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Gou Teng钩藤

Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis · Gambir Vine Stem with Hooks · Uncaria

Herbs that Pacify the Liver and Extinguish Wind 平肝息风药《名医别录》

Overview

Sections of vine stem bearing the characteristic paired hooks. Sweet and cool, it cools the Liver and settles wind stirring inside — the standard herb for the convulsions of a feverish child, and for the headache, dizziness, red eyes and short temper of rising Liver yang. Its active constituents break down with long boiling, so it goes into the pot near the end.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Cool

Channels

Liver · Pericardium

Typical Dosage

3–12 g in decoction
钩藤Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Extinguishes wind, stops convulsionFebrile convulsions in children, twitching and tremor from internal wind.
  • Clears heat, calms the LiverHeadache, dizziness, red eyes and irritability with rising Liver yang — the lead herb of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin.
  • Settles restlessness in childrenNight crying, startling and restless sleep in infants, in small doses.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gou Teng

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Febrile convulsions and twitching in children
    - Headache and dizziness from rising Liver yang
    - Red eyes and irritability with Liver heat
    - Night crying and restless sleep in infants

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Febrile seizuresHypertension-related headacheDizzinessInfant sleep disturbance

Contraindications

Cautions

Cool and dispersing: not for tremor or wind-stirring on a background of blood or yin deficiency without heat, and not for cold, depleted patients. Add it in the last 10 minutes — prolonged boiling costs most of its effect. It is used in patterns that often present with raised blood pressure, so anyone on antihypertensive medication should stay under their prescriber's supervision rather than adjusting anything themselves. A convulsion in a child is a medical emergency and needs assessment first.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical prohibition, and it appears in formulas used for dizziness and headache in pregnancy — but only with practitioner supervision, and never for self-treatment of raised blood pressure.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.