This product is the dried whole body of the pit viper species Agkistrodon acutus (Guenther) with the internal organs removed. It is primarily produced in Hubei, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and other regions. Captured in summer and autumn, the abdomen is cut open, the internal organs are removed, and it is dried. It is then moistened with yellow wine to remove the skin and bones, cut into sections, and used.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet and salty, warm, toxic . Act on liver meridian.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Expelling wind and dredging collaterals, calming convulsions and relieving spasms.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for wind-dampness obstinate impediment, limb numbness, tendon and vessel spasm, and apoplexy with facial distortion, hemiplegia, etc. Its dispelling wind power is strong, and it is also good at dredging meridians and activating collaterals. It is often used in combination with Saposhnikovia Root, Pubescent Angelica, Gastrodia Tuber, etc., such as the little multibanded krait wine in "Pinhu Collection of Simple Formulas".
2. Used for leprosy pestilent qi toxin, hand and foot numbness, skin pain and itching, etc. It dispels wind and stops itching, and also predominates over toxin with toxin. It is often used with Black-Tail Snake, Realgar, raw Rhubarb Rhizoma, etc., such as in the Wind-Dispelling Powder.
3. Used for acute and chronic infantile convulsion, tetanus. This product can calm fright and stop convulsions. It is often ground into powder with Black-Tail Snake and centipede, then decocted with wine and taken, which is the Shengji Zonglu Life-Saving Powder.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Leigong Paozhi Lun：「Treats wind.」
2. Bencao Gangmu：「Can penetrate the bones and search for wind, stop convulsions and calm spasms, making it an essential medicine for migratory impediment, convulsions, leprosy, and malignant sores. It is taken internally to reach the zang-fu organs and externally to penetrate the skin, reaching everywhere. When taking snake wine medicine, it is crucial to avoid exposure to wind.」
3. Kaibao Bencao：「Mainly treats apoplexy, fixed arthralgia, numbness, muscle and tendon tension, facial distortion, hemiplegia, joint pain, weak legs unable to stand for long, sudden pruritus due to wind (cutaneous pruritus), and severe scabies and tinea.」

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 5-15g; or take 1-1.5g in powder form each time.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

The Long-Nosed Pit Viper contains proteins, fats, and saponins. Extracts from this species have sedative and analgesic effects, and can directly dilate blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

bubble_chart Supplementary Medicinals

The Coin-Like White-Banded Snake is the juvenile form of the Banded Krait (Bungarus multicinctus Blyth) from the Elapidae family. Its properties, meridian tropism, efficacy, and applications are similar to those of the Long-Nosed Pit Viper but with stronger potency, though the dosage is slightly lighter. It is often ground into powder and taken, with a dosage of 0.5g each time. It can also be soaked in alcohol for consumption.