Bai Zhi, also known as Angelica dahurica, is a perennial herb in the Umbelliferae family. It has a fragrant and pungent taste and a warm nature. Throughout history, it has been regarded as a beauty product and has been known for its ability to dispel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation, and promote tissue regeneration and pain relief. It is used for various conditions such as headaches, toothaches, nasal congestion, intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, abnormal vaginal discharge, boils, ulcers, and itchy skin. In the following, we will introduce in detail the efficacy, functions, and methods of consumption of Bai Zhi.
Dispelling Wind and Cold
Bai Zhi has the ability to dispel wind and cold. Its ability to dispel wind and relieve surface cold is relatively gentle, but it is particularly effective in relieving pain. Therefore, it is often used to treat symptoms such as external wind-cold invasion, headache, body aches, and nasal congestion.
Pain Relief
Bai Zhi has the ability to dispel wind, relieve pain, and promote blood circulation. It is often used to treat Yangming headache and gum pain due to its affinity with the Stomach Meridian. It can effectively treat symptoms such as Yangming headache, pain along the eyebrow bones, and headache caused by wind.
Opening the Nasal Passage
Bai Zhi can dispel wind, relieve cold, and dry dampness. It can promote the lung qi, raise the Yangming clear qi, open the nasal passage, and relieve pain. Therefore, it can be used to treat symptoms such as nasal congestion, persistent runny nose, and frontal headache in nasal diseases.
Treating Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Bai Zhi has a pungent, warm, and fragrant drying nature. It is effective in dispelling dampness from the Yangming Meridian and stopping abnormal vaginal discharge. When combined with warm and yang-invigorating herbs to dispel cold and strengthen the spleen, it can treat symptoms such as cold-damp abnormal vaginal discharge and excessive vaginal discharge. When combined with heat-clearing and dampness-drying herbs, it can treat symptoms such as damp-heat pouring downward and yellow or red vaginal discharge.
Reducing Swelling
Bai Zhi has the ability to dispel wind, relieve pain, and promote blood circulation. It can effectively reduce swelling and promote the discharge of pus. It can be used to treat early-stage abscesses that are red, swollen, and painful. If the abscess has formed, it can be used in combination with herbs that can nourish qi and blood to achieve the effect of discharging toxins and pus.
Relieving Itching
Bai Zhi has the dual ability to dispel wind and dry dampness. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that itching of the skin is mainly caused by wind and dampness. Therefore, Bai Zhi can be used to treat symptoms such as skin itching caused by wind and dampness.
Nutritional Value
Bai Zhi mainly contains coumarin compounds such as osthol, isoimperatorin, bergapten, isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin, and oxypeucedanin hydrate. It also contains volatile oils and other components.
1. The decoction of Bai Zhi has a certain antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effect. It also has an inhibitory effect on bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Shigella, Proteus, Salmonella, Paratyphoid, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
2. The isoimperatorin contained in Bai Zhi has antihypertensive and anticancer effects.
3. The furan coumarin compounds in Bai Zhi are "photosensitive substances" that can be used to treat vitiligo and psoriasis. The decoction has a certain inhibitory effect on pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum.
The Proper Way to Consume Bai Zhi
1. For treating migraines
Take equal amounts of Bai Zhi, Xixin, Gypsum, Frankincense, and Myrrh (without oil). Blow them into the nose, blowing left for left pain, and blowing right for right pain.
2. For treating acute and chronic rhinitis
Combine Magnolia flower, Bai Zhi, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Xanthium sibiricum, Siler divaricatum, Xixin, and Licorice. Decoct them in water and take orally.
3. For treating constipation
Grind Bai Zhi into fine powder and add a little honey. Take it with warm rice soup. Take it twice continuously.
4. For treating toothache
Grind Bai Zhi into fine powder and mix it with borneol. Place it in the tooth cavity or between the teeth.
5. For treating abscesses and swelling
Take equal amounts of Bai Zhi and Rhubarb, grind them into fine powder, and take with rice soup. The specific dosage should be determined according to the condition.
