Pinyin: Mutong
Aliases
Tongcao, Fuzhi, Dingfu, Huoxueteng.
Source
It is the plant *Akebia trifoliata* (Thunb.) Koidz. var. *australis* (Diels) Rehd. (White Akebia) of the Lardizabalaceae family.Akebia trifoliata(Thunb.) Koidz. var.australis(Diels) Rehd., San Ye Mu TongAkebia trifoliata(Thunb.) Koidz.Or MutongAkebia quintaStems of *Wikstroemia indica* (Thunb.) Decne.
Botanical Description
See the entry for "Yuzhizi" (prepared fruit of Akebia quinata).
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest in autumn, cut the stem, remove small branches, and dry in the shade.
Medicinal Properties
Stem diameter 5-8 mm. Surface yellow-brown or dark brown, with irregular longitudinal furrows; branch scars present. Texture tough and hard, difficult to break; transverse section shows wood portion pale yellow, vessels fine and dense, arranged irregularly, with approximately 13 rays, pale yellow and radiating, pith nearly round. Odor: faint; Taste: slightly bitter.
Chemical Constituents
Contains mutongoside Sta, mutongoside Stb, mutongoside Stc, mutongoside Std, calceolarioside B, hederagenin, oleanolic acid, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Has diuretic and antibacterial effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat, promotes urination, invigorates Blood, and unblocks the vessels. Indicated for scanty and dark urine, painful urination with turbid discharge, edema, vexing heat in the chest, sore throat, mouth and tongue sores, Wind-Damp Bi pain (rheumatic arthralgia), blocked lactation, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 3-6 g; or made into pills or powder.
Prescriptions
1. For heart channel heat with dry lips, red face, and urinary difficulty: Akebia stem (Mutong) 9 g, Forsythia (Lianqiao) 9 g. Decoction with 1.5 cups of water and ten stems of rush pith (Dengxincao), reduce to 80% and take. (Tongxin San from Yizong Bidu). 2. For infantile paralysis with episodic pain: Akebia stem (Mutong, sliced) 0.3 g, chalcanthite (Danfan, ground) 0.3 g. Grind together into powder. Take 1.5 g with rice water. (Mutong San from Puji Fang). 3. For orchitis: Akebia stem and vine (Mutong jing teng) 30-60 g, scallion (Cong) appropriate amount. Decoct and use the steam for fumigation and the liquid for washing. (Fujian Yaowu Zhi). 4. For sore throat: Decoct Akebia stem (Mutong) in water and take orally, or hold the stem in the mouth and swallow the saliva. (Puji Fang).
