Ye Jiao Teng: The TCM Herb for Calming the Mind and Relieving Itchiness

Hongji Medical
Jun 11
3 min read

Ye Jiao Teng, also known as Polygonum Vine or Shou Wu Vine, is the stem of the Polygonum multiflorum plant, celebrated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its ability to calm the mind and relieve wind-related symptoms. Its poetic name, meaning "night-crossing vine," comes from the legend that its vines intertwine at night, symbolizing connection and harmony.

Ye Jiao Teng was first recorded in the Kaibao Bencao (Kaibao Materia Medica), noted for treating itchy skin conditions and postpartum sweating. The Bencao Tujing described its botanical features, distinguishing male and female plants, while the Compendium of Materia Medica by Li Shizhen emphasized its role in relieving skin issues, postpartum symptoms, and insomnia due to blood deficiency. The Bencao Zhengyi further highlighted its effectiveness for insomnia caused by heart blood deficiency, solidifying its place in TCM.

Properties of Ye Jiao Teng

Nature and Channels

Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter
Nature: Neutral
Channels: Heart, Liver

Main Benefits

Nourishes the heart and calms the mind
Dispels wind and promotes channel flow

Dosage

Internal use: 9–15 grams, boiled in decoctions.

Growing Regions

Found across China, especially in the Yangtze River basin and southern provinces.

Identification

Shape: Long, cylindrical, slightly twisted, varying lengths, 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter.
Color: Reddish-brown or brownish with longitudinal wrinkles and lenticel-like protrusions.
Texture: Light, tough, not easily broken, with a fibrous cross-section showing connected cortex and woody core.
Scent and Taste: Mild scent, slightly bitter and astringent taste.

Clinical Uses of Ye Jiao Teng

Ye Jiao Teng is used in TCM to treat various conditions:

Insomnia and Vivid Dreams: Relieves difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, excessive dreaming, and palpitations.
Blood Deficiency with Itchy Skin: Eases dry, itchy, and flaky skin caused by blood deficiency and wind.
Body Aches and Numbness: Alleviates generalized pain, limb numbness, and restricted movement.
Neurasthenia: Addresses dizziness, headaches, insomnia, and forgetfulness due to nervous system weakness.

Specific Benefits

Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Mind: Ye Jiao Teng nourishes heart blood, soothing insomnia and palpitations from deficiency.
Dispelling Wind and Relieving Itchiness: It clears wind-dampness, reducing skin itching and flaking.
Promoting Channel Flow and Pain Relief: It enhances circulation, easing pain and numbness from wind-dampness.

農本方 - 首烏藤（夜交藤）

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Ye Jiao Teng in TCM Formulas

Ye Jiao Teng is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Here are some examples:

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan (Calm the Mind and Settle the Will Pill): Combines Ye Jiao Teng with Poria, Polygala, Acorus, and Ginseng to nourish the heart and calm the mind, treating insomnia and palpitations from heart-spleen deficiency.
Yang Xue Run Fu Yin (Nourish Blood and Moisten Skin Decoction): Includes Ye Jiao Teng with Dang Gui, Rehmannia, Ophiopogon, and Peony to nourish blood and relieve itchy, dry skin.
Shu Jin Huo Luo Tang (Relax Tendons and Activate Channels Decoction): Pairs Ye Jiao Teng with Millettia, Clematis, Notopterygium, and Angelica Dahurica to dispel wind-dampness and ease pain and numbness from rheumatism.

海天 - 安神定志顆粒（安神定志丸）

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Comparison with Similar Herbs

Ye Jiao Teng shares effects with other TCM herbs but has unique strengths:

Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed): Nourishes the heart and calms the mind but is better for insomnia due to yin-blood deficiency, with weaker wind-dispelling effects.
He Huan Pi (Albizia Bark): Calms the mind and relieves depression but has stronger mood-lifting effects and weaker blood-nourishing properties.
Ji Xue Teng (Millettia Vine): Promotes blood flow and channel movement but focuses on blood deficiency and pain, with less calming action.

Ye Jiao Teng stands out for its dual ability to calm the mind and relieve wind-related symptoms like itching and pain.

農本方 - 酸棗仁

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Modern Applications and Research

Modern research highlights Ye Jiao Teng’s benefits:

Sedative and Hypnotic Effects: Its extracts shorten sleep onset and extend sleep duration.
Anti-Anxiety Effects: It helps reduce anxiety and stress.
Antioxidant Effects: It neutralizes free radicals, protecting cells.
Cholesterol Reduction: It lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides.

Clinically, Ye Jiao Teng is used for insomnia, neurasthenia, and itchy skin conditions, with promising results.

農本方 - 首烏藤（夜交藤）

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How to Use Ye Jiao Teng Safely

Precautions

Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with Cold: Use cautiously, as excessive use may cause digestive issues.
Drug Interactions: Consult a practitioner, as Ye Jiao Teng may interact with certain medications.
Dosage Control: Follow medical advice to avoid overuse.
Tea Infusion: Some use Ye Jiao Teng as a tea, but limit quantity and avoid long-term use.

Usage Tips

Ye Jiao Teng is typically boiled in decoctions. Consult a TCM practitioner for proper dosage and suitability.

Conclusion

Ye Jiao Teng is a versatile TCM herb known for calming the mind, relieving insomnia, and easing itchy skin and joint pain. It effectively treats blood deficiency-related conditions, with modern research supporting its sedative, anti-anxiety, and antioxidant effects. To ensure safe and effective use, consult a TCM practitioner for guidance on dosage and application.

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An Shen Ding Zhi Wan: Calming the Mind and Relieving Anxiety

Suan Zao Ren Tang: A Classic TCM Formula for Insomnia and Calmness

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中醫知識

Chinese Medicine - Qi

Blood and semen

Heart and lungs

Spleen and Liver

Kidney

Gallbladder, stomach, intestines, bladder

Interrelationships among the five internal organs

Other questions

Qi is the constantly moving subtle substance that constitutes the human body and maintains its vital activities.

There are three main sources of Qi in the human body: the innate essence inherited from parents, the essence of water and grain in food, and the pure Qi existing in nature.

Qi has many important physiological effects on the human body. The normal functioning of the internal organs, meridians, limbs, bones, five senses and nine orifices all depends on the physiological effects of Qi.

Generally speaking, the physiological effects of Qi include five aspects: promotion, warming, defense, consolidation, and qi transformation.

Yuan Qi is the most original Qi in the human body.

Yuan Qi is mainly composed of the essence of the kidneys and is generated from the essence of the kidneys.

The distribution of primordial energy is throughout the body, reaching everywhere. The internal organs, meridians, body parts, five senses and nine orifices are all places where primordial energy rises, falls, enters and exits.

The main physiological functions of Yuan Qi are twofold: one is to promote and stimulate the growth, development and reproduction of the human body. The other is to promote and stimulate the physiological activities of the internal organs and meridians.

If the kidneys are deficient in essence and energy due to congenital deficiency, postnatal malnutrition, or long-term illness, and the kidneys lack the source of vital energy, various diseases may occur.

Zong Qi is the Qi that accumulates in the chest. The place where Zong Qi accumulates is called "Tan Zhong" (between the two breasts). Because it is the place where Zong Qi is most concentrated, it is also called "Qi Hai".

Zong Qi is mainly composed of the fresh air from nature inhaled by the lungs and the essence of water and grain produced by the spleen and stomach from food.

The main functions of Zong Qi are twofold:

1. It is to walk the Xi Dao to control breathing. All breathing, speech, and voice are related to the Zong Qi. When the Zong Qi is abundant, the breathing is slow and the rhythm is even, the speech is clear and the voice is loud; otherwise, the breathing is short and the voice is low.

Second, it is to circulate Qi and blood through the heart meridians. All the beating of the heart and the circulation of Qi and blood are related to Zong Qi. If the pulse is gentle, the rhythm is consistent, and there is spirit and root, it is a manifestation of abundant Zong Qi. On the contrary, if the pulse is agitated, scattered, weak, or irregular, it means that the Zong Qi is insufficient or even weak.

