Acrid, warm, and aromatic, Linderae Radix (wu yao) disseminates and unblocks the qi, in the upper body mobilizing the Spleen and Lungs, in the lower body pervading the Liver, Kidneys, and Bladder. It smooths the flow of qi, directing it downward if rebellious, disperses cold, and alleviates pain, dredging and unblocking rebellious pathogenic qi the the chest and abdomen. It is often used in the treatment of distending pain in the chest or abdomen, rebellious qi with cough and wheezing, cold qi in the Bladder leading to urinary frequency, painful bulging disorder due to cold, and gynecological qi blockage and blood stasis - all cases of rebellious qi and pathogenic cold contraint.* --Bensky: Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.