Toxicology of FUZI: King of 100 Herbs

Toxicology of FUZI: King of 100 Herbs

English Name: aconite, prepared daughter root of common monks’ hood

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata

Properties: acrid, hot

Channels Entered: Heart, Kidney, Spleen

Safety Index: toxic

Fx: Restores Depleted Yang

Used in emergency situations in which there is a complete void of yang energy in the body.

Fx: Tonifies Yang, Augments Fire

Treats any type of yang deficiency because it warms all of the organs and opens all of the channels and collaterals.

Indications For Use

Flabby, pale tongue with a white or greasy coat; thready, weak pulse or deep and slow pulse; bland taste in the mouth with no desire to drink; cold limbs, intolerance to cold; soreness, coldness and weakness of the lower back and knees; clear polyuria

Production, Preparation & Dosage

Biochemistry: the toxicity of aconite is directly related to several alkaloids found in the raw material, the most dangerous of which is aconitine. These alkaloids activate voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the heart and nervous tissues, which become resistant to stimulation. Toxic effects of raw aconite can be eliminated through special growing, harvesting, and processing techniques, as well as herb combining techniques.

• Seedlings of aconite should be harvested high in the mountains where they endure severe cold and then planted at the winter solstice in the Jiangyou area of China.
• The plant should grow in the time of year when the yang is in its ascendancy and harvested at the summer solstice before the yang starts its decline.
• Once harvested, the tuber undergoes detoxification procedures involving steaming, soaking in brine, and repeated rinsing in flowing, clean water.

Prior to use, the patient should pre-decocted Fu Zi for 30-60 minutes.

The normal dosage is 3 to 15 grams. Some herbalists propose dosages of up to 100 grams.