bubble_chart Content

Today, Aconite Lateral Root is the processed product of the daughter root of the Aconite Mother Root Aconitum carmichaeli Debx., a plant of the Japanese buttercup herb family; Aconite Mother Root is the dried mother root of the Aconite Mother Root Aconitum carmichaeli Debx., a plant of the Japanese buttercup herb family; Kusnezoff Monkshood Root is the dried tuberous root of the northern Aconite Mother Root Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb., a plant of the Japanese buttercup herb family. Aconite Lateral Root and Aconite Mother Root are mainly produced in Jiangyou, Pingwu, and Mianyang in Sichuan, and Chenggu, Huxian, and Nanzheng in Shaanxi, with Aconite Lateral Root from Jiangyou, Sichuan being of superior quality, and Aconite Mother Root also being authentic when produced in Sichuan. Kusnezoff Monkshood Root is widely distributed in the northeastern and northern provinces of China, mainly wild, with no significant regional authenticity.

Materia medica research suggests that before the Tang Dynasty, the relationship between Aconite Mother Root and related drugs such as Aconite Lateral Root, Aconite Mother Root, and Big Aconite Root was unclear in the literature, with conflicting opinions from various scholars. It was not until the Song Dynasty that the cultivated Aconitum carmichaeli from Pingwu and Jiangyou in Sichuan was officially referred to as "Aconite Mother Root," with its daughter roots processed through special techniques as the only authentic source of Aconite Lateral Root. Meanwhile, "Kusnezoff Monkshood Root" was always referred to as the wild form of Aconitum carmichaeli or a general term for other wild plants of the Aconitum genus. Modern botanical literature has only recently designated Aconitum kusnezoffii as the authentic Kusnezoff Monkshood Root, for reasons that are unclear. Sichuan has always been the authentic production area for Aconite Mother Root and Aconite Lateral Root. As for Kusnezoff Monkshood Root, it is still mainly wild for medicinal use, with a chaotic variety. Given the significant differences in alkaloid content among different varieties of Aconite Mother Root, even from the perspective of medication safety, GAP research on Kusnezoff Monkshood Root should be conducted as soon as possible.

bubble_chart Varietal Examination

In pre-Qin literature, "Jin" might be a general term for a certain type of poisonous plant, with most annotators interpreting it as Aconite Mother Root type plants. In "Guoyu·Jinyu": "Li Ji received blessings, then placed poison in the wine and Jin in the meat," Jia Kui annotated: "Jin, Aconite Mother Root also." In "Erya": "Ji, Jin grass," Guo Pu annotated: "That is Aconite Mother Root, called Jin in Jiangdong." In "Zhuangzi·Xu Wugui": "The medicine is actually Jin," Cheng Xuanying explained: "Jin, Aconite Mother Root also, treats migratory impediment." However, according to Wushi'er Bingfang, Jin, Poison Jin, and Wu Hui appear together, so later annotators suspected that Jin was not Aconite Mother Root, which seems correct. Nevertheless, the "Wu Hui" mentioned in "Bingfang," "Wanwu" from the Western Han Dynasty, and "Jijiu Pian" is undoubtedly a plant of the Aconitum genus in the Japanese buttercup herb family.

The differentiation of Aconite Mother Root type drugs began approximately in the Western Han Dynasty. "Huainanzi·Miaochengxun" states: "Big Aconite Root and Wu Hui are the most poisonous of medicines, but good doctors use them to save lives." By the early Eastern Han Dynasty, "Wuwei Medical Slips" simultaneously mention Aconite Lateral Root, Wu Hui, and Big Aconite Root, and Bencao Jing also lists Aconite Lateral Root, Aconite Mother Root, and Big Aconite Root as three distinct items, mentioning "Aconite Mother Root, also known as Wu Hui." Later, Bielu appended She Wang and Wu Hui under the Aconite Mother Root entry and added a new entry for Ce Zi. The relationships among these Aconite Mother Root type drugs have been variously interpreted through the ages. Here is a brief overview of the views on this issue from the Eastern Han to the Song Dynasty:

