Snow Mountain Aconite is a widely used and promoted analgesic in Sichuan, China. It is a highly toxic Tibetan medicinal herb that is commonly found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is often confused with another herb called Snow Aconite. So, what are the differences between Snow Mountain Aconite and Snow Aconite? Traditional Chinese medicine will explain the pharmacological characteristics of Snow Mountain Aconite for you.
Image of Snow Mountain Aconite
【Differences between Snow Mountain Aconite and Snow Aconite】
Snow Mountain Aconite, also known as Xueshan Yizhihao in Chinese, is a Tibetan medicinal herb. Its main component is aconitine, which is highly toxic. In traditional Chinese medicine, mung beans and honeysuckle are used as antidotes for Snow Mountain Aconite poisoning. Snow Aconite, on the other hand, is a type of Chinese herbal medicine made from the roots of various species of Aconitum in the Ranunculaceae family. It is highly toxic and has a narrow therapeutic dose range, and is mainly used externally.
Image of Snow Aconite
【Pharmacological Characteristics of Snow Mountain Aconite】
Snow Mountain Aconite is mainly distributed in the mountains, valleys, and meadows of Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, and other regions, with some distribution in Yunnan as well. It has a pungent and bitter taste, is hot in nature, and highly toxic. It is used to clear phlegm, dispel wind, and relieve pain. It is mainly used for the prevention and treatment of various epidemics, such as relieving toothache, arthritis, gout, and inflammation and pain caused by various fractures and injuries.
Snow Mountain Aconite is widely used in Tibetan medicine. Some commonly used internal formulas include Wuwei Quwen Qiong'e Pill, Dashong Pill, and Shiwuwei Qufeng Baiqiong Powder, while external formulas include Jiongwenbu Tufu San and Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Aconite Soak.
According to the pharmacological and toxicological experiments of the related plant Aconitum kusnezoffii, the therapeutic dose and toxic dose are similar. The recommended oral dosage is 25-50mg per day, with a maximum dose of 75mg.
Acute poisoning of Snow Mountain Aconite mainly occurs through oral ingestion, often due to intentional or unintentional overdose or ingestion of external or raw herbs.
The severity of Snow Mountain Aconite poisoning depends on factors such as dosage, duration of use, and the patient's physical condition. Ingesting raw or single herbs can be more toxic.
Image of Snow Mountain Aconite
【Symptoms of Snow Mountain Aconite Poisoning】
Snow Mountain Aconite is highly toxic, and toxic reactions occur within 0.5-3 hours after administration. The main symptoms include mild drowsiness, burning sensation in the mouth, increased secretions; severe numbness, weakness, coldness, swelling, discomfort in the throat, nausea, excessive salivation, dizziness, palpitations, restlessness, abdominal pain, and urgency to defecate; critically ill patients may faint, have cold limbs, irregular heart rhythm, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, seizures, and coma, with frequent premature contractions shown on the electrocardiogram. Severe cases can lead to circulatory and respiratory failure and death.
There have been cases of death from poisoning within 2 hours after taking Snow Mountain Aconite, so it should be used with caution. According to general clinical experience, atropine, procainamide, and quinidine are considered more effective antidotes. Prompt use of these antidotes can be beneficial. In addition, folk remedies such as bamboo shoots, bamboo roots, bamboo leaves, coriander, windproof herbs, tea leaves, and licorice can be used as detoxifying agents. Choose 2-3 types, 5 grams each, decocted in water and taken orally. Alternatively, a porridge made with lard, brown sugar, or honey can be consumed in appropriate amounts as a remedy.
