CHINESE HERB TOXICITY

CHINESE HERB TOXICITY

CHINESE HERB TOXICITY

Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis),

Aconite (Aconitum carmichaelii) is an herbaceous, flowering plant species belonging to the buttercup family. It is native to the mountainous parts of north East Asia, particularly in China and Japan. Many species of aconite are cultivated in gardens, having either blue or yellow flowers. The plant is highly toxic and its roots contain the alkaloid aconitine which can cause numbness and tingling when touched to the lips and skin (Aronson, 2008).

Aconite has long history of use in the traditional medicines of Asia, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Aconite was also described in Greek and Roman medicine. Several species of aconite have been used as arrow poisons for hunting and warfare. Also known as wolfsbane and monkshood, aconite has appeared in many popular literary works including Shakespeare, Dracula and Harry Potter.

Fu Zi comes from the roots of the same plant. Fu Zi is the thin and long lateral root of the plant. The root is harvested in autumn as the plant dies down and is then dried and specially processed with ginger to reduce its toxicity before use.

Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) is an important herb in the Chinese materia medica because of its potency and versatility. If administered alone, it has a moderate cardio tonic effect, short duration and numerous side effects. Therefore it is generally combined with other herbs such as Gan Cao or Gan Jiang to synergistically increase the therapeutic effect of the formula and minimize its toxicity. It can also be combined with Da Huang to treat constipation, Huang Lian for epigastric distension, Yin Chen Hao for yin-jaundice, Long Dan Cao for liver damp-heat affecting the spleen to nourish blood.

Ma Huang (Herbal Ephedra),

Ephedra is a plant native to Central Asia. This shrub is mainly used in traditional Asian medicine to relieve pain and improve the health status of many diseases. Over time, the properties of ephedrine are identified and since the early 90s, the extract of this plant is used in the manufacture of slimming products. Rich in ephedrine products are able to increase lipolysis that is to say, the melting of fat in adipose tissue. In addition to this action, Ephedrine also acts on burning calories while reducing the sensation of hunger. The slimming effect of ephedrine is multiplied if its consumption is associated with products containing caffeine. Ephedra also possesses anti fatigue property, consumption ...