Plants 80–180 cm. Root stout, with clusters of rootlets; caudex tuberous, strongly aromatic. Leaves ternate-2–3-pinnate; petiole 3–8 cm; blade to 25 × 35 cm; pinnae 2–3 pairs, proximal pinnae long-petiolulate; ultimate segments oblong-ovate, 3–8 × 1–3 cm, base obtuse or cuneate, puberulous on veins and margins. Leaves reduced upwards to 3 leaflets, sheaths broadly ovate. Umbels 5–14 cm across; peduncles 5–25 cm; bracts 1–3, linear-lanceolate, 0.5–1.5 cm; rays 10–17(–23), 3–12 cm; bracteoles 4–5, linear, 3–4 mm, very short; umbellules many-flowered; pedicels 0.5–1 cm. Calyx teeth ovate-triangular, ca. 0.5 mm; petals pale yellow or yellowish-green, obovate, apex inflexed. Fruit oblong-ellipsoid, ca. 5 × 4 mm; vittae 3–4 in each furrow, 4 on commissure.

Antibiotic (rhizome)

Flora of China
jiang huo, Complementary and Alternative Healing University

Useful for treating cold and flu, rheumatoid arthritis, headache, body ache, muscle spasm and tetanus.

Should not be used by those with weak or anemic conditions or arthritis caused by blood deficiency.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 448, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.