Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi), a cornerstone herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers five core actions: releasing the exterior and dissipating cold, dispelling wind to relieve pain, unblocking nasal passages, drying dampness to arrest discharge, and reducing swelling to expel pus.  

 Key Functions & Clinical Pairings  

1. Exterior Releaser & Cold Dissipator 

   - Indications: Wind-cold invasions with headache, body aches, nasal congestion.  

   - Classic Pairing: Saposhnikovia (Fángfēng), Notopterygium (Qiāng Huó).  

2. Wind-Dispelling Pain Reliever  

   - Targets: Frontal headaches, brow bone pain , migraine.  

3. Nasal Passages Unblocker 

   - Applications: Rhinitis, sinus pressure, forehead pain.  

   - Synergistic Herbs: Xanthium fruit (Cāng Ěr Zǐ), Magnolia flower (Xīn Yí).  

4. Dampness-Dryer & Discharge Controller  

   - Use Case: Excessive vaginal discharge from cold-dampness .  

   - Formula Partners: Degelatinated antler (Lù Jiǎo Shuāng), Atractylodes (Bái Zhú), Chinese yam (Shān Yào).  

5. Swelling Reducer & Pus Expeller  

   - Action: Early-stage boils with redness/pain.  

   - Combo: Honeysuckle (Jīn Yín Huā), Angelica Sinensis (Dāng Guī).  

 Pharmacology Highlights  

- Volatile Oils (e.g., imperatorin): Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial.  

- Coumarins: Inhibit histamine release, easing nasal/allergy symptoms.  

 Critical Contraindication  

- Absolute Avoidance:  

  Yin deficiency with blood heat (yīn xū xuè rè)—may provoke dryness or agitation.  

- Professional Guidance Mandatory:  

  Self-prescription risks adverse reactions.  

Clinical Wisdom  

Bai Zhi exemplifies TCM’s precision: "Disperse wind above, dry dampness below." Pairing dictates efficacy—e.g., with Xanthium for sinusitis or Atractylodes for gynecological dampness.