Uncaria, Gou Teng 钩藤 Gou Teng (TCM)Khung sder  ཁུང་སྡེར་ (“Claws of Garuda”) (Tibet) Ohwi, J. , Flora of Japan (1965) Photo of branch showing the curved hooks(Photo by keisotyo) Botanical name: Uncaria spp.Various species are used: U. rhynchophylla U. macrophylla U. hirsuta U. sinensis U. sessiliffructus U. scandens (syn. U. pilosa, also used in Tibet) U. lancifolia U. yunnanensis Uncaria scandens, used in Tibetan Medicine (probably along with other species) has been regarded as equivalent to the Uncaria species supplying Gou Teng. Parts used: Vine stem with hooks. Formerly the vine bark was used. Temperature & Taste: Cool, dry. Sweet Classifications: I. Medicines for Internal Wind Uses: 1. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:-Spasms, Tremors, Seizures-Convulsions including those from high Fever; Epilepsy-Dizziness, Vertigo-Eclampsia-’12 kinds of Epilepsy and Convulsion’. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)2. Clears Liver Wind-Heat:-Headache, Irritability, dizziness, red eyes-Hypertension-‘eliminates Heat in the Heart’ (Li Shi Zhen)3. Clears Wind, Relieves the Exterior:-Fever, Headache, Red and itchy eyes-‘infantile disease with chills and fever’ (Ming Yi Bie Lu)-Heat diseases from Toxin; Poisoning (Tibet) Dose: Decoction: 6–15 grams. It should not be decocted too long, so should be added in the last few minutes of boiling.Powder: 1–4 grams Main Combinations: Usually combined with Gastrodia Tian Ma1.…

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