Prepared Cao Wu Root … Safety & Interactions
Zhi Cao Wu · Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Praeparata
Contraindicated / High risk. Use only under practitioner supervision.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Heat syndromes, Yin deficiency with heat, or true fluid depletion without cold
- Known ventricular arrhythmia or unstable severe cardiac disease
- Concurrent use with Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Tian Hua Fen, Bai Ji, Bai Lian, or Bei Mu species
Cautions
- Processing reduces but does not neutralize the cardiotoxic and neurotoxic risk of Cao Wu.
- Aconite poisoning can present with mouth numbness, tingling, nausea, vomiting, weakness, hypotension, and life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Zhi Cao Wu remains an expert-use medicinal rather than a self-care pain herb.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin ... additive arrhythmogenic risk | |||
| Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs ... unpredictable electrophysiologic interaction | |||
| QT-prolonging medications ... additive risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.