Incised notopterygium / qiang huo (羌活)

Notopterygium incisum

Chinese

Safety information

Toxicity: Low at traditional doses; furanocoumarins -> theoretical photosensitivity.

Contraindications: Blood-deficiency body pain / yin-deficiency (TCM); large doses can nauseate.

Interactions: Furanocoumarins may affect CYP metabolism (theoretical).

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

in formula (Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang) · rhizome and root

Part used: rhizome and root

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

decoction · rhizome and root

Part used: rhizome and root

Traditional use: releases the exterior, disperses cold, expels wind-damp, relieves pain; upper-body/occipital pain, wind-damp joint pain, cold-type colds

Proposed mechanism: coumarins (notopterol, bergapten, isoimperatorin), volatile oil — analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-arrhythmic

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

occipital pain Common cold wind damp joint pain

Nutritional notes

n/a

Healing traditions

Chinese

Sources (1)

[E23] Notopterygium incisum ethnopharmacology/phytochemistry/pharmacology review (J. Ethnopharmacol)

All sources →