Stephania japonica, Qian Jin Teng 千金藤
Snake Vine
Qian Jin Teng (TCM)
Raj-Patha (variety of, Ayurveda)
Dpo’ ser po (S. glabra, Tibet)

Stephania japonica
Ben Cao Tu Pu (Illustrated Herbal) 1644 (Welcome, Wikimedia)

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)
S. glabra is used in Tibetan Medicine (in Bhutan) and is used synonymously.
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)
-Fever, Fever coming fropm Poison (Tibet)
-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 a variety of Patha (Cissampelos) and Raj-Patha (Cyclea arnotii) in 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:
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