The efficacy and function of Oxtail Angelica

What are the functions of Oxtail Angelica dahurica? As a traditional Chinese medicine, Oxtail Angelica dahurica can not only be used to treat diseases, but also can be combined with some other medicinal materials to make medicinal food, which has a very good effect on regulating the human body. Today we will introduce Oxtail Angelica dahurica.

【English name】root of Hemsley cowparsnip

[Source] Medicinal material source: The roots of the Umbelliferae plants Angelica dahurica and Angelica dahurica.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 1-2m high. The whole plant is covered with soft hairs. Root conical, thick, branched, gray to gray-brown. The stem is erect, furrowed, and the upper branches are spreading. The petiole of the basal leaf is 10-30cm long; the leaf blade is broadly ovate in outline, ternately divided, with 5-7 lobes, broadly ovate to nearly circular, irregularly 3-5-lobed, 5-16cm long, 7-14cm wide, with coarse and sharp serrations on the lobe margins; the leaf shape of the upper stem is the same as that of the basal leaf, with significantly expanded leaf sheaths. The compound umbel is terminal and lateral, with a peduncle 4-15cm long; 5 bracts, linear-lanceolate; 12-35 rays, unequal in length; 5-10 bracteoles, lanceolate; calyx teeth not prominent; petals white, dimorphic; stylopodium short conical, styles diverging. The schizocarp is oblong-obovate, concave at the apex, flat on the back, 6-9mm long, 5-7mm wide, sparsely pubescent or nearly smooth, with linear protrusions on the level ridges and mid-ridges, broad lateral ridges, one oil tube in each groove, two oil tubes on the commissure, rod-shaped, and 1/2 the length of the schizocarp. The flowering period is July, and the fruiting period is August-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on shady and moist hillsides, under forests, beside ditches, on forest edges or in meadows. Growing on hillsides, shady and moist thickets, and under forests.

【Cultivation】 Biological characteristics: It prefers a cool and humid climate. It is suitable to be cultivated in mountainous areas with higher altitude, lower temperature and higher humidity. It can also grow in low and warm plains and hills, but it is difficult to survive the summer. It is better to plant it in sandy loam with deep soil, fertile and loose soil, rich in humus. It is not suitable to plant it on barren and sticky land.

[Properties] Identification of properties (1) The root of the short-haired Angelica dahurica is oblong-conical, 30-80 cm long; the rhizome is nearly cylindrical, slightly larger, 1-3 cm in diameter, with residual and brown-yellow leaf sheaths at the top, surrounded by dense and rough pentagonal leaf scars and ring patterns, and the surface is gray-yellow to brown. The roots are mostly branched or single, slightly curved, with a diameter of up to 2 cm, and the surface is grayish white, light grayish brown or grayish brown, sometimes with dense fine ring marks on the upper end, irregular wrinkled grooves in the middle and lower parts, tough in texture, with uneven broken surface, yellowish white in cortex, slightly powdery, scattered with dark yellow oil spots, with cracks, and may have brown rings (cambiosis), and the inner part is light yellow with a chrysanthemum texture. It has a unique aroma and a slightly bitter and numb taste.

[Chemical composition] The root contains furanocoumarins: angelicin, bergapten, isobergapten, pimpinellin, isoanisole, and xanthotoxin.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; bitter; slightly warm

【Entry into Meridians】 Enters the lung and liver meridians

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and cold; overcome dampness and relieve pain. It is used for colds, headaches, toothaches, wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, pain in the waist and knees, gout, carbuncle, ulcer, and swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-12g. For external use: mash and apply.

[Note] People with Yin deficiency and excess fire should take this medicine with caution.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": Root: tastes bitter and acrid, slightly warm in nature, has the function of dispelling wind and relieving pain. Used for wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, soreness of waist and knees, and carbuncle.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The medicinal value of Oxtail Angelica introduced in the article is of great help to our lives. In fact, many physical illnesses can be treated with some Chinese medicinal materials such as Oxtail Angelica dahurica. The profound Chinese medicine culture should continue to be passed on.