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Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis)

Bitter, sweet; neutral, slightly warm; non-toxic. Primarily treats conditions struck by wind-cold, alleviates pain from metal wounds (injuries caused by metal weapons), Ben Tun Qi (a condition where Qi rushes upward from the lower abdomen to the chest and heart), and epilepsy. Treats various pathogenic winds (evil winds), regardless of whether the bi-syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome) in all joints is recent or chronic. Long-term use makes the body light and delays aging. Also known as Qianghuo, also known as Qiangqing, also known as Huqiang Shizhe (Guardian of the Qiang Envoy), also known as Huwang Shizhe (Envoy of the Hu King), also known as Duyao Cao (Swaying Grass). This herb does not sway when there is wind, but sways automatically when there is no wind. Grows in the river valleys of Yongzhou, or in Longxi and Nan'an. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. (Tunshi is used as an assistant drug.)

Tao Hongjing stated: There is no "Tunshi" in the drug names; it is likely "Lishi". All drugs produced in these prefectures and counties are called Qianghuo. Qianghuo has a slender shape with many nodes, is soft and moist, and has an extremely potent aroma. Those produced in northern Yizhou and Western Sichuan are called Duhuo; they are slightly white in color, have a hollow and large shape, and their efficacy is similar but slightly inferior to Qianghuo. It has a single stem growing straight up and does not sway with the wind, hence the name Duhuo. It is prone to insect damage and should be stored in sealed containers. The annotation in *Tang Bencao* states: For treating wind disorders, Duhuo should be used; for conditions involving water-dampness, Qianghuo should be used. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Duhuo is the Sovereign drug, bitter and pungent. It can treat rheumatic cold in the middle jiao, Ben Chuan Ni Qi (rushing panting and counterflow qi), bitter itching of skin and muscle, spasm and pain of hands and feet, fatigue and injury, and toothache due to wind toxicity. It also states: Qianghuo is the Sovereign drug, bitter and pungent, non-toxic. It can treat pathogenic winds, loss of voice and inability to speak, excessive itching, blood leprosy, paralysis of hands and feet, deviation of the mouth and face, and numbness over the whole body. Rihua Zi stated: Qianghuo treats all wind and qi disorders, spasm of tendons and bones, emaciation of limbs, dizziness, brightening of vision, redness and pain, Fuliang water accumulation, five fatigues and seven injuries, deficiency and cold qi, soreness and pain of bone joints, and promotes the free flow of the five zang organs. Duhuo is the maternal category of Qianghuo.

*Tujing* states: Duhuo and Qianghuo grow in the river valleys of Yongzhou, or in Longxi and Nan'an; those produced in Shu-Han are now considered the best. Sprouts emerge in spring, leaves resembling green hemp. Flowers bloom in clusters in June, either yellow or purple. When fruiting, plants with yellow leaves grow among rocks, while those with green leaves grow in soil veins. This herb does not sway when there is wind, but sways automatically when there is no wind, hence the name Duyao Cao. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried for use. *Benjing* states: These two substances belong to the same category. Nowadays, people consider the purple ones with dense nodes as Qianghuo, and the yellow ones forming blocks as Duhuo. Another view: According to Tao Hongjing, Duhuo grows in northern Yizhou of Western Sichuan. It is slightly white in color, hollow and large in shape, and its usage is similar to Qianghuo. Now, there is large Duhuo in Shu, resembling Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) but larger; its aroma is completely unlike Qianghuo, it is slightly cold in nature when used, and has little efficacy. Now, there is also Duhuo coming from Shu, resembling Qianghuo in shape, slightly yellow and very large. When harvested, it is cut into inch-long pieces and dried; its aroma is fragrant and potent, slightly similar to Qianghuo, with an odor like locust tree leaves. It is widely used below the capital, and is extremely effective; it is believed to be the authentic one. However, market vendors sometimes select large Qianghuo as Duhuo, which is inappropriate. Generally, this substance has two types: those from Western Sichuan are yellow and fragrant like honey; those from Longxi are purple, and people in Qin-Ling call them Shanqian Duhuo. Ancient formulas only used Duhuo. Modern formulas use both Duhuo and Qianghuo, which is erroneous. *Qiezhong Fang* treats stroke just after onset; regardless of severity, phlegm must be induced to vomit first, then treated sequentially. Vomiting method: Use 5 da liang of Qianghuo, decoct in 1 da dou of water until 5 sheng remain, remove dregs, add 0.5 sheng of good wine, mix with half a sheng of roasted and finely sifted Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus), adjust dosage with the previous soup and wine to induce vomiting. If the patient is already dizzy or unconscious, administer it forcibly. Do not use purgatives or Moxibustion/Acupuncture; only use tonic soups and tonics, and recovery will occur naturally.

Leigong stated: After harvesting, finely chop, mix with Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium Herba), dry in the sun after two days, remove Yin Yang Huo before use, to avoid causing mental restlessness. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats stroke with coldness throughout the body, lockjaw and unconsciousness. 4 liang of Duhuo, 1 sheng of good wine, decoct until 0.5 sheng remains, divide into two doses and take warm. *Zhouhou Fang*: Treats wind-induced toothache and cheek swelling. Decoct Duhuo in wine and hold the hot liquid in the mouth. *Jingyan Houfang*: Treats stroke with aphasia. 1 liang of Duhuo chopped, 2 sheng of wine, decoct until 1 sheng remains. Stir-fry 0.5 sheng of soybeans until sizzling, pour the hot medicinal wine over them, cover for a long time, take 3 he warm. Repeat if not cured. *Bixiao Fang*: Treats cramping pain in the abdomen postpartum. 2 liang of Qianghuo, 2 sheng of wine, decoct until 1 sheng remains, remove dregs, divide into two doses. *Zimu Milu*: Treats stroke with abdominal pain, or prolapse of the uterus. Decoct Qianghuo in wine and take the juice. *Duanju Fang*: Treats postpartum wind-deficiency; Duhuo Tang is the primary formula. Additionally, Baixianpi Tang is the primary formula; alternatively, combine Duhuo and Baixianpi (Dictamni Cortex) each 3 liang, decoct in 3 sheng of water until 1.5 sheng remains, divide into three doses. For those who can drink alcohol, decocting in a mixture of wine and water is better. Using Baixianpi follows the same method. Another prescription: Treats postpartum stroke with slurred speech and limb stiffness. 3 liang of Qianghuo, powdered. Take 5 qian per dose, decoct with half a zhan of water and half a zhan of wine, remove dregs and take warm. Same as *Jingyan Fang*. Wen Lulgong treated dental issues where wind attacked upwards causing swelling and pain. 3 liang each of Duhuo and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), powdered. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with one zhan of water, mix with dregs and take warm. Apply again at bedtime.