The efficacy and function of Dian Angelica

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Angelica dahurica?

[Other names] Angelica dahurica, fragrant angelica, water angelica, mountain angelica, wild angelica, Yunnan cow fangfeng

[Source] Medicinal material source: The root of the Umbelliferae plant.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 60-100cm high. The whole plant is covered with rough, fine hairs. The roots are spindle-shaped, fragrant, and branched at the bottom. The stem is cylindrical, hollow, with longitudinal grooves, covered with white spines, and branched at the top. The leaves on the lower part of the stem are ovate to triangular in outline, deeply pinnately lobed, 5-20cm long and 5-7cm wide, with lobes broadly ovate to elliptical, 2.5-5cm long and 1.5-2cm wide, with unequal teeth on the edges, green on the surface, rough and finely wrinkled, light green on the back, and covered with prickles on both sides, with more on the back; the leaves on the upper part of the stem are similar in shape to the lower part of the stem, with broad leaf sheaths at the base, densely covered with grayish white prickles. The compound umbel is terminal or lateral, with a pedicel 14-18cm long; the involucral bracts are absent or 1-3, linear-lanceolate, with 13-17 rays, coarse hairs, and 4-5 linear bracteoles; the umbels have more than 30 flowers; the calyx teeth are short, linear-triangular; the petals are white, dimorphic, and the outward-turned ones are radiating petals; there are 5 stamens, alternate with the petals, and the filaments are thick and curved; the stylopodium is conical, with 2 styles, shorter and forked. The fruit is obovate or ovate, 7-8mm long, 5-6mm wide, smooth, with 1 oil tube in each groove, rod-shaped, 1/2 or more of the length of the fruit, and 2 oil tubes on the commissure. The flowering period is May-June, and the fruiting period is August-September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown under alpine shrubs and grass at an altitude of more than 2000m.

[Properties] Property identification: The roots are oblong conical or fusiform, 0.2-1.5cm in diameter, branched or unbranched, and thin at the bottom. The surface is brown-yellow with many deep longitudinal lines, sometimes with root marks, and ring marks on the upper part. Crisp texture. The cross-section of the bark is off-white with scattered brown oil spots and cracks. The cambium is not obvious, and the xylem is light yellow, accounting for 1/3 of the total diameter. Most products are cut into slices less than 1 cm thick. It has a fragrant aroma and tastes spicy and bitter.

[Chemical composition] The root contains oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, isoimperatorin, isobergapten, pimpinelin, isopimpinellin and sphondin, and also contains marmesin.

【Pharmacological action】 1. Analgesic effect: Oral administration of 200mg/kg or 300mg/kg of coumarin (total coumarin) from Angelica dahurica can significantly reduce the pain response of mice induced by hot plate method and chemical stimulation (potassium antimony tartrate), and its analgesic effect is enhanced with increasing dose.

[Toxicity] The median lethal dose of Yunnan Angelica dahurica coumarin administered orally to mice is 2110±22 mg/kg. The main symptoms of poisoning are excitement first, followed by convulsions, respiratory arrest first, and cardiac arrest in diastole.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; bitter; warm

【Meridian】 Lung and stomach meridians

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and release exterior; dispel cold and dry dampness. It is used for colds caused by wind and cold; headaches; coughs; sinusitis; cold pain in the abdomen; wind-cold-damp arthralgia; cold-damp leucorrhea; dysmenorrhea; sores, swelling and pain; urticaria, dampness and itching

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-9g; or soaked in wine; or made into pills or powder. For external use: take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply on the affected area; or decoct in water for washing.

【Note】 It is forbidden to take this medicine if one suffers from Yin deficiency and excessive fire.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

I believe that through the detailed introduction of Angelica dahurica in this article, everyone can understand the efficacy and medicinal properties of Angelica dahurica. I hope this helps you all.