Natural Herb Library

Wu Tou Aconite Root

Chinese
乌头
Pinyin
Wu Tou
Latin
Radix Aconiti
Botanical illustration of Root of Common Monkshood, Aconitum carmichaelii, showing raw Wu Tou mother-root material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Wu Tou (乌头), this acrid and bitter, hot herb enters the Kidney, Liver, and Spleen. Traditionally, it dispels wind, scatters cold, and relieves excruciating pain ... Wu Tou is the classical aconite-root lane for severe cold-damp painful obstruction, numbness, and fixed stabbing pain that improves with heat, most often applied for joint pain, rheumatism, and low back pain. Modern research has identified Aconitine, among its active constituents.

Part used: Root

Also Known As

Raw Aconite Root Classical Wu Tou Root Aconitum carmichaelii Root

Latin: Radix Aconiti | Pinyin: Wu Tou | Chinese: 乌头

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid, bitter
Temperature
hot
Channels
Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Dispels wind, scatters cold, and relieves excruciating pain ... Wu Tou is the classical aconite-root lane for severe cold-damp painful obstruction, numbness, and fixed stabbing pain that improves with heat.
  • Warms the channels and breaks through deep cold stagnation ... it appears when obstruction is profound enough that ordinary warming herbs are considered too weak.
  • Anchors the classical aconite pain tradition ... Wu Tou often functions as the formula-name or umbrella lane in older texts where raw aconite-root force is being emphasized.

Secondary Actions

  • This page overlaps strongly with the Chuan Wu sibling because both are on the raw Aconitum carmichaelii mother-root lane, but `Wu Tou` preserves the older classical naming track rather than a separate safe herb identity.
  • It must stay clearly separate from processed aconite products and from Fu Zi ... the danger profile of raw Wu Tou is far higher.

Classic Formulas

  • Wu Tou Tang ... the eponymous classical formula for severe cold-damp painful obstruction, showing why this naming lane matters historically.
  • Severe cold-pain formulas where aconite-root force is used to break through fixed obstruction and numbness.
  • Regional trauma and arthralgia patterns in which the older Wu Tou naming tradition was preserved.

Classical References

  • Classical texts often preserve `Wu Tou` as a formula or materia-medica naming lane for raw aconite-root action, especially in cold painful obstruction.
  • The therapeutic idea is essentially the same as raw Chuan Wu ... intense warming, strong pain relief, and high toxicity.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine ... the highly toxic raw-root alkaloids that define aconite risk
  • Other diterpenoid alkaloid fractions and non-alkaloid root constituents discussed across Aconitum carmichaelii reviews
  • Processing-derived transformation products that are relevant mainly as a reminder of what raw Wu Tou has not yet undergone

Studied Effects

  • A 2025 review summarized the active compounds, pharmacology, toxicity, detoxification, and applications of Aconitum carmichaelii, providing the broadest modern context for understanding raw Wu Tou as a high-risk aconite-root lane (PMID 39306209).
  • A 2022 systematic review covered traditional use and root chemistry in Aconitum carmichaelii, helping frame Wu Tou as part of the broader raw-root evidence base rather than as an isolated folkloric name (PMID 35240238).
  • A 2017 review of toxicity-reduction methods in Aconitum roots explains why raw Wu Tou is historically important yet clinically dangerous without proper processing (PMID 28666834).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Heat syndromes, yin deficiency with heat, or true fluid depletion without cold
  • Internal use of raw or inadequately processed aconite without expert supervision
  • Known ventricular arrhythmia or unstable severe cardiac disease

Cautions

  • Wu Tou is a classical high-toxicity aconite-root lane, not a separate gentler cousin of Chuan Wu.
  • Improper dosing or under-processing can cause oral numbness, gastrointestinal distress, neurologic symptoms, hypotension, and fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Historical formula importance should never be mistaken for modern self-treatment safety.

Drug Interactions

  • Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin ... additive arrhythmogenic risk
  • Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs ... unpredictable electrophysiologic interaction
  • Beta-blockers or other rate-slowing agents ... may worsen bradycardia or mask early toxicity
  • QT-prolonging medications ... additive risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wu Tou Aconite Root used for?

Wu Tou Aconite Root is traditionally used to Dispels wind, scatters cold, and relieves excruciating pain ... Wu Tou is the classical aconite-root lane for severe cold-damp painful obstruction, numbness, and fixed stabbing pain that improves with heat., Warms the channels and breaks through deep cold stagnation ... it appears when obstruction is profound enough that ordinary warming herbs are considered too weak., Anchors the classical aconite pain tradition ... Wu Tou often functions as the formula-name or umbrella lane in older texts where raw aconite-root force is being emphasized.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2025 review summarized the active compounds, pharmacology, toxicity, detoxification, and applications of Aconitum carmichaelii, providing the broadest modern context for understanding raw Wu Tou as a high-risk aconite-root lane (PMID 39306209).; A 2022 systematic review covered traditional use and root chemistry in Aconitum carmichaelii, helping frame Wu Tou as part of the broader raw-root evidence base rather than as an isolated folkloric name (PMID 35240238)..

What are other names for Wu Tou Aconite Root?

Wu Tou Aconite Root is also known as Raw Aconite Root, Classical Wu Tou Root, Aconitum carmichaelii Root. In TCM: 乌头 (Wu Tou); Radix Aconiti.

Is Wu Tou Aconite Root safe during pregnancy?

Wu Tou Aconite Root is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Wu Tou Aconite Root?

Wu Tou Aconite Root should not be used in: Pregnancy; Heat syndromes, yin deficiency with heat, or true fluid depletion without cold; Internal use of raw or inadequately processed aconite without expert supervision; Known ventricular arrhythmia or unstable severe cardiac disease. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Wu Tou Aconite Root interact with any medications?

Wu Tou Aconite Root may interact with: Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin ... additive arrhythmogenic risk; Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs ... unpredictable electrophysiologic interaction; Beta-blockers or other rate-slowing agents ... may worsen bradycardia or mask early toxicity; QT-prolonging medications ... additive risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.