Is it necessary to remove the skin when using black顺片 (Black Shun Pian) in medicinal preparations?

Generally, the black prepared aconite root (Hei Shun Pian) does not need to be peeled before use. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Black prepared aconite root is a processed product of aconite root (Fu Zi), which is the processed subroot of the plant Aconitum carmichaelii (family Ranunculaceae). Black prepared aconite root is made by selecting mud-coated aconite roots of uniform size, washing them, soaking them in an edible brine solution for several days, boiling them (together with the soaking solution) until fully cooked, and then removing and rinsing them in water through a series of processing steps. During this process, the outer skin of the aconite root is not removed, so the black prepared aconite root retains its skin.

However, if there are obvious signs of dirt, mold, or insect damage on the skin of the black prepared aconite root, the skin should be removed before use to ensure the hygiene, safety, and efficacy of the herb. When using, the dosage and method should be determined according to the specific condition and the advice of a physician. Additionally, since both aconite root and its processed products contain certain toxic components, improper use may cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and palpitations. Therefore, they should be used only under the guidance of a qualified physician.

When handling and using traditional Chinese medicine, personal hygiene should also be maintained to avoid cross-contamination and ensure safe medication use.