- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
Asia · Herb · № 705
Akebia trifoliata (en A. quinata)
Herb · Asia
Akebia stem (mu tong)
Akebia trifoliata (en A. quinata)
Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat via the urine in painful urination, mouth ulcers and restlessness; promotes milk flow.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy; caution with yin deficiency. Note: under the name mu tong Aristolochia manshuriensis (guan mu tong) is also sold, which contains aristolochic acid and can cause kidney failure and cancer. Use only verified Akebia. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Stem. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that drain dampness'. Mu tong means 'wood that passes through', after the hollow stems that were thought to let fluid flow. It is part of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. In the past Guan mu tong (Aristolochia manshuriensis) was also sold under this name in China, which led to serious kidney damage; only true Akebia is meant.
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.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- heart, small intestine, bladder
Attributed effects
Promotes urination in cystitis and oedema, cools heart fire in restlessness, mouth ulcers and scanty urination, stimulates milk flow, moves the blood in absent menstruation and helps with stiff, inflamed joints.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Combinations
- With plantain seed for cystitis
- With fu ling and zhu ling for oedema
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction