Natural Herb Library

Uncaria Stem with Hooks

Chinese
钩藤
Pinyin
Gou Teng
Latin
Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis
Botanical illustration of Gambir Plant, Uncaria rhynchophylla, showing hook-bearing vine stems, opposite leaves, flowering heads, medicinal twig material, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Gou Teng (钩藤), this sweet, slightly cold herb enters the Liver and Pericardium. Traditionally, it extinguishes internal wind and stops spasms - Gou Teng is a standard herb for tremor, convulsion, pediatric febrile spasm, and other wind-stirring presentations, most often applied for headache, dizziness, and liver yang rising. Modern research has identified Rhynchophylline among its active constituents.

Part used: Twig

Also Known As

Uncaria Gambir Plant

Latin: Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis | Pinyin: Gou Teng | Chinese: 钩藤

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
slightly cold
Channels
Liver, Pericardium

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Extinguishes internal wind and stops spasms - Gou Teng is a standard herb for tremor, convulsion, pediatric febrile spasm, and other wind-stirring presentations.
  • Clears Liver heat and pacifies rising Yang - it is widely used for headache, dizziness, irritability, and red-eye patterns associated with upward Liver disturbance.
  • Relieves hypertension-style presentations within TCM pattern logic - later practice especially values Gou Teng when dizziness and headache reflect vascular tension or rising Liver Yang.

Secondary Actions

  • The crude drug is the hooked twig, not a catechu block or an acacia-derived gambier resin, which is why this inherited slug needed normalization to the Gou Teng identity.
  • Traditional decoction practice often adds Gou Teng later in the boil to better preserve active constituents in the hook-bearing twigs.

Classic Formulas

  • Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang - classic warm-disease formula for heat-generated Liver Wind with high fever, spasms, and agitation.
  • Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin - later formula for Liver-Yang rising with headache, dizziness, and hypertension-style symptoms.
  • Gou Teng Yin - convulsion-oriented formula lineage using Gou Teng when internal wind and heat disturb the child or adult nervous system.

Classical References

  • TCM Wiki describes Gou Teng as sweet and slightly cold, entering the Liver and Pericardium to extinguish wind, stop spasm, clear Liver heat, and pacify the Liver.
  • Traditional herbology also preserves the practical rule that Gou Teng should usually be added near the end of decoction.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rhynchophylline - the best-known Gou Teng oxindole alkaloid
  • Isorhynchophylline - a closely related alkaloid prominent in CNS and vascular research
  • Hirsutine and hirsuteine - supportive indole alkaloids discussed in cardiovascular and neurologic studies

Studied Effects

  • A 2020 review summarized the central-nervous-system pharmacology of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its major constituents, reinforcing why Gou Teng remains a major modern research herb for seizures, neuroprotection, and vascular tension (PMID 31272356).
  • A 2017 study investigated vasodilatory mechanisms of Uncaria rhynchophylla ethanolic extract, providing a plausible bridge between traditional Yang-pacifying use and modern cardiovascular interest (PMID 28771084).
  • A 2014 experimental study found that Uncaria rhynchophylla and rhynchophylline improved kainic-acid-induced epileptic seizures, supporting the herb's classical spasm-stopping reputation in preclinical form (PMID 24636743).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Deficiency-cold presentations without wind or rising Yang
  • Symptomatic hypotension

Cautions

  • Gou Teng is relatively gentle within the wind-extinguishing category, but concentrated extracts may have stronger neurologic and vascular effects than ordinary decoction twigs.
  • Because modern data point toward hypotensive and CNS activity, concurrent use with antihypertensive or sedative therapies deserves practitioner review.
  • Species identity matters because several Uncaria sources are accepted in trade, even though this record is standardized to representative accepted Uncaria rhynchophylla.

Drug Interactions

  • Antihypertensive medications - possible additive blood-pressure-lowering effect.
  • Sedatives or anticonvulsants - possible additive central nervous system effects.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Uncaria Stem with Hooks used for?

Uncaria Stem with Hooks is traditionally used to Extinguishes internal wind and stops spasms - Gou Teng is a standard herb for tremor, convulsion, pediatric febrile spasm, and other wind-stirring presentations., Clears Liver heat and pacifies rising Yang - it is widely used for headache, dizziness, irritability, and red-eye patterns associated with upward Liver disturbance., Relieves hypertension-style presentations within TCM pattern logic - later practice especially values Gou Teng when dizziness and headache reflect vascular tension or rising Liver Yang.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2020 review summarized the central-nervous-system pharmacology of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its major constituents, reinforcing why Gou Teng remains a major modern research herb for seizures, neuroprotection, and vascular tension (PMID 31272356).; A 2017 study investigated vasodilatory mechanisms of Uncaria rhynchophylla ethanolic extract, providing a plausible bridge between traditional Yang-pacifying use and modern cardiovascular interest (PMID 28771084)..

What are other names for Uncaria Stem with Hooks?

Uncaria Stem with Hooks is also known as Uncaria, Gambir Plant. In TCM: 钩藤 (Gou Teng); Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis.

Is Uncaria Stem with Hooks safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Uncaria Stem with Hooks during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Uncaria Stem with Hooks?

Uncaria Stem with Hooks should not be used in: Deficiency-cold presentations without wind or rising Yang; Symptomatic hypotension. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Uncaria Stem with Hooks interact with any medications?

Uncaria Stem with Hooks may interact with: Antihypertensive medications - possible additive blood-pressure-lowering effect.; Sedatives or anticonvulsants - possible additive central nervous system effects.. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.