Zhongqi refers to the Qi of the middle burner. Because the spleen and stomach are located in the middle burner, the Qi of the spleen and stomach is generally called "Zhongqi".

It is generally believed that the formation of Zhong Qi is formed by the combination of the Yuan Qi distributed in the Zhongjiao and the water and grain essence produced by the spleen and stomach.

The middle qi is mainly distributed in the middle burner, spreading between the spleen, stomach, and intestines, and it rises and falls, constantly mediating.

The main functions of Zhongqi include three aspects:

1. It controls the rise and fall of Qi. The middle burner is the hub of the rise and fall of Qi. When the middle Qi is abundant and harmonious, the Qi of the liver and spleen will rise healthily, and the Qi of the lungs and stomach will descend smoothly. When the rise and fall are smooth, all organs will be at peace.

Second, it stimulates the spleen and stomach to absorb and transport. When the middle qi is abundant, the spleen rises and the stomach descends normally, the water and grain are received and transported normally, and the essence of water and grain is continuously produced to generate qi and blood, nourishing the whole body.

Third, it maintains the position of the internal organs. The reason why the internal organs maintain their relatively constant position depends on the rise and fall of the qi of the middle jiao spleen and stomach.

Ying Qi, also known as "Rong Qi", is the Qi that flows in the veins.

The distribution and movement of Ying Qi are clearly discussed in Suwen Bi Lun, which points out that Ying Qi "harmonizes the five internal organs, flows through the six bowels, and then enters the meridians."

It explains that the nutrient energy enters the meridians, circulates throughout the body, flows into the internal organs, and reaches the limbs, repeating the cycle over and over again.

The main functions of Ying Qi:

1. It is the transformation of blood.

Second, it nourishes the whole body. The nourishing qi enters the blood vessels and causes the body fluids to penetrate into the blood vessels. The two combine to form blood.

The so-called Qi can produce blood, mainly refers to: Ying Qi transforms into blood. Ying Qi is produced by the refined part of the essence of grains, and is a nutrient necessary for physiological activities such as viscera and meridians, and plays an important role in maintaining human life activities.

The Inner Canon of Medicine states that the Nutritive Qi "harmonises the five internal organs, and spreads throughout the six bowels", "nourishes the four extremities", etc., which emphasizes that the Nutritive Qi has a nourishing effect.

Wei Qi is the Qi that circulates outside the veins. It is so called because it protects the skin and resists external pathogens.

The distribution of Wei Qi is fast, smooth and agile, and is not restricted by blood vessels, so it can "flow through the skin, between the flesh, fumigate the peritoneum, and spread to the chest and abdomen" (Suwen Bi Lun). This shows that Wei Qi spreads throughout the body, externally between the skin and muscles, and internally to the peritoneum of the chest and abdomen - the area inside the diaphragm of the chest cavity.

The main physiological functions of Wei Qi are three-fold:

First, it protects the skin and prevents the invasion of external pathogens. In clinical practice, if a patient is prone to colds and fever, the treatment is usually based on the theory that the Wei surface is not solid. The theoretical basis is here. Second, it warms the internal organs, muscles, fur, etc. Wei Qi has a strong warming effect. If Wei Yang is deficient, the warming power is weakened, and cold symptoms such as cold body, cold limbs and low body temperature may appear. If Wei Qi is stagnant and turns into heat, hot symptoms such as fever and malignant fever may appear.

Third, it regulates the opening and closing of pores and controls sweat excretion, which is what Lingshu Benzang says about the Wei Qi having the function of “controlling opening and closing”.

Ye Jiao Teng: The TCM Herb for Calming the Mind and Relieving Itchiness

Properties of Ye Jiao Teng

Nature and Channels

Main Benefits

Dosage

Growing Regions

Identification

Clinical Uses of Ye Jiao Teng

Specific Benefits

Ye Jiao Teng in TCM Formulas

Comparison with Similar Herbs

Modern Applications and Research

How to Use Ye Jiao Teng Safely

Precautions

Usage Tips

Conclusion

Related Posts

中醫知識

The concept of Qi

Vitality

Zong Qi

Middle Qi

Ying Qi

Health

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