☯ TCM Properties
Relieves Dampness; Treats cancer
Traditional Chinese Uses
Zi Teng (紫藤) is the stem and woody parts of Wisteria sinensis, Chinese wisteria (Caulis Wisteriae Sinensis). It is a minor folk medicinal rather than a mainstream materia medica herb, and classical documentation is limited. In regional Chinese folk use the stem and its galls are taken to relieve dampness and to treat abdominal pain and gastrointestinal complaints, and there are folk and preliminary reports of its use against tumors; this anticancer application is not established in standard references and should be regarded as unproven.
Safety: all parts of the plant, and especially the seeds and pods, contain the toxic glycoside wisterin (wisterine) and a lectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It requires caution and should not be self-administered.
Botanical Description
Zhong Yao Cai (中药材) is not the name of a single medicinal substance but a general Chinese-language term meaning "Chinese medicinal materials" or "crude Chinese drugs" — the broad category that encompasses all plant, animal, and mineral materia medica used in traditional Chinese medicine. The phrase appears throughout pharmacopoeial literature as a heading or category label rather than as a specific item. Because no single species, organ, or substance corresponds to this title, no botanical description can be supplied. The record follows the unidentifiable null-pattern; downstream curation should either reassign the entry to its intended specific substance or remove the placeholder.
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.
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