-- Acupuncture -- -- Moxibustion -- Shiatsu Massage -- Esthetics -- ChiropracticAchyranthes bidentata
|
Botanical name |
Achyranthes bidentata |
| Pin yin name | Huai Niu Xi | |
| Pin yin description | (niu is the ox; xi means knee; the root has nodes or joints in it that are reminiscent of the ox's knee; Huai refers to the Huai River Valley in Henan Province, where this herb is commonly cultivated; the material is distinguished from Chuan Niu Xi, Cyathula capitata, where chuan indicates that it is cultivated in Sichuan Province. Both herbs are used similarly, but Huai Niu Xi is deemed better for nourishing the liver and kidney and Chuan Niu Xi is deemed better for transforming blood stasis) | |
| Other common names | Ox Knee | |
| Part used | Stem Bark (dug up in winter when the aerial part has withered, rootlets removed; it is common to process this herb with wine to enhance the property of activating blood circulation) | |
| Taste | Bitter, Sour | |
| Nature | Neutral | |
| Traditional Chinese uses | Activates blood circulation and transforms blood stasis, nourishes liver and kidney, strengthens sinew and bones, diuretic, induces downward movement of blood (from upper body to lower body) | |
| Traditional Chinese applications | Blood stasis syndrome affecting the lower abdomen, with symptoms such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and abdominal pain after giving birth or following trauma to the abdomen; pain in the low back and knees and weakness of the legs due to deficiency of kidney and liver; heat lin syndromes (urinary disorders) with symptoms of difficult urination, pain in the urethra, and urine tinged with blood; blood rushing upward under the influence of liver yang agitation with symptoms of spitting blood, nose bleed, headache, and vertigo. | |
| Possible unwanted effects | If taken during menstrual bleeding, it may increase the blood flow | |
| Herb drug interactions | None reported; however, this and all herbs used to activate blood circulation should be used cautiously at modest dosage when on potent anticoagulant therapies (e.g., Warfarin). | |
| TCM and other contraindications | Diarrhoea due to spleen deficiency; excessive menstrual bleeding due to weakness of original qi; specifically contraindicated for use during pregnancy | |
| For more information about Chinese herbal remedies, please feel free to contact us. | ||
