Bai Zhi
StarAngelica dahurica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook. f.
☯ TCM Properties
Releases the Exterior and Disperses Wind-Cold; Dispels Wind and Stops Pain; Unblocks the Nasal Passages; Secures the Kidneys and Stops Vaginal Discharge; Expels Pus and Reduces Swelling
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Zhi (angelica dahurica root) is a warm, pungent herb that releases Wind-Cold from the Exterior, opens the nasal passages, and drains Damp obstruction from the sinuses and head. It is the primary herb for Wind-Cold headache, particularly involving the forehead and sinuses, and for nasal congestion, sinusitis, and rhinitis. It also dries Dampness and reduces vaginal discharge, and is used in formulas for forehead and supraorbital headache. Externally, it treats skin sores and carbuncles in the early, non-suppurating stage.
Western Herbalism Properties
Used In Formulas (1)
Botanical Description
Angelica dahurica, commonly known as Dahurian angelica or by its Chinese name Bai Zhi, is a stout perennial or biennial herb in the family Apiaceae native to northeastern China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia and adjacent parts of Siberia, and widely cultivated in China for medicinal use. The plant grows from a thick, fleshy, aromatic, pale yellowish-brown taproot that is the part harvested medicinally; the root is conical to cylindrical, ringed near the crown and densely studded with small pale lenticels. The hollow, often purplish-tinged flowering stem rises 1 to 2.5 m tall and bears large, two- to three-pinnate compound leaves with broadly inflated sheathing petioles. Small white to greenish-white flowers are massed in large, hemispherical, many-rayed compound umbels at the stem apex in summer. The fruit is an ovate to nearly orbicular, dorsally flattened schizocarp with broadly winged lateral ribs, as is typical of the genus. The whole plant is strongly aromatic owing to its content of coumarins and essential oils.
Active Constituents
Imperatorin
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Major coumarin marker compound
The most representative furanocoumarin of Bai Zhi. It has documented analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, vasodilatory and antispasmodic activity, and is a key contributor to the herb's traditional use for headache and pain. It is also a cytochrome P450 (including CYP3A4) inhibitor.
Isoimperatorin
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Major coumarin
A furanocoumarin with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and vasorelaxant activity that inhibits prostaglandin E2 production and formation of advanced glycation end-products, complementing imperatorin in the herb's pain-relieving action.
Oxypeucedanin
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Major coumarin
A furanocoumarin with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activity documented in pharmacological studies, and one of the principal actives used for quality control of the root.
Byakangelicin
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Documented
An angular/linear-type furanocoumarin with anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory activity that contributes to the antispasmodic and analgesic profile of Angelica dahurica.
Byakangelicol
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Documented
A furanocoumarin reported to have anti-inflammatory activity and to inhibit airway and vascular smooth-muscle contraction, adding to the herb's dispersing and pain-relieving effects.
Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen)
Linear furanocoumarin (psoralen)Concentration: Minor furanocoumarin
A photoactive psoralen furanocoumarin. It has anti-inflammatory activity but is also responsible for the phototoxic/photosensitising potential of the herb when combined with UV exposure.
Phellopterin
Linear furanocoumarinConcentration: Minor furanocoumarin
A prenylated furanocoumarin with reported anti-inflammatory and central (benzodiazepine-receptor modulating) activity that contributes to the analgesic and calming aspects of the herb.
Scopoletin
Simple coumarinConcentration: Minor coumarin
A simple hydroxy-coumarin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity that supplements the pharmacology of the major furanocoumarins.
⚠ Drug Interactions
CYP3A4 substrates (e.g. midazolam, nifedipine, statins)
Imperatorin and other furanocoumarins in Angelica dahurica inhibit CYP3A (and CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6 in vitro, with IC50 values below 10 microM for imperatorin), which can slow metabolism and raise plasma concentrations of co-administered CYP3A4 substrates, as shown in rat herb-drug interaction studies.
Clinical note: Use caution with narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates; monitor for enhanced drug effect or toxicity.
Photosensitising drugs and UV/phototherapy
Bergapten and related linear furanocoumarins are photoactive psoralens that intercalate DNA and generate reactive species on UVA exposure, so combination with other photosensitising agents or phototherapy may increase the risk of phototoxic skin reactions.
Clinical note: Advise sun protection and caution when used with photosensitising medications or UV therapy, especially at high doses.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Water decoction (tang)
Parts: Dried root
Typically 3-10 g of the dried root is decocted in water and taken to release the exterior, disperse wind-cold, open the nasal passages and relieve frontal headache, toothache and sinus pain.
Powder
Parts: Dried root
The root is ground to a fine powder for use in pills and powders, and traditionally applied for headache, nasal congestion and vaginal discharge; the powder is also used as a base in cosmetic and topical preparations.
Topical paste / external application
Parts: Dried root
Powdered root is mixed into pastes and applied externally to sores, abscesses and swellings to expel pus, reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Clinical Studies
Multi-omics analysis reveals Angelica dahurica radix extract alleviates migraine in rats via gut microbiota-metabolome-gut-brain axis regulation
A multi-omics study in a rat migraine model showed that Angelica dahurica radix extract reduced migraine-like behaviour and modulated the gut microbiota-metabolome-gut-brain axis, supporting the traditional use of Bai Zhi for headache. Human clinical data remain limited.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 200 CE)Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty (1578 CE)References
- Zhao H, Feng Y, Wang M, et al.. The Angelica dahurica: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology . Frontiers in Pharmacology 13:896637 (2022) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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