Rheumatism is a very common type of elderly disease in daily life. As it is a chronic disease, it deepens the suffering of patients. Therefore, early treatment and pain relief are advisable for rheumatism. We know that Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is a Chinese medicinal herb. Can it treat rheumatism?
Image of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao
I. Basic Information of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao
Rheumatism is not simply a single disease, but a group of diseases that affect joints, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and related soft tissues or connective tissues. Rheumatic pain can be caused by reasons such as wind-cold, wind-dampness, or a combination of both.
Rheumatism is mostly caused by the invasion of external pathogens into meridians and the obstruction of qi and blood flow. It can cause heaviness and pain in the body, stiffness in the limbs, and even radiating pain or numbness in the hands and feet. Symptoms such as soreness, pain, numbness, heaviness, and limited movement can occur in joints and limbs.
Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is a perennial herb with a height of about 90 centimeters. Its roots are inverted conical. The stems have short, appressed hairs. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, palmately divided, with lobes resembling feathers, or with coarse teeth. The upper side is green with a few short hairs, and the lower side is light green with almost no hairs.
The inflorescence is elongated and has multiple flowers. There are 2 small bracts, linear in shape, located above the flower stalk. The sepals are petal-like, yellow-green, with one petal on the upper side forming a helmet shape.
Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao mostly grows on the edge of mountain forests and shrubs. It is distributed in Tibet and other regions. Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is harvested in September to October. The roots are dug, the fibrous roots are removed, washed, sliced, and dried in the sun.
Soak Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao in cold water, changing the water 2-3 times a day, until there is no tingling sensation when tasted. Take it out and cook it together with licorice and black beans. The soup should be cooked until there is no white core inside, then remove and dry it.
II. Pharmacological Properties of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao
Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is mainly distributed in deep mountain gullies and river valley meadows in Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, and other regions. It has a pungent and bitter taste, is hot in nature, and has strong toxicity. It can clear "saliva," dispel wind, kill parasites, and relieve pain. It is mainly used in the prevention and treatment of various epidemics, such as pain relief for toothache, arthritis, gout, and inflammation and pain relief for various contusions and fractures.
Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao has a wide range of uses in Tibetan medicine. The commonly used internal formulas in clinical practice include Wu Wei Qu Wen Qiong A Wan, Da Si Hong Wan, Shi Wu Wei Qu Feng Bai Qiong San, etc., while the external formulas include Jia Qiong Wen Bu Tu Fu San, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving Wutou dip plaster, etc.
Image of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao
According to the pharmacological and toxicological experimental results of the plant Aconitum kusnezoffii, which belongs to the same genus, the therapeutic and toxic doses are similar. The oral dose is 25-50mg per day, with a maximum dose of 75mg.
Acute poisoning in clinical practice is mainly caused by absorption through the digestive tract. It is often caused by intentional or unintentional increase in drug dosage, accidental ingestion of external use medications, or ingestion of raw herbs.
The severity of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao poisoning is determined by factors such as dosage, duration, and the patient's physical condition. The toxicity is even greater when raw herbs or single herbs are ingested.
III. Contraindications for Taking Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao
People who are allergic to the components of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao should not take it.
Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is highly toxic. When used properly, it can treat diseases, but when used improperly, it can be fatal. There have been cases of poisoning and death due to accidental ingestion or overdose.
In many incidents of liquor poisoning, aconitine drugs have the highest incidence of poisoning and are the "culprits" causing liquor poisoning in recent news.
The main component of Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao is aconitine. Aconitine has analgesic effects on various neuralgia and gout, but due to its high toxicity, it is no longer used clinically. Chinese herbal formulas use mung beans and honeysuckle to detoxify.
Traditional Chinese medicine and folk medicine widely use various types of Aconitum herbs to relieve heat and pain and treat stubborn rheumatism. However, caution must be exercised as Aconitum herbs often contain aconitine. The toxic dose of aconitine (oral) is 0.2 milligrams, and the lethal dose is 2.5 milligrams.
Therefore, I remind everyone that Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao contains highly toxic aconitine, and it must be used under the guidance of a professional doctor!
