Cǎo Wū (草乌), known in English as Wild aconite root (Aconitum kusnezoffii (processed root)), is a hot, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Heart, Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels. Its main action: expels Wind, eliminates Damp.
| Pinyin | Cǎo Wū (Cao Wu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 草乌 |
| English | Wild aconite root |
| Botanical name | Aconitum kusnezoffii (processed root) |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Hot |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Liver, Kidney, Spleen |
| Dosage | 1.5–3g (processed only; decoct first for a long time) |
| Cautions | Toxic; contraindicated in pregnancy; incompatible with Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Tian Hua Fen, Bei Mu, Bai Lian and Bai Ji (18 incompatibilities); not with alcohol |
Actions
- Expels Wind, eliminates Damp
- Warms channels, relieves pain
Indications
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain
- Cold pain in the heart and abdomen
- Cold shan (hernial) pain
- Pain relief and local anaesthesia
How to remember Cǎo Wū
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver and Kidney channels: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Heart channel: from its use for “cold pain in the heart and abdomen”
- Learn by heart
- Hot: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Cǎo Wū?
Cǎo Wū is hot and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Cǎo Wū enter?
Cǎo Wū enters the Heart, Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Cǎo Wū?
Expels Wind, eliminates Damp; Warms channels, relieves pain.
What is Cǎo Wū used for?
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain; cold pain in the heart and abdomen; Cold shan (hernial) pain; pain relief and local anaesthesia.
Practise Cǎo Wū and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.