Luo Shi Teng
StarTrachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem.
☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness and Unblocks the Collaterals; Cools the Blood and reduces swelling; Relaxes the Sinews and Alleviates Pain; Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Stops Bleeding
Traditional Chinese Uses
Luo Shi Teng (star jasmine vine, trachelospermum stem) is a cool herb that opens the channels, expels Wind and Heat from the joints and sinew, and clears Heat toxin. It is used for joint pain, stiffness, and swelling with heat and redness — the hallmarks of Wind-Heat bi or hot bi syndrome — where cooling and channel-opening simultaneously are needed. It also addresses sore throat and skin abscesses from Heat toxin. Its cooling, channel-penetrating action makes it preferred over warming Wind-Damp herbs for heat-type joint conditions.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Trachelospermum jasminoides, Asian star jasmine or Luo Shi Teng, is an evergreen woody twining vine in the Apocynaceae family, native to East and Southeast Asia. It climbs 3-9 m using aerial rootlets along stems that exude milky latex when cut. Leaves are opposite, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 2-10 cm long, glossy dark green with a leathery texture. Fragrant white pinwheel-shaped flowers 1-2 cm across, with five propeller-like lobes, are borne in cymes in late spring and summer, maturing into paired slender follicles. Stems with leaves are collected in autumn and winter, cut into segments, and dried.
Active Constituents
Arctiin
Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan glycosideConcentration: A principal lignan of the stem, used as an HPLC quality marker for Caulis Trachelospermi
A major lignan glycoside with anti-inflammatory and TNF-alpha-inhibitory activity; contributes to the wind-damp-dispelling and pain-relieving actions of the stem.
Trachelogenin
Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan (aglycone)Concentration: Characteristic lignan aglycone of Trachelospermum
A genus-characteristic lignan reported to have anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant and analgesic activity.
Arctigenin
Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan (aglycone)Concentration: Aglycone formed from arctiin; present in the stem
Exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and inhibiting NF-kB and MAPK signalling.
Bergenin
Isocoumarin (C-glycoside)Concentration: Documented constituent isolated from the stem
An isocoumarin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity.
Luteolin and apigenin glycosides
FlavonoidConcentration: Several flavonoids (e.g. luteolin-7-O-glycosides, chrysoeriol glycosides) identified
Flavonoid glycosides providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that supports the collateral-unblocking and swelling-reducing uses of the herb.
Triterpenoids
TriterpenoidConcentration: Minor lipophilic fraction of the stem
Triterpenoids contribute to the anti-inflammatory profile of the total extract.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction of the stem
Parts: stem, leafy stem (vine)
The dried woody stem/vine is cut and decocted (commonly 6-15 g) to dispel wind-damp, unblock the collaterals, relax the sinews and relieve joint pain.
Medicinal wine (tincture)
Parts: stem
The stem is steeped in rice wine or spirit to make a medicinal wine used for wind-damp painful obstruction (bi syndrome) with sinew and joint stiffness.
Historical Texts
Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 1st-2nd century CE)Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty (1578)References
- Zhao Z, He X, Zhao Y, Sun Y, Chen X, Cun Y, Huang L, Bai Y, Zheng X. Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Traditional Uses of Plants from the Genus Trachelospermum L. . Molecules (2017) [DOI]
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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