The Bencao Jing states that the three substances are born in three different places. It is said, "Aconite Lateral Root is born in the valleys of Jianwei," "Aconite Mother Root is born in the valleys of Langling," and "Big Aconite Root is born in the valleys of Shaoshi." Tao Hong-jing was quite puzzled by this, saying, "Among the common folk, these three are considered to be from the same root, yet the Bencao Jing separates them into three different places of origin, each presumably for a specific reason, but now there is no distinction." In fact, the difference in origin hints at the difference in variety. After the Han Dynasty, the three were considered as one entity, as represented by Xie Lingyun's statement in "Ode to Dwelling in the Mountains": "The three Jian are of different forms but originate from the same source." However, the relationships among the various medicinal substances are viewed differently by different scholars.

1. Wei Zhang Yi advocated distinguishing by the number of years of growth. The "Guangya" states: "Xidu is Aconite Lateral Root. One year is Cezi, two years is Wu Hui, three years is Aconite Lateral Root, four years is Aconite Mother Root, and five years is Big Aconite Root."
2. Jin Zhang Hua believed it was due to different harvesting times. The "Bowuzhi" states: "There are things of the same kind but with different uses. Aconite Mother Root, Big Aconite Root, and Aconite Lateral Root are the same thing, but they differ when harvested in spring, summer, autumn, and winter."
3. Materia medica from the same period also had different explanations. "Wu Pu" describes Aconite Mother Root: "It begins to grow in the first month, with thick leaves, a square and hollow stem, and leaves that are symmetrical on all sides, resembling Artemisia." It describes Wu Hui as "shaped like Aconite Mother Root, with two branches joining together, resembling the beak of Aconite Mother Root, hence the name Wu Hui." Cezi is "the larger angle of Aconite Lateral Root." Aconite Lateral Root has "black skin and white flesh." The "Bielu" states: "Harvested in winter, it is Aconite Lateral Root; harvested in spring, it is Aconite Mother Root." It also says, "Wu Hui longer than three inches is Big Aconite Root."
4. Tao Hongjing's "Collected Commentaries" synthesizes various schools of thought and offers a harmonizing view: "Aconite Lateral Root is best harvested in early August, with eight angles being the best quality." "(Aconite Mother Root) is now harvested in April. Aconite Mother Root and Aconite Lateral Root share the same root. In spring, when the stem first emerges, it has a shape resembling a bird's head, hence the name Aconite Mother Root. If it has two branches sharing a single base, resembling ox horns, it is called Wu Hui, with 'hui' meaning the bird's beak. It is also harvested in August. The juice extracted from the crushed stem is boiled daily to make Shewang, which hunters use to coat arrows for hunting animals. It is also lethal to humans and must be quickly neutralized." "(Big Aconite Root) is now harvested in mid-August. Big Aconite Root resembles Aconite Lateral Root but is thinner and longer, sometimes reaching three to four inches. These three—Aconite Mother Root, Aconite Lateral Root, and Big Aconite Root—all originate from Jianping, hence they are called the 'Three Jians.' The best quality now comes from Hengshan in Yidu, known as Western Jian, while those from the Qiantang area are called Eastern Jian. The latter is weaker in potency and not comparable, hence the saying 'Western ice is still better than Eastern white.' When processed with ash, those with strong icy properties are of poor quality." "(Cezi) refers to the larger angles of Aconite Lateral Root that have been detached. In the past, it was not used, but recently physicians have found it effective in treating beriberi."
