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Photo of Prepared Chuan Wu

Prepared Chuan Wu

制川乌 · Zhì Chuān Wū

Practitioner herb for severe arthritic pain

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalPungent, Bitter

What it does

Prepared Chuan Wu treats severe rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis with cold-pattern pain. In TCM, it dispels wind-damp lodged deep in joints and channels. Long boiling with vinegar reduces the highly toxic aconitine content but retains most of the analgesic effect. Often paired with prepared kusnezoff monkshood.

How to take it

Capsule

Used only in practitioner formulas at 3–9g of vinegar-processed root, decocted with other herbs for at least 1–2 hours. Never use raw form. Strictly short-term.

Avoid self-use. Practitioner-only with strict dose control

Safety

  • Toxic even after processing. Practitioner-only with strict dosing
  • Strictly avoid during pregnancy
  • Cardiac toxicity possible at standard doses; never exceed 9g
  • Skip with heart disease or arrhythmia history
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Common monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii) yields three distinct TCM herbs from one plant: the raw mother root (Chuān Wū), the processed mother root (Zhì Chuān Wū) covered here, and the daughter root (Fù Zǐ, separate entry). Processing involves prolonged boiling with vinegar to reduce aconitine. Even after processing, this is one of TCM's most controlled herbs.