The efficacy and function of Aconite

Many people are not very clear about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine aconite. Let’s take a look below.

[Other names] Fu Pian, salt Fu Zi, black Shun Pian, white Fu Pian

[Source] This product is a processed product of the subroots of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx., a plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is dug up from late June to early August, and the mother root, fibrous roots and mud and sand are removed. It is commonly known as "mud aconite" and processed into the following varieties.

[Properties] Salt aconite: conical in shape, 4 to 7 cm long and 3 to 5 cm in diameter. The surface is gray-black and covered with salt frost. There is a sunken bud scar at the top and tumor-like protruding lateral roots or lateral root scars around it. Heavy, gray-brown cross section, small gaps filled with salt frost and polygonal cambium rings can be seen, and the vascular bundles inside the rings are irregularly arranged. It has a faint smell, tastes salty and numbing, and stings the tongue.

[Toxicity] This product can easily cause poisoning due to improper preparation or decoction, or excessive dosage. Symptoms of poisoning: burning sensation in the mouth, numbness (starting from the fingers and gradually spreading to the whole body), salivation, nausea, possible vomiting, fatigue, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, irregular pulse (weak and slow), cold and sticky skin, pale face, and possible sudden death. Rescue method: Gastric lavage with 1-2% tannic acid, and give emetics as appropriate; take activated carbon (mixed in water and taken); intravenous injection of glucose saline. Symptomatic treatment; timely use of stimulants such as nikethamide; pay attention to keeping warm; give oxygen or perform artificial respiration when necessary; subcutaneous injection of atropine can be given when the heartbeat is slow and weak.

[Identification] Take 4g of Heishunpian or Baifupian coarse powder, add 30ml of ether and 5ml of ammonia test solution, shake for 20 minutes and filter. Place the filtrate in a separatory funnel, add 20 ml of 0.25 mol/L sulfuric acid solution, shake to extract, separate the acid solution, and measure it according to the spectrophotometry (Appendix Ⅴ A). The maximum absorption is found at wavelengths of 231 nm and 274 nm.

[Processing] Fupian : Black Shunpian and white Fupian are used directly as medicine.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, sweet, very hot; poisonous.

[return through] return the heart, kidney and spleen meridians.

【Functions and indications】Restores yang and rescues adverse conditions, replenishes fire and aids yang, and expels wind, cold and dampness. It is used for yang loss, collapse, cold limbs and weak pulse, impotence, cold uterus, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea due to deficiency and cold, edema due to yin cold, exogenous infection due to yang deficiency, and arthralgia due to cold and dampness.

【Usage and Dosage】 3～15g.

【Note】 It is forbidden for pregnant women to use. It should not be used together with Pinellia, Trichosanthes, Radix Trichosanthis, Fritillaria, Smilax glabra, and Bletilla striata.

[Storage] Salted aconite should be sealed in a cool and dry place; black aconite slices and white aconite slices should be placed in a dry place to prevent moisture.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] "Ben Jing"

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