Properties: Sweet, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Heart
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Nourishes the Heart Yin and Blood and calms the Spirit
Heart Yin Deficiency or Heart Blood Deficiency with insomnia and irritability
Especially for dream-disturbed sleep
- Unblocks channels and dispels Wind-Dampness
General weakness, soreness, pain and numbness due to Blood Deficiency
Backache and aching limbs due to Wind-Damp Bi
- Alleviates itching (topical)
Itching and skin rashes (topically as a wash)
- Astringes sweat
Profuse perspiration from Deficiency
Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Emodin
Anthraquinone with a role as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, an antineoplastic agent and a laxative. It has also shown to inhibit the interaction between the SARS-CoV spike protein and ACE2 receptors (Ho et al, 2007)
Notes:
Ye Jiao Teng is a nyctinastic herb, meaning that it moves in response to the alternation of day and night, reflected in its name that refers to its tendency to cross at night and separate during the day. This gives these herbs a particular affinity for treating problems of circadian rhythms such as insomnia.
Appears in 5 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
