Bai Hua She
Deinagkistrodon acutus (Günther, 1888)
☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind; Unblocks the channels and collaterals; Stops spasms and convulsions; Dispels Wind from the skin
Botanical Description
Bai Hua She is not a plant but the dried body of Deinagkistrodon acutus (Günther), the sharp-snouted pit viper or "hundred-pace snake," a venomous crotaline snake (family Viperidae) native to the hills and mountain forests of southern and central China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam. Adults reach 0.8-1.5 m in length with a stout body, strongly upturned snout, large triangular head distinct from the neck, and a dorsal pattern of dark brown triangular blotches on a paler grey-brown ground. For medicinal preparation, the captured snake is killed, eviscerated, coiled, and dried whole; in commerce it is sold as a tightly coiled disc. The head, which retains venom, is sometimes removed before clinical use.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Hua She (agkistrodon acutus, hundred-pace snake) is a potent Wind-expelling substance used in Chinese medicine for severe, deep-seated bi obstruction resistant to gentler approaches — including intractable rheumatoid arthritis-type joint disease, facial paralysis, tremors, and convulsions from Wind obstruction. Applied topically, it also addresses stubborn, chronic skin conditions. As a substance considered more penetrating than plant-based Wind-expelling herbs, it is reserved for difficult, long-standing conditions requiring deep channel penetration.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.