- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (China, South and East Asia)
Asia · Herb · № 303
Achyranthes bidentata
Herb · Asia
Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)
Achyranthes bidentata
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Chinese food therapy: Not during pregnancy or with heavy menstruation, because it promotes blood flow.
- Chinese materia medica: Not during pregnancy or with heavy menstruation; caution with weak digestion.
Preparation
Root.
Use in traditions
Described in herbal medicine (Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic). Niu xi means 'ox knee', after the swollen stem nodes. According to Chinese medicine the root leads the blood downward and is used for painful knees and lower back; in Japan it is part of the prescription Goshajinkigan.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.
Preparation and amount
Root.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Traditional tonic for women with menstrual complaints, and a general tonic for liver and kidneys in the elderly: promotes circulation, purifies the blood, relieves pain in the lower back and hips and lets the energy flow in the meridians.
Caution: Not during pregnancy or with heavy menstruation, because it promotes blood flow.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, sour, neutral
- Meridians
- liver, kidney
Attributed effects
Raw, niu xi moves the blood in menstrual pain, bruising and pain after injury or childbirth; prepared with wine it strengthens liver and kidneys in weak bones and a painful lower back and knees. It drains damp heat in the lower body and leads rising blood downwards in nosebleeds, headache and dizziness from rising liver yang.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Combinations
- With sang ji sheng, du zhong and du huo for lower back and knee pain
- With gou teng and chrysanthemum for headache and dizziness from high blood pressure
Caution: Not during pregnancy or with heavy menstruation; caution with weak digestion.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction