Ming dynasty surgeons used wolfsbane toxin as anaesthetic

Recent archaeological research has uncovered direct evidence of sophisticated anaesthetic use in 14th-century China. Scientists detected aconitine—a potent diterpenoid alkaloid derived from the Aconitum plant family (wolfsbane or monkshood)—on ten surgical tools excavated from the tomb of Xia Quan, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine surgeon of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). This discovery bridges a longstanding gap between historical records and physical proof, confirming that ancient Chinese surgeons developed effective topical anaesthetics centuries before the modern invention of anaesthesia in 1846.

Study author Zhao Congcang from Northwest University in Xi'an explained the mechanism: aconitine activates sodium ion channels in nerve cell membranes, producing initial nerve excitation followed by sustained inhibition. This temporary blockage of nerve signals allowed surgeons to perform procedures with reduced pain. The find not only validates classical medical texts describing Xia Quan's methods but also highlights the advanced pharmacological knowledge of Ming-era practitioners, who harnessed a highly toxic plant’s nerve-blocking properties for surgical benefit. The discovery reshapes our understanding of pre-modern surgical practice and pain management in East Asia.