In the world of medicinal herbs, there is simply nothing like aconite, which is also known as Monkshood or Fu Zi. On the one hand it is so poisonous that improper use can cause human respiratory paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death; on the other hand it is so indispensable medicinally that numerous herbalists, from medical sage Zhang Zhongjing to modern TCM masters, believes that it can even resurrect the dead. In modern clinic, aconite root is commonly used in the treatment of acute Myocardial Infarction induced shock, Hypotension, Coronary Heart Disease, Rheumatic Heart Disease, and a variety of other ailments. According to statistics, the frequency of aconites used in 500 known Chinese herbal formulas is 13.20%. That's to say, this herb is such an important integral part of TCM that there's no getting round it if you want to learn how TCM treats severe and incurable diseases. So, can aconite kill you? What is it used for?

ACONITE BENEFITS 
Nowadays it is commonly used in homeopathic remedies for the purpose of strengthening adrenals and kidneys. And it can be consumed in many ways, like aconite supplement, tincture, essential oil, ointment, pills, powder, tablets, tea, extract, and more. Since aconite is known as "the queen of poisons" in ancient Greeks, why people still risk their lives to turn to this deadly poison for health benefits? Here is the aconite mechanism of action.

TRADITIONAL ACONITE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY
It is generally acknowledged that it is acrid and sweet in flavor and hot and toxic in properties. It covers meridians of heart, kidney, and spleen. Basic functions are rescuing from collapse by restoring yang, tonifying fire and helping yang, and relieving rheumatism chills and pains. Its main uses and indications are yang depletion induced collapse, faint pulse and cold extremities, ED (erectile dysfunction), cold of uterus, crymodynia in heart and abdomen, deficiency-cold vomiting, diarrhea and lingering dysentery, chill edema, yang-deficiency external infection, wind-cold-dampness type of arthralgia, dorsal furuncle, skin and external diseases, and more. Recommended aconite dose is from 3 to 9 grams in decoction.

When it comes to aconite drug, one thing has to be mentioned is Huo Shen Pai (Fire Spirit School) and its representive practitioners, such as Zheng Qin-An (the founder of the Huo Shen school from Sichuan), Wu Pei-heng, Zhu wei-ju, Tang Bu-qi, Li ke, and so on. Because of their efforts, aconite root uses has been brought to a climax. As a result, this herb lives up to its fame as The First Leading Herb for restoring yang to rescue patient from collapse thanks to the herbalists' really impressive attainments. As you know, the aconite dose shouldn't exceed 9 grams due to its highly toxic, according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Dictionary. However, Fire Spirit School thinks out of the box and frequently extends the limits to a whopping dozens of grams, if not more than one hundred. Surprisingly such large dose of aconite didn't kill but bring the dying back to life. In turn this herb helps them establish the core value and form a unique TCM school.

Aconite

1. Fu Zi Gui Zhi Tang.
This formula, from On Cold Damage, is mainly used for yang-deficiency induced arthralgia syndrome. Other two herbs are Cinnamon Twig and Licorice.

2. Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang.
This prescription comes from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer). And it is an important one for abdominal fullness and distention due to deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach and water and dampness retention. The rest herbs include Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome), Licorice, Da Zao (Jujube), and Geng Mi (Rice).

3. Hui Yang Ji Jiu Tang.
This formula comes from Shang Han Liu Shu (Supplement of Treatment of Febrile Diseases). It is an effective one for cold limbs, aversion to cold, curled up on the bed, stomachache accompanied with vomiting and diarrhea, and weak deep retarded pulse or pulselessness. The rest vital herbs are Ginseng, Rou Gui (Dried Cinnamon Bark), Dried Ginger, and so on.

4. Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang.
It comes from Qi Xiao Liang Fang (Effective and Good Prescriptions).
It is primarily designed for spleen-kidney-yang deficiency, cold-dampness epigastric and abdominal cold pain, loose stools and diarrhea, etc. Other herbal ingredients are Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger Root), and Zhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root).

5. Gancao Fu Zi Tang.
It is from Shang Han Lun (On Cold Damage) and basically formulated for arthritis aggravated by cold and any other joint pains caused by the combination of pathogenic wind, cold, and damp. Other major herbs include Licorice Root, White Atractylodes, and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig).