Other Names: Fu Pian • Chuan Fu Zi • Zhi Fu Zi • Aconiti Kusnezoffii • Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli Preparata • Szechuan Aconite • Processed Aconite • Monkshood • Bushi(Japanese) • Puja (Korean) Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
Aconite poisoning:
In Europe, aconite was added to the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788 and to the first US Pharmacopoeia in 1820. It was later removed from both because of its toxicity.
"One of the first things that is experienced in aconite poisoning is tingling and numbness of the tongue and mouth and a sensation of ants crawling over the body. The body temperature begins to drop and the individual starts to feel cold and clammy. The pulse rate drops at first, but then may become irregular. With increasing toxicity, nausea and vomiting with epigastric pain begin, the breathing becomes labored and the pupils dilate to cause blurring of vision. It also seems to have a predilection for the trigeminal nerve, the main motor nerve to the face, with resulting facial paralysis. Anxiety and great fear are liable to occur as a sense of suffocation and collapse supervene. Death can occur in a few hours."— Souter
Plant can do well in full sun or partial shade. Always wash hands when handling aconite plants since the toxicity of the plant can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.
Aconitum carmichaelii is in the USDA Plant Database. Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:
Panax Ginseng – USDA Plant Database
Texas – USDA Plant Database
USA: not available in the wild. USDA Zones: 4-8.
World: Japan, Central China, Eastern Russia
Habitats: Moist woodlands, edge of streams, rivers, ponds, grassy slopes
Category:
English: Process Aconite Daughter Root Pinyin: Fu Zi Pharmaceutical: Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
Organs: Heart • Spleen • Kidney Temperature: Hot
Taste: Pungent Toxicity: Highly toxic • Toxicity can be reduce when prepared with salt or honey.
Patterns: Collapsed yang qi • Collapse spleen yang qi • Collapsed kidney yang qi • Collapsed heart qi
Actions: Restore devastated yang • Warm channels • Warms interior cold • Relief pain • Strengthen Ming Men fire
Contraindications: Soy sauce • Millet • Pregnancy • False cold, true heat • Incompatible with: Bai Ji, Bai Lian, Ban Xia, Chuan Bei Mu, Gua Lou Pi, Gua Lou Ren, Gua Lou Shi, Tian Hua Fen, Zhe Bei Mu • Cao Wu is antagonized by Xi Jiao
Typical Dosage: 1.5g to 15g • boil for 120 min to mitigate toxicity before adding any ingredients Guidelines
Parts Used: Roots
Other: Herbs from the same plant: Fu Zi • Tian Xiong • Wu Tou • Chuan Wu • Cao Wu • Zhi Chuan Wu • 附子 • 制川乌 • 乌头 • 天雄 • 草烏
Combine With
Purpose
Fu Zi+Ren Shen
Yang qi collapse, acute qi deficiency, dizziness, weak breathing, placid complexion, cold hands and feet
Fu Zi+ Bai Zhu + Fu Ling
Spleen yang deficiency, Kidney yang deficiency, aching hands and feet, poor urination, abdominal pain
Fu Zi +Gui Zhi + Ren Shen
Heart yang deficiency, palpitations, chest pain, breathing difficulties, weakness, dizziness, pale complexion
Fu Zi + Gan Jiang+ Gan Cao
Boost qi and yang. Collapse spleen and kidney yabg. Chills, diarrhea, cold hands and feet
Fu Zi + Huang Qi
Unexplained sweating and chills from yang deficiency
Fu Zi + Ma Huang + Xi Xin
Yang deficiency with wind cold
Dui Yao Pairs
Purpose
Fu Zi + Da Huang
Warm interior, induce bowel movement, and dispel cold
Zhi Fu Zi + Gan Jiang
Collapse yang: Cold hands and feet, faint pulse, cold sweat, loss of consciousness, vomiting, diarrhea
Formulas with Fu Zi
Bai Tong Tang • Da Huang Fu Zi Tang • Di Huang Yin Zi • Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan • Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang • Hei Xi Dan • Huang Tu Tang • Jia Wei Shen Qi Wan • Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan • Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang • Shen Fu Tang • Shen Qi Wan • Shi Pi Yin • Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang • Si Ni Tang • Tong Mai Si Ni Tang • Tu Si Zi Wan • Wen Pi Tang • Wu Mei Wan • Wu Tou Tang • Xiao Xu Ming Tang • Xiao Huo Luo Dan • You Gui Wan • You Gui Yin • Zai Zao San • Zan Yu Dan • Zhen Wu Tang
Variations for Fu Zi
The variations depend on the part and shape of the root along with how the root is processed. Below are common types of Aconite. This plant is highly toxic - use with great caution and only under the supervision of a doctor. Overdose can occur even with prescriptions because the concentration of aconitine in a plant can vary by location. It is imperative that patients decoct the formula according to directions. Cooking aconite at least 60 minute is required to reduce its toxicity before adding any herbs.
Two main plant types:
草乌 • Cao Wu • Cao Wu Tou • Aconiti Kusnezoffii (mother root) • Wild • Most Toxic
乌头/川乌 • Wu Tou/Chuan Wu/Chuan Wu Tou • Aconiti Carmichaeli (mother root) • Cultivated • Less toxic than Cao Wu.
Shapes
附子 • Fuzi Offspring • connecting root-tuber
天雄 • Tian Xiong (Heavenly Male) • childless (no Fuzi; one main tuber)
黑附片 • Hei Fu Pian (Processed black connecting tubers, Fu Zi)
白附片 • Bai Fu Pian (Processed white connecting tubers, Fu Zi)
生附子 • Sheng Fu Zi (Raw connecting tubers, Fu Zi) • highly toxic • rarely prescribed except in emergencies or topical application only.
Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Aconite is incompatible with soy sauce
Aconite is highly toxic and should not be used without a doctor's oversight
Aconite is incompatible with Bai Ji, Bai Lian, Ban Xia, Chuan Bei Mu, Gua Lou Pi, Gua Lou Ren, Gua Lou Shi, Tian Hua Fen, Zhe Bei Mu
Aconite is antagonized by Xi Jiao
.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below:
Herbs: ♦ Incompatible with: Bai Ji • Bai Lian • Ban Xia • Chuan Bei Mu • Gua Lou Pi • Gua Lou Ren • Gua Lou Shi • Tian Hua Fen • Zhe Bei Mu ♦ Cao Wu antagonized by Xi Jiao
Pharma Drugs:
Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.
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