Uncaria, Gou Teng 钩藤

Gou Teng (TCM)
Khung sder  ཁུང་སྡེར་ (Tibet)
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Ohwi, J. , Flora of Japan (1965)

Photo of branch showing the curved hooks
(Photo by keisotyo)

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Botanical name:
Uncaria spp.
Various species are used:
  1. U. rhynchophylla
  2. U. macrophylla
  3. U. hirsuta
  4. U. sinensis
  5. U. sessiliffructus
  6. U. scandens (syn. U. pilosa, also used in Tibet)
  7. U. lancifolia
  8. U. yunnanensis

Parts used:
Vine stem with hooks. Formerly the vine bark was used.

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet

Classifications:
I. Medicines for Internal Wind

Uses:
1. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Spasms, Tremors

2. Clears Liver Wind-Heat:
-Headache, Irritability

3. Clears Wind, Relieves the Exterior:
-Fever, Headache, Red and itchy eyes


Dose:
Decoction: 6–15 grams. It should not be decocted too long, so should be added in the last few minutes of boiling.
Powder: 1–4 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Convulsions, Childhood Convulsions, Seizures:
i. Childhood convulsions from Internal Wind, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
ii. from High Fever, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
iii. Childhood Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
iv. Childhood Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
v. Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao) with Uncaria Gou Teng and ... available in PRO version
vi. Febrile Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
vii. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
viii. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
ix. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
x. Seizure disorders, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
2. Childhood Epilepsy, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
3. Night Terrors in Children, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
4. Dizziness, Vertigo:
i. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
5. Liver Heat with Headache, Dizziness:
i. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
6. Hypertension, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version
7. External Wind-Heat, Uncaria Gou Teng with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Bo Ying Compound (TCM patent)
Zheng Tian Wan (TCM Patent)
Yi Gan San
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang

Cautions:
1. Generally not used in the markedly weak (severe Qi deficiency)
2. Generally only used for Wind-Heat disorders.
3. Occasional adverse reactions occur including bradycardia, dizziness, rashes, reduced menstrual flow; these symptoms usually disappear spontaneously.

Main Preparations used: