Introduction of Qiang Huo: Notopterygium Rhizome or Root
✵This article documents the herb Notopterygium Rhizome or Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang and (2) Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss.—as well as a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these two species; the characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Notopterygium Rhizome or Root)
Pinyin Name: Qiānɡ Huó
English Name: Notopterygium Rhizome or Root
Latin Name: Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii
Properties and Flavors: Warm, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii is the dried rhizome or root of Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang or Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss. It is used to dispel wind, cold, and dampness, and is indicated for wind-cold invasion and wind-cold-damp (rheumatic or rheumatoid) arthralgia—especially affecting the upper part of the body. Common names include Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Notopterygium Rhizome or Root, and Qiānɡ Huó.
Botanical Source: Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Notopterygium Rhizome or Root) is the dried rhizome or root of Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang or Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss., both belonging to the genus Notopterygium in the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae, parsley family), order Apiales. The two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang
Botanical Description: Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang is a perennial herb of the Apiaceae family and the genus Notopterygium. It is commonly known as Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang, Notopterygium incisum, Qiang Huó, Cán Qiáng, Liè Yè Qiáng Huó (Cleft-leaf Notopterygium), or Zhú Jié Qiáng Huó (Bamboo-joint Notopterygium). It grows up to 60–150 cm tall. The rhizome is stout, terete (cylindrical) or irregularly lumpy, dark brown to reddish brown, with withered leaf sheaths persisting at the apex and emitting a distinctive fragrance. The stem is erect, cylindrical, hollow, and purplish (lilac) on the surface, bearing longitudinal striolae. Basal leaves and lower cauline leaves have long petioles; the petiole extends laterally from the base into a membranous, amplexicaul leaf sheath. Leaf blades are triternate-pinnately compound; leaflets occur in 3–4 pairs; terminal leaflets are ovate-lanceolate to oblong-ovate, 2–5 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide, with incised-lobed to pinnately parted margins. Upper cauline leaves are reduced to sheath-like structures, subsessile, with pinnately lobed apices.
The compound umbel is apical or axillary, 3–13 cm in diameter; lateral umbels are usually sterile. There are 3–6 linear, caducous involucral bracts; rays number 7–19 (up to 39), 2–10 cm long. Umbellules measure 1–2 cm in diameter; involucel bracts (involucellum) number 6–10, are linear, and 3–5 mm long. Flowers are numerous; calyx teeth are ovate-triangular; petals number five, are white and obovate, with blunt, slightly concave apices; stamen filaments are recurved and yellow; styles number two, are very short, and the stylopodium is flat and slightly protuberant.
Schizocarps are oblong, 4–6 mm long and approximately 3 mm wide. The main dorsal and lateral ridges extend into wings ~1 mm wide. Vittae (oil ducts) are conspicuous: 3–4 per furrow, 5–6 in the commissure. The ventral surface of the endosperm is concave and grooved. Flowering occurs from July to September; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows at altitudes of 2,000–4,200 meters above sea level, along forest margins, in shrublands, and in gully grasslands.
Growth Characteristics: Notopterygium incisum prefers a cool, humid climate; it is cold-tolerant and moderately shade-tolerant. For cultivation, fields with deep, loose, humus-rich sandy loam soil and good drainage are optimal. Regions with low temperatures are unsuitable for cultivation.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is slightly curved and cylindrical, 4–13 cm long and 0.6–2.5 cm in diameter. Stem scars are present at the apex. The surface is tan (chocolate brown) to dark brown; exposed xylem where cortex has sloughed off appears yellow. Internodes are shortened and raised into tight, ring-like structures resembling silkworms (hence the common name Cán Qiáng, or Silkworm Notopterygium); alternatively, internodes may be elongated, resembling bamboo joints (hence Zhú Jié Qiáng Huó, or Bamboo-joint Notopterygium). Numerous punctate or nodular, protuberant root scars and brown, fragmented scales occur at the nodes. The herb is lightweight and brittle, fracturing easily. The fracture surface is uneven and fissured. The cortex is yellowish-brown to dark brown, oily, and marked with brown oil spots; the xylem (wood portion) is yellowish-white; the rays are conspicuous; and the pith is yellow to yellowish-brown. The herb has an aromatic odor and tastes slightly bitter and pungent.
Medicinal Efficacy: Expels wind and cold, eliminates dampness, unblocks the meridians, and alleviates pain. It is indicated for wind-cold exterior syndrome presenting with headache, exogenous wind-cold affection, headache without sweat, rheumatic or wind-cold-damp bi syndrome—especially shoulder, back, and joint pain with fixed location; edema; sores and ulcers; and pyogenic infections.
Administration of Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Qiānɡ Huó):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Qiānɡ Huó)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) Internally: Water decoction, 2–5 qián (≈6–15 grams); also prepared as pills or powders; (3) Internally: Water decoction, 3–10 grams; also formulated into pills or powders.
(2) Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss.
Botanical Description: Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss. is also known as Notopterygium franchetii de Boiss. (N. franchetii de Boiss.). It is a perennial herb of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae, parsley family) and genus Notopterygium. Common names include Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss., Notopterygium forbesii, Dà Tóu Qiáng Huó (Big-head Notopterygium), Fú Shí Qiáng Huó, È Qiáng Huó, and Kuān Yè Qiáng Huó (Wide-leaf Notopterygium). Plants reach 80–180 cm in height. The rhizome is well-developed; the base commonly retains leaf sheaths. The stem is erect, sparsely branched, cylindrical, hollow, longitudinally striolate, and purplish. Basal and lower cauline leaves are petiolate; petioles measure 1–22 cm long and bear amplexicaul (stem-clasping) sheaths at their bases. Compound leaves are large, trifoliolate bipinnate or tripinnate; primary leaflets occur in 2–3 pairs, are short-petiolate or subsessile; ultimate leaflets are sessile or short-petiolate, oblong-ovate to ovate-lanceolate (3–8 cm long × 1–3 cm wide), with blunt or acuminate apices, slightly cuneate bases, coarsely serrate margins, and puberulent veins and margins. Upper cauline leaves are reduced in number; leaf blades are simplified to three lobules; leaf sheaths are well-developed and membranous.
The compound umbel is terminal or axillary, 5–14 cm in diameter; the peduncle is 5–25 cm long. One to three linear-lanceolate involucral bracts (≈5 mm long) are caducous. Rays number 10–17 (up to 23), 3–12 cm long. Umbellules measure 1–3 cm in diameter and bear numerous flowers. Involucel bracts (involucellum) number 4–5, are linear, and 3–4 mm long. Pedicels are 0.5–1 cm long. Calyx teeth are ovate-triangular. Petals are primrose-yellow (pale yellow), obovate (1–1.5 mm long), with acute or blunt, introflexed apices. Staminal filaments are recurved; anthers are elliptic, yellow, ≈1 mm long. Two short styles are present; the stylopodium is protuberant and slightly flattened.
Schizocarps are orbicular, 5 mm long and 4 mm wide; the ventral surface is slightly compressed; dorsal, intermediate, and lateral ridges all extend into wings—but wing development is asymmetrical; wings are ≈1 mm wide. Vittae (oil ducts) are conspicuous: 3–4 per furrow, 4 in the commissure. The endosperm is concave. Flowering occurs in July; fruiting occurs from August to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows along forest margins and in shrublands at altitudes of 1,700–4,500 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is subcylindrical, bearing residual stem bases and leaf sheaths at the apex; the root is conical, with longitudinal wrinkles and lenticels. The surface is tan (chocolate brown), bearing dense annular lines near the rhizome portion; dimensions are 8–15 cm long and 1–3 cm in diameter (commonly termed Tiáo Qiáng, or Stripe Notopterygium). Some rhizomes are thick, big and irregularly tuberous, with multiple stem bases at the apex and adventitious rootlets (commonly termed Dà Tóu Qiáng Huó, or Big-head Notopterygium). The herb is loose and crisp in texture, fracturing easily. The fracture surface is flat; the cortex is light brown; the xylem (wood portion) is yellowish-white. The odor is mild.
