An attentive reader had asked me for explanations on 病毒 bìng dú, virus. I had written several articles on 病 and the key to the disease. In order to celebrate the brilliant results of the management of the virus by western governments, I am coming to 毒 today.
毒 dú, poisonous, poisonous, poisonous, nasty, drug
Let’s look at the first spellings:
毒 dú, poison, etymology of the Chinese character 1. 
The upper part represents 
the herbs that grow, the lower part 母, which retains its old meaning, does not…not. A poison is a herb that must be refused. 2. 
Another explanation:
Cut poisonous 
herbs from which one makes a poison in 
a jar (L’idiot chinois, T.2, Ryjik, 64).
Related articles :
Idea for remembering the word disease, 病
Further explanation on 病, illness
26 September 2020