1. Description:
Aconitum carmichaelii (also known as Chinese aconite, Carmichael’s monkshood or Chinese wolfsbane, Chinese Pinyin: Fu Zi, Simplified Chinese: 附子, 乌头, 附片), is a species of erect perennial and flowering plant in genus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae family). Found in mountain, grassland and shrub (from between 700 to 2,150 meters in elevation) in East Asia and eastern Russia, the plant can grow up to 150 cm tall. The root of Aconitum carmichaelii is used as analgesic, antidiarrheal and sedative in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as arthritis and chronic headache.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The root of Aconitum carmichaelii is considered to have pungent, warm and toxic properties and to be associated with the heart, kidney and spleen meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Aconitum Carmichaelii & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Red halloysite, dried ginger, Sichuan pepper (Chinese prickly ash, Chinese: 花椒, 蜀椒), Aconitum carmichaelii root, processed aconite and honey are to be made into pills for oral taking to treat chest pain radiating to the back.
Pills made with long pepper fruits, fucklandia rhizome, Aconitum carmichaelii root, black pepper, cinnamon, dried ginger, terminalia chebula bark (calcined), mangnolia officinalis and honey is taken orally with rice soup on an empty stomach to treat stomachache caused by hypofunction of the spleen.
Pills made from rhizome of Curcuma Wenyujin, Aconitum carmichaelii root, dried ginger and vinegar is taken to relieve subcutaneous emphysema (gas or air is in the layer under the skin with pain).
Pills made with stellera chamaejasme root, Aconitum carmichaelii root, inula japonica and honey is taken orally to relieve sharp pain in hypochondriac region.
3.2 Skin Health
Pills made with fenugreek seeds (fried), processed Aconitum carmichaelii root, sulphur and wine is taken orally to cope with a lump in the abdomen.
A decoction of coix seeds, Aconitum carmichaelii root and Patrinia scabiosifolia is used in treating inguinal carbuncles.
Ampelopsis japonica root, Aconitum carmichaelii root, phytolacca acinosa root, root of scutellaria baicalensis, dried ginger and Rhododendron simsii are powdered and taken before meal to treat vitiligo (a long term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment).
3.3 Clear Away Phlegm
Pills made with malachite, aconite, Aconitum carmichaelii root and scorpion tails can a remedy for wind type phlegm.
3.4 The Digestive System
A mixture of ginseng, fresh Aconitum carmichaelii root, raw ginger and egg white can be used as a therapy for inappetency (being hungry, but don’t feel like actually eating anything).
3.5 Numbness And Weakness
Pills made with polygala tenuifolia, cinnamon, dried ginger, asarum, Sichuan pepper (Chinese prickly ash), processed Aconitum carmichaelii root and honey can be taken to treat numbness or tingling in the chest.
Medicated wine with root of Angelica pubescens and Aconitum carmichaelii root is taken orally to treat wind-toxicity related leg weakness.
3.6 Eye Health
Serpentine, radix sileris (防风), ligusticum wallichii (川芎), chamomile flowers, Aconitum carmichaelii root, lappa and Zhi Gan Cao (Processed Licorice Root, Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 炙甘草, 灸甘草) can be processed into powder for internal taking to treat macula of retina.
3.7 Malaria
A decoction of amomum kravanh fruits, processed Aconitum carmichaelii root, ginger and red dates is taken orally to cope with a malignant malaria.
3.8 Improve Kidney Function, Promote Vitality And Sexual Energy
Pills made with actinolite powder, stalactite, processed Aconitum carmichaelii root and flour can be taken to treat night emission.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Aconitum carmichaelii root is not recommended to be used with Bletilla striata roots, pinellia ternata, Fritillaria bulbs, radix ampelopsis and Bletilla striata.
Administration with caution for pregnant women.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.