Tranquilizing Herbs
Shou Wu Teng (Tuber Fleeceflower Stem)
Name
Shou Wu Teng (Tuber Fleeceflower Stem), from He Shou Wu Lu (Records on He Shou Wu)
Source and quality
The dry vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. of the family Polygonaceae. It is produced in Zhejiang, Hubei and Jiangsu provinces, and collected in autumn and winter.
It has no unpleasant odor and is slightly astringent and bitter. The best grade is coarse and even, brownish red on the surface, and free from leaves.
The vine stems are cut, the remaining leaves and branches removed, packed into bundles and dried in the sun; used unprocessed.
Nature and action
Sweet and neutral. It enters the liver and heart meridians.
It nourishes the heart and induces tranquilization, dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals.
Indications
Insomnia due to restlessness of deficiency and dream-disturbed sleep
Because it tonifies yin and blood, it suits insomnia caused by restlessness of deficiency, unsteadiness of the heart and mind, and dream-disturbed sleep due to deficiency of yin and blood with loss of nourishment of the heart and mind.
- It is combined with herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit, such as Suan Zao Ren and Bai Zi Ren.
- For insomnia lasting all night due to yin deficiency with hyperactivity of yang, it is often combined with herbs that nourish yin and blood, subdue yang and calm the spirit, such as Sheng Di Huang, Bai Shao and Zhen Zhu Mu.
Body pain due to blood deficiency, and wind-damp arthralgia
It nourishes blood, dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals.
- For aching pain of the limbs due to blood deficiency with numbness of muscle and skin, it is often combined with herbs that tonify and activate blood and herbs that unblock the collaterals, such as Ji Xue Teng, Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong.
- It is used as an adjunct for wind-damp arthralgia, so it is often combined with herbs that dispel wind and dampness.
Itching rash of the skin
It dispels wind and relieves itching. For an itching rash of the skin it is used on its own for washing, or combined with herbs that dispel wind and relieve itching, such as She Chuang Zi and Di Fu Zi.
Dosage and administration
Decoct 9~15 g. Take a proper dose for external application.
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.
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