Trachelospermum Caulis, Luo Shi Teng 络石藤
Star Jasmine Stem
Luo Shi Teng (TCM)
Luo Shi Teng (TCM)
Gartenflora [E. von Regel], vol. 8 (1859)
Houtte, L. van, Flore des serres et des jardin de l’Europe (1850)
Botanical name:
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Other species used include T. asiaticum, T. asiaticum var. intermedium
Parts used:
Stem; also the leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter. Li Shi Zhen said it is Sweet and slightly Sour, but not Bitter.
Classification:
D. Clear Wind & Damp
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Other species used include T. asiaticum, T. asiaticum var. intermedium
Parts used:
Stem; also the leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter. Li Shi Zhen said it is Sweet and slightly Sour, but not Bitter.
Classification:
D. Clear Wind & Damp
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Damp, Unblocks the Channels:
-pain and spasm of the Sinews
-good for joint pain with Heat, but can be used for any type
-also Hemiplegia, Numbness, loss of Speech from Stroke
2. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood, Reduces Swellings:
-red, hot, painful sores and swellings
-Sore Throat, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis
-also Bleeding from Heat in the Blood
-Poison Snake bites (Su Gong)
3. Benefits Kidneys:
-'relieves pain in the lumbar region and the thigh' (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-'It turns white into black and is a good tonic for the aged.' (Chen Cang Qi)
-'enables one to enjoy long life with greater intelligence.' (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
DOSE:
'When the drug is to be taken, soak it in wine' (Li Shi Zhen)
Decoction: 6–15 grams
COMMENT:
'Long-term use makes one feel happy and vigorous and brightens one’s eye. It is moistening. It keeps one looking young and pretty and enables one to enjoy long life with greater intelligence.' (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
SUBSTITUTES:
1. Stem of Ficus pumila (this doesn't clear Blood heat, but rather moves the Blood)
2. Euonymus fortunei
3. Milletia dielsiana
PREPARATION:
1. Remove the hair with a cloth, then steep in a decoction of Licorice for a full day. Then cut into pieces and dry in the sun.
'When the drug is to be taken, soak it in wine' (Li Shi Zhen)
Decoction: 6–15 grams
COMMENT:
'Long-term use makes one feel happy and vigorous and brightens one’s eye. It is moistening. It keeps one looking young and pretty and enables one to enjoy long life with greater intelligence.' (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
SUBSTITUTES:
1. Stem of Ficus pumila (this doesn't clear Blood heat, but rather moves the Blood)
2. Euonymus fortunei
3. Milletia dielsiana
PREPARATION:
1. Remove the hair with a cloth, then steep in a decoction of Licorice for a full day. Then cut into pieces and dry in the sun.
Main Combinations:
1. Joint Pain:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Heat, Lonicera Ren Dong Tang
ii. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi, Achyranthes Niu Xi
2. Muscles pain and spasm:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Paeonia Bai Shao and Licorice
3. Urine that is white and turbid, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng, Ginseng, Poria Fu Ling (2 parts each) Fossil bones, calcined (Long Gu) (1 part). Powder, take 6 grams with rice souyp twice daily.
4. Stroke with Hemiplegia, Numbness, loss of Speech, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Earthworm, Scorpion (as in Zhong Feng Hui Chu Wan)
5. Pain and swelling, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Paeonia Mu Dan Pi
6. Sores, Abscesses, Toxic Swellings:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
ii. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Myrrh, Frankincense
Cautions:
None noted
Main Preparations used:
None noted
Main Preparations used: