Angelica dahurica Bai Zhi (Umbelliferae)

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Angelica dahurica
Bai Zhi
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The Angelica dahurica plant species is found in E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Siberia. It is a member of the Umbelliferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Bai Zhi.

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Latin Name:  Angelica dahurica
Common Name:  Bai Zhi
Family:  Umbelliferae
Author:  (Fisch. ex Hoffm.)Benth.&Hook.

Known Hazards:  All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[238].

Mature Height:  1.8   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Damp habitats in mountains, C. Japan[58, 200]. Thickets[254].

Medicinal Information: Bai Zhi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine where it is used as a sweat-inducing herb to counter harmful external influences[254]. Bai Zhi is contraindicated for pregnant women[254]. The root is analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, antidote, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, poultice and stimulant[176, 178, 218]. It is used in the treatment of frontal headache, rhinitus, boils, carbuncles and skin diseases[176]. It appears to be of value in treating the facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia[254]. Small quantities of angelicotoxin, one of the active ingredients in the root, have an excitatory effect on the respiratory centre, central nervous system and vasculomotor centre. It increases the rate of respiration, increases blood pressure, decreases the pulse, increases the secretion of saliva and induces vomiting[176]. In large doses it can cause convulsions and generalized paralysis[176].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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