1. Description:
Uncaria rhynchophylla (scientific name: Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) ex Havil., also known as cat’s claw herb, Chinese Pinyin: Gou Teng, Simplified Chinese: 钩藤, 钩丁, 鹰爪风, 双钩藤, 吊风根, 金钩草, 倒挂刺), is a species of perennial, evergreen lianas in genus Uncaria (botanical coffee family, Rubiaceae). Found in the valley, open forest and bushes, the stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla is used as antihypertensive, sedative and antipyretic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as hypertension.
In TCM, Uncaria rhynchophylla can be replaced by Uncaria macrophylla, Uncaria hirsuta, Uncaria sinensis or Uncaria sessilifructus.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla is considered to have sweet, mildly cold and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the heart and liver meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Uncaria Rhynchophylla & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Blood Pressure
A decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla stem is taken orally to control blood pressure and treat chronic headache.
3.2 Febrile Convulsion
Uncaria rhynchophylla stem, saltpeter and licorice root are pounded and taken with warm water to treat febrile convulsion in infants and children.
3.3 Skin Health
Uncaria rhynchophylla stem and laccifer lacca are powdered and taken orally with warm wine to treat typhus.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.