毒草类
大燥回阳、补肾命火、逐风寒湿。
辛甘。大热纯阳。其性浮多沉少。其用走而不守。通行十二经。无所不至。能引补气药。
以
复散失之元阳。（丹溪曰∶气虚甚者、稍加附子、以行参 之功、肥人多湿亦用。）引补血药
。以滋不足之真阴。引发散药。开腠理。以逐在表之风寒。（同干姜桂枝、温经散寒发汗。）
引温暖药达下焦。以祛在里之寒湿。（善引火下、行津、调涂足心、亦妙。）治三阴伤寒戴阳
。（吴绶伤寒蕴要曰∶附子阴证要药、凡伤寒传变三阴、中寒夹阴、身虽大热、而脉沉细、
或厥冷腹痛、甚则唇青囊缩、急须用之、若待阴极阳竭而用之、已迟矣、东垣治伤寒阴盛格
阳、面目俱赤、烦渴引饮、脉七八至、但按之则散、用姜附汤加人参、投半斤、得汗而愈、
此神圣之妙也。）中寒中风。（卒中曰中、渐伤曰伤、轻为感冒、重则为伤、又重则为中。）
气厥痰厥。咳逆。元阳下亏、生气不布、宜同归地人参用。）自汗。（陈言三因方、有 附术
附参附三汤、嘉言曰∶卫外之阳不固而自汗、则用 附、脾中之阳遏郁而自汗、则用术附、
肾中之阳浮游而自汗、则用参附、凡属阳虚自汗、不能舍三方为治。）呕哕膈噎。（膈噎多由
气
可下而食不下、槁在吸门、喉间之会厌也、食下胃脘痛、须臾吐出
、槁在贲门、胃之上口也、此上焦名噎、食下良久、吐出、槁在幽门、胃之下口也、此中
焦名膈、朝食暮吐、槁在阑门、大小肠下口也、此下焦名反胃、又有痰饮食积、瘀血壅塞胃
口
附参术、胃槁者、当滋润、宜四物牛羊乳、瘀血者、加韭汁。）心
腹冷痛。暴泻脱阳。脾泄久痢。霍乱转筋。（寒客中焦脾胃、为霍乱、寒客下焦肝肾、为转
筋。）拘挛风痹。症瘕积聚。督脉为病。脊强而厥。小儿慢惊。痘疮灰白。痈疽不敛。一切
沉寒痼冷之证。（经曰∶阴盛生内寒、阳虚生外寒。）开关门。消肿满。（经曰∶肾者胃之关
也、关门不利、故聚水而从其类也、嘉言曰∶肾之关门不开、必以附子回阳、蒸动肾气、其
关始开、胃中积水始下、以阳主开故也、集验曰∶肿因积生、积去而肿再作、若再用利药、
小便愈闭、医多束手、盖中焦气不升降、为寒所隔、唯服附子、小便自通。）缩小便。（洁古
曰∶益火之源、以消阴翳、则便溺有节。）壮阳退阴。杀邪辟鬼。通经堕胎。通宜冷服。（热
因寒用也、盖阴寒在下、虚阳上浮、治之以寒、则阴益甚、治之以热、则格拒不纳、用热药
冷冻饮料、下咽之后、冷体既消、热性便发、情且不违、而致大益、此反治之妙也、又有寒药热
饮、以治热证、此寒因热用、义亦相同也、经曰∶正者正治、反者反治、如用寒治热、用热
治寒、此正治也、或以寒治寒、以热治热、此反治也、经所谓必伏其所主、而先其所因、盖
借寒药热药为反佐、以作向导也、故亦曰从治。）发散生用。峻补熟用。（赵嗣真曰∶仲景麻
黄附子细辛汤、熟附配麻黄、发中有补、四逆汤、生附配干姜、补中有发、其旨微矣、王节
斋明医杂着曰∶气虚用四君、血虚用四物、虚甚者、俱宜加熟附、盖四君四物、皆和平宽缓
之剂、须得附子健悍之性行之、方能成功、附子热毒、本不可轻用、但有病病当、虽暑热时
月、亦可用也、景岳曰∶今之用附子者、必待势不可为、不得已然后用之、不知回阳之功、
当于阳气将去之际、渐用以望挽回、若既去之后、死灰不可复然矣、但附子性悍、独任为难
、必得大甘之品、如人参熟地炙甘草之类、皆足以制其刚而济其勇、斯无往不利矣、丹溪曰
、乌附行经、仲景八味丸、用为少阴向导、后世因以为补药、误矣、附子走而不守、取其健
悍走下、以行地黄之滞尔、相习用为风药及补药、杀人多矣、 庵曰∶附子味甘气热、峻补
元阳、阳微欲绝者、起死回生、非此不为功、故仲景四逆真武白通诸汤多用之、其有功于生
民甚大、况古人日用常方、用之最多、本非禁剂、丹溪乃仅以为行经之药、而云用作补剂多
致杀人、言亦过矣、盖丹溪法重滋阴、故每訾阳药、亦其偏也。）若内真热而外假寒。热厥
似寒。（宜承气白虎等汤。）因热霍乱等证服之。祸不旋踵。阴虚者。亦不可加入滋阴药中常
服。（好古曰∶用附子以补火、必防涸水、若阴虚之人、久服补阳之药、则虚阳益炽、真阴
愈耗、精血日枯、而气无所附丽、遂成不救者多矣。）从前附子皆野生。所产甚罕。价值甚
高。而力甚大。近今俱是种者。出产多而价值贱。力甚薄。土人以盐腌之。愈减其力。陕西
出者，名西附。四川出者。名川附。川产为胜。川附体松而外皮多细块。西
附体坚而外皮光洁。以皮黑体圆、底平八角、顶大者良。修治法。煎极浓甘草水。将附子泡
浸。剥去皮脐。切作四块。再浓煎甘草汤。泡浸令透。然后切片。慢火炒黄而干。放泥地上
。出火毒。（有用水浸、面裹煨令发拆、则虽熟而毒仍未去、非法之善者、有用黑豆煮者、
有用甘草盐水姜汁童便煮者、恐煮之气味煎出、其力尤薄、且制之不过欲去其毒性尔、若用
童便、是反抑其阳刚之性矣、尤非法之善者、唯用甘草汤泡浸、则毒解而力不减、允为尽善
矣。市医漂淡用之、是徒用附子之名尔。）畏人参、黄 、甘草、防风、犀角、绿豆、童
便。反贝母、半夏、栝蒌、白芨、白蔹。中其毒者。黄连、犀角、甘草煎汤解之。或用黄土
水澄清。亦可解。附生者为附子。（手足冻裂、附子去皮为末、以水面调涂之。）
乌头大燥祛风、功同附子而稍缓。附子性重峻。回阳逐寒。乌头性轻疏。温脾逐风。寒疾宜
附子。风疾宜乌头。即附子之母。（有谓春采为乌头、冬采为附子者、非也。）
乌附尖
（宣、吐风痰。）吐风痰、治癫痫。取其锐气直达病所。（丹溪治许白云∶屡用瓜
蒂、栀子、苦参、藜芦等剂、吐之不透、后用附子尖和浆水与之、始得大吐胶痰数碗而安。）
火、
逐风寒湿。）补下焦肾命阳虚。（乌附天雄之尖皆向下、其脐乃
向上、生苗之处、寇氏谓其不肯就下、洁古谓其补上焦阳虚、俱误认尖为向上尔、丹溪以为
下部之佐者、庶几得之、若果上焦阳虚、则属心肺之分、当用参 、不当用乌附矣。）治风
寒湿痹。为风家主药。发汗。又能止阴汗。细长者为天雄。
侧子（大燥、治手足风）
散侧旁生。宜于发散四肢。充达皮毛。治手足风湿诸痹。连生者为
侧子。
毒草类
附子大辛大热，具有极强的燥性，能回阳救逆，补肾中命门之火，驱逐风寒湿邪。
其味辛甘，性质大热，属于纯阳之品。其药性浮升多于沉降。其作用特点是走窜而不固守，能够通行十二经脉，无处不到。它能引导补气药，以恢复散失的元阳。（朱丹溪说：气虚严重的人，稍加附子，以辅助人参的功效；肥胖多湿的人也适用。）引导补血药，以滋养不足的真阴。引导发散药，打开腠理，以驱逐在体表的风寒。（与干姜、桂枝同用，可温经散寒发汗。）
引导温暖药到达下焦，以祛除在体内的寒湿。（善于引火下行，行津液，涂抹于足心，效果也很好。）治疗三阴伤寒导致的戴阳证。（吴绶《伤寒蕴要》说：附子是治疗阴证的要药，凡是伤寒传变至三阴经，或中寒夹阴，身体虽然大热，但脉象沉细，或者四肢厥冷腹痛，甚至嘴唇青紫、阴囊收缩，必须急用此药。如果等到阴极阳竭时才使用，就太迟了。李东垣治疗伤寒阴盛格阳证，患者面目都发红，烦躁口渴想喝水，脉搏一息七八至，但重按则散乱无力，用姜附汤加人参，投药半斤，出汗后痊愈，这是神圣的妙法。）治疗中寒和中风。（突然发作叫“中”，逐渐受邪叫“伤”，轻者为感冒，重者为伤，更重者为中。）治疗气厥和痰厥。治疗咳逆。元阳下亏，生气不能布散，宜与当归、地黄、人参同用。）治疗自汗。（陈言《三因方》中有术附汤、附参汤、附子汤三种方剂。张介宾（嘉言）说：卫外之阳气不固而自汗，就用术附汤；脾中之阳遏郁而自汗，就用附子汤；肾中之阳浮游而自汗，就用参附汤。凡属阳虚自汗，不能离开这三方来治疗。）治疗呕吐、呃逆、膈噎。（膈噎多由气滞引起。食物可以咽下但无法进入胃中，梗阻在吸门，即喉间会厌处；食物咽下后胃脘疼痛，片刻后吐出，梗阻在贲门，即胃的上口，这在上焦称为噎；食物咽下很久后吐出，梗阻在幽门，即胃的下口，这在中焦称为膈；早晨吃晚上吐，梗阻在阑门，即大小肠的下口，这在下焦称为反胃。又有因痰饮、食积、瘀血壅塞胃口引起的。如果是气滞，可用附子、人参、白术；如果是胃体枯槁，应当滋润，宜用四物汤加牛乳羊乳；如果是瘀血，加韭汁。）治疗心腹冷痛。暴泻脱阳。脾泄久痢。霍乱转筋。（寒邪客居中焦脾胃，导致霍乱；寒邪客居下焦肝肾，导致转筋。）治疗拘挛、风痹。症瘕积聚。督脉为病，脊背强直且厥逆。小儿慢惊风。痘疮颜色灰白。痈疽不收敛。一切沉寒痼冷之证。（《内经》说：阴盛产生内寒，阳虚产生外寒。）开通关门，消肿满。（《内经》说：肾是胃的关口，关门不利，所以水液聚集并随其同类泛滥。张介宾说：肾之关门不开，必须用附子回阳，蒸动肾气，其关才能打开，胃中的积水才能下行，因为阳主开的原因。《集验方》说：肿因积而生，积去而肿再作，若再用利水药，小便更加闭塞，医生多束手无策，这是因为中焦气机升降受阻，被寒邪隔断，只有服用附子，小便自然通畅。）缩小便。（张元素洁古说：益火之源，以消阴翳，则小便排泄有节制。）壮阳退阴。杀邪辟鬼。通经堕胎。宜冷服。（热因寒用。因为阴寒在下，虚阳上浮，如果用寒凉药治疗，则阴寒更甚；如果用温热药治疗，则会被格拒而不纳。用热药冷冻后饮用，咽下之后，冷体既消，热性便发，病情不会违逆，从而获得大益，这是反治法的妙处。又有寒药热饮，以治疗热证，这是寒因热用，道理也是相同的。《内经》说：正者正治，反者反治。如用寒治热，用热治寒，这是正治；或以寒治寒，以热治热，这是反治。《内经》所谓必须制服其主要病邪，而先顺从其病因，大概是借用寒药热药作为反佐，以作向导，所以也称为从治。）生用发散。熟用峻补。（赵嗣真说：仲景麻黄附子细辛汤，用熟附配麻黄，发中有补；四逆汤，用生附配干姜，补中有发，其中的旨意很微妙。王节斋《明医杂著》说：气虚用四君子汤，血虚用四物汤，虚甚者，都适宜加熟附子。因为四君四物都是和平宽缓的药剂，必须得到附子健悍的性质推动，方能成功。附子的热毒，本来不可轻用，但只要病证相合，即使在暑热月份，也可以使用。张景岳说：现在使用附子的人，一定要等到势不可为，不得已才使用。不知道回阳之功，应当在阳气将去之际，渐次使用以期望挽回。如果已经离去之后，死灰不可复燃。但是附子性质悍烈，单独使用很难，必须得到大甘之品，如人参、熟地、炙甘草之类，都足以制约其刚猛而帮助其勇进，这样就没有不利的了。朱丹溪说：乌附行经，仲景八味丸，用它作为少阴经的向导，后世因此把它当作补药，这是错误的。附子走而不守，取其健悍走下，以行地黄之滞罢了。相习用为风药及补药，杀人很多。