Ji Xue Teng鸡血藤
Spatholobi Caulis · Spatholobus Stem · Millettia Vine
Overview
A woody vine whose cut stem weeps a red sap, and one of the few herbs that both nourishes blood and moves it. That double action makes it the herb for blood deficiency complicated by stasis: scanty or absent periods that are also painful, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and lingering wind-damp joint pain in a patient too depleted for purely dispersing treatment. Bitter, slightly sweet and warm, it relaxes the sinews and frees the channels as it goes.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter, slightly sweet · WarmChannels
Liver · KidneyTypical Dosage
10–30 g in decoctionActions
2 core actions
- Invigorates and nourishes the bloodAbsent, scanty or painful periods and irregular cycles where the blood is both deficient and stagnant.
- Relaxes the sinews, frees the channelsNumbness and tingling of the limbs, weakness, lingering wind-damp joint and muscle pain, residual weakness after stroke.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Ji Xue Teng
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Scanty, absent or painful periods with blood deficiency
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Chronic wind-damp joint pain with underlying weakness
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Warming and blood-moving: not for heavy menstrual bleeding or any active bleeding, and used cautiously in yin deficiency with heat. Patients taking warfarin or another anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication should have blood-invigorating herbs reviewed by the prescribing practitioner before starting.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — it invigorates blood. Not for self-administration while pregnant.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Zhao Xue-min 赵学敏. Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi《本草纲目拾遗》(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.