Aconite Root Decoction

金匱要略

-- For Jie-jie disease with inability to flex and extend and pain, Wu Tou Tang (Aconite Decoction) governs. (Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet)) -- Wu Tou Tang treats jiao qi (leg qi) pain with inability to flex and extend. (Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet)) -- Wai Tai's Wu Tou Tang treats cold hernia, twisting pain in the abdomen, noxious wind invading and attacking the five zang organs, contracture and tension with inability to turn from side to side, attacks at fixed times, causing genital retraction, and cold reversal of the hands and feet. (Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet))

Mahuang (Ephedra), Shaoyao (Peony), Huangqi (Astragalus), each three liang; Gancao (Licorice) three liang (roasted); Chuanwu (Sichuan Aconite) five pieces (chopped into pieces, decocted with two sheng of honey to obtain one sheng, then remove the aconite). For the above five ingredients, chop the four ingredients into pieces, boil with three sheng of water, reduce to one sheng, remove dregs, add into the honey decoction, decoct further, and take seven ge. If no reaction is felt, take the entire amount.

Finely cut the above. First, use six spoonfuls of honey to decoct Chuanwu until three spoonfuls remain; remove dregs. Separately, use one ge and eight spoonfuls of water to decoct the remaining medicinals until six spoonfuls remain; remove dregs. Add into the honey decoction, decoct further until six spoonfuls remain, and take it in one dose.

湯劑

Warms the meridians and dispels dampness, disperses cold and stops pain.

Cold-dampness retained in the joints, with severe joint pain and inability to flex and extend.

Prescriptions containing Mahuang should not be taken after 8 p.m.; otherwise, it may easily cause insomnia. If insomnia still occurs after doing so, switch to taking it after breakfast and lunch.