Achyranthes, Niu Xi 牛膝

Prickly Chaff flower
Niu Xi (TCM)
Apamarga, Chirchita (A. aspera, Ayurveda)
Shveta Apamarga (A. bidentata, Ayurveda)
Chirchita (Unani)
 Picture Picture
Picture Achyranthes aspera
Sibthrop & Smith, Flora Graeca, 1819

Picture Achyranthes aspera
(Photo by Renjusplace) (Wikimedia)

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Botanical name:
Achyranthes bidentata, A. aspera (syn. A. argentea, A. indica), A. longifolia

Parts used:


Root; also Leaf and Seed

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral/Warm. Bitter, Sour

Classification:


k. Medicines that Move the Blood

Uses:


1. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-retention of Afterbirth
-Pain from Trauma, especially of the joints
-High Cholesterol (Ayurveda)

2. Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, Strengthens Bones and Joints: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-weakness and pain of the Lower back and Knees
-used in formula to strengthen Memory in Ayurveda
-Threatened Miscarriage (Ayurveda)

3. Clears Heat, Guides Liver Yang Down: (TCM)
-Liver Yang rising up causing nosebleed, bleeding gums, headache, dizziness
-Yin deficiency with rising Heat
-hypertension, hemicrania (Ayurveda)
-hemostatic (Ayurveda)

4. Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Abdomen: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Painful or obstructed Urination


Comment:


1. A. bidentata (Niu Xi) is used in TCM, A. aspera (Apamarga) is used in Ayurveda. Both are synonymous as the latter is used as a local variety of Niu Xi in TCM (Bensky).

Dose:


Decoction: 5–10 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Preparation:


 … available in PRO version

Corrective:
 … available in PRO version

Substitute:


 … available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Lower Back Pain, Achyranthes Niu Xi with  … available in PRO version
2. Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Arthritis, Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
3. Atrophy, weakness and pain of the lower limbs from Damp Heat, … available in PRO version
4. Blood stasis in the chest and upper body, Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
5. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
ii. Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
iii. Late or Scanty Menstruation with clotting and pain, Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
6. Vertigo, Dizziness, Tinnitus:
i. Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
ii. Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
7. Toothache from Stomach Fire with Yin deficiency, Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version
8. Edema, Dysuria, Achyranthes Niu Xi with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Da Ying Jian
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Jian Ling Tang
Jing Qian Fang
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Shen Tong Zhi Yu Tang
Si Miao Wan
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Yu Nu Jian
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Cautions:


1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not used in excessive Menstruation
3. Suppresses appetite in some people (which is negated by applying its correctors).

Main Preparations used: