As previously mentioned, Angelica, a genus in the family Apiaceae, covers somewhere around 60 different species, among which Angelica pubescens, also known as shishiudo in Japanese common name, is one of its members. And in TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) it mainly means the dried root of Angelica pubescens Maxim. f. biserrata Shan et Yuan. Its harvest time is in early spring when seedlings are just sprouting or in late fall after stems and leaves withered. Next it needs to remove the fibrous roots and dirt before half drying them. And then stack them for 2 to 3 days till they become soft. Finally dry them completely by the fire.

The root is slightly cylindrical, 10 to 30cm long, and with 2 to 3 or more branches in the lower part. Root head is dilated, coniform, 1.5 to 3cm in diameter and with residue or depression left by stems and leaves on top. The taupe or brown surface is with longitudinal wrinkles, long ridgy horizontal lenticels, and slightly protruding marks of radicula. It is hard but becomes soft when affected with damp. Cortex is gray and with majority scattered brown oil cavity. Xylem is from greyish yellow to yellow-brown and forms brown ring levels. It has a peculiar aroma and bitter, acrid taste, which tends to cause a numb feeling and tingling in the lips and tongue.

ANGELICA ROOT BENEFITS 
Angelica root herb is one of common Chinese herbs and widely used in herbal remedies simply because it has plenty of root health benefits. It can be used by essential oil, tea, powder, tincture, capsules, extract, and so on. And its modern pharmacology can justify its popularity.

Modern pharmacological actions
1. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative effect;
2. It has inhibition to platelet aggregation;
3. It has hypotensive effect, which however is not stable;
4. It contains bergapten, xanthotoxin and other ingredients, which has photosensitization and anti-tumor effect.

Angelica Root

ANGELICA ROOT RELATED HERBAL FORMULAS 
Chinese herbology classifies this herb as bitter and acrid in taste and slightly warm in properties. And it covers kidney and bladder meridians. Its key functions are dispelling wind and eliminating dampness and eliminating cold to stop pain. Main Angelica root uses and indications include wind-cold-wetness type of arthralgia, waist and knee pain, headache, toothache, and more. Recommended dosage is from 3 to 10 grams in decoction.

1) Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan or Tang (Duhuo & Loranthus Combination)
Du Huo and Loranthus Formula comes from Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies). This formula is basically designed for syndrome of cold pain in low back and knee, joints inflexibility, palpitations, shortness of breath, weak pulse, and more. Other key herbal ingredients are Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe Stem), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root), Dong Quai (Dang Gui), and so on.

2) Du Huo Cang Zhu Tang
This formula comes from Zheng Yin Mai Zhi (Pathoconditions: Causes, Pulses, and Treatments). It is principally used for cold-damp low back pain in shaoyin disease. Other herbs include Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Fang Feng (Ledebouriella Root), Xi Xin (Chinese Wild Ginger), Chuan Xiong, and Gan Cao (Licorice Root).

3) Du Huo Tang
This prescription is from Huo You Xin Shu (Saving Children Heart Book). It is mainly used for infantile paralysis, arthroncus of knee, limbs, waist and back pain due to chronic rheumatism. Other chief herbs include dong quai, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula Root), and more.

4) Yi Wu Du Huo Tang
This is a formula, using Angelica root alone, from Xiao Pin Fang (Effective Recipes). It is mainly used for postpartum stroke and no other drugs can help.