State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Yo San University

Pharm Name

Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix

Common Name

Notopterygium Root

Category

Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior

Ingredients

Taste

Acrid, Bitter, Aromatic

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Warm

Action / Indication

1. Releases the exterior and disperses cold: for exterior cold patterns with such symptoms as chills, fever, headache, body aches and pains. Most commonly used when accompanied by dampness with joint pain, a general feeling of heaviness, sleepiness, or when there is pain in the occipital region, as in Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium (jiu wei qiang huo tang).
2. Unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain: for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction, especially in the upper limbs and back, as in Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction (juan bl tang).
3. Guides qi to the greater yang channel and Governing vessel: to direct other herbs in a prescription to the areas served by these two channels.
   

Treatment Principles

Releases Exterior Wind-Cold
Releases Dampness
Dispels Wind-Damp-Cold and Relieves Pain
Guides Qi to the Taiyang and Du Channels

Contraindication

Blood deficiency, yin deficiency, and hot bi syndrome. Overdose may irritate the stomach, causing nausea or vomiting.

Dosages

6-15g. 30g, maximum.

Meridians

KD, UB

Tom's Comment

Source

Formula Type