Fragrant Angelica

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Fragrant angelica (Angelica dahurica), known in traditional Chinese medicine as bai zhi, is a perennial herb whose root is used to treat headache, nasal congestion, toothache, and skin conditions.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Headache / sinus congestion (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional Chinese medicine use; no modern controlled human trials of bai zhi alone for these conditions.

How it works

Bai zhi root contains furanocoumarins (such as imperatorin and isoimperatorin), volatile oils, and other coumarins. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial activity in preclinical studies. Traditional Chinese medicine uses bai zhi for 'wind-cold' headaches, sinus congestion, and skin eruptions. Mechanistically, the coumarins may affect inflammatory mediators and have mild central nervous system effects. Human clinical studies are limited.

Dosage

Traditional doses: 3-10 g dried root daily as decoction. Standardized extracts vary widely.

When and how to take it

Typically taken in divided doses through the day as part of compound formulas. Take with food to reduce stomach upset. Avoid sun exposure shortly after taking it.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried root (decoction)

Traditional Chinese medicine form.

Coumarins extract well into water and alcohol.

Standardized extract

Modern capsule form.

Typically standardized to coumarin content.

Safety

Generally tolerated at traditional doses. Furanocoumarins can cause photosensitivity, leading to skin reactions with sun exposure. Allergic reactions are possible in people sensitive to Apiaceae (carrot family) plants.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid significant sun exposure when using. People on multiple medications, especially those metabolized by CYP3A4 (statins, calcium channel blockers, some psychiatric drugs), should consult a clinician. Avoid with Apiaceae allergy.

Interactions

Furanocoumarins may inhibit CYP3A4 and other drug-metabolizing enzymes, similar to grapefruit, potentially affecting many medications. May add to the effect of anticoagulants.

Frequently asked questions

Can bai zhi cause sun sensitivity?⌄

Yes. The furanocoumarins in fragrant angelica can make skin more sensitive to UV light, potentially causing rashes or burns. Limit sun exposure when using.

Does fragrant angelica interact with grapefruit-sensitive medications?⌄

Possibly. Furanocoumarins in bai zhi are similar to those in grapefruit and may affect CYP3A4-metabolized drugs. Talk to your pharmacist if you take prescription medications.

References

Fragrant Angelica on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Fragrant Angelica (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.