Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

Wind-Damp-Dispelling and Pain-Alleviating Herbs

Wu Tou (Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root)

Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root 草乌 Cao Wu Radix Aconiti Agrestis
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
Wu Tou (Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root)
Wu Tou (Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root)
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Cao Wu

Name

Cao Wu (Radix aconiti agrestis)

The Effect of Cao Wu

Property

Pungent, bitter, hot; toxic; heart, liver, kidney and spleen meridians entered.

Actions

Dispel wind-damp, warm meridians and alleviate pain.

Indications

Arthralgia syndrome due to wind, cold, and dampness; pain of joints; cold pain of epigastrium and abdomen; pain of hernia due to cold; traumatic injury; pain of tendons and bones.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 1.5~3 g. Boil it first in water for a long time.

Cautions

The raw products should be used cautiously. It is antagonistic to Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian and Bai Ji.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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