Bai Hua She (白花蛇) is the pit viper, recorded as Agkistrodon. It is sweet and salty in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver channel alone. The catalogue files it among the substances that dispel Wind-Damp.

Pinyin

bai hua she

Chinese

白花蛇

Latin Name

Agkistrodon

English Name

Agkistrodon

Japanese

kinda

Korean

kisa

Actions and indications

Strongly unblocks the channels and collaterals and extinguishes Wind

Chronic, stubborn Wind-Damp with numb, weak limbs and cramping of the sinews
Painful Bi of long standing with numbness, joint pain in one fixed place and restricted movement

Dispels Wind from the skin

Skin disease, numb skin, and rashes of any kind
Itching, hives and tinea
Chronic sores that will not heal

Extinguishes Wind, stops spasms and settles convulsions

Spasms, tremors, convulsions or seizures of any kind, driven by internal Wind
Tetanus
After-effects of Wind-stroke: hemiplegia or paralysis, facial deviation, and loss of speech

Combinations

qiang huo + fang feng + qin jiao

Chronic Wind-Damp Bi with joint pain, stiffness and weakness, and severe spasms, pain or numbness

dang gui + zhi he shou wu + bai shao

Chronic rashes

quan xie + jing jie + dang gui

Wind-Stroke with facial paralysis or hemiplegia, taken as a medicinal wine

wu shao she + wu gong

Muscular tetany

tian ma + jing jie + bo he

Wind-Damp Bi syndrome

quan xie + tian ma + dang gui

Muscle paralysis, hemiplegia and other sequelae of stroke

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any Decoction: 3-10g; Pills or Powders: 1-5g; Tincture and Medicated Wine: 0.25-2ml

3-10 g

—

Cautions

caution Classed as toxic: a strongly moving animal medicine for use only under a qualified practitioner, never for self-care

caution Yin deficiency, which a warm, drying, dispersing medicine can aggravate

caution Dryness of the Blood

caution Internal Wind generated by deficient Blood

caution Heat patterns in general, given its warm nature

contraindication Wind-stroke

pregnancy Conventionally avoided in pregnancy, as a toxic, strongly moving animal medicine; consult a qualified practitioner

caution Made from an entire dried snake, so unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans; tell patients who ask where ingredients come from, including when a patent formula lists it by its Latin name

caution Adulteration is documented and several snake species are traded under this name, so a label alone does not confirm what a batch is

caution Trade in medicinal snakes is regulated under CITES and legality varies by country and species; check local rules before importing or dispensing

bai hua she

About bai hua she

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Strongly unblocks the channels and collaterals and extinguishes Wind

Dispels Wind from the skin

Extinguishes Wind, stops spasms and settles convulsions

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions