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Cura x Cura

Mu Tong木通

Akebiae Caulis · Akebia Stem

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《中华人民共和国药典》

Overview

The dried woody stem of an akebia vine, cut into discs that show the spokes of the wood. Bitter and cold, it drives heat downward and out with the urine — burning, scanty, difficult urination on the one hand, and the irritability and mouth sores of Heart fire on the other, since the Heart discharges its heat through the Small Intestine. It also frees the channels to move stalled milk and stalled periods. One point outweighs all of that: only the Akebia stem is Mu Tong. The Aristolochia species once sold under the same name contains aristolochic acid, caused serious kidney injury, and has been struck from the pharmacopoeia.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold · Toxic

Channels

Heart · Small Intestine · Bladder

Typical Dosage

3–6 g in decoction
木通Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Promotes urination, relieves painful urinationScanty, dark, burning or difficult urination from damp-heat in the lower burner; edema.
  • Drains Heart fire through the Small IntestineMouth and tongue sores, restlessness and irritability with dark scanty urine — the strategy behind Dao Chi San.
  • Frees the channels, promotes lactationInsufficient or blocked breast milk; absent periods with blood stasis.
  • Processed form Mu TongDry-frying moderates the cold and makes it easier on the digestion.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Mu Tong

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Burning, scanty or difficult urination from damp-heat
    - Mouth ulcers and irritability from Heart fire
    - Insufficient lactation; amenorrhea with stasis

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Urinary tract infectionCystitisEdemaMouth ulcersInsufficient lactation

Contraindications

Cautions

Species identity is the safety issue with this herb. Only Akebia stem (Akebiae Caulis) is used. The Aristolochia-derived contains aristolochic acid, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic and caused documented cases of kidney failure; it was removed from the Chinese pharmacopoeia in 2003. Source only from a supplier that documents the botanical species. Even the correct species is bitter, cold and draining: keep to the stated dose and a short course, and do not use it where there is kidney impairment, marked fluid depletion, or Spleen-Stomach cold deficiency.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it drains downward strongly and unblocks the channels.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(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》 (2005 edition onward, which excludes 关木通).

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.