Single Herb Glossary
Gōu Téng 鉤藤
| Pharmaceutical name | Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis uncaria vine, gambir "hook vine" |
| Category | Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors |
| Key Properties | Drains Liver Heat Settles Liver Wind |
| Properties | Sweet Sl. Cold |
| Tropism | PC, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Extinguish Wind & Alleviate Spasms (LV Fire w/ stirring Wind) 2) Drains Liver Heat & Pacifies Liver Yang 3) Releases the Exterior (Wind Heat patterns) |
| Dosages | 6-15g; should not be decocted > 20 minutes |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Caution in absence of Wind-Heat or Heat from Excess. |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, isocorynoxeine, corynantheine, dihydrocorynatheine, hirsutine, hirsuteine, hyperin, trifolin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antihypertensive: administration associated with moderate and prolonged antihypertensive effects; decrease in blood pressure attributed to decreased heart rate and reduced peripheral vascular resistance; this is observed with normal or anesthetized animals, normotensive or hypertensive animals, and via intravenous or oral routes; another study characterized Gou Teng as a potent and long-lasting vasodilator that relaxes the aorta and thereby reduces blood pressure; herb has demonstrated effect similar to verapamil in blocking calcium channel; more specifically, vasodilative effects attributed to its α-adrenoceptor blocking and calcium channel blocking activities; clinically, administration of herb reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as slowing heart rate • CNS suppressant: water and alcohol extracts decrease spontaneous physical activities in mice for 3 to 4 hours; reverse stimulating effect of caffeine, but do not prolong sleeping time induced by barbiturates • Antiseizure: alcohol extract has preventative effect in management of seizures; duration of action was approximately three days following subcutaneous injection in guinea pigs; in addition, has been indicated that combination of Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) and Gou Teng has synergistic anticonvulsive and free-radical scavenging actions, as demonstrated in laboratory studies in rats • Uterine suppressant: inhibits uterine contraction in rats |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Caffeine: reverses stimulating effect of caffeine, but does not potentiate sedative effect of barbiturates |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.