Qiang Huo - Notopterygium Root
TCM Materia Medica
Qiang Huo TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "qiang huo" which in english is 
"notopterygium root", is categorized within the "herbs that release the exterior wind cold" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the kidney and urinary bladder channels and exhibits acrid, aromatic, bitter (ku) and warm (wen) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 6-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Release exterior, disperse cold - useful with wind-cold and damp associated body/joint pain
- Guiding herb for the GV and Tai Yang Channels
Qiang Huo has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Avoid in Blood and/or Yin Deficiency
- Avoid with Exterior Deficiency
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, qiang huo is generally included in the following 10 formulas:
ViewChuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan (Ligusticum Tea Pills)
Headaches, primarily from wind-cold (but used with wind-heat/wind-damp), with neck stiffness, muscle aches and/or nasal discharge. In certain cases may be useful for migraines, frequent headaches - …
ViewJing Fang Bai Du Wan (Schizonepeta and Siler Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences)
Early stages of disease arising from wind cold damp - common cold, flu, bronchitis, mumps. Early stages of skin diseases - boils, carbuncles, eczema, dermatitis with the right underlying factors. M…
ViewJuan Bi Wan (Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction)
Wind-cold-damp bi syndromes in qi deficient patients - joint pain possibly with heaviness of the limbs that generally improves with movement. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis. …
ViewPian Tou Tong Wan (Migraine Pills)
Headaches and/or migraines caused by liver yang or liver fire rising.
ViewRen Shen Bai Du Wan (Ginseng Detoxification Pills)
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ViewShen Tong Zhu Yu Wan (Remove Stagnant Blood from a Painful Body Pills)
Qi and Blood stagnation blocking the channels and collaterals - pain in the extremities, shoulder pain, elbow pain, leg pain. With the right underlying patterns - possibly useful for fibromyalgia, c…
ViewShu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)
Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lowe…
ViewTe Xiao Jing Zhui Tong Wan (Patent Neck Pain Relief Pills)
Stiffness, pain, and/or tightness of the neck.
ViewTong Bian Wan (Constipation Pills)
Constipation from heat or fire that has damaged the yin fluids - dry hard pellet like stools, dark urine from dryness, feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen, flatulence (generally with a foul smel…
ViewXin Yi Wan (Magnolia Flower Powder)
Colds and/or allergies with cold signs (white mucus and/or no fever, etc.). Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell. Headaches from sinus congestion.
As noted above, qiang huo is within the herbs that release the exterior wind cold functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... many are acrid and warm used when fever is mild, chill severe, headache, body & neck pain, no thirst focus is on the superficial layer of the body and lung precautions: do not overdose herbs that promote sweating – disperses qi too much a…)".
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