How does Angelica pubescens work to relieve pain?

Angelica pubescens works primarily through its active coumarins, such as osthole and columbianadin, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These compounds help inhibit inflammatory mediators and improve blood circulation, addressing the TCM concept of 'wind-cold-damp' stagnation. Evidence Level: C (preclinical data) supports its mechanism for reducing rheumatic pain and lower back discomfort.

Can I take Angelica pubescens with blood thinners like warfarin?

Caution is advised when taking Angelica pubescens with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. The herb contains coumarins, which may theoretically potentiate blood-thinning effects and increase the risk of bleeding. While specific human interaction studies are limited (Evidence Level: D), patients on warfarin or similar medications should consult a physician before use.

What is the standard dosage for Angelica pubescens root?

The standard adult dosage for Angelica pubescens is 3 to 9 grams of dried root, typically prepared as a decoction (boiled in water). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is often combined with other herbs in formulas tailored to the individual's condition. Always adhere to specific product instructions or professional guidance for safe use.

Is Angelica pubescens safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Angelica pubescens is considered unsafe during pregnancy and is contraindicated. The herb contains furocoumarins and other constituents that may stimulate uterine contractions or pose risks to fetal development. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid this herb entirely due to these potential adverse effects (Evidence Level: C/D).

What are the side effects of taking Du Huo (Angelica pubescens)?

Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals. A specific safety concern is photosensitivity; the furocoumarins present in the root can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, potentially causing dermatitis or sunburn. Users should limit direct sun exposure or use protective clothing while taking this herb (Evidence Level: C).

Angelica pubescens (Angelica pubescens)

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Angelica pubescens is a medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family rich in coumarins, used traditionally for blood circulation, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory purposes [PMID:40802895, PMID:41612665].

Background

Angelica pubescens (also known as A. pubescens Maxim. f. or A. biserrata) is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family [PMID:28513464, PMID:304080534, PMID:29996001]. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is rich in medicinal plant resources [PMID:40802895].

Traditional uses

Traditional uses include blood tonification, blood circulation stimulation, menstrual regulation, pain relief, laxative action, antiaging, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:40802895]. Specifically, its roots (known as 'Duhuo') are used for expelling wind, eliminating dampness, terminating pain, and treating anemofrigid-damp arthralgia, headache, and pain of the waist and knee [PMID:30408534].

Active compounds

The plant is rich in coumarins and phenolic acids [PMID:35921697]. Key bioactive constituents include osthole [PMID:28513464, PMID:34376964], columbianadin (CBN) [PMID:41058920], osthenol [PMID:30686752], columbianetin [PMID:41612665], xanthotoxin, phellopterin, and imperatorin [PMID:35921697]. Other identified components include caryophyllene oxide, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid [PMID:37504619], and various sesquiterpenes (angepubesins A-F) [PMID:33422712].

Mechanism of action

Osthole promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating Wnt/β-catenin and BMP-2/Smad1/5/8 signaling pathways while suppressing RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis [PMID:37680712]. Columbianadin (CBN) exerts cardioprotection by up-regulating silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) and decreasing acetylation of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) [PMID:37377248]. Osthenol acts as a selective reversible competitive inhibitor of human monoamine oxidase-A (hMAO-A) [PMID:30686752].

Clinical evidence

Evidence COsteoporosis

Osthole exhibits protective effects by increasing osteoblast-related bone formation and decreasing osteoclast-related bone resorption [PMID:37680712].

Evidence DRheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A. pubescens polysaccharides (specifically APRP50-2-1) reduced paw swelling in collagen-induced arthritis rat models, with effects comparable to methotrexate [PMID:40473161].

Evidence DDoxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Columbianadin (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) significantly alleviated cardiac injury, oxidative stress, and cardiomyocyte loss in C57BL/6 mice [PMID:37377248].

Evidence DPulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Osthole was observed to restore 98 of 315 differential proteins modified by PAH progression [PMID:29615702].

Safety & adverse effects

Du Huo is listed as an individual TCM herb with potential hepatotoxicity [PMID:24844799]. Other reports indicate that some herbal TCM products, including those containing Du Huo, may exert rare hepatotoxicity [PMID:26357619].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (mice, zebrafish, rats), and literature reviews. There is a lack of human clinical trial data in the provided abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 28513464 (2017) — Pharmacological features of osthole. · Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)
2.PMID: 41058920 (2025) — Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Insights Into Columbianadin: A Promising Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound. · Mediators of inflammation
3.PMID: 37680712 (2023) — Review on the protective activity of osthole against the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. · Frontiers in pharmacology
4.PMID: 26357619 (2014) — Traditional Chinese Medicine Induced Liver Injury. · Journal of clinical and translational hepatology
5.PMID: 40802895 (2025) — Research Progress of Coumarins in the Genus Angelica.

Angelica pubescens

Sources & Citations