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Knowledge baseHerbs

Wei Ling Xian威灵仙

Radix ClematidisClematis Root

Also known asChinese Clematis Root · Six-Petal Clematis Root

Category
Herbs that dispel Wind-Dampness
Nature
warm
Taste
pungent, salty
Channels entered
Bladder
Secondary channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Kidney, Pericardium, San Jiao, Gallbladder, Liver
Dosage
3–16 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–16 g
Dosage
15–30 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Dispels Wind-Dampness, unblocks the channels and alleviates pain
  • Wind-Damp painful obstruction (Bi) (especially useful for the whole body)
  • Intractable Bi blockage of Qi and Blood
Softens and transforms fish bones
Fish bones lodged in the throat
Reduces Phlegm and pathogenic water (regulates urination)
  • Accumulation and distention in the Middle Jiao
  • Cold Phlegm digestive problems

Contraindications

  • Not to be used during pregnancy.
  • Use cautiously in Qi and Blood Deficiency and in the debilitated.
  • Avoid taking together with tea or noodle soup.
  • Extended use, or standard use at high doses, may produce a toxic reaction.

Combinations

  • Joint pain from Wind-Damp Bi, particularly in the upper joints.

    • Niu Xi

    Joint pain from Wind-Damp Bi, particularly in the lower joints.

    • Vinegar Brown Sugar

    A fish bone stuck in the throat.

  • Pain in the epigastrium.

  • A fish bone lodged in the throat.

  • Relieves pain and numbness from bone spurs of the neck, spine and heels.

Notes

  • It expels Wind from all twelve channels as well as the Luo vessels, particularly in the lower limbs.
  • It is commonly used for pain at the body's surface.
  • It is particularly helpful for generalized body pain.
  • Its effectiveness comes from combining Wind expulsion with the promotion of Qi movement.
  • It has little effect on pain deeply lodged in or affecting the larger bones.
  • Being warm in nature, it suits Cold conditions better.
  • It is strongly penetrating and mobilizing, and overuse can readily damage the righteous Qi.
  • Taken alone as a powder with warm wine, it addresses lower back and leg pain.
  • Some sources credit it with opening (inducing) menstruation.
  • It also aids expulsion of the placenta.
  • Chinese hospitals use it to induce labor.
  • Together with Rz. Acori, Shi Chang Pu, it is said to help men with ejaculation difficulties, since both herbs penetrate and open closed orifices.
  • Wei Ling Xian and Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae, Qin Jiao, both dispel Wind-Dampness, clear Dampness, and treat restricted movement caused by Wind-Dampness, especially in the lower limbs, and both soften hardness. Wei Ling Xian is better suited to Cold Bi marked by pronounced pain, numbness, restricted movement or even paralysis, whereas Qin Jiao acts mainly on Dampness and is preferable when Wind-Damp pathogens are complicated by Heat or where Dampness predominates; it further cools Heat and clears steaming-bone patterns such as Damp-Heat jaundice or bone-steaming consumption.
  • Wine-fried Clematis Root, Jiu Chao Wei Ling Xian, disperses Cold and frees the collaterals more effectively, and is used for both migratory painful obstruction from Wind and intensely painful obstruction from Cold.

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