Fragrant Angelica (Angelica dahurica, also known as Bai Zhi in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine for the treatment of colds, particularly those accompanied by fever and headaches. In traditional practice, Bai Zhi is considered to have properties that "expel wind," "clear heat," and "alleviate pain," and is frequently included in classic herbal formulas aimed at relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. The herb's use for colds with fever is primarily documented in traditional medical texts, such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later materia medica compendiums, which describe its application for conditions characterized by nasal congestion, headache, and other symptoms associated with "wind-cold" or "wind-heat" invasions.

Modern scientific research into the efficacy of Fragrant Angelica for treating colds is limited. While some laboratory studies have identified bioactive compounds in Angelica dahurica with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties, there is insufficient clinical evidence to substantiate its effectiveness for colds or fever in humans. Most current uses remain rooted in traditional knowledge rather than validated by rigorous, large-scale clinical trials. Therefore, the justification for using Fragrant Angelica for colds with fever is primarily traditional, and the strength of supporting evidence is modest.