Witnessed by: TCM
Akebia (Akebia quinata), of the Lardizabalaceae family. Woody climbing vine with palmate five-fingered leaves; native range: woodland and thickets of eastern China, Korea, and Japan. Globally recognized as mu tong (木通) in Chinese, and chocolate vine, five-leaf akebia in English. The part used is stem. Light woody stem pierced by fine pores, bitter and drying.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
AKEBIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- akebia
- Scientific name
- Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne.
- Family
- Lardizabalaceae
Form
- Part used
- stem
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Small Intestine · Bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- drains damp-heat through urination, clears Heart fire, promotes lactation, unblocks the blood vessels and channels
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy and in frequent urination from cold or yang deficiency
- Toxicity
- genuine Akebia stem is safe; the adulterant Aristolochia manshuriensis sold under the same name is nephrotoxic and must be avoided
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