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1. Introduction of Qiang Huo: Notopterygium Rhizome or Root
✵This article documents the herb Notopterygium Rhizome or Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang and (2) Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss.—as well as a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these two species; the characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Qiānɡ Huó
Botanical Description: Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang is a perennial herb of the Apiaceae family and the genus Notopterygium. It is commonly known as Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang, Notopterygium incisum, Qiang Huó, Cán Qiáng, Liè Yè Qiáng Huó (Cleft-leaf Notopterygium), or Zhú Jié Qiáng Huó (Bamboo-joint Notopterygium). It grows up to 60–150 cm tall. The rhizome is stout, terete (cylindrical) or irregularly lumpy, dark brown to reddish brown, with withered leaf sheaths persisting at the apex and emitting a distinctive fragrance. The stem is erect, cylindrical, hollow, and purplish (lilac) on the surface, bearing longitudinal striolae. Basal leaves and lower cauline leaves have long petioles; the petiole extends laterally from the base into a membranous, amplexicaul leaf sheath. Leaf blades are triternate-pinnately compound; leaflets occur in 3–4 pairs; terminal leaflets are ovate-lanceolate to oblong-ovate, 2–5 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide, with incised-lobed to pinnately parted margins. Upper cauline leaves are reduced to sheath-like structures, subsessile, with pinnately lobed apices.
The compound umbel is apical or axillary, 3–13 cm in diameter; lateral umbels are usually sterile. There are 3–6 linear, caducous involucral bracts; rays number 7–19 (up to 39), 2–10 cm long. Umbellules measure 1–2 cm in diameter; involucel bracts (involucellum) number 6–10, are linear, and 3–5 mm long. Flowers are numerous; calyx teeth are ovate-triangular; petals number five, are white and obovate, with blunt, slightly concave apices; stamen filaments are recurved and yellow; styles number two, are very short, and the stylopodium is flat and slightly protuberant.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is slightly curved and cylindrical, 4–13 cm long and 0.6–2.5 cm in diameter. Stem scars are present at the apex. The surface is tan (chocolate brown) to dark brown; exposed xylem where cortex has sloughed off appears yellow. Internodes are shortened and raised into tight, ring-like structures resembling silkworms (hence the common name Cán Qiáng, or Silkworm Notopterygium); alternatively, internodes may be elongated, resembling bamboo joints (hence Zhú Jié Qiáng Huó, or Bamboo-joint Notopterygium). Numerous punctate or nodular, protuberant root scars and brown, fragmented scales occur at the nodes. The herb is lightweight and brittle, fracturing easily. The fracture surface is uneven and fissured. The cortex is yellowish-brown to dark brown, oily, and marked with brown oil spots; the xylem (wood portion) is yellowish-white; the rays are conspicuous; and the pith is yellow to yellowish-brown. The herb has an aromatic odor and tastes slightly bitter and pungent.
Botanical Description: Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss. is also known as Notopterygium franchetii de Boiss. (N. franchetii de Boiss.). It is a perennial herb of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae, parsley family) and genus Notopterygium. Common names include Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss., Notopterygium forbesii, Dà Tóu Qiáng Huó (Big-head Notopterygium), Fú Shí Qiáng Huó, È Qiáng Huó, and Kuān Yè Qiáng Huó (Wide-leaf Notopterygium). Plants reach 80–180 cm in height. The rhizome is well-developed; the base commonly retains leaf sheaths. The stem is erect, sparsely branched, cylindrical, hollow, longitudinally striolate, and purplish. Basal and lower cauline leaves are petiolate; petioles measure 1–22 cm long and bear amplexicaul (stem-clasping) sheaths at their bases. Compound leaves are large, trifoliolate bipinnate or tripinnate; primary leaflets occur in 2–3 pairs, are short-petiolate or subsessile; ultimate leaflets are sessile or short-petiolate, oblong-ovate to ovate-lanceolate (3–8 cm long × 1–3 cm wide), with blunt or acuminate apices, slightly cuneate bases, coarsely serrate margins, and puberulent veins and margins. Upper cauline leaves are reduced in number; leaf blades are simplified to three lobules; leaf sheaths are well-developed and membranous.
The compound umbel is terminal or axillary, 5–14 cm in diameter; the peduncle is 5–25 cm long. One to three linear-lanceolate involucral bracts (≈5 mm long) are caducous. Rays number 10–17 (up to 23), 3–12 cm long. Umbellules measure 1–3 cm in diameter and bear numerous flowers. Involucel bracts (involucellum) number 4–5, are linear, and 3–4 mm long. Pedicels are 0.5–1 cm long. Calyx teeth are ovate-triangular. Petals are primrose-yellow (pale yellow), obovate (1–1.5 mm long), with acute or blunt, introflexed apices. Staminal filaments are recurved; anthers are elliptic, yellow, ≈1 mm long. Two short styles are present; the stylopodium is protuberant and slightly flattened.
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