☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness and relaxes the sinews; Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels
Traditional Chinese Uses
Kuan Jin Teng (Caulis Tinosporae Sinensis) is the dried stem of the woody vine Tinospora sinensis, a Wind-Damp-dispelling herb whose name means "loosen-the-sinews vine." Bitter and cold (some sources slightly bitter and cool), entering the Liver channel, it dispels Wind-Dampness, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels and collaterals, easing pain and stiffness.
Its principal use is Wind-Damp painful obstruction (bi syndrome): rheumatic and arthritic joint pain, contracture and stiffness of the sinews, low-back and lumbar-muscle strain, and traumatic injury with pain and restricted movement. It is also a noted Tibetan-medicine remedy for arthritis. It is commonly decocted in generous amounts (10-30 g) and used externally as a wash or poultice for painful joints and injuries. Because it is cold and moving, it is used cautiously in cold-deficiency patterns.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Kuan Jin Teng is the dried stem of Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Menispermaceae), a large, woody, twining liana of subtropical and tropical broadleaf forests in southern China (Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan), India, and Indochina. Mature stems are cylindrical, 1–3 cm thick, with greyish-brown, longitudinally fissured corky bark studded with raised lenticels and bearing long, slender, fleshy aerial roots that hang downward. In transverse section the wood shows a characteristic radiating, wheel-spoke pattern of broad medullary rays alternating with wedges of yellowish xylem around a central pith, with a bitter, slightly mucilaginous taste. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate-cordate, palmately 5–7-veined, 7–14 cm long. Small greenish flowers are borne in axillary racemes; the drupe is red and pea-sized. Stems are cut year-round, sliced obliquely, and dried; used in TCM to dispel wind-damp, relax sinews, invigorate Blood, and relieve bi-syndrome pain.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | 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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Kuan Jin Teng.
No notes yet.