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Fu Zi (Zhi)制附子

Prepared Aconiti Radix Lateralis praeparata · Prepared Aconite Lateral Root

Herbs that Warm the Interior 温里药《神农本草经》

Overview

The processed lateral root of aconite — the most forceful yang-restoring herb in the materia medica, reserved for yang collapse and for cold that has settled deep in the interior. It is toxic, and only the properly processed slice (Fu Zi (Zhi) /) is used internally; the unprocessed root is not given by mouth. Processing and prolonged decoction are what make it usable, so both the dose and the cooking time belong to the treating practitioner.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, sweet · Very hot · Toxic

Channels

Heart · Kidney · Spleen

Typical Dosage

3–15 g in decoction
制附子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Restores devastated yangYang collapse with cold limbs, profuse cold sweat and a faint, nearly imperceptible pulse — the chief of Si Ni Tang with Gan Jiang and Gan Cao.
  • Supplements the fire, assists yangKidney and Spleen yang deficiency: aversion to cold, cold aching lower back and knees, daybreak diarrhea, edema, impotence.
  • Disperses cold, stops painWind-cold-damp painful obstruction where cold predominates and the pain is severe and fixed, worse with cold and better with warmth.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Fu Zi (Zhi)

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Yang collapse with cold limbs and a faint pulse
    - Kidney and Spleen yang deficiency with aversion to cold
    - Daybreak diarrhea and yang-deficiency edema
    - Severe cold painful obstruction of the joints

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Circulatory collapseChronic hypothermiaChronic diarrheaCold-aggravated arthritis

Contraindications

Cautions

Toxic — this is a restricted herb. Only the processed slice is used internally, and it must be decocted on its own for at least 30–60 minutes (longer for larger doses) until no numbing taste remains on the tongue. Early signs of overdose are tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue and limbs, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and an irregular heartbeat; these require urgent medical attention, not a wait-and-see approach. Contraindicated in pregnancy, in yin deficiency with heat, and in any true-heat pattern. Classical incompatibility: not combined with Ban Xia 半夏, Gua Lou 瓜蒌, Bei Mu, Bai Lian 白蔹 or Bai Ji. Patients on cardiac medication should be under the joint supervision of their prescriber. Dosing, processing grade and decoction time are decisions for the treating practitioner alone.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.