Wu Yao (Lindera Root)

Official Wu Yao (乌药) is the dried tuberous root of Lindera aggregata. The pharmacopoeial name is Linderae Radix. Tian Tai Wu Yao / Tai Wu names the Zhejiang Tiantai geoauthentic tuber; spindle-shaped beaded roots are preferred—old straight roots are not medicinal. Xiang Fu is Cyperus rhizome: soothes the Liver, moves qi and regulates menses—Liver qi aspect, not Lindera. Write Wu Yao or Tai Wu. Bran-frying can lessen dryness.

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Wu Yao is acrid and warm, enters the Lung, Spleen, Kidney and Bladder channels, and acts to move qi and stop pain, and warm the Kidney and disperse cold. It is used for cold congealing with qi stagnation, chest-abdominal distending pain, qi counterflow with urgent wheeze, Bladder vacuity cold, enuresis and frequent urination, shan pain, and menstrual cold abdominal pain. Acrid-warm and aromatic, it enters the Lung above, Spleen in the middle, and Kidney-Bladder below—suited to cold congealing qi stagnation, not to qi vacuity with interior heat.

Moving qi and dispersing cold more often uses raw slices; a weak Spleen-Stomach may use bran-fried to lessen dryness. The Pharmacopoeia states that old, non-spindle straight roots must not be used as medicine. Choose beaded tuberous slices.