虞抟说：附子味甘气热，峻补元阳，阳微欲绝者，起死回生，非此不为功，所以仲景四逆、真武、白通诸汤多用它，其对百姓功劳很大。况且古人日用常方，使用最多，本不是禁剂。朱丹溪仅仅把它当作行经的药，而说用作补剂多致杀人，话也说过分了。大概朱丹溪的法度重视滋阴，所以常常诋毁阳药，这也是他的偏颇之处。）如果是内真热而外假寒的热厥似寒证。（宜用承气汤、白虎汤等。）因热霍乱等证服用附子，灾祸立刻降临。阴虚者，也不可加入滋阴药中常服。（李时珍好古说：用附子以补火，必须防止耗竭肾水。如果是阴虚之人，久服补阳之药，则虚阳更加炽盛，真阴更加耗损，精血日渐枯竭，而气无所依附，遂成不治之症的很多。）以前的附子都是野生的，产量很少，价值很高，而且药效很大。近来的都是种植的，出产多而价值便宜，药效很薄弱。当地人用盐腌制它，更加减少了药效。陕西产的，名叫西附。四川产的，名叫川附。川产的效果最好。川附体质松泡而外皮多有细块。西附体质坚实而外皮光洁。以皮黑体圆、底平八角、顶部大的为优良。修治方法：煎极浓的甘草水，将附子浸泡，剥去皮和脐。切成四块。再浓煎甘草汤，浸泡令其透彻。然后切片，用慢火炒黄晒干。放在泥地上，以出火毒。（有用用水浸、面裹煨令发开的，那么虽然熟了但毒性仍未去除，这不是好的方法。有用黑豆煮的，有用甘草盐水姜汁童便煮的，恐怕煮的时候气味煎出，药效尤其薄弱，而且炮制不过是为了去除其毒性罢了。如果用童便，是反而抑制其阳刚之性，尤其不是好的方法。唯有用甘草汤泡浸，则毒解而力不减，最为尽善。市售医生漂淡后用，只是徒有附子之名罢了。）畏人参、黄芪、甘草、防风、犀角、绿豆、童便。反贝母、半夏、栝蒌、白芨、白蔹。中毒者，用黄连、犀角、甘草煎汤解毒。或用黄土水澄清，也可解毒。附生者为附子。（手足冻裂，附子去皮为末，以水面调涂之。）
乌头大燥祛风，功效同附子但稍缓和。附子性质重峻，回阳逐寒。乌头性质轻疏，温脾逐风。寒疾宜用附子，风疾宜用乌头。乌头即是附子的母根。（有人说春天采的是乌头，冬天采的是附子，这是不对的。）
乌附尖
（宣通，吐风痰。）吐风痰，治疗癫痫。取其锐气直达病所。（朱丹溪治疗许白云：屡次用瓜蒂、栀子、苦参、藜芦等药剂催吐，未能吐出，后来用附子尖和浆水给他喝，才吐出胶痰数碗而安顿。）
火，逐风寒湿。）补下焦肾命阳虚。（乌附天雄的尖都向下，其脐乃向上，生苗之处，寇宗奭说它不肯就下，张元素说它补上焦阳虚，都错误地认为尖是向上的。朱丹溪认为它是下部之佐，差不多得之。如果真的上焦阳虚，则属于心肺之分，当用人参黄芪，不应用乌附了。）治疗风寒湿痹。为风家主药。发汗。又能止阴汗。细长者为天雄。
侧子（大燥，治疗手足风痹）
散生于侧旁，适宜于发散四肢，充达皮毛。治疗手足风湿诸痹。连生者为侧子。
Poisonous Herb Category
Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi, 附子) is extremely drying and hot, capable of restoring yang and rescuing from collapse, supplementing the fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Vitality) in the kidney, and driving out wind-cold-dampness.
Its flavor is acrid and sweet, its nature is extremely hot, belonging to pure yang. Its property floats more than it sinks. Its action moves without staying fixed, circulating through the twelve meridians, reaching everywhere. It can guide qi-tonifying herbs to restore scattered primordial yang. (Zhu Danxi said: For severe qi deficiency, a small amount of Fuzi is added to assist the efficacy of Renshen (Ginseng Root); it is also used for obese people with dampness.) It guides blood-nourishing herbs to nourish insufficient true yin. It guides dispersing herbs to open the couli (pores) to drive out wind-cold on the exterior. (When used with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), it warms the meridians, scatters cold, and induces sweating.)
It guides warming herbs to reach the lower jiao to dispel interior cold-dampness. (It is good at guiding fire downward, moving fluids; applying it to the soles of the feet is also effective.) It treats Daiyang syndrome (floating yang syndrome) caused by Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin cold damage. (Wu Shou's *Shanghan Yunyao* said: Fuzi is an essential herb for treating yin syndromes. Whenever Shanghan transmits to the three yin meridians, or there is cold damage with yin involvement, although the body may be very hot, if the pulse is deep and fine, or there are cold limbs and abdominal pain, even cyanosis of lips and retraction of the scrotum, it must be used urgently. If one waits until yin is extreme and yang is exhausted, it is too late. Li Dongyuan treated Shanghan yin excess repelling yang syndrome, where the face and eyes were red, with irritability, thirst, and a rapid pulse of seven to eight beats per breath that scattered upon pressure. He used Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) plus Renshen, administering half a jin, resulting in sweat and recovery. This is a divine miracle.) It treats Zhonghan (sudden cold damage) and Zhongfeng (stroke/wind strike). ("Zhong" refers to sudden onset; "Shang" refers to gradual injury; mild cases are Ganmao (common cold), heavy cases are Shang, and heavier cases are Zhong.) It treats Qi jue (qi syncope) and Tan jue (phlegm syncope). It treats ke ni (cough and reverse flow of qi). For yuan yang (primordial yang) deficiency in the lower part, where sheng qi (generating qi) cannot distribute, it should be used with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Dihu (Rehmannia Root), and Renshen.) It treats zi han (spontaneous sweating). (Chen Yan's *Sanyin Fang* has Shufu Tang, Fucan Tang, and Fuzi Tang. Zhang Jiebin (Jiayan) said: For spontaneous sweating due to insecure defensive yang, use Shufu Tang; for spontaneous sweating due to stagnant spleen yang, use Fuzi Tang; for spontaneous sweating due to floating kidney yang, use Canfu Tang. For all cases of yang-deficiency spontaneous sweating, these three formulas are indispensable.) It treats ou yue (vomiting and hiccups) and ge ye (dysphagia/chest obstruction). (Ge ye often results from qi stagnation. Food can be swallowed but not enter the stomach, obstructed at Xi Men (absorbing gate), the epiglottis in the throat; food enters the stomach causing epigastric pain and is vomited shortly after, obstructed at Ben Men (receiving gate), the upper opening of the stomach; this is called Ye in the upper jiao. Food is swallowed and vomited after a long time, obstructed at You Men (secluded gate), the lower opening of the stomach; this is called Ge in the middle jiao. Morning food is vomited at night, obstructed at Lan Men (curtain gate), the lower opening of the large and small intestines; this is called Fanwei (reverse stomach) in the lower jiao. There are also cases caused by phlegm-fluid, food retention, or blood stasis blocking the stomach opening. If due to qi stagnation, use Fuzi, Renshen, Baizhu; if due to gastric dryness, moistening is needed, using Siwu Tang with cow/sheep milk; if due to blood stasis, add Jiuzhi (leek juice).) It treats xin fu leng tong (cold pain in the heart and abdomen). Bao xie tuo yang (acute diarrhea with yang collapse). Pi xie jiu li (spleen diarrhea and chronic dysentery). Huoluan zhuan jin (cholera-like disorder with muscle cramps). (Cold pathogen lodging in the middle jiao spleen/stomach causes Huoluan; cold pathogen lodging in the lower jiao liver/kidney causes Zhuanjin.) It treats ju luan (muscle spasms) and feng bi (wind-bi syndrome). Zhengjia jijian (masses and accumulations). Du meridian disease, characterized by stiff spine and厥逆 (cold extremities/syncope). Xiao'er man jing (slow convulsions in children). Douchuang hui bai (gray-white chickenpox/smallpox lesions). Yongju bu lian (non-healing carbuncles and ulcers). All conditions of deep cold and stubborn cold. (The Classic says: Yin excess generates internal cold; yang deficiency generates external cold.) It opens the Guanmen (gate door) and reduces swelling/fullness. (The Classic says: The Kidney is the gate of the Stomach. If the gate is not functional, water gathers and spreads according to its kind. Jiayan said: If the kidney's gate does not open, Fuzi must be used to restore yang and vaporize kidney qi, so the gate opens and stomach water drains, because yang governs opening. *Jiyan Fang* said: Swelling arises from accumulation. If accumulation is removed and swelling recurs, using diuretics again will close urination further, leaving doctors helpless. This is because middle jiao qi mechanism is blocked by cold. Only by taking Fuzi will urination naturally flow.) It reduces urinary frequency. (Zhang Yuansu (Jiegu) said: Enlarge the source of fire to eliminate yin shadows, then urination and defecation will be regulated.) It strengthens yang and retreats yin. Kills evil spirits and wards off ghosts. Unblocks menstruation and induces abortion. Should be taken cold. (Heat treatment using cold method. Because yin-cold is below and deficient yang floats upward, treating with cold makes yin worse; treating with heat causes rejection. Taking hot medicine frozen allows the cold body to dissipate first, then the hot nature activates, avoiding conflict and achieving great benefit. This is the subtlety of counter-treatment. Conversely, cold medicine taken hot treats heat syndromes, known as cold treatment using heat method, with similar logic. The Classic says: Regular treatment is regular; counter-treatment is counter. Using cold for heat and heat for cold is regular treatment. Using cold for cold and heat for heat is counter-treatment. The Classic states one must subdue the main pathogen while addressing the cause, borrowing cold or hot herbs as counter-agents/guides, hence also called following treatment.) Raw Fuzi disperses. Cooked Fuzi strongly tonifies. (Zhao Sizhen said: In Zhongjing's Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang, cooked Fuzi paired with Mahuang provides tonification within dispersion; in Sini Tang, raw Fuzi paired with Ganjiang provides dispersion within tonification. The principle is subtle. Wang Jiezai's *Mingyi Zazhu* said: For qi deficiency use Sijunzi Tang, for blood deficiency use Siwu Tang. For severe deficiency, cooked Fuzi should be added. Since Sijunzi and Siwu are mild and slow, they need Fuzi's vigorous nature to succeed. Fuzi's heat toxicity should not be used lightly, but if the syndrome matches, it can be used even in summer. Zhang Jingyue said: Modern practitioners wait until the situation is hopeless before using Fuzi. They do not know that restoring yang should begin gradually when yang is about to depart. Once gone, dead ash cannot burn again. However, Fuzi is fierce and difficult to use alone; it must be combined with sweet herbs like Renshen, Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia), or Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) to restrain its rigidity and aid its bravery, ensuring success. Zhu Danxi said: Wufu (aconite) moves through meridians. Zhongjing's Bawei Wan uses it as a guide for the Shaoyin meridian. Later generations mistakenly used it as a tonic. Fuzi moves without staying, taking advantage of its vigor descending to move the stagnation of Dihuang. Habitually using it as a wind-dispersing or tonic herb has killed many. Yu Tun said: Fuzi is sweet and hot, strongly tonifying primordial yang. For those with faint yang nearing extinction, it brings back life. Thus, Zhongjing's Sini, Zhenwu, and Bitong decoctions use it frequently, benefiting humanity greatly. Ancient daily prescriptions used it most, and it was never a forbidden agent. Danxi only considered it a meridian-moving herb and claimed using it as a tonic kills many, which is an