- Chinese Name Huai Niu Xi 怀牛膝
- Latin Name Achyranthes bidentata Blume.
- Other Names Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, White Oxknee Root
- Used Part Root
- Specification Powdered Extract
Achyranthes Root Extract Powder
Description
Achyranthes root, or known as Huai Niu Xi in Pinyin, is a common bulk Chinese herb. Being one of the most famous Four Huai medicines, it has a long history of cultivation and application in China. And it got its name because it was mainly produced in the historical Huai Qing Fu, where locates in today’s Jiaozuo in Henan province. In addition, the reason for the name of Niu Xi is twofold: the cylindrical Achyranthes have angular stem and enlarged node that looks like a bull’s knee, plus the healing power of this herb is just like the power of a bull. In TCM remedies it is commonly used as a medicine to unblock collaterals and activate blood. Clinically physicians love to prescribe it for the treatment of a variety of arthritis, osteoproliferation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (including coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral arteriosclerosis), and gynecological diseases (including emmeniopathy, leukorrheal diseases, and various antenatal and postpartum illness).
Clinical Usages and Indications
- Invigorates blood, expels blood stasis – dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, lochioschesis.
- Strengthens the sinews, bones, and joints – lower back and knee issues due to deficiency (tonifies the liver and kidneys).
- Clears damp heat in the lower burner – damp-heat pouring downward manifesting as back and knee pain, w/lin.
- Brings blood downward – yin deficiency with fire or hot blood in the upper warmer, vomiting blood, toothache, nosebleed, dizziness, headache, blurred vision (yang rising).
TCM Tradition
Taste & Property Bitter, Sour, Neutral
Organ Meridians Liver, Kidney
TCM Functions
• Invigorates the Blood and expels Blood Stasis
– Blood Stasis with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and retained lochia
– Pain due to trauma
• Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, strengthens the sinews and bones and benefits the joints
– Low back and knee pain and soreness due to Kidney and Liver Deficiency
• Descends Blood and Fire
– Blood Heat in the Upper Jiao with epistaxis, hema-temesis, and bleeding gums
– Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising with toothaches
– Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire with dizziness, headache and blurred vision
• Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao
– Damp-Heat Pouring Downward with knee pain, or lower back painful obstruction
– As an auxiliary for painful urinary dysfunction (Lin) or vaginal discharge, especially for Stone Lin with lower back pain and bloody urine
