Spatholobus, Ji Xue Teng 鸡血藤

Ji Xue Teng (TCM)

Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng

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Botanical name:
Spatholobus suberectus (syn. S. floribundus, S. laoticus, Butea laotica, B. suberecta)
Also S. harmandii, S. sinensis
A number of plants have been used for Ji Xue Teng in different parts of China (see substitutes below).

Parts used:
Stem; Root

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, Bitter, Sweet

Classification:
K. Move the Blood

Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Nourishes Blood: 
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Irregular Menstruation
-Anemia
-Leukopenia, Granulocytopenia, Thrombocytopenia including that associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients

2. Invigorates Blood, Settles Wind, Clears the Channels:
-Numbness, Paralysis
-Dizziness, Vertigo from Blood stasis or Wind
-generalised Joint pain; Lower Back and Knee pain
-weakness of the extremities in the elderly
-Rheumatic Arthralgia
-aching and weakness of the Teeth and Gums
-Breast Lumps, Nodes and Hyperplasia

DOSE:
In Decoction: 9–15 grams (up to 60 grams daily has been used for anemia)
Of the Powder: 2–5 grams

SUBSTITUTES:
A number of plants supply this medicine in different parts of China. Officially, they are regarded as adulterants, but are nonetheless used in place of Spatholobi is various parts:
1. Sargentodoxa cuneata (Da Xue Teng)
2. Rourea microphylla
3. Milletia nitida, M. dielsiana, M. reticulata
4. Mucuna semperviren

Main Combinations:
1. Amenorrhea:
i. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui
2. Wind-Pain joint obstruction:
i. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Dang Gui, Achyranthes Niu Xi
ii. painful joints from Wind-Cold-Damp Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Chaenomelis Mu Gua, Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Aconitum Fu Zi (as in Mu Gua Wan)
3. Osteoarthritis from deficiency, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Drynaria Gu Sui Bu, Cistanches Rou Cong Rong, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo (as in Kang Gu Zeng Sheng Wan)
4. Vertigo, Weakness, Paralysis, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Salvia Dan Shen, Eucommia Du Zhong
5. Aching and weakness of the Teeth, bleeding Gums, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Rehmannia Sheng Di, Dioscorea Shan Yao, Drynaria Gu Sui Bu, Salvia Dan Shen, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi (as in Bu Shen Gu Chi Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
6. Deficiency after Childbirth, Menstrual disorders with weakness, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Ginseng, Saffron, Paeonia Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong (as in Ding Kun Dan)
7. Breast Lumps, Nodes, Hyperplasia:
i. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Cyperus rotundus (vinegar-prepared), Bupleurum Chai Hu, Laminaria Kun Bu
ii. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Laminaria Kun Bu, Notoginseng San Qi, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao, Costus (Mu Xiang), Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao), Safflower (Hong Hua) (as in Ru Pi Xiao Pian of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
8. Blood deficiency, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao
9. Leukopenia from Chemotherapy in cancer patients:
i. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Astragalus (30 grams each)
ii. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Astragalus, Dang Gui, Poria Fu Ling, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi), Licorice
10. Granulocytopenia, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Astragalus, Dang Gui, Salvia Dan Shen, Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi
11. Thrombocytopenia:
i. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Agrimony (30 grams each)
ii. Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng with Astragalus, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Safflower, Red Peony (Chi Shao), Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)

Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Excessive Menstruation

Main Preparations used: