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Cizi (Lateral Root of Aconitum)
Pungent, hot, highly toxic.
Invention: Cizi is the lateral root growing beside the main roots of Wutou (Aconiti Radix) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). Its position is irregular, and its qi is light and ascending. Therefore, it is suitable for dispersing wind in the four limbs and reaching the skin and hair, serving as a medicine for treating wind disorders. In the Tang Dynasty, Yuan Xisheng treated paralysis with Cizi Tang, recorded in *Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies). Additionally, young, small, and undeveloped Fuzi are called "Louban" (Leaking Basket), meaning they are so small that they cannot be held in a basket and leak out from underneath. It is specifically used to treat cold-type draining ulcers and malignant sores.

Caowutou (Wild Aconite)
Also known as Dougong.
Pungent, hot, highly toxic. It refers to wild-growing Wutou (Aconiti Radix). It may be used raw or processed, depending on the specific prescription. Those with two branches fused together, resembling a crow's beak, are named Wu Hui (Crow's Beak).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it treats wind-stroke with aversion to wind, shivering sweating, removes cold-damp bi-syndrome, cough with rebellious qi, and breaks up accumulations causing cold-heat symptoms. Its juice, when boiled down, is called She Wang (She Wang Poison), which can kill birds and beasts.
Invention: Caowutou and She Wang are substances of extreme toxicity, unlike Chuan Wutou (Sichuan Aconite) and Fuzi. They should not be lightly administered unless for stubborn and acute wind diseases. This drug can only search out wind, overcome dampness, open up stubborn phlegm, and treat stubborn sores, acting by using toxicity to combat toxicity. Although *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions treating aversion to wind and shivering sweat, it indicates that it can only dispel aversion to wind but cannot restore yang and dissipate cold. In the past, patients suffering from wind-xanthoma took excessive amounts of Caowutou and Mubiezi (Strychnos Nux-vomica Seed); upon entering the stomach, they became paralyzed and died without rescue. The therapeutic indications for the five types of Wutou and Fuzi are distinct: Fuzi greatly strengthens primal yang; although it primarily acts on the lower jiao, it reaches everywhere inside and outside the body. Tianxiong (Aconiti Radix) provides severe tonification comparable to Fuzi but lacks the instantaneous effect of restoring yang. Chuanwu (Chuan Wutou) specializes in searching out wind-damp painful bi-syndrome but lacks the power to warm meridians. Cizi excels at circulating in the four extremities and does not enter the zang-fu organs. Caowutou is fierce and potent, suitable only for external treatment. These are examples of similar origins but different natures within the Wutou family. As for Wu Hui, its acquired qi is impure; one should avoid consuming it.

She Wang (Poisonous Juice of Aconite)
Bitter, warm, highly toxic.
If poisoned by She Wang, any single herb among Gancao (Licorice Root), Lan Zhi (Isatis Leaf Juice), Xiaodou Ye (Adzuki Bean Leaves), Fuping (Duckweed), Leng Shui (Cold Water), or Jicai (Shepherd's Purse) can be used alone to counteract the poison.
Invention: Wu Hui and She Wang are drugs of extreme toxicity. Although they have uses for treating Shizhu (chronic wasting disease), hard sores, swelling, and snake bites, one must first apply the medicine to the periphery of the wound, gradually moving closer to the center, allowing the medicinal force to slowly penetrate to the bone. It may only be applied if there is hot pus and yellow edematous fluid in the sore. If there is no pus/fluid, or if there is fresh bleeding or new traumatic wounds, it must absolutely not be applied, as it will immediately cause death.