Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

Edema-Alleviating Diuretics

Niu Chao Teng (Flexuose climbing fern herb)

曲轴海金沙 Niu Chao Teng Herba Lygodii Flexuosi Flexuose climbing fern herb
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
Niu Chao Teng (Flexuose climbing fern herb)
Niu Chao Teng (Flexuose climbing fern herb)
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曲轴海金沙

Name

Niu Chao Teng (Herba Lygodii Flexuosi)

Sources

The drug is the dried or fresh whole herb of Lygodii Flexuosum (L.) Sw.(Family Lygodiaceae), growing in or near forests, and distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan of China.

The Effect of 牛抄藤

Property

Sweet, slightly bitter, cold; liver, large intestine and kidney meridians entered.

Actions

Whole herb is used to relax muscles and tendons, promote blood circulation, clear heat and eliminate dampness, stop bleeding.

Indications

Numbness due to rheumatism,urinary tract infection, calculi in urinary system, edema due to nephritis, dysentery,externally for traumatic injury and bleeding, etc.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 10~15 g. Proper dosage is for external application, decocted for washing or made into ointment for applying.

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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.

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