5. The "Newly Revised" text disagrees with Tao Hongjing's explanation of the "Three Jians." Su Jing states: "This plant originally comes from Shu Han, and its original name was Jin, which has now been corrupted to Jian, hence the explanation based on Jianping. Additionally, Ditch Crowfoot leaves resemble Jin, hence the name Shui Jin, which is now also called Shui Lang, pronounced as Jian. Does this mean it grows in Jianping? Checking dictionaries, there is no character 'Lang,' and Zhen Liyan's 'Materia Medica Phonetics and Meanings' also discusses this. Big Aconite Root, Aconite Lateral Root, and Cezi are all harvested and processed in August, while Aconite Mother Root is harvested in early April. Now it is said to be harvested in February, which is likely not the correct time." As for the relationship among the Three Jians, the "Newly Revised" text does not offer new insights but corrects the origin of Cezi, stating that Cezi is the smaller form of Aconite Lateral Root, not its lateral root. Su Jing states: "Cezi is simply the smaller form that grows together with Aconite Mother Root, Aconite Lateral Root, and Big Aconite Root. It is not the main root but grows beside Aconite Mother Root. The smaller ones are called Cezi, while the larger ones are Aconite Lateral Root. Now, referring to the angles of Aconite Lateral Root as Cezi is certainly incorrect. Below Dangyang (EX-HN2), in Jiangzuo, Shannan, Songgao, and Qilu regions, Aconite Lateral Root occasionally has angles the size of soybeans. Above Kuizhou, in the Jiannan region, the angles of Aconite Lateral Root are as small as foxtail millet, making it difficult to use. Recently, in the capital, fine Aconite Lateral Root has been used effectively, without using the angles."
6. The "Processing Theory" distinguishes entirely based on the shape of the medicinal material: "(Aconite Lateral Root) When using, one must first carefully identify it to avoid mistakes. There are Aconite Mother Root, Wu Hui, Big Aconite Root, Cezi, and Cochinchina Momordica Seed. Aconite Mother Root has few stems and seedlings, is long and black, with few side tips. Wu Hui has greenish skin, with about eight or nine soybean-sized protrusions, surrounded by a sunken base, black like iron. Big Aconite Root is entirely short with no tips, surrounded by eleven protrusions, with greenish skin, indicating it is Big Aconite Root. Cezi is simply a small Aconite Lateral Root growing beside the main root, the size of a date pit. Cochinchina Momordica Seed refers to the small, adjacent forms among Wu Hui, Fu, Xiong, Wu, and Ce, and is not used in medicine. If ingested, it can cause blindness."
7. Shu Bencao states: "In the past, (侧子) was rarely used, but now it is very effective in treating beriberi. According to Tao, the side root (侧子) is the larger part of the Aconite Lateral Root, which is cut off. Su claims that it is simply the smaller ones that grow together with the Aconite Lateral Root beneath the Aconite Mother Root, with the smaller ones being called side roots (侧子) and the larger ones being called Aconite Lateral Roots. However, there is no evidence for this, and it is only said that the angles of the Aconite Lateral Root are as small as foxtail millet, making it difficult to use, hence this explanation. Now, based on the fact that the edges of the Aconite Lateral Root indeed have angles resembling the pits of Chinese Dates and Areca Seeds, their shape is also distinct and not small. Thus, it is clear that the Aconite Mother Root produces the Aconite Lateral Root, and the Aconite Lateral Root produces the side root (侧子). It seems that the black aconite is the Aconite Mother Root, the forked ones are the black beak, the slender ones up to three or four inches long are the Big Aconite Root, the scattered ones resembling taro are called Aconite Lateral Roots, and the connected ones are called side roots (侧子). These five entities share the same origin but have different names. The plant grows about two feet tall, with leaves resembling Ditch Crowfoot and mugwort, its flowers are purple-red, and its fruits are purple-black. Currently, those from Longzhou and Mianzhou are considered the best."
8. The "Rihuazi" states: "The Big Aconite Root is large, long, with few thorns and hollow, the crow's beak resembles the Big Aconite Root, while the Aconite Lateral Root is large, short, and thorny, stable and solid. The Aconite Mother Root is inferior to the Aconite Lateral Root, and the side roots are smaller than the Aconite Mother Root. Those that grow in clusters are called tiger palms, all of which are descendants of the Big Aconite Root, similar to the relationship between mother and child, with varying strengths, namely the old roots and the tender ones."
9. The "Bencao Tujing," representing the official view of the Song Dynasty, says: "However, all four grades are produced from the same species, originating from Longzhou. The plant grows to about three to four feet tall, with a square stem, leaves like mugwort, purple-blue flowers in spikes, small fruits, and black seeds like mulberry fruit. Initially, only the Aconite Lateral Root is planted, but upon maturity, these four parts are obtained, all processed together after harvest. Those two to three inches long are the Big Aconite Root, the pointed buds cut from the side of the Aconite Lateral Root are the side roots, and the very small Aconite Lateral Roots are also called side roots. The original planted root is the mother, known as the Aconite Mother Root, and the rest, varying in size, are all Aconite Lateral Roots, with the eight-pointed ones being the best."
10. The "Bencao Yanyi" still bases its discussion on medicinal materials: "The Aconite Mother Root, crow's beak, Big Aconite Root, Aconite Lateral Root, and side roots, all five grades are the same thing, named according to their size and shape."
11. The "Bintui Lu" by Zhao Yushi of the Southern Song Dynasty, volume 3, contains Yang Tianhui's "Record of Aconite Lateral Root in Zhangming County," considered an important document for studying the names and realities of Aconite Mother Root and Aconite Lateral Root. It provides more detailed descriptions than the above-mentioned sources: "Its stem resembles wild mugwort but is glossier, its leaves resemble ground hemp but are thicker, its flowers are purple, leaves yellow, with long, round covers... There are seven grades of Aconite Lateral Root, essentially the same but differing in details. The transformed species is the Aconite Mother Root, those growing beside the Aconite Mother Root are the Aconite Lateral Roots, those growing on both sides are the side roots, those growing longer are the Big Aconite Roots, those growing pointed are the Tianzhui, those growing upwards are the side roots, and those growing scattered are the fistula disease blue. All are interconnected like children attached to their mother, with the Aconite Lateral Root being the most valued, hence it alone bears the name, the others do not. Generally, one plant with six or seven seeds yields smaller fruits, one with two or three seeds yields slightly larger fruits, and one with a single seed yields particularly large fruits. The shape of the Aconite Lateral Root is best when squatting with few joints, those with many joints resembling mouse nipples are inferior, and those with irregular shapes, damaged, or wrinkled by wind are the worst. The color of the Aconite Lateral Root is best when white, iron-colored is inferior, and green is the worst. The Big Aconite Root, Aconite Mother Root, and Tianzhui are superior when full and solid enough to grasp, while the fistula disease blue and side roots are given to laborers by gardeners, not worth counting."

