Yi Zhi Hao from Snow Mountain originates from Yunnan and is a widely used and promoted medicine for treating injuries and pain in Sichuan. It has remarkable effects for various internal injuries and pain, whether taken orally or applied externally. However, it is highly toxic and can cause poisoning and even death if taken mistakenly or in excessive amounts.
[Case of Poisoning from Yi Zhi Hao]
Mr. Liang, a 40-year-old male, was an employee of the aquaculture team in Xihu Farm. He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and sought treatment from a herbal doctor on the afternoon of April 8th. The doctor gave him 50ml of Yi Zhi Hao medicine wine, which is equivalent to about 2 grams of the herb. He was instructed to take it in 6 to 9 doses and not to take more than the prescribed amount. If he experienced dizziness, numbness of the tongue, or a burning sensation in the throat, he should stop taking the medicine. As the patient was eager to cure his illness, he took the entire dose at around 7 pm before dinner. After taking the medicine, he felt a blockage sensation in his throat and had continuous dry retching. About 15 minutes later, he had a seizure. He was immediately transported to the hospital by car and arrived at the clinic at 7:54 pm, showing dilated pupils and no heartbeat or breathing.
[Symptoms of Poisoning from Yi Zhi Hao]
This medicine is highly toxic, and the toxic reaction occurs within 0.5 to 3 hours after administration. The main symptoms include mild drowsiness, a burning sensation in the mouth, increased secretion of fluids; severe numbness and weakness of the whole body, coldness, swelling, discomfort in the throat, nausea, excessive salivation, dizziness, palpitations, restlessness, abdominal pain with a sense of urgency to defecate; in severe cases, fainting, cold limbs, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, seizures, and coma may occur. The electrocardiogram may show frequent premature contractions. Severe cases can result in death due to circulatory and respiratory failure.
There have been previous cases of death from poisoning within 2 hours of taking the medicine, so it should be used with caution. The rescue methods include using atropine, procainamide, and quinidine, which are considered effective antagonists according to general clinical experience. Timely use of these drugs can be effective. In addition, folk remedies such as bamboo shoots, bamboo roots, bamboo leaves, coriander, windproof, tea leaves, and licorice can be used as antidotes. Select 2 to 3 types, each weighing about 5 grams, boil them in water and take orally. Alternatively, choose one of lard, brown sugar, or honey to cook porridge and consume it in moderation.
[Introduction to Yi Zhi Hao]
It is mainly distributed in the northeast and northwest of Yunnan, such as Dongchuan, Huize, Xuanwei, Zhaotong, Qiaojia, Ninglang, Yongsheng, Dali, Lijiang, and Zhongdian counties. It grows wild in high mountain grasslands, rocky slopes, or sparse forests at an altitude of 3100 to 4300 meters. It is also cultivated at altitudes of 250 to 3000 meters. There is a small distribution in the southwest of Sichuan, western Gansu, and the Qilian Mountains in eastern Qinghai.
The alkaloids in Yi Zhi Hao, such as A, B, C, and D, have analgesic effects. The total alkaloids of Fumaria officinalis have a stronger analgesic effect, and 3-acetylneoline is a non-addictive analgesic that has a significant inhibitory effect on inflammatory swelling, exudation, and granulation tissue growth.
The total alkaloids of Fumaria officinalis have a strong local anesthetic effect. Yi Zhi Hao has a similar effect to digitalis on frog hearts, and the resulting cardiac dysfunction can be antagonized by atropine. The alkaloids A and B in Yi Zhi Hao have a similar effect to aconitine on the heart. Xuanwei aconitum has an anti-tumor effect, and the alkaloids of Aconitum carmichaeli and Aconitum kusnezoffii have anti-fertility activity. Iron bar can cause arrhythmia and hypotension.
