Chuān Wū (川乌), known in English as Prepared Sichuan aconite main root (Aconitum carmichaelii (prepared main 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: dispels Wind-Damp and warms the channels.
| Pinyin | Chuān Wū (Chuan Wu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 川乌 |
| English | Prepared Sichuan aconite main root |
| Botanical name | Aconitum carmichaelii (prepared main root) |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Hot |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Liver, Kidney, Spleen |
| Dosage | 1.5–3g, prepared root only (decoct first for 30–60 minutes) |
| Cautions | Toxic: prepared root only; avoid in pregnancy and in Yin deficiency with heat; traditionally incompatible with Bàn Xià, Guā Lóu, Bèi Mǔ, Bái Jí and Bái Liǎn; restricted in some countries |
Actions
- Dispels Wind-Damp and warms the channels
- Strongly disperses Cold and stops pain
Indications
- Severe Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with intense joint pain and cold
- Cold pain of the chest and abdomen
How to remember Chuān 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
- Learn by heart
- Hot: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
- Heart and Spleen channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Formulas containing Chuān Wū
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
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Chuān Wū?
Chuān Wū is hot and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Chuān Wū enter?
Chuān Wū enters the Heart, Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Chuān Wū?
Dispels Wind-Damp and warms the channels; Strongly disperses Cold and stops pain.
What is Chuān Wū used for?
Severe Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with intense joint pain and cold; cold pain of the chest and abdomen.
Which formulas contain Chuān Wū?
Wū Tóu Tāng.
Practise Chuān 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.