Witnessed by: TCM
Spatholobus (Spatholobus suberectus), of the Fabaceae family. Large woody climbing liana of warm forest; native range: mountain forests of southern China. Globally recognized as ji xue teng (雞血藤) in Chinese, and spatholobus, chicken-blood vine in English. The part used is stem. Thick woody stem showing concentric reddish-brown rings and a dark resin when cut, bitter-sweet and slightly astringent.
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.
SPATHOLOBUS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- spatholobus
- Scientific name
- Spatholobus suberectus Dunn
- Family
- Fabaceae
Form
- Part used
- stem
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Kidney
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- invigorates and nourishes the blood, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in pregnancy and in yin deficiency with heat signs
- Toxicity
- no significant toxicity at usual dose
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