Gou Teng Yin
Star钩藤饮 (Uncaria Decoction)
Source: Yi Zong Jin Jian — Wu Qian (1742)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gou Teng Yin (Uncaria Decoction), from the Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition) by Wu Qian — a variation of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang.
Actions: Clears heat; Extinguishes wind; Tonifies qi; Relieves muscle spasms.
Presentation: Infantile convulsions with upturned eyes, lockjaw, muscle spasms and convulsions, high fever, and other qi deficiency symptoms.
Composition: Ling Yang Jiao is from an endangered animal; generally removed or substituted today.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 995.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gou Teng
as printed: Gou Teng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis) 9g
|
9g | 43.48% | — | |
|
Ling Yang Jiao
chong fu (taken drenched) in powder; as printed: Ling Yang Jiao (Cornu Saigae Tataricae) 0.3g
|
0.3g | 1.45% | — | |
|
Quan Xie
remove toxins; as printed: Quan Xie (Scorpio) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 4.35% | — | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 3g
|
3g | 14.49% | — | |
|
Tian Ma
as printed: Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) 6g
|
6g | 28.99% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 7.25% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly cool (-0.32)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 1%, cool 44%, neutral 41%, warm 14%.
Small but decisive: Ling Yang Jiao 0.3g (cold, 1% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 2%
- sweet 87%
- bitter 7%
- salty 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 78%
- Pericardium 44%
- Heart 23%
- Lung 22%
- Spleen 22%
- Kidney 14%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Prepare as a decoction.
Relationships
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Formula Network
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Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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