Stauntonia hexaphylla (Thunb.) Decne.
Aliases：Yě Mù Guā (literally "Wild Papaya"), Qī Jiě Mèi Téng (literally "Seven Sisters Vine"), Liù Yè Yě Mù Guā (literally "Six‑Leaved Wild Papaya"), Shí Yuè (literally "Stone Moon"), and Yù Zǐ (literally "Fragrant Seed"). (These are all alternative names for Niú Téng, i.e., the stem and root of Stauntonia hexaphylla and S. hexaphylla var. urophylla.)
Niú Téng is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the stem and root of Stauntonia hexaphylla (Thunb.) Decne. or Stauntonia hexaphylla Decne. var. urophylla Hand.-Mazz., plants belonging to the family Lardizabalaceae.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and disperses stasis, relieves pain, and promotes diuresis to reduce swelling.
Indications
Rheumatic arthralgia: Used for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, and other conditions. Traumatic injuries: Used for traumatic pain, swelling and pain due to blood stasis. Various types of neuralgic pain: Such as sciatica, postoperative pain, etc. Difficult urination and edema: Used to promote diuresis and reduce swelling.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern research has shown that Niú Téng possesses sedative and analgesic effects.
Ingredients
Its flowers contain cyanidin-3-xylosylglucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, quercitrin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, the usual dosage is 15–30 g; or it can be made into pills or powders.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For rheumatic bone pain (empirical formula) Take 30g each of Niu Teng (a local herb, possibly a species of vine) and Chou Moli (Clerodendrum philippinum), and 15g of Manshanxiang (a local herb). Decoct in water and drink. For leprosy-related reactive pain (empirical formula) Take 15-30g of Niu Teng, decoct in water for 3 hours, and take in one dose. For insomnia (empirical formula) Take 15-20 leaves of Niu Teng, decoct in water, and take before bedtime.
Medicinal Parts
Dried stem and root.
