Difference in therapeutic effects between Heishunpian and Baisunpian

Apr 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Black Shunpian is processed by washing Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, soaking it in an aqueous solution of edible bile salt for several days, boiling until it is thoroughly cooked, removing and rinsing it with water, slicing it, then dyeing it into a dark tea color with a coloring solution, steaming until an oily surface and luster appear, and finally drying it. During its processing, some original components of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata are preserved, resulting in relatively stronger medicinal properties and a more pronounced effect in restoring Yang and rescuing from collapse.

Both Heishunpian and Baishunpian have functions of warming yang to dispel cold, restoring yang to rescue from collapse, and supplementing fire to enhance yang. Either can be selected for treating conditions such as kidney-yang deficiency, spleen-kidney yang deficiency, and insufficient heart yang. Heishunpian usually demonstrates a stronger effect in restoring yang and rescuing from collapse.

Heishunpian is prepared by washing the aconite roots, soaking them in an edible胆巴 water solution for several days, boiling until thoroughly cooked, removing and rinsing them in water, slicing, then dyeing with a coloring solution to a dark tea color, steaming until showing oily surface and luster, and finally drying. During its processing, some original components of the aconite are preserved, resulting in relatively stronger medicinal properties. It is especially effective in restoring yang and rescuing from collapse and is commonly used to treat syndromes of loss of yang, effectively and rapidly saving critical conditions caused by depletion of yang qi.

Baishunpian, on the other hand, is made by removing the outer skin of the aconite roots, longitudinally slicing them into thin pieces, soaking and漂ing in water, steaming thoroughly, and then sun-drying. It undergoes a more refined processing method, resulting in a whiter color and a relatively milder medicinal property. Baishunpian is more widely used in supplementing fire to enhance yang, especially suitable for symptoms caused by kidney-yang deficiency and衰of the vital gate fire, such as aversion to cold with cold limbs, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees. It is also commonly used to treat various deficiency cold syndromes caused by yang deficiency, gently replenishing yang qi and improving yang deficiency symptoms.

In actual usage, it is recommended to use under the guidance of a TCM practitioner to ensure safe and effective medication. Additionally, aconite-containing medicines have certain toxicity; therefore, dosage must be strictly controlled during use to avoid overdose-induced toxic reactions.

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Black顺pian (Black顺pian) may cause a cooling effect when taken.

Some individuals have a naturally cold constitution and absorb the warming properties of Heishunpian (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) more slowly. After administration, the internal cold may not be effectively dispelled in a timely manner, and feelings of coldness may persist. It is recommended to consume warming foods such as ginger and longan together with Heishunpian, keep warm, add more clothing, and avoid staying in cold environments. Insufficient dosage of Heishunpian may fail to exert adequate warming and cold-dispersing effects, thus failing to improve the internal deficiency-cold condition.