The reason for exhaustively listing these annotations is to prove one thing: most authors may not have actually seen the Aconite Mother Root plant, and their descriptions are more speculative, hence the contradictions. However, careful scrutiny of these statements can still yield the following information:

1. Almost all materia medica authors agree that the Aconite Lateral Root and Aconite Mother Root come from the same plant, with the Aconite Mother Root being the main root and the Aconite Lateral Root being the subsidiary root. According to the plant morphology described in the "Shu Bencao," "Bencao Tujing," and the "Record of Aconite Lateral Root in Zhangming County," as well as the planting habits in the main production area of Sichuan, it can be basically confirmed that the "Longzhou Aconite Mother Root" depicted in the "Zhenglei" is Aconitum carmichaeli (Figure 1). Although the "Zhenglei" also depicts Aconite Mother Roots from Zizhou, Shaozhou, Chengzhou, Jinzhou, Jiangning Prefecture, and side roots from Xiazhou, some of which may not even be Aconitum species, as the "Tujing" says: "Those produced inland are different from these and are rarely used now." This means that after the status of Aconitum carmichaeli as the genuine product was established, other confusing varieties gradually faded out, and this variety of Aconite Mother Root, mainly produced in Sichuan, is also known as "Aconite Mother Root." Its subsidiary roots, after special processing, are the only genuine source of Aconite Lateral Root medicinal material.
2. Most authors also agree that the side root (側子) originates from the Aconite Mother Root, but there are two theories regarding which part of the Aconite Mother Root it comes from. Tao Hong-jing and others suggest that it is the lateral roots on the Aconite Lateral Root or the trimmed edges during the processing of the Aconite Lateral Root. Su Jing, Yang Tianhui, and others propose that it is the smaller Aconite Lateral Root or those with a unique shape and position. According to the plant Aconitum carmichaeli, the daughter root is the Aconite Lateral Root. Although the Aconite Lateral Root has several tubercular protrusions, commonly known as "ding bao" (丁包), it primarily grows fibrous roots and rarely lateral roots. Therefore, the side root (側子) in ancient commodities was likely the "ding bao" trimmed during the processing of the Aconite Lateral Root or the smaller Aconite Lateral Roots. Su Song's opinion is quite accurate: "The side root (側子) is the sharp bud corners trimmed from the Aconite Lateral Root, and the very small Aconite Lateral Roots are also called side roots (側子)."
3. Although Big Aconite Root is considered part of the Aconite Mother Root, the common explanation is somewhat peculiar. Tao stated: "Big Aconite Root resembles Aconite Lateral Root, being slender and long, with some reaching up to three or four inches in length." This view is widely accepted in many texts. Not only does the "Zhangming County Aconite Lateral Root Record" echo this by stating, "Those that are attached and long are Big Aconite Root," but even the Comprehensive Dictionary of Chinese Medicine vaguely mentions under the Big Aconite Root entry: "It refers to the long and slender forms of Aconite Lateral Root or Kusnezoff Monkshood Root." In reality, the daughter roots of Aconitum plants are rarely linear. Tao Hong-jing's statement likely stems from a misunderstanding of Bielu's phrase, "A beak longer than three inches is Big Aconite Root." Aconite Mother Root and the beak are two names for the same thing, or it could be said that the beak refers to the bifurcated form of Aconite Mother Root. The original meaning of Big Aconite Root likely refers to the larger forms of Aconite Mother Root (beak). Chen Cheng's Bencao Bieshuo provides the most fitting explanation: "Big Aconite Root refers to the initial planting of Aconite Mother Root, which does not produce Aconite Lateral Root or side roots. It grows alone over the years and becomes large. People in Sichuan avoid growing this, considering it unfavorable." This means that a single, unbranched Aconite Mother Root without Aconite Lateral Root is called Big Aconite Root. Li Shi-zhen shares a similar view, as stated in Gangmu: "Big Aconite Root emerges or transforms from planted Aconite Lateral Root. It is long in shape and does not produce daughter roots, hence it is called Big Aconite Root. The long and pointed ones are called 'heavenly awls,' named for their shape." Additionally, Zhao Yushi, author of "Bin Tui Lu," offers a different perspective on Big Aconite Root: "The 'Ancient Fu Zhi' states: Big Aconite Root and Aconite Lateral Root are similar in kind but differ in species. Aconite Lateral Root is planted near fistula disease baskets, while Big Aconite Root is planted like Cyperus seeds. Planting requires creating a sloped trench, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, with seeds placed within. Its growth is entirely different from Aconite Lateral Root, influenced by both natural properties and human effort. This is something Yang's explanation did not cover. If the record is accurate, then Aconite Lateral Root and Big Aconite Root are not from the same root, and Yang's explanation is flawed." According to Zhao Yushi, this Big Aconite Root is likely similar to Aconitum szechenyianum Gay., whose roots are spindle-shaped and rarely produce daughter roots.

