Qiang Huo

1 TASTE
Pungent, bitter and warm

2 MERIDIANS
kidney and urinary bladder

3 FUNCTIONS
1. To release the exterior and disperse cold; 2. To dispel wind and eliminate dampness; 3. To stop pain

4 INDICATIONS
1. Wind-cold exterior syndrome manifested by chills, fever, headache and severe pain. Notopterygium root (Qiang Huo) is used with Ledebouriella root (Fang Feng), Dahurian angelica root (Bai Zhi) and Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu).2. Wind-cold-damp bi syndrome manifested as joint pain and soreness and pain in the shoulders and upper back. Notopterygium root (Qianghuo) is used with Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng) and Turmeric.

5 DOSAGE
3-10g

6 COUTIONS
The herb is contraindicated in joint pain due to deficient blood and headache due to deficient yin.