Bai Hua She (Qi She)白化蛇
Agkistrodon/BungarusAgkistrodon
- Toxic
Also known asMulti-banded Krait · White-patterned Snake · Bungarus
- Category
- Herbs that dispel Wind-Dampness
- Nature
- warm
- Taste
- sweet, salty
- Channels entered
- Liver
- Secondary channels
- Spleen
- Dosage
- 3–10 g
Usual doses
- Decoction
- 3–10 g
- Pills or Powders
- 1–5 g
- Tincture and Medicated Wine
- 0.25–2 ml
Actions & indications
- Powerfully unblocks the channels and extinguishes Wind
- Chronic Wind-Dampness with numbness and weakness of the limbs and cramping of the sinews
- This herb is generally used for stubborn cases
- Dispels Wind from the skin
- Dermatosis, numbness of the skin or any kind of rash
- Dispels Wind from the sinews and settles jitteriness and convulsions
- Any kind of spasms, tremors or seizures.
- Facial paralysis, aphasia and hemiplegia due to Wind-Stroke
Contraindications
- Exercise caution in Yin Deficiency.
- Exercise caution in Dry Blood.
- Exercise caution when Wind arises from Blood Deficiency.
- Contraindicated in Windstroke.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with iron.
Interactions
Caution is warranted in patients on anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and enoxaparin (Lovenox), or antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix), since combined use may produce an additive or synergistic effect.
Combinations
Joint pain, weakness, and stiffness from chronic Wind-Damp Bi syndrome with pronounced spasm, pain, or numbness.
- Dang Gui
- Zhi He Shou Wu
- Bai Shao
Long-standing rashes.
Made into a medicinal liquor for facial paralysis or hemiplegia caused by Wind-Stroke.
Muscle tetany.
Bi syndrome caused by Wind and Dampness.
Post-stroke sequelae such as muscle paralysis and hemiplegia.
Notes
- It excels at dispelling Wind that has settled at the Blood level.
- It is said to reach into the bone tissue itself to expel Wind and relieve convulsions.
- Because it moves throughout the body, both internally and externally, it is considered indispensable for Wind arthralgia, convulsions, and both ordinary and malignant scabies.
- Unlike most snakes, whose nose points downward, this species' nose points upward.
- Agkistrodon Qi She, being very similar, is sometimes substituted for Bai Hua She.
- Studies have shown it acts against cancer cells.
- It is also credited with lowering blood pressure.
- Indications include apoplexy, arthritis, post-apoplexy convulsion, infantile convulsion, scabies-induced itching, tinea and urticaria, leprosy, muscle spasm, numbness of the extremities, scrofula, severe skin infection, tetanus, and migratory arthralgia.
- Bai Hua She and Zaocys Wu Shao She both dispel Wind, open the collaterals, calm restlessness, and stop convulsions, and are frequently paired for Wind-Damp Bi, itchy skin, and convulsions. Wu Shao She is non-toxic with somewhat gentler, more balanced effects, and governs Wind in the Kidneys, whereas Bai Hua She governs Wind in the Lungs.
- Bungarus Bai Hua She resembles Agkistrodon but acts more strongly; some regard it as more potent for Wind disorders accompanied by itching.
- It is also said to strengthen the sinews and bones.
- Processed Bungarus Zhi Bai Hua She has a less offensive odor, greater strength, and is considered safer and more effective clinically.