Gou Teng
StarUncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil.
☯ TCM Properties
Extinguishes Wind and Stops Spasms; Courses the Liver and Drains Heat; Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gou Teng (gambir vine stem and thorns) is a cool herb that calms Liver Yang and clears Liver Heat, making it important for headache, dizziness, irritability, and hypertension from Liver Yang rising. It is one of the most important herbs for internally generated Wind — calming spasms, tremors, and convulsions in children and adults. Its ascending cooling nature makes it suitable for neurological conditions involving internal Wind and Heat.
Used In Formulas (1)
Botanical Description
Uncaria rhynchophylla is an evergreen woody climbing liana in the family Rubiaceae, native to the broadleaved evergreen forests and forest margins of southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia. The plant climbs by means of paired, recurved, hooklike modified peduncles that develop in the leaf axils, giving rise to the common name gambir hook. Mature vines can extend 10 m or more, with slender greyish-brown stems bearing opposite, ovate-lanceolate leaves 5-12 cm long that are glabrous above and slightly pubescent on the veins beneath. Small yellowish flowers are densely packed into solitary, globose terminal heads about 2-3 cm in diameter, blooming in summer. The fruits are small capsules with winged seeds adapted to wind dispersal. The medicinal portion comprises the hook-bearing stem segments collected from older vines.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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