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Uncaria, Gou Teng 钩藤

Gou Teng (TCM)
Picture
Ohwi, J. , Flora of Japan (1965)

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


Botanical name:
Uncaria rhynchophylla, U. macrophylla, U. hirsuta, U. sinensis, U. sessiliffuctus, U. scandens, U. lancifolia, U. yunnanensis

Parts used:
Vine stem

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet

Classifications:
I. Medicines for Internal Wind

Uses:
1. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Spasms, Tremors, Seizures
-Convulsions including those from high Fever; Epilepsy
-Dizziness, Vertigo
-Eclampsia

2. Clears Liver Wind-Heat:
-Headache, Irritability, dizziness, red eyes
-Hypertension

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


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

Main Combinations:
Usually combined with Gastrodia Tian Ma

1. Convulsions, Childhood Convulsions, Seizures:
i. Childhood convulsions from Internal Wind, Uncaria Gou Teng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Scorpion (Quan Xie), White Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can), Cicada shell (Chan Tui) (as in Gou Teng Yin Zi from Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue [Key to Syndrome Identification and Treatment of Diseases in Infants]).
ii. from High Fever, Uncaria Gou Teng with Scorpion (Quan Xie), Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao)
iii. Childhood Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Coptis Huang Lian, Cicada shell (Chan Tui)
iv. Childhood Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with Gypsum Shi Gao, Dragon Teeth (Long Chi), Gardenia Zhi Zi
v. Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao) with Uncaria Gou Teng and Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
vi. Febrile Convulsions, Uncaria Gou Teng with Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao), Gastrodia Tian Ma, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang)
vii. Uncaria Gou Teng with Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao), Scorpion (Quan Xie)
viii. Uncaria Gou Teng with Herb Paris (Chong Lou), Cicada Slough (Chan Tui),
ix. Uncaria Gou Teng with Cowrie shell, Gastrodia Tian Ma, Gypsum Shi Gao, Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao)
x. Seizure disorders, Uncaria Gou Teng with Curcuma Yu Jin, Antelope horn (Ling Yang Jiao), Uncaria Gou Teng, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang)
2. Childhood Epilepsy, Uncaria Gou Teng with Saltpeter (Potassium nitrate) and Licorice (Gan Cao) (as in Yan Ling San from Tai ping sheng hui fang [Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief]).
3. Night Terrors in Children, Uncaria Gou Teng with Cicada shell (Chan Tui), Scorpion (Quan Xie), White Dead Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can)
4. Dizziness, Vertigo:
i. Uncaria Gou Teng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Chrysanthemum Ju Hua, Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming)
ii. Uncaria Gou Teng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), Eucommia Du Zhong, Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming) (as in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin)
5. Liver Heat with Headache, Dizziness:
i. Uncaria Gou Teng with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao), Scutellaria Huang Qin
ii. Uncaria Gou Teng with Chrysanthemum Ju Hua with Peony (Bai Shao), Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye)
6. Hypertension, Uncaria Gou Teng with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao), Chrysanthemum Ju Hua, Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming)
7. External Wind-Heat, Uncaria Gou Teng with Peppermint (Bo He) and Schizonepetae Jing Jie

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 (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:

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