Chuan Wu
Unknown
☯ TCM Properties
Expels Wind-Dampness, d isperses Cold, w arms and activates the channels and s tops pain; Reduces swellings, induces ulceration and dispels putrefication; Treats unconsciousness caused by Phlegm Stagnation
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Chuan Wu is the processed parent (mother) root tuber of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. (Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb 60 to 150 cm tall of Sichuan and adjacent provinces with palmately divided dark green leaves and tall racemes of helmet-shaped deep blue-purple flowers. WARNING: The raw root is highly toxic owing to diester diterpenoid alkaloids, principally aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine, which can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia and respiratory failure; only properly processed (Zhi Chuan Wu) material, prolonged-boiled to hydrolyze the alkaloids to far less toxic monoester forms, is used clinically. In traditional Chinese medicine Chuan Wu is acrid, bitter, hot, and toxic, entering the Heart, Liver, Kidney, and Spleen channels; it dispels wind-cold-damp, warms the channels, and relieves severe pain in bi-syndromes, cold abdominal pain, and traumatic injury, always under strict dose control.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
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.