exaggeration. Danxi emphasized nourishing yin, thus criticizing yang herbs, reflecting his bias.) If there is true internal heat with false external cold (heat jue resembling cold), (use Chengqi Tang or Baihu Tang etc.). Taking Fuzu for heat-induced Huoluan etc. will bring immediate disaster. Those with yin deficiency should not take it regularly mixed with yin-nourishing herbs. (Li Shizhen/Haoguo said: When using Fuzi to supplement fire, one must guard against depleting water. For yin-deficient persons, long-term use of yang-tonifying drugs makes deficient yang flaring and true yin consuming, leading to daily depletion of essence and blood, with qi having no attachment, often resulting in incurable conditions.) Previously, Fuzi was wild, rare, expensive, and potent. Recently, it is cultivated, abundant, cheap, and weak. Locals pickle it with salt, further reducing potency. Fuzi from Shaanxi is named Xi Fu (Western Aconite). Fuzi from Sichuan is named Chuan Fu (Sichuan Aconite). Chuan production is superior. Chuan Fu is loose with bumpy skin. Xi Fu is firm with smooth skin. Black skin, round body, flat base with eight angles, and large top are excellent. Processing method: Boil strong Gancao (Licorice) water, soak Fuzi, peel skin and navel. Cut into four pieces. Boil strong Gancao soup again, soak thoroughly. Then slice, stir-fry slowly until yellow and dry. Place on mud ground to remove fire toxicity. (Soaking in water and baking in dough leaves toxicity intact, not a good method. Boiling with black beans, or Gancao salt water/ginger juice/child urine thins the efficacy and merely aims to reduce toxicity. Using child urine suppresses its yang nature, also not good. Only soaking in Gancao soup resolves toxicity without losing efficacy, which is perfect. Market doctors wash it blandly, using only the name of Fuzi.) It is incompatible with Renshen, Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Gancao, Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn - note: now prohibited/substituted), Ludou (Mung Bean), Tongbian (Child Urine). It is contrary to Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Baiji (Bletilla Rhizome), Bailian (Lily Bulb). Poisoning is treated with Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Xijiao, and Gancao decoction. Or clarified loess water can also detoxify. Raw growth is called Fuzi. (For cracked hands/feet from cold, peel Fuzi, powder it, mix with water and apply.)
Aconitum kusnezoffii (Wutou, 乌头) is extremely drying and dispels wind. Its function is similar to Fuzi but milder. Fuzi's nature is heavy and severe, restoring yang and driving out cold. Wutou's nature is light and dispersing, warming spleen and driving out wind. Cold diseases suit Fuzi; wind diseases suit Wutou. Wutou is the mother root of Fuzi. (Some say spring harvest is Wutou and winter harvest is Fuzi, which is incorrect.)
Tips of Wutou and Fuzi
(Disperse and induce vomiting of wind-phlegm.) Induces vomiting of wind-phlegm, treats epilepsy. Takes advantage of its sharp energy to reach the disease site directly. (Zhu Danxi treated Xu Baiyun: repeatedly used Gengti (Melon Seed), Zhizi (Gardenia), Kushen (Sophora Root), Lilu (Veratrum) to induce vomiting without success. Later used Fuzi tip mixed with sour rice water, inducing vomiting of several bowls of sticky phlegm, bringing relief.)
Fire, driving out wind-cold-dampness.) Supplements deficiency of yang in the lower jiao kidney/mingmen. (The tips of Wutou, Fuzi, and Tianxiong point downward, while their navels point upward at the sprout site. Kou Zongshi said it refuses to go down; Jiegu said it supplements upper jiao yang deficiency. Both mistakenly thought the tip points up. Danxi considered it an assistant for the lower part, which is closer to the truth. If there is truly upper jiao yang deficiency, it belongs to heart/lung, requiring Renshen and Huangqi, not Wutou/Fuzi.) Treats wind-cold-damp bi syndrome. It is the chief herb for wind disorders. Induces sweating. Also stops yin-sweat (cold sweat). Long and thin ones are Tianxiong (Heavenly Male).
Cezǐ (Side Aconite) (Extremely drying, treats wind in hands/feet)
Grows on the sides, suitable for dispersing the four limbs, reaching the skin and hair. Treats various wind-damp bi syndromes in hands and feet. Those growing connected are Cezǐ.