Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

Gou Teng Yin - 钩藤饮 - Uncaria Decoction

English: Uncaria Decoction
Also Known As:

Herbs And Actions

Pharmaceutical Latin Pin Yin Dosage Actions
Ram. Uncariae cum Uncis Gou Teng 9-12g Extinguishes Wind, alleviates spasms, drains Liver Heat and pacifies Liver Yang.
With Tian Ma, calms the Liver and extinguishes Wind.
With Quan Xie, for seizures, convulsions spasms, tics, hemiplegia due to Wind-Stroke and numbness and pain in the limbs, and stubborn migraines or trigeminal neuralgia from Liver Wind or Liver Yang Rising.
With Tian Ma and Quan Xie, for convulsions due to Liver Wind and childhood convulsions with clenching of the jaws and tremors.
With Tian Ma, Ling Yang Jiao and Quan Xie, for high fevers with convulsions or muscular tetany.
With Tian Ma, Ling Yang Jiao, Ren Shen and Quan Xie, for high fevers with convulsions or muscular tetany with concurrent Qi Deficiency
Cornu Saigae Tataricae Ling Yang Jiao 0.3-6g Anchors Yang, Calms the Liver, Clears Fire toxicity, Controls spasms and convulsions, Drains Heat, Drains Liver Heat, Extinguishes Wind.
Scorpio Quan Xie 0.9g Attacks, Extinguishes Wind, Relieves Fire toxins and stops pain, Stops tremors and convulsions, Unblocks the collaterals.
Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen 3-6g Tonifies Qi.
(Rx. Pseudostellariae) (Tai Zi Shen) 6-9g (Substitutes for Ren Shen.)
Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma 6-9g Calms the Liver, Extinguishes Wind, Stops spasms and tremors, Subdues rising Liver Yang and alleviates pain.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao 1.5-3g Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels.

Formula Actions

  • Clears Heat
  • Extinguishes Wind
  • Tonifies Qi
  • Relieves spasms

Syndromes

  • Liver Wind Stirring Internally: Extreme Heat Generating Wind with Qi Deficiency and Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Upper Jiao
  • Liver Fire

Clinical Manifestations

  • High fever
  • Contractures
  • Spasms
  • Neck stiffness
  • Convulsions
  • Oculogyric crises
  • Opisthotonos
  • Dizziness
  • Flushed cheeks
  • Insomnia
  • Drooling
  • Irritability
  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • Palpitations
  • Coma
  • Possibly death
  • Trismus
  • T: Red or Deep red
  • P: Wiry and rapid

Treats

  • Childhood convulsions
  • Eclampsia
  • Encephalitis B
  • Malaria
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Meniere's disease
  • Palpitations

Contraindications And Herb/Drug Interactions

CONTRAINDICATIONS
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Notes

Modifications

For sever Internal Heat with abundant Phlegm:
+ Less Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.