The above analysis also helps us speculate on the reasons why side roots and Big Aconite Root gradually faded from Chinese medicine prescriptions. Side roots are mainly the trimmed edges of Aconite Lateral Root. As the processing techniques for Aconite Lateral Root changed, their source became problematic. As for using smaller Aconite Lateral Roots as side roots, since this product is not mentioned in the Bencao Jing, its use was already limited in later generations. Moreover, it became confused with the later-introduced fistula disease baskets, leading to its elimination. Big Aconite Root originally referred to the single-rooted Aconite Mother Root. Such varieties were rare and significantly affected the yield of Aconite Lateral Root, which is why Bencao Bieshuo specifically states: "People in Sichuan avoid growing this, considering it unfavorable." Later, substitutes like iron hammer roots were used, as seen by Zhao Yushi, possibly due to their excessive toxicity, leading to their elimination. However, since Big Aconite Root is recorded in the Bencao Jing and frequently mentioned in ancient prescriptions, some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners occasionally use it. The medicinal trade has its own solutions. In the 1940 "Medicinal Trade Regulations" of the Xi'an City National Medicine Trade Association, the Big Aconite Root entry states, "Refer to the Aconite Mother Root entry," while the Aconite Mother Root entry makes no mention of Big Aconite Root, implying that prescriptions for Big Aconite Root should be fulfilled with Aconite Mother Root. Additionally, Mr. Xie Zongwan mentions that salt-processed Aconite Lateral Root comes in three grades: first-grade called Da Fu, second-grade called Chao Xiong, and third-grade called Big Aconite Root. Xie finds this puzzling: "Ancient people called Big Aconite Root the long attached root, but currently, Big Aconite Root refers to smaller Aconite Lateral Roots." This might be a tactic by medicinal traders to cater to traditionalist doctors. Modern salt-processed Aconite Lateral Root no longer follows this grading. In fact, the substitution of Aconite Lateral Root for Big Aconite Root is already mentioned in Weiyao Tiaobian: "Recently, thick Aconite Lateral Root is often used to counterfeit Big Aconite Root, which will inevitably fail to achieve the desired effect in severe cases."

Tang Lin Daoren's "Xian Shou Li Shang Xu Duan Fang" is likely the earliest formulary to mention both Aconite Mother Root and Kusnezoff Monkshood Root simultaneously. The name "Kusnezoff Monkshood Root" is derived in contrast to Aconite Mother Root, with "cao" (草) likely meaning wild or uncultivated. It was officially recorded in the Southern Song's "Baoqing Materia Medica Zhezhi." Chen Yan stated: "Kusnezoff Monkshood Root, also known as Kusnezoff Monkshood Root and Tu Aconite Lateral Root, grows in Jiangdong, Zi, Shao, Cheng, and Jinzhou, as well as in Jiangning Prefecture." He further explained: "The 'Rihuazi' once mentioned the name Tu Aconite Lateral Root, and Sun Shaoyuan claimed it to be Kusnezoff Monkshood Root. This species is also found in Sichuan, hence the illustration of Zizhou Kusnezoff Monkshood Root in the text, though its properties and uses were not clearly described." The "Gangmu" also notes: "It is found everywhere, with roots, seedlings, flowers, and fruits similar to Aconite Mother Root, but it is wild and lacks cultivation methods. Its root is black on the outside and white inside, wrinkled, and dry, differing from Aconite Mother Root, yet it is more toxic. Duan Chengshi's 'Youyang Zazu' describes Que Yu as resembling a sparrow's head, drying wet ground and wetting dry ground, causing birds to fall and beasts to stiffen upon contact, likely similar to Kusnezoff Monkshood Root but even more toxic." This indicates that Kusnezoff Monkshood Root can refer to both wild Aconitum carmichaeli and other Aconitum species. The reason why most pharmacopoeias and botanical literature, including the "Pharmacopoeia," designate Aconitum kusnezoffii as the standard for Kusnezoff Monkshood Root remains unclear. However, since medicinal Kusnezoff Monkshood Root is primarily wild, reports suggest that at least 20 Aconitum species are still used as Kusnezoff Monkshood Root. Given the significant variation in alkaloid content among different species, GAP research on Kusnezoff Monkshood Root should be expedited for medicinal safety.

bubble_chart Historical Evolution of Authentic Regions

As mentioned earlier, in the Bencao Jing, Aconite Mother Root, Big Aconite Root, and Aconite Lateral Root are produced in three different regions. The differences in their origins actually signify variations in species. Therefore, it is appropriate to first focus on the origin of Aconite Lateral Root. Sichuan has always been the authentic producing region for Aconite Lateral Root. The "Fan Zi Ji Ran" states: "Aconite Lateral Root comes from Wudu in Shu, and the white ones are the best." The "Bielu" mentions: "Aconite Lateral Root grows in the valleys of Qianwei and Guanghan." The "Wu Pu" also notes: "Some grow in Guanghan." During the Qi and Liang periods, due to the separation between the north and south and inconvenient transportation, Tao Hong-jing lamented: "If Jing and Yi are not connected, then we would have to use Chinese Angelica from Liyang and Sanjian from Qiantang, which are not comparable." Therefore, in the "Ji Zhu," Tao praised the Aconite Lateral Root from Hengshan in Yidu (now Changyang County, Hubei) as the best.

