典藏书目

Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi, 附子) originates from the valleys of Qianwei and Mount Shaoshi. Recently, those from Mianzhou in the Shu Road (now belonging to Chengdu, governing eight counties, only Zhangming County produces Fuzi. Zhangming governs ten townships, among which Chishui has the highest yield) and Longzhou are considered the best. Although it is produced elsewhere, its medicinal potency is weak and unsuitable for use. Sowing takes place in November; seedlings emerge in spring. The leaves resemble wild mugwort (Artemisia argyi) but are glossy, similar to ground hemp (Cannabis sativa) yet denser. The flowers have purple petals and yellow stamens, with long and round bracts. The fruit resembles mulberry, and the seeds are fine and black. Harvest occurs in September.

There are seven varieties of Aconitum: The one differentiated upon initial planting is called Aconitum carmichaelii lateral root (Wutou, 乌头), possessing a few lateral tips, elongated body, and dark color. Attached laterally to Wutou, though sharing the name "attached," is actually distinct, known as Aconitum carmichaelii side root (Fuzi, 附子). Those growing accidentally on both sides are called Gizi (鬲子). Those growing alone without attachment, measuring three to four cun in length, are called Tianxiong (天雄). Those attached and conical are called Tianzhui (天锥). Those attached and protruding upward are called Cezi (侧子). Those attached and scattered are called Loulanzi (漏蓝子). All these varieties have connected meridians, like offspring attaching to the mother, hence the specific naming with "Fu" (attach). Generally, if one plant produces six or more tubers, they are small seeds; if two or three, they are slightly larger; if a single tuber grows independently, it is of superior quality.

Regarding the shape of Fuzi, those that are squatting, upright, with fewer angles are superior. Those with many nodes resembling mouse teats are secondary. Those with irregular shapes, injuries, defects, or wind-wrinkles are inferior. Regarding color, those with white flowers are superior; iron-colored are secondary; green-blue are inferior. Tianxiong, Wutou, and Tianzhui are best when full and solid, heavy in the hand. Cezi and Loulanzi are of low status and not counted. Loulanzi is the same as the Momordica cochinchinensis (Mugua/Mubiezi, 木鳖子) mentioned by Lei Xiao, and the Arisaema consanguineum (Huzhang, 虎掌) mentioned by Ri Huazi. Gizi is the same as Wu Hui (乌喙). Tianzhui does not appear in medical formularies, but its functions should be identical. (He)

The flavor is extremely pungent and hot, slightly sweet and bitter, with high toxicity. The qi is dense while the taste is thin; it can ascend and descend, reaching all levels of floating, middle, and sinking. It enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin and the Mingmen (Gate of Life). It treats deficiency-cold syndromes. Cold viscera and spleen diarrhea, sudden diarrhea with yang collapse, chronic cold regurgitation, chronic dysentery with remission, cold-dampness atrophy and bi-syndrome with spasms, pain in the waist, spine, knees, cold weakness and inability to walk in the feet. It also treats hemiplegia due to wind-stroke, head wind, and kidney jue headache. (All caused by yang deficiency.) It also treats lower bleeding due to deficiency-cold, chronic sores and ulcers. It fully inherits the insufficient qi from the earth. (Shu) In dampness-resolving prescriptions, it should be added in small amounts as a guiding herb. It can also tonify the source of fire to dissipate yin shadows, thereby regulating urination. Wutou and Fuzi are sacred medicines; combined with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), they tonify yang; borrowing their similar qi to move Renshen and Huangqi; combined with raw Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Guizhi, they treat Taiyang disease directly invading the Yin meridians, warming the middle and dispersing cold while inducing sweating. Assisted by Renshen, Rougui, and Wuweizi, they tonify the insufficiency of Mingmen and Ministerial Fire, restoring yang with miraculous effect. Combined with Renshen and Rougui, they treat sudden cold invasion into the abdomen in deficient individuals, causing painful diarrhea, undigested food in stool, and incontinence. Combined with Renshen, Shaoyao, Wuweizi, Chenpi, and Gancao, they treat excessive pus and blood loss after ulceration of carbuncles and sores, leading to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and failure to generate flesh; they also treat chronic leaking cold sores. Combined with Renshen, Shaoyao, Zhi Gancao, Chenpi, and Sharen, they treat slow convulsion in children; adding Lianrou and Bian Dou treats persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Combined with Baizhu, Guizhi, Niuxi, Mugua, and Jupi, they instantly relieve extreme cold hernia pain. Combined with Baizhu, Mugua, Shihu, Biba, Yiyiren, Chenpi, and Fuling, they treat wind-dampness numbness, swelling, pain, and podagra without heat signs. Combined with Renshen and Chenpi, they treat chronic vomiting and hiccups, regurgitation due to deficiency without heat. Yang-deficiency Bi Qi syndrome: the body feels cold not due to clothing, nor internal cold invasion, but because qi and blood do not circulate, making the body feel as if emerging from water. This is yang deficiency with yin excess, named Bi Qi, treated with Fuzi Wan. Hei Fuzi and Chuanwu (finely crushed and stir-fried until yellow) with Guan Gui, taken with warm wine. Insufficient marrow and bone bi with body coldness, unable to feel warm even in heavy clothes, back pain preventing bending and stretching, cold feet unable to respond to heat, this is dryness of kidney essence failing to circulate, insufficient marrow and weak tendons causing freezing and shivering, thus spasms, treated with Fuzi Tang. Hei Fuzi, Duhuo, and Fangfeng each 7 fen; Chuanxiong, Danshen, Biba, Tianma, Baizhu, Changpu, Shanzhuyu, Niuxi, and Ganju each 5 fen; Guan Gui, Zhi Gancao, and Xixin each 3 fen; Danggui 1 qian; Huangqi 7 fen; Zhike 4 fen; Shengjiang 5 slices, pounded into pills. Accumulation turning into cold stagnation and obstruction causes water coagulation and blockage; only Chenfu Tang works, using one raw Fuzi, peeled and sliced, with 10 jin of Shengjiang and 1 qian of Chenxiang, decocted to one cup... effective. For chronic dysentery with remission, half liang of cooked Fuzi, powdered, mixed with two egg whites, formed into pills the size of wu zi, boiled in boiling water for a few boils, strained, divided into two doses, taken with rice drink. Deficient closure of urine with deep and faint pulses at both chi positions, unresponsive to diuretics, indicates deficiency-cold. One Fuzi, processed, peeled, soaked in salt water for a long time, combined with 1 liang of Zexie, 4 qian per dose, decocted with 1.5 cups of water and seven stems of Dengxin, taken orally to cure. Note: Fuzi originally treats syndromes of yang deficiency and yin excess... Please refer to further details. Collapse... is most urgent, rescue... cold sweat spontaneously flows out, also related to... eight slices, Baizhu and Ganjiang each... one packet, decocted together with dregs... Scallion white and Sanqi root finely powdered, applied with wine to the navel and Qihai acupoint, do not let the qi get cold, then self-revives. If released immediately, death ensues.

[Discussion] Fuzi is an agent for the Hand-Shaoyin, Sanjiao, and Mingmen. Its acquired nature is pungent and hot, harmonizing with Ren Water pairing with Ding Fire, generating Heart from Mingmen, thus its effect governs blood. Yin shadow, insufficient fire, weak yang, and yin qi... regarding yang deficiency, this is akin to dissipating [yin]. That is, Jian Shu strengthens yang, allowing [pathogens] to disperse naturally. Reaching all levels of floating, middle, and sinking. Its fierce opening of orifices and seizing of will originates from the rampant dragon fire. However... if administered improperly, the disaster is severe. Even if water is insufficient and fire [is manipulated], discussing it as mixing yin within yang is incorrect.

Wutou Its appearance resembles the head of a crow; this is the mother of Fuzi. Fuzi has a round and upright top, while Wutou has a slanted top; this distinguishes them. (Tianxiong, Wu Hui, Cezi... grass from Zhangming... removes cold-dampness, moves meridians, disperses wind-pathogens, treats various wind-bi and blood-wind deficiency. (Haoguo) Tonifies yang and retreats yin, function similar to Fuzi but slightly less potent. Warms spleen and removes wind; for cold diseases, use Fuzi directly. For wind diseases, combine with Wutou and Fuzi; if qi-moving herbs are used first, followed by Wutou and Fuzi, it is appropriate. (Again) Thus, qi becomes more numb, and when the medicinal qi exhausts and righteous qi circulates, the numbness resolves. (Shou Mouth and eye deviation, speech impediment, abnormal gait. Chuanwu, peeled and de-navelled, five drops of water, pill-sized like a bullet, one pill per dose, first dissolved in ginger juice, warmed to recover. Wind-cold-dampness bi, limb numbness and immobility. Raw Chuanwu powder, add one spoon of ginger juice, three large spoons of honey, drink on empty stomach. Or mix with Yiren powder. Wutou peeled 2.5 qian, Wulingzhi half liang, powdered, pills made with pig heart blood the size of wu zi. Wu and Shanzhi each 1 qian, powdered, taken with smooth running water and one spoon of ginger juice. This addresses damp-heat stagnation; Wutou is guided by Shanzhi, its nature is rapid, remaining not in the stomach. Cold hernia uses Da Wutou Jian. Five Da Wutou, de-navelled, three sheng of water, decocted to obtain one sheng, take seven he. Weak patients take five he. If not cured, take again tomorrow.

Tianxiong There are two types. One is the elongated form grown by Sichuan people planting Fuzi. Or Fuzi planted that completely transforms into an elongated form. (Like different shapes of taro seeds). The other is wild Wutou from other regions, naturally growing over three cun. For medicinal use, Sichuan origin must be employed, further processed through fermentation. Tianxiong disperses cold, serving as a herb to remove dampness and assist jing-yang. (Dongyuan) To tonify deficiency-cold, Fuzu must be used; wind practitioners mostly use Tianxiong, taking advantage of its sharp angle and high heat nature, all affecting the lower jiao Mingmen. If treating the upper part, it is a misrecognition.

[General Discussion] Wutou is the mother of Fuzi. Why does Wutou treat wind while Fuzi treats cold? According to Materia Medica, winter harvest yields Fuzi. (This is Wutou producing offspring, becoming wind-wood, slower than Fuzi for bi-syndrome. Its power corresponds to fire-heat. If [misused], death follows immediately. However, there must be red face, dry tongue, loss of taste, chaotic dreams, and flourishing... stroke with fever, blood circulation disease belongs to yin deficiency.

[Processing] All Wutou, Fuzi, and Tianxiong must be soaked in child's urine until saturated, boiled to reduce toxicity, and assist downward movement. Adding a little salt is especially good. Dry use... East water ginger.