Angelica Root 白芷 Bái Zhď

Appearance & Aroma

Thick, cylindrical root slices that are off-white to pale brown, with a fibrous texture and concentric rings visible in cross-section. When dried, the root becomes hard and durable, with a clean, slightly sweet aroma that deepens with age.

Clean, herbal, slightly sweet and earthy—Angelica root has a refined fragrance that is neither overpowering nor too subtle. It carries the fresh, green quality of its family (Apiaceae, which includes carrot and celery) with a medicinal depth that speaks of its long clinical history.

TCM Properties

• Nature (性 xìng): Warm
• Taste (味 wèi): Pungent (辛 xīn)
• Meridian Tropism (归经 guī jīng): Lung (肺 fèi), Stomach (胃 wèi), Large Intestine (大肠 dà cháng)

Classical References

The 《神农本草经》 classified Bái Zhď as a middle-grade herb, noting its use for “women’s red and white discharge, blood closure, yin swelling, cold and heat, and wind invasion” (女人漏下赤白，血闭阴肿，寒热，风头侵).

Li Shizhen, in the 《本草纲目》, expanded on its meridian affinities and praised its versatility: “白芷色白味辛，性温气厚，阳明头痛要药”—an essential herb for Yangming (Stomach) meridian headaches. This connection to the Yangming channels ties it to both Earth (Stomach) and Metal (Large Intestine), making it a bridge between two elements.

Usage in Chinese Herbal Sachets

Dried Angelica root slices are durable and retain their clean, herbal fragrance well. They can be used whole or broken into smaller pieces. Their mild, pleasant fragrance makes them a versatile middle note in sachet blends, supporting without dominating.

Elemental Affinity

Angelica’s Stomach meridian affinity places it in the Earth element, though its Lung and Large Intestine connections also give it Metal qualities. In Earth formulas, it contributes a nourishing, blood-tonifying dimension that supports the Spleen’s transformative function.

Custom Blending Ideas

Every constitution is unique. Below are three blend directions—start with these, then adjust to your personal preference. Herbal sachets, like herbal formulas, are best when they are personal.

Safety & Sourcing

Safe in sachet form. Note that Bái Zhď (Angelica dahurica) is different from Dāng Guī (Angelica sinensis), which has stronger blood-moving properties and is used differently in TCM.