Uncaria
Stem With Hooks (gou
teng)
Ramulus
Uncariae cum Uncis
Properties:
Sweet
in flavour, slightly cold in nature, it acts on liver and
pericardium channels. Being sweet and cold, mainly acting
on liver channel, it has effects of calming the
liver-yang, clearing the liver-fire, quenching the
liver-wind, so it is indicated in dizziness caused by
hyperactivity of liver-yang, conjunctival congestion due to liver-fire,
etc. In addition, it can clear the heat and promote
eruptions.
Effects:
Clearing away heat and calming the liver, checking
endogenous wind and relieving spasm.
Indications:
1. For epilepsy
and convulsion caused by exogenous heat, excess of
evil-heat in the interior or high fever, it is often used
together with antelope¡¯s horn (Cornu Saigae tataricae),
chrysanthemum flower (Flos Chrysanthemi), white peony root
(Radix Paeoniae alba), as in Decoction of Antelope¡¯s
Horn and Uncaria Stem.
2. For dizziness
and headache due to hyperactivity of liver-yang or due to
the flaring-up of liver-fire, conjunctival congestion,
fullness of head, it is used with capejasmine fruit (Fructus
Gardeniae), scutellaria root (Radix Scutellariae),
achyranthes and cyathula root (Radix Achyranthis et Radix
Cyathulae), Oyster shell (Concha Ostreae) and selfheal
spike (Spica Prunellae).
Dosage and
Administration: 10-15g,
decocted later than other drugs.
