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Da Fuzi (Large Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata)
The shape of Tianxiong

Pungent, sweet; warm, very hot in nature. Floating, it is yang within yang. It possesses great toxicity. It grows as a lateral root from Wutou (Aconiti Radix), hence the name "Fuzi". The skin is black, the body round with a flat base, resembling Dioscorea opposita (Shanyu/Sweet Potato-like yam). It is inhibited by Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Doukou (Soybean), Wujiu (Allium victorialis), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). It is antagonistic to Wugong (Scorpio) and utilizes Didan (Bovis Calculus) as an guiding herb. Cultivated in Sichuan and Shu regions, (where people carefully tend each planting in spring); those harvested in winter have full juice; selecting those with perfectly round tops, one tael per piece, yields greater potency. Processing follows Tao Hongjing's method of pounding: use a knife to cleanly remove the skin and navel. First, add half a bowl of ginger juice and half a bowl of salt water into a clay pot, boil tightly for seven boils; then add Banliang (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), each half liang, along with Tongbian (Child's Urine), and slowly slice thinly. Stir-fry again over gentle fire to thoroughly eliminate its inferior nature. The qi shifts from floating to sinking; its function specializes in moving without staying static. When combined with other herbs, it allows passage through all meridians, used to treat Jue Ni (cold reversal of the four limbs) and expel deep cold from the five zang organs. For Jin Bi Ya Guan (lockjaw), insert powder into a goose quill and blow into the mouth; for Hong Tu Ding Du (carbuncle with red protrusion), mix powder with strong vinegar and apply to the affected area. For Lou Chuang (fistula sores), slice pieces like coins and seal on the lesion. (Note: Text implies Fuzi cannot tonify lower jiao yang deficiency alone.) Fuzi cannot tonify lower jiao yang deficiency, therefore Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) adds Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fuzi to tonify kidney meridian yang; Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) removes Rougui and Fuzi to tonify kidney meridian yin. Danxi stated: "Adding it serves as a guide to Shaoyin," which is likely incorrect. In Jun Zhu Fu Tang (Master Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction), it disperses cold-dampness and warms spleen yang. For Zhen Han (true cold) directly striking yin meridians, Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) can be decocted to resist it. This herb must be used raw, not restricted by processing methods. It assists Gancao (Licorice) to moderate the success of Renshen (Ginseng) and Huangqi (Astragalus), and aids Dihuang (Rehmannia) to moisten stagnation and establish efficacy. For severe internal heat injury, enter quickly without doubt. (This herb treats external contraction syndromes; if there is no generalized surface coolness and cold reversal of limbs, do not misuse it. The classics say: "Strong fire consumes qi." For internal injury syndromes, even if surface heat is severe but qi is deficient and pulse fine, it is precisely suitable. The classics say: "Warmth can remove great heat.") Ignorant physicians mistake it for a tonic. Habitual daily use, does it not kill? Pregnant women should avoid decoctions; it causes abortion very rapidly. Those growing after Start of Spring are called Wutou (Aconiti Radix). Because the head resembles that of a crow, it is falsely named for medical call. Its flavor, nature, and processing are identical to Fuzi. The Classic of Materia Medica states: Harvested in spring is Wutou; harvested in winter is Fuzi. It also states: Fuzi has a round, upright top; (if the top is slanted, it differs). Distinguish by this to avoid error. Avoid Douzhi (Bean Curd Juice), antagonistic to Lilü (Veratrum). Reverses Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), and Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Jiqing (Bletillae Rhizoma), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix). Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) acts as a guide, circulating through all meridians. Regulates Feng Bi (wind-damp bi syndrome), dispels wind-phlegm, scatters cold pathogens, eliminates cold pain. Breaks stagnant qi accumulation, removes epigastric hardness. Can also cause abortion; pregnant women strictly avoid. Decocted paste is called She Wang (Aconitum Paste), must be recognized; applied to arrows to kill birds and beasts. If accidentally ingested by humans, chew Gancao (Licorice) urgently. Lanqing Pingcao (Isatis Leaf and Duckweed) can also detoxify it. Wu Hui (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Preparata with two lobes) has two lobes (two tips meeting at the top), shaped like ox horns. Hui means bird's beak; named by resemblance. All properties are same as grass (likely referring to parent plant). Mainly treats wind-damp scrotal itching, stops chills and fever, joint pulling pain. Also causes abortion, reduces carbuncles and swelling. Tianxiong is also one type, slightly thinner and longer. Flavor and nature are the same, processing is not different. Antagonistic to Fubi, guide is also Yuanzhi, avoid Douzhi. Processing requires Shengjiang (Dried Ginger). Specifically tonifies upper jiao yang deficiency, good at treating all wind conditions. Drives out cold-damp bi causing spasms and cramps, repels wind pain coming and going in head and face. Assists martial courage, labor without fatigue, eliminates nodules, body light and healthy walking. Harmonizes blood vessels, benefits essence, causes abortion, opens orifices. Cizi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) looks like a date pit, also grows laterally from Fuzi. Fear and antagonism are no different, only suitable for raw use. Treats Hong Jiao Jiao (Charley horse/Foot drop) effectively, disperses wind rashes well. Sweeps away rat fistula malignant sores, seizes cold qi damp-bi. Like before, causes abortion; gynecology should know. Cisui is also a name, Mubiezi (Momordicae Semen) is it. Causes loss of sight, contraindicated in medicine.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Fuzi, Wutou, Wu Hui, Tianxiong, Cizi, She Wang, Mubiezi - seven names, actually from one source, but treatments differ. Now respecting Huibian, attach general discussion: Tianxiong long and pointed, its qi tends upward, thus "Only Tianxiong can tonify upper jiao yang deficiency." Fuzi round and short, its qi tends downward, thus "Only Fuzi can tonify lower jiao yang deficiency." Wutou original seed brain, shape like crow's head, receives mother's qi, stays fixed, resides in the middle. Cizi scattered on sides, form has no fixed location. Its qi is light and ascending, suitable for issuing forth to four limbs and skin/hair, divine for treating wind rashes. Wu Hui two lobes meet, shape like bird beak. Its qi is sharp and keen, suitable for unblocking meridians, benefiting joints, finding paths reaching disease site directly. Boiled into She Wang, birds/beasts die upon contact. Unless qi is sharp and swift, can it be so? There is also Mubiezi, which is Cisui among Xiong, Hui, Wu, Fu, Cizi. Its form is crushed, its qi dissipating. Like a disabled person with chronic illness, useless, burdening the world, and causing blindness, suitable for exclusion from medicinal use.
In Volume 4 Wood Section, this same name exists, specifically for surgical use.