Ji Xue Teng
Spatholobus suberectus Dunn
β― TCM Properties
Invigorates Blood and tonifies Blood; Regulates Menstruation and Alleviates Pain; Relaxes the Sinews and Unblocks the Collaterals
Botanical Description
Spatholobus suberectus is a large woody perennial climbing vine in the Fabaceae, native to broadleaf forests of southern China, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. The stout twining stems can reach over 10 m in length, with grey-brown bark; cut transverse sections reveal alternating reddish-brown and lighter concentric rings, and exude a sticky dark red sap when fresh, which gives rise to the Chinese name "chicken's blood vine." Leaves are alternate, pinnately trifoliolate with broadly elliptic to obovate leaflets, the terminal larger than the laterals. Small purplish-white pea-like flowers are borne in large dense pendulous panicles, followed by oblong velvety legumes 8-11 cm long containing a single seed. The dried sectioned stems are the medicinal Ji Xue Teng.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | β | β | β |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ji Xue Teng (spatholobus stem, chicken blood vine) is a warm, bitter-sweet herb that both nourishes and invigorates Blood. It addresses Blood deficiency with numbness, weakness, and pallor, as well as Blood stagnation with menstrual pain, amenorrhea, and joint or muscle pain from obstructed circulation. Its dual action of tonifying and moving Blood makes it especially useful in formulas for anemia complicated by Blood stasis, and it is widely used in modern Chinese medicine for Blood and circulation-related conditions.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.