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Cura x Cura

Shou Wu Teng首乌藤

Polygoni Multiflori Caulis · Fleeceflower Stem · Ye Jiao Teng

Herbs that Calm the Spirit 安神药《何首乌传》

Overview

The vine of the same plant that yields He Shou Wu, and known equally as Ye Jiao Teng — the vine whose paired stems twine together at night, which is exactly the image of its use. Sweet and neutral, it nourishes blood and settles a spirit that cannot rest: broken, dream-filled sleep on a blood-deficient background rather than the agitated insomnia of excess fire. As a vine it also opens the channels, so it is added where blood deficiency shows up as aching, numb limbs, and decocted as a wash for itchy skin.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Heart · Liver

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
首乌藤Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Nourishes blood, calms the spiritDifficulty staying asleep, vivid or disturbed dreams, palpitations and restlessness where Heart and Liver blood are depleted; commonly with Suan Zao Ren and He Huan Pi.
  • Dispels wind, frees the channelsAching, numb or stiff limbs and wind-damp joint pain on a blood-deficient background, where a plain damp-dispelling herb would be too drying.
  • Relieves itching (external)Decocted and used as a wash for itchy skin conditions, alone or with other cooling herbs.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shou Wu Teng

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep from blood deficiency
    - Palpitations and restlessness on a deficient background
    - Numbness, aching and stiffness of the limbs
    - Itchy skin conditions (as an external wash)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

InsomniaRestless sleepAnxietyPeripheral numbnessPruritus

Contraindications

Cautions

A mild herb, but not the right one for agitated insomnia driven by excess fire or phlegm-heat, which needs clearing rather than nourishing. Note that the root of the same plant, He Shou Wu 何首乌, has been associated with reports of liver injury; the stem is a different part with a different profile, but material should still come from a licensed supplier and prolonged use should be supervised, with any unexplained fatigue, dark urine or yellowing of the eyes reported promptly.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific pregnancy restriction — practitioner judgment applies.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

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.