Fuzi (Aconite) is a processed product of the tuberous roots of the perennial herb Aconitum, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family.
01 Properties and Channels
It is extremely hot, toxic, with a pungent and sweet taste. It enters the Heart, Kidney, and Spleen meridians.
02 Efficacy
1. Overview of Efficacy
Reviving Yang and rescuing from collapse, supplementing fire and assisting Yang, expelling wind, cold, and damp pathogens.
2. Indications
Treating Yang deficiency collapse, cold limbs and weak pulse, impotence, cold uterus, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, deficiency cold vomiting and diarrhea, Yin cold edema, Yang deficiency with external pathogens, cold damp bi syndrome, etc.
3. Historical Records
In the Shennong Bencao Jing: “It is indicated for wind-cold cough, pathogenic Qi, warming the middle, treating traumatic injuries, breaking up masses and accumulations, blood stasis, cold damp atrophy, and painful obstruction of the knees, leading to inability to walk.”
In the Mingyi Bielu: “For cold and weak feet, wind-cold in the waist and spine, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, cholera with cramping, diarrhea with red and white stools, strengthening muscles and bones, and preventing miscarriage, it is a top herb.”
4. Modern Pharmacology
It has cardiotonic, anti-shock, circulatory improvement, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cold, and adrenal cortex hormone-like effects.
03 Application Insights
1. Main Indications
- Refractory anemia (Qi and blood deficiency);
- Hypotension (Kidney Yang deficiency);
- Chronic pulmonary heart disease (Lung and Kidney deficiency);
- Bronchial asthma (Kidney Yang deficiency);
- Rheumatic heart disease (Heart and Kidney Yang deficiency);
- Sick sinus syndrome (Yang Qi deficiency);
- Chronic gastritis (Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency);
- Chronic allergic colitis (Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency);
- Rheumatoid arthritis (wind-cold bi syndrome);
- Chronic nephritis and uremia (turbid Yin rising);
- Deficient cold in the common cold (Yang deficiency with cold);
- Pneumonia (insufficient Yang Qi).
2. Compatibility Insights
Processed Fuzi 10-15g, combined with Dangshen (Codonopsis) 15g, Danggui (Angelica) 10g, Dazhu (Rehmannia) 15g, etc., for treating refractory anemia due to Qi and blood deficiency.
Processed Fuzi 30g, combined with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) 9g, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) 6g, Huangjing (Polygonatum) 30g, etc., for treating hypotension due to Kidney Yang deficiency.
Processed Fuzi, combined with Daizheshi (Hematite) 30g, and Gejie (Gecko) 1 pair, for treating pulmonary heart disease due to Lung and Kidney deficiency.
Processed Fuzi 10g, combined with Fuling (Poria) 15g, Zhisuzi (Fried Perilla Seed) 10g, etc., for treating cough and wheezing due to Yang deficiency.
Processed Fuzi 90g, combined with Rougui (Cinnamon) 15g, Tinglizi (Lepidium Seed) 10g, Fuling 60g, etc., for treating heart and kidney Yang deficiency with heart failure and concurrent kidney failure.
Processed Fuzi 15-30g, combined with Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 10g, Xixin (Asarum) 3g, etc., for treating sick sinus syndrome with weak Yang Qi and a deep, slow pulse.
Processed Fuzi 10g, combined with Baishao (White Peony) 15g, Muxiang (Aucklandia) 6g, etc., for treating stomach diseases due to Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency.
Processed Fuzi 30g, combined with Ganjiang 10g, Baizhu (Atractylodes) 15g, etc., for treating diarrhea due to Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency.
Processed Fuzi 10-15g, combined with Baizhu 15g, Wushaoshe (Black Snake) 10g, etc., for treating wind-cold bi syndrome.
Processed Fuzi 30g, combined with Dahuang (Rhubarb) 10g, Taoren (Peach Kernel) 10g, etc., for treating uremia due to Yang deficiency and turbid Yin rising.
Processed Fuzi 6g, combined with Mahuang (Ephedra) 6g, Xixin 6g, etc., for treating Tai Shao two-pathogen syndrome.
Processed Fuzi 10g, combined with Mahuang 10g, Shengshigao (Gypsum) 30g, etc., for treating pneumonia due to Lung heat and Yang deficiency.
3. Dosage Research
The maximum dosage is 90g, and the minimum dosage is 6g.
04 Clinical Application
Fuzi possesses a robust quality, with the ability to break through barriers and command the entire twelve meridians, expelling Yin pathogens, reviving Yang, and rescuing from collapse, thus demonstrating its commanding power, hence its frequent use.
However, when using Fuzi, attention must be paid to drug resistance and local medication practices, mastering the key points of differentiation, and ensuring appropriate compatibility.
Fuzi can warm Yang and rescue from collapse; when the pathogenic influence is strong and the righteous Qi is weak, it can also be used in combination with cold herbs. In clinical practice, it is essential to pay attention to the decline of Yang Qi, and the use of medication must be decisive to avert death in an instant.
Pale complexion, aversion to cold, cold limbs, fatigue, white tongue, weak pulse, or slow, deep, and weak pulse are clinical indications for the use of Fuzi. If three of the above symptoms are present, Fuzi must be used.
It is not suitable for those with excessive heat, Yin deficiency, or hyperactive Liver Yang, and for pregnant women.
If the differentiation is incorrect, processing is mishandled, or the decoction is improper, it can lead to toxic reactions. Mild cases may present with tongue numbness, limb numbness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, while severe cases can affect the heart and lead to death.
05 Brief Analysis of Fuzi
Fuzi is a principal herb in warming methods in traditional Chinese medicine, and many practitioners highly value its effects.
Lu Yuanlei stated: “Fuzi is a stimulating and strengthening herb, capable of invigorating the vitality of all cells in the body, reversing functional decline, and raising low body temperature.”
Yu Bo said: “Fuzi possesses a robust quality, with the ability to break through barriers, it can guide Qi tonics through the twelve meridians to restore lost original Yang, guide blood tonics into the blood to nourish insufficient true Yin, and promote dispersing herbs to open the pores to expel wind and cold from the surface, and warm herbs to reach the lower burner to eliminate internal cold and dampness.”
Thus, it is evident that Fuzi has a wide range of uses, but it is a highly pungent, hot, and toxic herb; improper use can lead to disastrous consequences.
Yun Tieqiao stated: “Fuzi is the most useful yet most difficult herb to use; one must thoroughly understand pathology and accurately differentiate to harness its therapeutic effects while eliminating its harmful effects.”
Master Zhang Cigong pointed out: “The purpose of using Fuzi is to revive functional decline—regardless of location—therefore, the disease must exhibit symptoms of functional decline, such as a pulse that is deep, weak, slow, etc. If the heart function is severely fatigued, Fuzi can revive it. …
The use of Fuzi is predicated on reviving functional decline, which is a necessary condition for its use; if any organ’s function is not declining, there is no need to use Fuzi; forcing its use will lead to immediate disaster.”
Years of clinical practice have also provided insights into the application of Fuzi, and its clinical indications can be summarized into main and reference indications.
Main indications include:
- Aversion to cold, cold limbs.
- Deep, slow, weak, or thin pulse.
- Pale, swollen tongue with white coating.
Reference indications include:
- Pale complexion, lethargy, desiring sleep.
- Clear, prolonged urination, diarrhea with undigested food.
- Lower back and knee soreness and cold, lower limb edema.
- Purple tongue, no thirst, moist mouth.
- Cold pain in the joints.
This article is excerpted from Experiences in Internal Medicine by Zhang Yunpeng.