Wind-Damp-Dispelling, tendons-Soothing and Collaterals-Activating Herbs
Luo Shi Teng (Chinese Starjasmine Stem)
Naming
Luo Shi Teng (Caulis Trachelospermi)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)
The Processing of 络石藤
Origin
The foliferous stem of Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. of family Apocynaceae.
Location
Jiangsu, Hubei and Shandong provinces, etc.
Harvest
Collected from winter to next spring.
The actual smell and taste
Light smell and slightly bitter taste.
Best quality
Dry and long stem, leafiness, and green color.
Processing
Dried in sunlight, cur into segments and unprocessed.
The Effect of 络石藤
Property
Bitter, slightly cold; heart, liver and kidney meridians entered.
Actions
Dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, cool blood and relieve swelling.
Indications
A. Arthralgia syndrome due to wind, dampness and heat
It excels in dispelling wind-damp, unblocking collaterals and clearing heat with slightly cold nature, and is suitable to treat arthralgia syndrome due to wind, dampness and heat characterized by spasm of tendons and vessels, aching pain of waist and knees. It can be used singly or combined with other wind-damp-dispelling and heat-clearing, and collaterals-unblocking herbs, for example, Ren Dong Teng, Qin Jiao and Di Long, etc.
B. Swelling pain of throat, sore and abscess
It enters heart, liver meridians and blood system, and is bitter and cold in nature, and has the actions of clearing heat and cooling blood, relieving sore throat and swelling. For red swelling and sore throat, it can be decocted singly and then swallowed slowly, or combined with toxicity-removing and sore-throat-alleviating herbs such as Sheng Ma, She Gan and Jie Geng. For sores and abscess marked by swelling and pain, it is often combined with heat-clearing and toxicity-removing, and blood-activating and abscess-curing herbs, for example, Pu Gong Ying, Ru Xiang, Zao Jiao Ci and Gua Lou.
In addition, it can unblock collaterals and relieve swelling to stop pain, and is also indicated for traumatic injury, swelling pain due to blood stagnation. It is often combined with blood-activating and collaterals-unblocking herbs to enhance the effects of relieving swelling to stop pain, for instance, Shen Jin Cao, Tou Gu Cao, Hong Hua and Tao Ren, etc.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 6~12 g. Proper dosage of pounded fresh products is for topical administration.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Luo Shi Teng: Chinese Herb Guide
Luo Shi Teng: dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, cool blood and relieve swelling.
Chou Wu Tong (Harlequin Glorybower Leaf and Twig)
Chou Wu Tong (Harlequin Glorybower Leaf and Twig): dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, pacify liver.
Luo Shi Teng (Chinese Starjasmine Stem)
Luo Shi Teng (Chinese Starjasmine Stem): dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, cool blood and relieve swelling.
Wu Shao She: Chinese Herb Guide
Wu Shao She: dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, stop convulsions, dispel wind to relieve itching.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →