WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

Gouteng is the dried hooked stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.)Jacks.,Uncaria macrophylla Wall.,Uncaria hirsuta Havil.,Uncaria sinensis( Oliv.)Havil.,or Uncaria sessilifructus Roxb.,pertaining to Rubiaceae. It is collected in fall and winter. After the leaf is removed, it is cut into segments and then sun dried.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Sweet and cold; relate to liver and pericardium meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Clear heat, pacify liver; extinguish wind and tranquilize.

[ CLinical Applications ]: 1. Headache and dizziness      Gouteng treats distending feeling in head, headache and dizziness. For that caused by liver fire, it is combined with Xiakucao and Longdan, while for that caused by hyperactivity of liver yang, it is combined with Tianma and shijueming, such as in Tianma Gouteng Decoction.

2. Stirring of liver wind, fright epilepsy and convulsions       It treats generation of wind by extreme heat, manifesting as convulsions of four limbs and acute infantile convulsions due to  high fever with superior effects, in combination with Tianma, Quanxie and Jiangcan. For epilepsy, manifesting as crying, spasms and convulsion, it is in combination with Tianzhuhuang and Chantui.

It also can clear heat and let pathogen out, to treat external contraction of wind heat, which manifests as headache, reddish eyes and macula failing to erupt.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3-12g. It should be decocted later.

钩藤为茜草科植物钩藤Uncaria rhyunchophylla (Miq.) Jacks.、大叶钩藤Uncaria macrophylla Wall.、毛钩藤Uncaria hirsuta Havil.、华钩藤Uncaria sinensis (Oliv.) Havil.或无柄果钩藤Uncaria sessilifructus Roxb.的干燥带钩茎枝。产于长江以南至福建、广东、广西等省。秋、冬二季采收带钩的嫩枝，去叶，切段，晒干。