Nature: acrid, sweet, warm, toxic
Enters: Spleen, Stomach, Liver
Actions: Eliminates both internal and external wind; relieves convulsions; dries dampness; resolves phlegm; eliminates toxicity; disperses stagnation of phlegm, dissipates nodules; stops spasms; expels wind-cold-dampness; alleviates pain.
Indications:
• Wind-phlegm: Bell’s palsy, migraine, tetanus, dizziness, deviation of the mouth and eyes in wind-stroke. Specific for phlegm problems of the face and head – enters the Yangming stomach channel.
• Phlegm and toxicity: snake bite, masses, scrofula or other nodules. Often used topically.
• Wind-cold-dampness: dizziness, severe lateral headaches, numbness, facial pain, facial weakness, or any head pain with signs of damp-cold or wind-dampness.
• Some effectiveness against tuberculosis.
• In Northern China, the root of Aconitum coreanum is used as this herb. It is known as Guan bai fu, and it should not be confused with Typhonium since it is very toxic. If you buy this herb (as I have) and it looks just like white Fu zi, it probably is.
Hsu: Analgesic, tranquilizer.
Dose: 1.5-6g