Pinyin: Gouteng
Aliases
Diaogou, Jingouteng, Daoguaci
Source
Rubiaceae family plant *Uncaria sessilifructus*Uncaria sess-ilifructusDried stem branches with hooks of *Uncaria rhynchophylla* (Miq
Botanical Description
Large vine; young branches relatively slender, slightly 4-angled or square-cylindrical, sparsely covered with short pubescence. Leaves nearly leathery, ovate, elliptic, or elliptic-oblong, 8-12 cm long, 4-6.5 cm wide, apex acute to acuminate, base rounded to cuneate, both surfaces glabrous, often with a waxy coating below, frequently powdery-white when dry; lateral veins 4-7 pairs, glabrous or sparsely short-pubescent on the veins below, with depressions in the vein axils; petiole 5-10 mm long, glabrous; stipules narrowly triangular, deeply 2-cleft to more than 2/3 of total length, outer surface glabrous or sparsely short-pubescent, lobes narrowly triangular. Capitulum (excluding corolla) 5-10 mm in diameter, solitary in leaf axils, peduncle with one node, or arranged in simple cymes, peduncle axillary, up to 15 cm long; bracteoles linear or sometimes nearly spatulate; flowers sessile; calyx tube 1-2 mm long, densely covered with pale hairs on outer surface, calyx lobes oblong, apex obtuse, 1 mm long, usually sparsely to densely short-pubescent; corolla yellowish-white, salverform, corolla tube 6-10 mm long, outer surface glabrous or sparsely pubescent, corolla lobes oblong, 2 mm long, with distinctly pale or golden silky hairs on outer surface; style exserted beyond the corolla throat, stigma long-clavate. Infructescence 25-35 mm in diameter; small capsules fusiform, 10-14 mm long, sparsely short-pubescent, persistent calyx lobes ligulate, about 1 mm long, slightly stellate-spreading. Flowering and fruiting period: March to December.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows in dense forests or valley thickets. It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Cultivated for 3-4 years, harvested in autumn and winter. Remove the leaves, cut into segments, and dry in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
The stem and branches of this product are somewhat square-cylindrical in shape, with a longitudinal groove on each of the four sides. The surface is yellowish-brown or brownish-brown, with sparse white hairs. The hooks are relatively flat, often deeply curved inward, and the base is relatively flat. The cross-section is undulating. The xylem protrudes inward in an arc-like manner, causing the pith to be slightly cross-shaped. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains isorhynchophylline, rhynchophylline, hirsuteine, hirsutine, isocorynoxeine, and corynoxeine.N-Contains components such as oxides, (-)-epicatechol, and scopoletin.
Pharmacology
Has the effects of lowering blood pressure, influencing hemodynamics, enhancing myocardial electrophysiology, and anti-arrhythmia; inhibits platelet aggregation and antithrombosis; has sedative, anticonvulsant, and smooth muscle contracting effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, cool. Enters the Liver and Pericardium channels.
Functions and Indications
Calms Wind and settles fright, clears Heat and pacifies the Liver
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decoct 6-30 g, do not decoct for too long; or take as powder.
Precautions and Contraindications
Those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold should use with caution.
Prescriptions
1. For maculopapular rash: Uncaria hooks and Lithospermum erythrorhizon, equal parts. Grind into fine powder, take one dose or 1.5-3 g each time. Take with warm wine, regardless of time. (Xiao'er Yaozheng Zhijue - Lithospermum Powder) 2. For facial nerve paralysis: Uncaria 60 g, fresh Polygonum multiflorum stem 125 g. Decoct in water and take. (Zhejiang Folk Commonly Used Herbs) 3. For vomiting blood: Uncaria, Cynanchum wilfordii, and Aralia decaisneana each 10 g. Decoct in water and take. (Xiangxi Miao Medicine Compilation) 4. For infant night crying: Uncaria 6 g, cicada slough 7 pieces, Juncus effusus 1 bundle. Decoct in water and take. (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) 5. For hypertension, dizziness and blurred vision, nervous headache: Uncaria 6-15 g. Decoct in water and take. (Guangzhou Military Region - Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual)
