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Aconite Main Tuber Decoction
乌头汤 〔烏頭湯〕 wū tóu tāng
Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略
Ingredients
- Chuān wū (川乌 Aconiti Radix, aconite main root) (processed) 10–15g
- Huáng qí (黄芪 Astragali Radix, astragalus [root]) 10–15g
- Má huáng (麻黄 Ephedrae Herba, ephedra) 6–9g
- Xiān máo (仙茅 Curculiginis Rhizoma, curculigo [root]) 6–9g
- Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix-fried) 6–9g
- Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (drenched) 60g
Actions: Warms yáng, disperses cold and settles pain; supplements qì and the blood.
Indications: Cold impediment (hán bì) brought on by exposure to cold with acute generalized joint pain preventing bending and stretching. Tongue fur: White and slimy. Pulse: Sunken and fine.
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Chuān wū is highly acrid and hot, and combines with Má huáng to warm yáng, disperse cold, and relieve pain. Huáng qí supplements qì. Bái sháo nourishes the blood. Honey and Gān cǎo resolve the toxin of the Chuān wū, and enhance the formula's pain relieving action. Chuān wū should be boiled separately first, for 30–60 minutes to reduce its toxicity. It is not as commonly used as regular Fù zǐ, which is the accessory tuber, but is generally considered to be more effective for the treatment of impediment (bì). See also Fù zǐ tāng (附子汤 Aconite Decoction).
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