Gou Teng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis) is from the hooked vine Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks, family Rubiaceae. The medicinal material is collected in the spring and autumn, dried in the sun and cut into segments. It is used in its unprocessed form.
Category: Liver Calming / Wind Extinguishing.
Common Name: Uncaria Vine; Gambir.
Channels Entered: Liver, Heart and Pericardium.
Properties and Functions: Gou Teng is sweet in flavour and slightly cold in nature. It stops endogenous (internal) Wind to relieve convulsions, clears Liver-Heat and calms the Liver.
Indications: Clinically, this herb is used for:
- Internal Liver-Wind with convulsions – infantile convulsions with high fever and coma; seasonal febrile disease with over abundant Heat resulting in wind syndrome.
- Heat syndrome affecting the Liver channel, manifesting as distension of the head, headache and redness of the eyes or hyperactivity of Liver-Yang with dizziness.
Dosage: 3 – 12g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Not suitable for use in cases with absence of Wind-Heat.