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Pungent, warm, toxic. Those weighing one tael or more, with a short stature and sparse pores and nodes are of the best quality. Raw usage disperses pathogenic factors, while cooked usage provides potent tonification.

For raw use, remove the skin and navel. For cooked use, soak in water until the skin and navel can be removed, slice, stir-fry until yellow to eliminate "fire toxicity," or soak in child's urine for one day, remove skin, cut into four pieces, and decoct together with strong licorice soup until dry, then dry thoroughly.

Diell (Bupleurum longiradiatum) is used as an guiding herb (Shi). It is opposed by Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Doukou (Glycine max), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lvdou (Phaseoli Semen), Wujiu (Allium tuberosum var. ramosum), Tongbian (Uterine Urine); it is inimical to Wugong (Scolopendra); avoid Douchi (Sojae Semen Praeparatum).

Li Zhongli stated: Merchants often soak Aconitum carmichaelii in salt water to increase weight and moisture. Buyers should select those with a round, upright top and flat bottom as superior.

Yang Tianhui, in his "Record on Aconite," stated: There are seven types of Aconitum products. Although they share the same origin, their terminal forms differ. The initial head planted, which grows laterally attached to the main root (Wutou), is called Fuzi. Those growing laterally and occasionally are called [missing character]. Those that grow elongated while attached are called Tianxiong. Those attached to Tianxiong and of high quality are called [missing character]. Those growing upward while attached are called Cizi. Those growing scattered while attached are called Louzansi. Their meridians are connected like offspring attached to the mother. "Fuzi" is named specifically for its attachment nature, whereas the others do not share this distinction. Generally, if one plant produces six or more tubers, they are small; if it produces two or three, they are slightly larger; if a single tuber grows independently, it is exceptionally large. This is the general rule.

Regarding shape, those sitting squarely, straight, with few nodes and angles are superior. Those with many nodes, resembling mouse breasts, irregular, damaged, or wrinkled by wind are inferior. Regarding color, mottled white is superior. Plumpness exceeding what can be grasped by hand is considered excellent. Louzansi and Cizi are used by gardeners for menial labor and are undervalued. Merchants in Min and Zhe regions only trade medium-grade ones; merchants in Shaanxi and other areas trade inferior ones; merchants in Min and Zhe trade medium ones. Superior grades are sought for their rarity/uniqueness, so only large ones satisfy demands. However, local knowledgeable people say that although small ones are difficult to use, those over half a tael are good. This statement is close to the truth.

Li Shizhen stated: There are also Caowutou (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix) and Baifuzi (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), hence this drug is commonly referred to as Heifuzi (Black Aconite) or Chuanwutou (Chuan Aconite) for distinction.