Angelica pubescens - Du Huo

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Japan

Angelica pubescens (Du Huo) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 7and is vunerable to frost.
Du Huo will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Du Huo will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Du Huo prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Du Huo can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp habitats in hills and low mountains, C. and S. Japan[58, 200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[200]. Plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[200]. A polymorphic species[58].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - cooked[105, 177].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The roots and rhizomes are anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, carminative, nervine and vasodilator[147, 176]. A decoction is used to promote menstruation[218], to treat rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, headache, toothache and abscesses[147]. This herb is used medicinally in the same ways as A. dahurica (Bai Zhi)[254]. These uses are as follows:- 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, rhinitis, 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].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Vasodilator - Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe since the seed only has a short viability[200]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. The seed can also be sow in situ as soon as it is ripe.

Known Hazards

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

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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