Bai Hua She (Qi She) - 白化蛇 - Agkistradon/Bungarus

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Agkistrodon/Bungarus
Common English:	Agkistrodon / Multibanded krati Bungarus Multi-banded Krait White-patterned Snake

Category

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Sweet Salty	Warm Toxic	Liver (Spleen)	Decoction: 3-10g Pills or Powders: 1-5g Tincture and Medicated Wine: 0.25-2ml 3-9g (decoction); 1-1.5g (powder) (Secondary source)

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
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, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Rz. seu Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae Qin Jiao	Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Rx. Polygoni Multiflori Preparata Zhi He Shou Wu Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao	Scorpio Quan Xie Hb. Schizonepetae Jing Jie Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui
Joint pain, weakness and stiffness due to Wind-Dampness Chronic Bi syndrome with severe spasms, pain or numbness	Chronic rashes	As a medicinal liquor for facial paralysis or hemiplegia due to Wind-Stroke
Zaocys Wu Shao She Scolopendra Wu Gong	Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma Hb. Schizonepetae Jing Jie Hb. Menthae Bo He	Scorpio Quan Xie Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui
Muscular tetany	Bi syndrome due to Wind and Dampness	Post-stroke complications such as muscle paralysis and hemiplegia

Notes

1. It is highly effective at expelling Wind that has built up at the Blood level.
2. It is said to penetrate into the bone tissue to expel Wind and relieve convulsions.
3. Because it travels everywhere, both inwardly and outwardly, it is essential in treating Wind arthralgia, convulsions, scabies and malignant scabies.
4. While the nose of most snakes grows downward, the nose of this snake grows upward.
5. Because the two are very similar, Agkistrodon Qi She is sometimes substituted for Bai Hua She.
6. Research has shown it to have an antagonistic effect on cancer cells.
7. It is also reported to lower blood pressure.
8. Its uses include apoplexy, arthritis, convulsion after apoplexy, infantile convulsion, itching from scabies, tinea infections and urticaria, leprosy, muscular spasms, numbness of the extremities, scrofula, severe skin infections, tetanus and wandering arthralgia.
9. Bai Hua She and Zaocys Wu Shao She both dispel Wind, unblock the collaterals, settle jitteriness and stop convulsions, and they are commonly combined for Wind-Damp Bi, itchy skin and convulsions. Wu Shao She is non-toxic and somewhat milder and more harmonious in its effects. It governs Wind in the Kidneys, whereas Bai Hua She governs Wind in the Lungs.
10. Bungarus Bai Hua She resembles Agkistrodon but is stronger. Some regard it as more potent for Wind disorders with itching.
11. This substance is also reported to strengthen the sinews and bones.
12. Processed Bungarus Zhi Bai Hua She has a less unpleasant smell and is stronger. It is also safer to use clinically and gives better results.
13. Qi She (蘄蛇) refers to Agkistrodon and Jin Qian Bai Hua She (金錢白花蛇) refers to Bungarus; the traditional white-patterned snake is most likely one of these two.