treats breech presentation with a dead fetus in the womb. Pound Danggui into powder, take with wine using a square-inch measure. Another prescription: Treats infant umbilical wind sore that does not heal for a long time; apply Danggui powder topically.
Prime Minister Jia presented the *Niu Jing* (Classic of Cattle), stating cattle suffer from hematuria. Danggui and Honghua each 0.5 liang, powdered, decocted in half a sheng of wine, cooled, and administered orally until recovery.
Physician Zhi's prescription treats hundred diseases in women and various deficiencies. Danggui 4 liang, Dihuang 2 liang, powdered, mixed with honey into pills the size of wutong seeds. Take fifteen pills before meals with rice water.
Bieshuo states: Respectfully citing Danggui, ancient medical texts and formulas use it to treat upward rushing of evil blood after childbirth, providing rapid effect in emergencies, none more urgent than this. Secular people often believe it only treats blood disorders. Furthermore, formulas in the *Waitai Miyao*, *Jingui Yaolue*, and *Qianjin Yaofang* all use it as a major tonic for deficiencies, aiming for immediate efficacy. For those with chaotic Qi and blood, taking it stabilizes them immediately. This is likely because taking it allows Qi and blood to return to their proper places (Gui), thus serving as a quick-acting tonic for deficiency prepared for postpartum emergencies. It is feared that the sage established the name Danggui precisely for this reason.

The *Yanyi* states: According to the *Guangya*, "Shan Qi (ancient pronunciation Qin), is Danggui," resembling celery but thicker. The *Shuoguang* states: "Qi is a grass; those growing in mountains are named Bi (pronounced Bai)." The new edition of the *Tu Jing* considers Danggui to be of the celery family. Those in flatlands are named Qin, while those in mountains and thick are named Danggui. If so, then currently in Sichuan and Shu, it is planted in flatland ridges, becoming particularly fat and oily. There is no distinction based on flatland or mountain origin; only those that are fat, moist, and not dry are excellent. Current physicians consider this variety superior. Market vendors sometimes sprinkle weak wine to make them appear fat and moist, which must be examined carefully. The *Yaoxing Lun* states: "Tonifies various deficiencies in women," which fully describes the uses of Danggui.