Radix Aconiti (= Chuan Wu) (inverted cone, grayish-brown)
Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti)
Chuan Wu Slices (flat surface, grayish-white and yellow, hard and brittle, spicy taste with tongue numbness)
Chuan Wu Slices
Chuan Wu Slices【Name】n
n 【Source】n
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Lower Grade
n 【Frequency of Use】n
B
n 【Botanical Origin】n
Dried tuberous root of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. and Aconitum chinense Paxt. (family Ranunculaceae).
n 【Characteristics】n
Daughter root: Conical, 1.5~3㎝ long, 1.5~2㎝ in diameter. Surface grayish-brown, with fine longitudinal wrinkles. Sharp at the lower end, with four nodular protruding branch roots around it, commonly known as “nail corners”. Firm in texture, difficult to break.nMother root: Slender conical or with residual stem, 3~7㎝ long, 1.5~3㎝ in diameter. Surface brownish-brown, shrunken and uneven, with traces of cutting off Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata). Firm in texture.nPrepared Chuan Wu: Irregular longitudinal slices or long triangular flakes, 1.5~2㎝ in diameter, about 2㎜ thick. Surface dark brown or dark yellow, glossy, with grayish-brown polygonal ring patterns, surface is flat, and a small hole in the middle. Light and brittle in texture, odorless, slightly numb feeling.
n 【Processing】n
1. Raw Chuan Wu 2. Prepared Chuan Wu: (1) Soaking (2) Cooking (3) Slicing and Drying
n 【Identification】n
《Essentials of Medicinal Dosage》: “Those produced in Sichuan are superior.”nGenerally, those that are uniform, plump, firm, and without hollow centers are preferred. Slices that are evenly thick and thin with pure white inner powder are preferred.
n 【Identification Terminology】n
1. Mother Root: Generally refers to the main root of roots and rhizomes. For example, Chuan Wu is the mother root of the plant Aconitum; also, the rhizome of Zi Wan (Radix Asteris) with nodes is also commonly referred to as “mother root.”n2. Crow’s Head: The root shape of Chuan Wu and Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii) resembles the head of a crow.n3. Nail Corners: Also known as “nodular nails.” According to plant anatomy analysis, there are three situations: This refers to the undeveloped branch root scars that are nodular protrusions, such as Chuan Wu and Cao Wu.
n 【Category】n
Roots