The Qu Snake belongs to the Viperidae family and the Agkistrodon genus. The Qu Snake has a black body with white patterns. The rostral scale and the prenasal scale are both raised towards the back, also known as the "raised-nose snake" or "Five-step snake".
【Effects and uses of Qu Snake】
The Qu Snake has the functions of dispelling wind, promoting blood circulation, and relieving spasms and pain. It is mainly used for rheumatic arthritis, facial paralysis caused by stroke, hemiplegia, paralysis, convulsions in children, tetanus, leprosy, and scrofula.
In modern clinical practice, it is also used for analgesia, blood pressure reduction, and anti-inflammation.
1. Rheumatic arthritis, hemiplegia caused by stroke
The Qu Snake has the property of dispersing and penetrating. Its warm nature promotes blood circulation and unblocks the meridians, eliminating both internal and external wind evils. It is an essential herb for treating wind-related disorders. It is particularly effective in treating long-standing rheumatic arthritis with poor meridian circulation, numbness, and spasms, as well as facial paralysis caused by stroke and hemiplegia. It is often combined with Fang Feng, Qiang Huo, and Dang Gui, such as in the prescription "Bai Hua She Jiu" (from "Simplified Prescriptions from the Lakeside").
2. Convulsions in children, tetanus
The Qu Snake enters the liver meridian and can dispel external wind and calm internal wind. It is commonly used to treat convulsions and spasms. It is often used in the treatment of convulsions and spasms in children and tetanus, often combined with Wu Shao She and Wu Gong, such as in the prescription "Ding Ming San" (from "The Complete Records of Holy Benevolence").
【Precautions when using Qu Snake】
1. It is not suitable for those with Yin deficiency or blood heat.
2. There have been reports of allergic reactions to Qu Snake preparations.
