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Stephania japonica, Qian Jin Teng 千金藤

Snake Vine
Qian Jin Teng (TCM)
Raj-Patha (variety of, Ayurveda)
Stephania japonica
Wight, R., Spicilegium Neilgherrense (1846)

Stephania japonica
(Photo by MargaretRDonald) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Stephania japonica (syn. S. hernandiifolia, S. rotunda, Menispermum japonicum, Cissampelos hernamdiifolia)
The Australian Stephania japonica var. australis can probably be used synonymously.

Parts used:
Root or Stem and Leaf

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter, Pungent

Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Resists Toxin, Resolves Swellings: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Painful and swollen sore throat
-Common Cold, Flu
-Toxic Sores, Boils, Abscesses, Internal Abscesses, Carbuncles (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Dysentery, Cholera, Malaria (Chinese Folk Medicine)
-Tropical Ulcers (Ayurveda)
-Toothache
-Snake Bite

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Relieves Pain:
-Wind-Damp muscle and joint pain
-Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica
-it is in the Sandhaniya group of medicines used to heal Fractures in Ayurveda.
-Facial Paralysis, Vertigo (Ayurveda); Epilepsy (Chinese Folk Medicine)
-also for Trauma with swelling and pain
-Pruritus (Ayurveda)

3. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:
-Edema
-Urinary Tract Infection, Difficult Urination
-Diarrhea (TCM), Vomiting (Ayurveda)
-Stomachache, abdominal pain

4. Stops Wheezing:
-used for Asthma


DOSE:
1. The Root and Stem/Leaf are used in similar doses.
2. Generally best not to begin with full doses and increase depending on toleration.
Decoction: 9–15 grams
Powder: 1000–1500mg
The fresh herb is beaten and applied topically as a paste.

SUBSTITUTE:
1. Stephania tetrandra Han Fang Ji is a suitable substitute for some indications, notably Wind-Damp joint pain.
2. Used as Raj-Patha (Cyclea arnotii) in South India.

Main Combinations:
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: take 15 grams of the root, decoct in water and take daily for 7 days; then, take 30 grams of the root, add 500ml of white spirit, soak for 7 days, and take 1 small cup every night before going to bed.
2. Knee joint pain and swelling, beat the fresh herb with garlic and apply topically, wrapping in gauze. (Folk Remedy)
3. Dysentery or swollen Sore Throat, take 15 grams of the root in decoction daily. (Folk Remedy)
4. Malaria, take 15–30 grams of the root in decoction daily. (Folk Remedy)
5. Asthma, Stephania japonica root powder is taken with Honey for 2 weeks.

Major Formulas:


Cautions:
Avoid overdose which may cause vomiting.

Main Preparations used: