Wei Ling Xian
StarClematis chinensis Osbeck
☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness; Unblocks the Channels and Alleviates Pain; Softens and dissolves bone (treats fish bone lodged in the throat); Resolves Phlegm and Disperses Accumulation
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Jiang Cao (patrinia herb) is a cold, bitter herb with a strong ability to clear Heat toxin and expel pus. It is a primary herb for intestinal abscesses and Lung abscesses — internal abscesses involving pus formation. It also treats pelvic inflammatory conditions, inflamed or festering sores, and postpartum abdominal pain from Blood stagnation. Its combination of Heat-clearing and Blood-moving properties makes it particularly useful where both infection and stagnation are present.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Clematis chinensis (Wei Ling Xian, Chinese clematis) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen woody climber in the Ranunculaceae family, scrambling 3 to 10 meters by means of twining petioles. The slender, ridged stems bear opposite, pinnately compound leaves with five (sometimes three) ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaflets 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, with entire margins and three prominent basal veins. From late summer into autumn, the plant produces large axillary and terminal panicles of numerous small fragrant white flowers, each about 1 to 1.5 centimeters across, with four to six spreading, narrowly oblong tepals that resemble petals (true petals are absent in Clematis) and a central cluster of numerous yellow stamens. The achenes are small, ovoid, and tipped with a persistent feathery, white, plumose style 2 to 4 centimeters long, giving the fruiting heads a silky appearance. Native to central, southern, and eastern China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The roots and rhizomes are harvested in autumn and dried for medicinal use.
Active Constituents
Clematichinenoside AR (and related triterpene saponins A, B, C)
Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponinConcentration: Major saponin fraction of the root; >40 triterpene saponins characterized
The principal bioactive of the root. Shown to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8) and inhibit NF-kappaB and COX-2 expression, underlying the herb's anti-arthritic and analgesic use for Wind-Damp Bi syndrome.
Anemonin
Dilactone (dimer of protoanemonin)Concentration: Formed from ranunculin/protoanemonin on drying and processing
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. The precursor protoanemonin in fresh material is a mucous-membrane irritant and vesicant; drying dimerizes it to the far less irritant anemonin, which is why the herb is used dried.
Oleanolic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoid (sapogenin)Concentration: Aglycone core of the root saponins
Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and mild analgesic aglycone released on hydrolysis of the clematis saponins.
Hederagenin glycosides
Triterpenoid saponinConcentration: Minor to moderate constituent of the root
Contribute to the surfactant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of the total saponin fraction.
Lignans (e.g. clemochinenoside-type)
Phenylpropanoid lignan glycosidesConcentration: Minor constituents
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity reported for the lignan fraction of Clematis roots.
Phenolic acids and flavonoids
PolyphenolsConcentration: Minor constituents
Contribute antioxidant and free-radical scavenging capacity to crude extracts.
⚠ Drug Interactions
NSAIDs and other analgesics
The saponin fraction is anti-inflammatory and the raw herb contains irritant protoanemonin-derived compounds; combined use with NSAIDs is theorized to add to gastric mucosal irritation. No clinical interaction has been documented in humans.
Clinical note: Take with food; monitor for GI upset if used with chronic NSAID therapy.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (Tang)
Parts: Root, Rhizome
Typical dose 6-9 g of the dried, sliced root and rhizome, decocted in water. Used to dispel Wind-Dampness, unblock the channels and relieve joint pain. For fish-bone lodged in the throat, a stronger, more concentrated decoction is traditionally used, sometimes with vinegar and sugar and sipped slowly.
Wine-fried / processed
Parts: Root, Rhizome
The root is often stir-fried with rice wine to enhance channel-opening and pain-relieving action for chronic Bi patterns. Always use the dried and properly processed root; the fresh plant contains irritant protoanemonin.
Clinical Studies
Anti-arthritic effects of clematichinenoside (AR-6) on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and TNF-alpha associated with collagen-induced arthritis
High-dose clematichinenoside AR-6 (32 mg/kg) significantly suppressed hind-paw swelling and prevented body-weight loss in arthritic rats, with reduced serum TNF-alpha and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway in synovial tissue, supporting the traditional use of the root for painful joint (Bi) syndromes.
Historical Texts
Kaibao Bencao (Materia Medica of the Kaibao Era)
Song dynasty, 973 CEBencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1578 CEReferences
- Han W, Xiong Y, Li Y, Fang W, Ma Y, Liu L, Li F, Zhu X. Anti-arthritic effects of clematichinenoside (AR-6) on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and TNF-alpha associated with collagen-induced arthritis . Pharmaceutical Biology (2013) [DOI]
- Chawla R, Kumar S, Sharma A. The genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae): Chemical and pharmacological perspectives . Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2012) [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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