Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix
Aliases：Bǎi Bèi (A Hundred Times); Niú Jīng (Cow Stem); Jiǎo Sī Dēng (Foot Pedal); Tiě Niú Xī (Iron Achyranthes); Dù Niú Xī (False Achyranthes); Huái Niú Xī (Huai Achyranthes); Huái Xī (Huai Knee); Zhēn Xī (True Knee); Huái Xī (Huai Knee); Tǔ Niú Xī (Wild Achyranthes); Huái Niú Xī (Huai Achyranthes); Hóng Niú Xī (Red Achyranthes); Niú Kē Xī (Cow Knocking Knee); Niú Kè Xī (Cow Bumping Knee); Niú Gài Xī (Cow Cover Knee); Zhān Cǎo Zǐ Gēn (Sticky Grass Seed Root).
Niú Xī (Twotoothed Achyranthes Root) is a Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried root of Achyranthes bidentata Bl., a plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. It is named for its stem nodes that resemble a cow‘s knee joint. The root is harvested in winter when the stems and leaves wither, then the rootlets and sediment are removed, and the root is dried in the sun. It is primarily produced in Henan, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces, with the most authentic product originating from the Huaiqing region of Henan, hence its common name “Huái Niú Xī”. Niú Xī was listed as a top-grade herb in the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica) and is renowned as a “specialized herb for treating the knees”.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels stasis and stimulates menstruation, tonifies the liver and kidney, strengthens bones and tendons, promotes diuresis and treats stranguria, and directs blood downward.
Indications
Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, lumbago and knee soreness, weakness of bones and tendons, stranguria disorders, edema, headache, vertigo, toothache, aphthous ulcers, hematemesis, and epistaxis.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-Osteoporosis Effect: Regulates the Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways by promoting osteogenic differentiation, enhancing osteoblast activity, inhibiting osteoclast activity, and regulating estrogen levels. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects: Steroidal compounds and triterpenoid saponins exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Immunomodulatory Effect: Enhances non-specific immunity and regulates immune system function. Antitumor Effect: Exhibits antitumor activity through multi-component and multi-target synergistic actions. Cardiovascular Protective Effect: Provides anti-myocardial ischemia, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, and lipid-lowering effects. Neuroprotective Effect: Demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective actions. Anti-Aging Effect: Delays the aging process. Effects on the Reproductive System: Total saponins excite uterine smooth muscle; the benzene extract exhibits anti-fertility, anti-implantation, and anti-early pregnancy effects.
Ingredients
Phytoecdysteroids: β-ecdysterone, inokosterone, achyranterone A, etc. Triterpene saponins: Ginsenoside R₀, achyranthoside I, achyranthoside II, etc. Polysaccharides: Achyranthan (immunomodulatory activity). Flavonoids: Rutin, isoquercetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, etc. Sterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, etc. Others: Alkaloids, organic acids, volatile oils, peptides, amino acids, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 6–15 g; or prepared in pills or powder; or steeped in wine. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, mashed for external application; juice extracted for nasal drip; or ground into powder and applied to the tooth gap.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy (may cause miscarriage). Contraindicated for spleen deficiency with sinking of middle qi. Contraindicated for lower burner insecurity (nocturnal emission, frequent urination, cold and heavy lower back). Long-term use alone is not recommended for qi deficiency or blood deficiency. Use with caution in hypotension. Use with caution in bleeding disorders, during menstruation, or menorrhagia without stasis. Do not combine with potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene) or cardiac glycosides. Avoid beef during medication.
Selected Formulas
For Dizziness, Vertigo, and Heat Sensation in the Head Due to Hyperactive Liver Yang (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu) Take 30 g of Niú Xī to direct blood downward. Use together with raw hematite (Shēng Zhě Shí), raw dragon bone (Shēng Lóng Gǔ), raw oyster shell (Shēng Mǔ Lì), and other ingredients. Decoct in water and take orally. For Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Irregular Menstruation, and Postpartum Abdominal Pain Due to Blood Stasis (Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang from Yi Lin Gai Cuo) Take Niú Xī together with Dāng Guī (Angelica Sinensis Root), Táo Rén (Peach Seed), Hóng Huā (Safflower), and Chì Sháo (Red Peony Root). Decoct in water and take orally. For Chronic Arthralgia with Lumbago and Knee Soreness (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang from Qian Jin Fang) Take Niú Xī together with Dú Huó (Pubescent Angelica Root) and Sāng Jì Shēng (Taxillus Herb). Decoct in water and take orally. For Weakness of the Feet and Knees Due to Descending Damp-Heat (San Miao Wan from Yi Xue Zheng Chuan) Take Niú Xī combined with Cāng Zhú (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome) and Huáng Bǎi (Phellodendron Bark). Prepare as pills and take orally. For Lower Back Pain and Lumbago with Knee Soreness Due to Liver and Kidney Deficiency (Xu Duan Wan from Fu Shou Jing Fang) Take Niú Xī combined with Dù Zhòng (Eucommia Bark), Xù Duàn (Teasel Root), Bǔ Gǔ Zhī (Psoralea Fruit), and other ingredients. Prepare as pills and take orally.
Daily Consumption
Niú Xī Congee Ingredients: 20 g of Niú Xī stems and leaves, 100 g of polished round-grained rice (Jīng Mǐ). Preparation: Add 200 mL of water to the Niú Xī stems and leaves, decoct until 100 mL remains. Strain and reserve the liquid. Add the rice and approximately 500 mL of water, then cook into a thin congee. Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen, removes dampness, and tonifies the liver and kidney. Suitable for rheumatic joint pain, weak legs and lower back, dizziness, and forgetfulness. Niú Xī Braised Pig‘s Trotter Ingredients: 15 g of Chuān Niú Xī (Cyathula Root), 2 pig’s trotters, 80 mL of yellow wine. Preparation: Clean and remove the hair from the pig‘s trotters. Cut them into small pieces. Place the trotters and Chuān Niú Xī into a stewing pot, add 500 mL of water, and steam (double-boil) until the trotters are tender. Remove Niú Xī, then eat the meat and drink the soup. Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidney, strengthens tendons and bones. Niú Xī Braised Meat Ingredients: 15 g of Huái Niú Xī (Twotoothed Achyranthes Root), an appropriate amount of pork or beef, and appropriate amount of seasonings. Preparation: Braise the meat with Niú Xī and seasonings until cooked. Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidney, strengthens bones and tendons. Suitable for individuals with soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, as well as weak bones and tendons. Niú Xī Tea Ingredients: 5 g of Niú Xī, 3 g of plain tea (Huā Chá). Preparation: Brew with 200 mL of boiling water. Drink as a tea until the flavor fades. Efficacy: Tonifies the kidney and harmonizes the blood, promotes blood circulation and resolves stasis.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture.