Products Featuring This Herb:
Super Yang Jing Drops (2 oz)

More Information:

Other Common Names
Aconite, Prepared

Page Number In Radiant Health
198

Pharmaceutical Latin
Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata

Pinyin
Fu Zi, shu

Treasures
Yang Jing and Qi

Treasure Rating
***

Atmospheric Energy
Hot (very)

Taste
Acrid (very) and Sweet

Organ Meridian Systems
Kidney, Spleen, Heart

Part Used and Form
Lateral roots, specially prepared

Primary Functions
To supplement fire of the vital gate to strengthen yang. Aconite warms the interior of the body and dispels cold.

Qualities
Prepared Aconite is a powerful herb which must be used moderately and with care. It is one of the few commonly used tonic herbs which may have toxic qualities if used in too large of quantities. Unprepared, raw Aconite is toxic. It is put through a special process to eliminate this toxicity. However, over-use of Prepared Aconite can result in overheating of the body. It is never used alone---it is always combined with other herbs.

Prepared Aconite is a powerful yang tonic used to rebuild kidney yang when it has been depleted. Kidney yang deficiency is marked by chilliness, cold limbs, and impotence, infertility, frequent urination without pain and some types of arthritis and rheumatism. It is extraordinarily effective at waking up the yang energy, producing heat and warmth, and activating metabolism. It is also an extremely potent Kidney and Bladder tonic, and is effective at removing stagnant water due to coldness.

Herbalists in China are not afraid of this herb---they just use it watchfully. I have noticed a definite fear of the herb, however, by many American herbalists because the herb is considered to be very hot. I have found this to be a highly over-rated problem. I have used the herb thousands of times and have rarely regretted it. The times I did regret it were only very minor regrets---the same as I would have if I used too much Ginseng Root, for example. I have never seen a serious overheating. If a person is cold, this is a great and useful herb which I have found to be very safe. However, practitioners who are not comfortable with the herb should use it conservatively until they have a feel for how much to use under various conditions. Aconite should not be used by the novice herbalist since it can be misused. However, if a novice wants to use Prepared Aconite, they should consult an expert.

Primary Combinations
Never use Prepared Aconite alone, unless it is provided at an herbalists office by the herbalist. Combine with:

1. Rehmannia, Cinnamon bark and Cornus to tonify Kidney yang and the sexual energy
2. Ginseng, Atractylodes, Astragalus and Licorice Root to build Spleen qi
3. Ginseng, Cinnamon twig and various Heart tonics to strengthen the heart.
4. Astragalus to build qi in those who are yang deficient and who suffer from spontaneous sweating

Varieties and Grading
Aconite must be prepared in a very specific manner in order to eliminate certain chemical agents that are toxic. Therefore, if you buy Aconite from an herb shop, be certain that the herbalist understands that you want only Prepared Aconite. Prepared Aconite is a darkish, brown slice of the root. Unprepared Aconite tends to be lighter in color or even greenish. If you are not certain which Aconite you have purchased, don't use it. Virtually all tonic formulations on the American market which include Aconite use Prepared Aconite.

Contraindications
This herb should not be used by people who are deficient in Yin or are excessive in Yang.
Precautionary Note: Prepared Aconite is a powerful herb which must be used moderately and with care. It is one of the few commonly used tonic herbs which may have some toxic qualities if used in too large of quantities. Over-use of Prepared Aconite can result in overheating of the body. Unprepared, raw Aconite is toxic. Do not use it unless you are a master herbalist. Raw Aconite is put through a special process which eliminates this toxicity. Therefore, if you buy Aconite from an herb shop, be certain that the herbalist understands that you want only Prepared Aconite. Prepared Aconite is a darkish, brown slice of the root. Unprepared Aconite tends to be lighter in color or even greenish. If you are not certain which Aconite you have purchased, don’t use it. Prepared Aconite is never used alone --- it is always combined with other herbs and in relatively small quantities. Ron Teeguarden’s HerbGarden only uses carefully Prepared Aconite in its tonic formulations.