During the Tang Dynasty, with national unification, Sichuan regained its status as the authentic producing region for Aconite Lateral Root. The "Xin Xiu" states: "Big Aconite Root, Aconite Lateral Root, and Aconite Mother Root are all best from Mianzhou and Longzhou in the Shu region. Those from other places, even if produced, are weaker and not comparable. Those from Jiangnan are completely unusable." The "Qianjin Yifang·Yao Chu Zhou Tu Ji" also records Aconite Lateral Root as being produced in these two regions. The "New Book of Tang·Geography" mentions that Mingzhou Yuyue County (Yin County, Zhejiang) and Longzhou Yingling County (Jiangyou, Sichuan) both contributed Aconite Lateral Root as local tribute. However, the Aconite Lateral Root from Zhejiang was likely of the kind that Su Jing described as "completely unusable."

In the Song Dynasty, the origin of Aconite Lateral Root became even more specific. The "Tu Jing" states: "It is widely cultivated in Zhangming County, Mianzhou (Jiangyou, Sichuan), with the best coming from the Chishui area." Chishui is located in the western part of Jiangyou today. Yang Tianhui's "Zhangming County Aconite Lateral Root Record" provides the most detailed account: "Mianzhou was originally part of Guanghan, with eight counties under its jurisdiction, but only Zhangming produces Aconite Lateral Root. Zhangming has twenty townships, but only Chishui, Lianshui, Huichang, and Changming produce Aconite Lateral Root. The total land area of these four townships is over 520 hectares, with five parts being rice fields, three parts foxtail millet fields, and only two parts Aconite Lateral Root fields. The combined production of these four townships yields over 160,000 jin of Aconite Lateral Root, with Chishui producing the most, followed by Lianshui, and Huichang and Changming producing very little." This record is still consistent with the current situation where several townships west of the river in Jiangyou produce Aconite Lateral Root, while those east of the river do not. Although Aconite Lateral Root is also produced in other regions, Jiangyou in Sichuan remains the authentic producing region. Since Aconite Mother Root is the mother root of Aconite Lateral Root, it is also clear that the Sichuan-produced Aconite Mother Root is the authentic one.

The situation with Kusnezoff Monkshood Root is different. Since Aconitum plants are widely distributed across the country, historical records show that Kusnezoff Monkshood Root was produced almost nationwide. The "Baoqing Materia Medica Zhezheng" states: "Kusnezoff Monkshood Root grows in Jiangdong, as well as in Zi, Shao, Cheng, and Jinzhou, and in Jiangning Prefecture." A closer analysis of the origins mentioned by Chen Yan reveals that they are based on the six medicinal illustrations of Aconite Mother Root in the "Zheng Lei." Except for the Aconite Mother Root from Longzhou, which Chen identified as Aconite Mother Root, the other five types from Zi, Shao, Cheng, Jinzhou, and Jiangning Prefecture were classified as Kusnezoff Monkshood Root. As for Chen Yan's statement that Kusnezoff Monkshood Root grows in Jiangdong, this is also true. Southern Song literature records Kusnezoff Monkshood Root being produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang (see "Meng Liang Lu" Volume 18), Taizhou (see "Chi Cheng Zhi" Volume 36), and Huizhou, Anhui ("Xin An Zhi" Volume 2). However, as mentioned in the species section, the current legally recognized species are mainly distributed in the northeastern and northern provinces, and the above records may not necessarily refer to this species, so they should not be taken as proof of authentic regional advantage.