Tian Xian Teng天仙藤
Aristolochiae Herba · Aristolochia Vine · Dutchman's Pipe Stem
Overview
Restricted — a record of the classical materia medica, not a treatment option. Tian Xian Teng is the aerial stem of the same plant that yields Qing Mu Xiang, and it carries the same aristolochic acid. The 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia dropped it, along with Ma Dou Ling 马兜铃. Its historical use is a particular warning: Song-dynasty practice gave Tian Xian Teng San 天仙藤散 for swelling in pregnancy, exactly the population in whom a nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, placenta-crossing compound is least acceptable. It is not dispensed. Damp-draining and blood-moving herbs without aristolochic acid cover its former indications.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter · WarmChannels
Liver · SpleenTypical Dosage
4.5–9 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Historical record — moved qi and invigorated bloodThe classical literature used it for hypochondriac and epigastric pain and for painful obstruction with fixed, stabbing pain. Modern practice uses non-aristolochia qi- and blood-movers instead.
- Historical record — promoted urination, reduced swellingBest known in Tian Xian Teng San 天仙藤散 for swelling of the legs in pregnancy. This use is now firmly rejected — see the cautions.
- Why it was withdrawnAristolochic acid causes irreversible interstitial kidney damage and urothelial cancer, and is classed as a Group 1 human carcinogen. No processing method removes the risk.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Tian Xian Teng
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
No current indications. The historical indications are recorded so a practitioner reading an old formula recognises the herb and knows it must be replaced.
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Restricted material containing aristolochic acid — do not use, dispense or substitute. Removed from 《中国药典》 in the 2020 edition together with Ma Dou Ling 马兜铃. The same prohibition covers Qing Mu Xiang,, and. The historical indication — swelling during pregnancy — makes this the most dangerous of the group to copy out of an old text: it points a nephrotoxic human carcinogen at a pregnant patient and a fetus. Swelling in pregnancy is a presentation that needs obstetric assessment, because it can signal pre-eclampsia. If a patient reports having taken any aristolochia product, kidney function should be assessed by a physician.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy — and not used outside pregnancy either. Its classical role in pregnancy edema is precisely the use that must not be revived.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 《中华人民共和国药典》(2020 edition) — 马兜铃 and 天仙藤 removed.
2. IARC Monographs vol. 100A — aristolochic acid, Group 1 human carcinogen.
3. 《妇人大全良方》— Tian Xian Teng San 天仙藤散 (classical source, public domain; recorded here as history).
4. 《中药学》(新世纪第二版), chapter on herbs that regulate the qi.
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.