Akebia Caulis, Mu Tong 木通 Chocolate Vine Mu Tong (TCM)

Akebia quinata
Lindley, J., Edwards’s Botanical Register (1829-1847)

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Botanical name:

Akebia spp.
  1. A. quinata
  2. A. trifoliata
  3. A. trifoliata var. australis

Parts used:

Caulis

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Bitter

Classification:

C. Clears Damp, Promote Urine

Uses:

1. Clears Damp and Heat, Promotes Urine:
-Damp-Heat obstructing Urine with Pain and dribbling
-Hematuria with pain and obstructed urine
-Edema, Ascites
-also used for other manifestations of Damp-Heat obstruction, clearing heat and guiding downwards

2. Drains Heart Fire:
-Irritability with Mouth or Tongue sores from Heart Fire

3. Moves the Blood, Opens Obstructions:
-Amenorrhea
-Joint pain and stiffness (TCM)
-Rheumatism (Duke)

4. Promotes Lactation:
-insufficient Breast Milk in nursing mothers

Dose:

Decoction: 3–6 grams

Substitutes:

 … available in PRO version

Preparation:

 … available in PRO version

Main Combinations:

1. Obstructed Urine with painful and dribbling urine from Damp-Heat:
i. Akebia Mu Tong,  … available in PRO version
ii. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
iii. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
iv. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
2. Stones with pain and obstructed urine:
i. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
ii. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
3. Edema, Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
4. Mouth Ulcers with Irritability and Insomnia from Heart Fire, Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
5. Insufficient lactation:
i. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
ii. from deficiency, Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
iii. Akebia Mu Tong  … available in PRO version
6. Joint Pain from Wind-Damp, Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
7. Amenorrhea from Blood Stasis:
i. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
ii. Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
8. Drug Dermatitis (after penicillin etc.), Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version
9. Severe Frostbite: Akebia Mu Tong with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:

Dao Chi San
Ba Zheng San
Zhu Ling Tang

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Avoid in Yang or Qi deficiency
3. Should only be used in cases with Damp-Heat
4. Note that various species of Aristolchia have been used as this herb, or to adulterate it. Caution is required to make sure that these are not used in place of Akebia spp.

Toxicity:

Overdose may cause colic and diarrhea.

Main Preparations used: