Plants 0.5–1 m tall. Rootstock thick, apparently swollen at nodes, internodes short. Stem single, erect, striate and branching. Basal petioles 10–20 cm; blade triangular-ovate, 15–20 × 10–15 cm, ternate to 1- or 2-pinnate, primary pinnae 4–6 pairs, proximal pinnae remote; ultimate segments ovate or oblong-ovate, 2–3 × 1–2 cm, margins irregularly serrate. Cauline leaves similar to basal, reduced, sessile, 1-pinnate. Umbels terminal and lateral, 6–8 cm across in fruit; bracts 5–6(–10), linear; rays 15–30, subequal, 3–5 cm; bracteoles 5–8, linear, shorter than pedicels, reflexed. Calyx teeth obsolete; petals white, obovate, base cuneate; styles ca. equaling fruit, reflexed. Fruit oblong-ovoid, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm; dorsal and intermediate ribs prominent, filiform, lateral ribs narrowly winged; vittae 1–3(–4) in each furrow, 4–6 on commissure. Seed face plane.

Anodyne, antibacterial, antifungal, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, hypotensive and sedative (root)

Plants For A Future
Flora of China

The roots are taken internally in the treatment of irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, dystocia, postpartum lochiostasis, angina pectoris in coronary heart disease, headaches, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, abdominal pain, pain in the hypochondrium, numbness and pain of the extremities, traumatic injuries, sores, and other skin infections. It is soaked in alcohol for 2 weeks and then used in the treatment of gout.

Contraindicated in patients with Qi and Yin deficiency with dry mouth, red tongue, and profuse menstruation.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 376, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.