Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi) - Dispelling Wind and Relieving Pain

Varietal Source

Bai Zhi, a plant of the Umbelliferae family, or Hangzhou Bai Zhi, specifically referring to the root of the plant.

Nature and Meridians

Sweet and cold. Enters the Lung, Liver, and Kidney meridians.

Functions and Indications

Bai Zhi serves both as a medicinal herb and a fragrant spice. It is one of the ingredients in the "Thirteen Spices" and has a fragrant aroma with a slight bitterness. Bai Zhi is known for its effects in dispelling undesirable odors, enhancing aroma, adjusting flavors, and improving appetite. Medicinally, it is used to disperse wind, eliminate dampness, open the orifices, relieve pain, and reduce swelling and promote pus drainage. It is commonly used for conditions such as headache during a cold, pain in the forehead and eye sockets, nasal congestion, runny nose, toothache, leukorrhea, and painful swellings.

A Little Story About Bai Zhi

Legend has it that during the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a wealthy merchant in the south who had a daughter. Every time she menstruated, she suffered severe abdominal pain, which caused her health to decline day by day. The merchant planned to take her to the capital to seek renowned physicians for treatment. However, when they arrived in the city of Bianliang, the girl's menstrual period came again, and the abdominal pain became unbearable. Just then, they encountered an elderly person gathering medicinal herbs. After carefully inquiring about the girl's condition, the old man took out a bundle of Bai Zhi and gave it to them, instructing them to wash it, decoct it in water, and drink it. The merchant expressed his gratitude, followed the instructions to prepare the decoction, and after the first round, the pain eased; after the second round, the pain stopped completely. After taking several doses, the girl's menstrual period passed without any problems. From then on, when women experienced discomfort during their menstrual periods, they commonly used Bai Zhi decoction, which became widely used among the people.