The Chinese medicinal herb "Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao" (Artemisia argyi) has high medicinal value, with its main component being aconitine. Overdose can be highly toxic, so excessive consumption is not recommended. However, it has good effect in treating external injuries. Let's now take a look at the toxicity of "Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao".
【Preparation Method】
1. Soak "Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao" in cold water, changing the water 2-3 times a day, until there is no longer a spicy taste. Take it out and cook it with licorice and black beans until the center is no longer white. Then remove it and dry it.
2. Soak it in clean water for 7 days, changing the water twice a day. When the center becomes soft, slice it and steam it in a steamer for 2-3 hours. Take it out and dry it.
Then stir-fry it with hot lard until fully cooked, or wrap it with wet paper and heat it by the charcoal fire. Remove the paper, soak it in child's urine for a day and night, then take it out, rinse it and dry it.
【Toxicity Analysis】
"Xue Shan Yi Zhi Hao" is highly toxic, and the toxic reactions appear within 0.5-3 hours after administration. Main symptoms include: mild drowsiness, burning sensation in the mouth, increased secretion; severe numbness, weakness, coldness, swelling, discomfort in the throat, nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, dizziness, palpitations, restlessness, abdominal pain, and urge to defecate; severe cases can lead to fainting, cold limbs, irregular heart rhythm, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, seizures, and coma. The electrocardiogram may show frequent premature contractions. Severe cases can result in death due to circulatory and respiratory failure.
【Emergency Treatment for Poisoning】
1. Induce vomiting.
2. Wash the stomach with a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution.
3. Oral administration of 50mL of 50% sodium sulfate as a laxative.
4. For severe cases with severe vomiting and diarrhea, after gastric lavage, there is no need to use a laxative. Administer 10g of magnesium oxide, 10g of tannic acid, and 20g of medicinal charcoal mixed with warm water as a paste for oral administration. If there is no bowel movement, a 2% saline enema can be used for high-level irrigation and laxative.
5. Use a high dose of atropine to counteract the stimulation of the vagus nerve. The specific dosage depends on the degree of poisoning. For mild cases, administer subcutaneously or intramuscularly; for severe cases, administer intravenously. The general dosage is 0.5-1mg every 2-4 hours. The dosage can be increased and the administration interval can be shortened for severe poisoning.
6. Administer 5% or 10% glucose solution to promote the excretion of toxins.
7. If there are symptoms such as shock, arrhythmia, convulsions, or metabolic acidosis, provide symptomatic treatment.
8. For some severe cases, blood purification therapy can be performed to completely remove toxins from the body.
9. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used for patients in the recovery period.
