Cibotium, Gou Ji 狗脊

‘Golden Chicken Fern’
Gou Ji (“Dog Spine”) (TCM)

Cibotium barometz
Koehler, F.E., Medizinal Pflanzen, vol. 4 (1890)

Cibotium barometz rhizome
(Photo by Mokkie) (Wikimedia)

Cibotium Gou Ji
(Adam, 2025)

Botanical name:

Cibotium barometz (syn. Aspidium barometz, Dicksonia barometz, Nephrodium baromez, Polypodium barometz)

Parts used:

Rhizome, either dried, or steamed, then sliced and dried.

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Bitter, Sweet

Classifications:

3M. ARTHRITICS
TCM:
D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:

1. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, Strengthens the Bones and Joints:

-stiffness, pain or weakness in the Spine or Lower Back or lower Limbs
-weakness of the Knees or Legs, difficulty Walking
-Sciatica, Lumbo-sacral degeneration
-“straightens rigid back and waist, smoothes the movements of the joints”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“reconnects Sinews and Bones”. (Zhen Quan)
-“It strengthens Liver and Kidneys. It builds up the Bones”. (Li Shi Zhen)

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:

-Wind-Damp painful obstruction with Pain or Numbness
-Rheumatic Arthralgia
-“Aching knees caused by cold and moisture”. (Ben Jing)

3. Strengthens the Kidneys, Retains the Essence:

-Urinary incontinence
-Leukorrhea with Kidney weakness
-“involuntary loss of urine … urinary dripping like drops of dew caused by wind evil”. (Bie Lu)
-“Greatly benefits the Elderly” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

4. Externally:

-it has been used to stop Bleeding (Ayurveda)
-decoction of the root used as.a foot bath for swelling of the feet (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Dose:

Powder: 1–4 grams, best taken with wine.
Decoction: 9–15 grams

Comment:

1. Its name and indications are derived from the fact that the root has many protuberances that looks like a Dog’s spine. Hence, it was realised through the Doctrine of Signatures.
2. This plant is endangered and is listed on CITES.

Preparation:

1. Scalded Cibotium Gou Ji:
Scald slices in hot sand until they expand, then cool and remove the hairs.
Sometimes the roots are sliced and dry-fried until the hair is removed.
Some in older times used fire to remove the hair directly.
2. Wine-prepared Cibotium Gou Ji:
Remove the fine roots, cut into pieces and soak in alcohol overnight. Then steam it and dry it.

Main Combinations:

1. Lower Back Pain and Weakness:
i. Cibotium Gou Ji with Eucommia Du Zhong, Achyranthes Niu Xi
ii. Cibotium Gou Ji with Drynaria Gu Sui Bu
iii. Cibotium Gou Ji with Cuscuta Tu Si Zi (Dodder seed)
iv. Cibotium Gou Ji with Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi, Chaenomelis Mu Gua
v. Cibotium Gou Ji with Morinda Ba Ji Tian, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Dioscorea Shan Yao, Dipsacus Xu Duan, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Eucommia Du Zhong (as in Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan)
2. Arthritic or Rheumatic diseases of the lower back or lower extremities:
i. Cibotium Gou Ji with Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Gentiana Qin Jiao
3. All diseases of men caused by Wind, the “Four Jewels Elixir”: Cibotium Gou Ji with Sappan wood, Dioscorea Shan Yao, and unprocessed Aconite root (main tuber) (equal parts), powder, mix with rice vinegar and form small pills. (Ji Jian Fang)
4. Leukorrhea, Spermatorrhea from Kidney Weakness, Cibotium Gou Ji with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong)

Cautions:

1. Difficult Urination
2. Heat from Yin deficiency; generally not used in Heat conditions.

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