Stroke, Bell Palsy treated with TCM herb Typhonium Rhizome

What is Bai Fu Zi? Also known as Typhonium Rhizome or Rhizoma Typhonii, it refers to the tuber of Du Jiao Lian (Typhonium giganteum Engl.), which is a perennial plant of the family Araceae. The tubers are oval in shape, 2 to 5cm long and 1 to 3cm in diameter. The surface is from white to yellow-white, slightly coarse, covered with round stripes and fibrous root scars, and with remnant stem and bud scars at apices. The mealiness tuber is solid and with white section. Else, it is odourless, mild, acrid, and tingling. This herb is collected during Autumn, fibrous roots and skin off, washed clean, fumigated with sulphur, and dried in the sun.

However, it literally is not Fu Zi (Aconite Root). Only one word is missing here but this makes a huge difference. Actually they are not the same herb at all. But both of them are poisonous so that very often they are confused to many, even some experienced herbalists. Due to their different uses and indications, extreme care should be taken clinically.

Zhi Fu Zi refers to Prepared Aconite Root, which is the lateral root of rhizome of Chinese monkshood. It is acrid, sweet and hot in nature. Thanks for its excellent functions on restoring devastated yang, assisting yang to supplement fire, and dispersing cold to stop pain, it is hailed as The king of Warming Herbs. But Fu Zi (Aconite Root) is considered poisonous and need to be used with extreme care. It should be avoided for pregnant women and those of hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency group. In addition, it contradicts to Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome), Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), Bai Lian (Radix Ampelopsis Japonicae), and Bai Ji (Bletilla Rhizome).

What is it used for?
It is acrid, sweet and hot in nature. Please also note that it is poisonous. It involves with channels of stomach and liver. It is capable of expelling wind-phlegm, arresting Convulsion, relieving toxicity, dissipating nodules, and stopping pain. Regular uses and indications include Stroke, Bell's Palsy, tetanus, Migraine, rheumatism, spasm, crewels, and snake bite, etc. Regular dosage is from 3 to 6 grams in decoction, and 0.5 to 1 grams in powder.