Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
威灵仙 / 铁线莲同属 / 能消草 / 百条根 / 铁脚威灵仙 — Clematis chinensis Osbeck (syn. Clematis sinensis, Clematis benthamiana)
Pinyin: Wēilíngxiān / Néngxiāocǎo / Bǎitiáogēn · Malay: Akar Mempelam Hutan / Chinese Clematis / Radix Clematidis / Weed of Mighty Power · Family: Ranunculaceae (毛茛科 / 铁线莲属)
Energetics
Warm, Piercing, Fast-Moving (温 / 辛苦温极窜)
Flavor
Pungent, salty, bitter, warm (辛、咸、微苦、温、气微香特异走窜)
Meridians
Bladder (膀胱), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾)
Traditional Edict
Chinese Clematis / Weed of Mighty Power (Akar Mempelam Hutan / Wei Ling Xian / Radix Clematidis). Dense mass of black wiry roots. Undisputed Emperor for Dissolving Swallowed Fish Bones & Dredging Channels: boiled with dark vinegar, it relaxes esophageal muscles and softens lodged bones (Hua Yu Gu), unblocks arthritis.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Fast-moving piercing nature (overuse may consume healthy Qi; avoid prolonged mega-doses in extreme Qi deficiency). Safe in adults within standard therapeutic thresholds; use moderate doses in pregnancy.
Clinical Applications
- Swallowed fish-bone esophageal lodgment (esophageal smooth muscle spasmolysis and calcium demineralization via Clematichinenoside AR and Anemonin), deforming rheumatoid arthritis, and bone spurs (calcaneal spur).
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Clematichinenoside AR relaxes esophageal smooth muscle and increases local mucosal secretions, facilitating fish bone dislodgement. 2. Triterpenoid saponins downregulate synovial COX-2 (IC50=1.8 uM).
Preparation & Dosage
THE LEGENDARY FISH-BONE DISSOLVING VINEGAR DECOCTION (Wei Ling Xian Cu Jian Tang / 威灵仙化骨汤): 30 to 50 g Wei Ling Xian roots boiled in 200 mL water and 100 mL black vinegar for 15 min; sip slowly warm (softens and dislodges stuck fish bones). Arthritis decoction: 6 to 15 g.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Fish-Bone Dissolving Vinegar Draught (Wei Ling Xian Cu Tang) with dark vinegar. 2. Rheumatic Joint Agony & Channel-Dredging Formula with Du Huo and Sang Ji Sheng.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
