Trachelospermum Caulis, Luo Shi Teng 络石藤

Star Jasmine Stem
Luo Shi Teng (TCM)
Picture Trachelospermum jasminoides
Gartenflora [E. von Regel], vol. 8 (1859)

Picture Trachelospermum jasminoides
Houtte, L. van, Flore des serres et des jardin de l’Europe (1850)

Picture Trachelospermum jasminoides flower
(Photo by Jim Evans) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Trachelospermum jasminoides
Other species used include T. asiaticum, T. asiaticum var. intermedium

Parts used:


Stem; also the leaf

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Bitter.
Li Shi Zhen said it is Sweet and slightly Sour, but not Bitter.

Classification:


D. Clear Wind & Damp

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Unblocks the Channels:
-pain and spasm of the Sinews
-good for joint pain with Heat, but can be used for any type
-also Hemiplegia, Numbness, loss of Speech from Stroke

2. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood, Reduces Swellings:
-red, hot, painful sores and swellings
-Sore Throat, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis
-also Bleeding from Heat in the Blood
-Poison Snake bites (Su Gong)

3. Benefits Kidneys:
-‘relieves pain in the lumbar region and the thigh’ (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-‘It turns white into black and is a good tonic for the aged.’ (Chen Cang Qi)
-‘enables one to enjoy long life with greater intelligence.’ (Ming Yi Bie Lu)


Dose:


‘When the drug is to be taken, soak it in wine’ (Li Shi Zhen)
Decoction: 6–15 grams

Comment:


‘Long-term use makes one feel happy and vigorous and brightens one’s eye. It is moistening. It keeps one looking young and pretty and enables one to enjoy long life with greater intelligence.’ (Ming Yi Bie Lu)

Substitutes:
1. Stem of Ficus pumila (this doesn’t clear Blood heat, but rather moves the Blood)
2. Euonymus fortunei
3. Milletia dielsiana

Preparation:


1. Remove the hair with a cloth, then steep in a decoction of Licorice for a full day. Then cut into pieces and dry in the sun.

Main Combinations:


1. Joint Pain:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Heat, Lonicera Ren Dong Tang
ii. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi, Achyranthes Niu Xi
2. Muscles pain and spasm:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Paeonia Bai Shao and Licorice
3. Urine that is white and turbid, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng, Ginseng, Poria Fu Ling (2 parts each) Fossil bones, calcined (Long Gu) (1 part). Powder, take 6 grams with rice souyp twice daily.
4. Stroke with Hemiplegia, Numbness, loss of Speech, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Earthworm, Scorpion (as in Zhong Feng Hui Chu Wan)
5. Pain and swelling, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Paeonia Mu Dan Pi
6. Sores, Abscesses, Toxic Swellings:
i. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
ii. Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng with Myrrh, Frankincense

Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used: