Stems and woodsMind-calmingCaulis Polygoni Multiflori

Ye Jiao Teng (Fleeceflower Stem)

Q: What is Ye Jiao Teng? Are Shou Wu Teng, He Shou Wu and Ji Xue Teng the same?

The official name is Shou Wu Teng , the dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum (the same plant as fleeceflower root), commonly called Ye Jiao Teng. The pharmacopoeial name is Polygoni Multiflori Caulis . He Shou Wu is the tuberous root of the same plant: tonifies Liver-Kidney, benefits essence-Blood and darkens hair; raw root also moistens the intestines and resolves toxin. Hepatotoxicity risk is mainly with the root—do not swap stem and root by equal weight. Ji Xue Teng is the stem of Spatholobus: invigorates and tonifies Blood and soothes sinews—not Ye Jiao Teng. Write Ye Jiao Teng or Shou Wu Teng.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ye Jiao Teng?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Shou Wu Teng is sweet and neutral , enters the Heart and Liver channels, and acts to nourish Blood and calm the spirit, and dispel wind and unblock the collaterals . It is used for insomnia with profuse dreaming, Blood-vacuity body pain and wind-damp impediment pain; externally for itching. Sweet-neutral, it enters Heart-Liver—suited to Heart-Liver Blood vacuity, vacuity vexation insomnia and Blood-vacuity collateral obstruction, not to excess-fire mania or exterior fever that would trap the pathogen. The stem and root share related chemistry; long high-dose courses need attention to liver function.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a sleep tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 9–15 g . It is not a four-season “Ye Jiao Teng sleep tea.” Excess-fire insomnia and exterior fever only grow more disturbed. Vacuity-vexation insomnia and Blood-vacuity body pain need a practitioner to name a short course; those with liver disease should not self-dose large amounts long term.

Q: How do you choose and store Ye Jiao Teng?

Choose stout stems with a purple-brown or reddish-brown surface, yellowish-white wood, reddish-brown bark, faint odor and a slightly bitter-astringent taste . Moldy, moth-eaten, hollow and overly leafy lots are inferior. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Shou Wu Teng / Ye Jiao Teng; do not replace nourishing Blood, calming the spirit and unblocking collaterals with fleeceflower root or Spatholobus by equal weight.

A practical guide to Ye Jiao Teng: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Caulis Polygoni Multiflori
Chinese Name & Pinyin	夜交藤 · Ye Jiao Teng
Medicinal Part	Stems and woods
The herb	Ye Jiao Teng / Shou Wu Teng is the dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum. He Shou Wu is the tuber. Do not write them as one drug.
Nature and channels	Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart and Liver. Sweetness nourishes blood. Neutral nature calms the spirit and unblocks the collaterals.
Pharmacopoeia line	Nourishes blood and calms the spirit. Dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals. Used for insomnia with much dreaming, blood-deficiency body pain, and wind-damp painful obstruction; externally for skin itch.
Pattern cues	Insomnia and dreaming. Blood-deficiency body pain. Wind-damp bi. Itch.
In this article	Ye Jiao Teng versus He Shou Wu, Suan Zao Ren, and Fu Shen. Internal versus external wash. Why phlegm-heat insomnia should not only nourish blood. Who should skip it.

What Is Ye Jiao Teng?

Ye Jiao Teng (夜交藤; Yè Jiāo Téng; Latin: Polygoni Multiflori Caulis; English: fleeceflower stem) is the dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (also Reynoutria multiflora). In Chinese medicine it is a spirit-calming herb. The pharmacopoeia name is Shou Wu Teng. Ye Jiao Teng is the common name. It is sweet and neutral, enters the Heart and Liver channels, and its core actions are to nourish blood and calm the spirit, and to dispel wind and unblock the collaterals. It is not He Shou Wu. The root tonifies Liver and Kidney, benefits essence and blood, and resolves toxin. The vine calms the spirit, unblocks the collaterals, and is often used as a wash for itch. Same plant, different part. Do not use the vine at the root’s “darken the hair” indication. The root has published liver-injury reports. The vine is another part, but still use qualified pieces. Do not pick the vine and simmer a home paste.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Heart–Liver blood-deficiency insomnia — much dreaming, difficulty falling asleep
Blood-deficiency body pain / wind-damp painful obstruction
External use for itch

It is usually used raw. The usual decoction dose is 9–15 g. Washes follow the formula. Phlegm-heat harassing the Heart, or excess-pattern insomnia, will not yield to Ye Jiao Teng’s blood-nourishing action alone. Sweet, neutral, and blood-nourishing, it is not a knockout “sleep vine.”

When blood fails to nourish the Heart, or wind enters the blood collaterals, insomnia, dreaming, itch, and numb limbs are common. Ye Jiao Teng is sweet and moderating and enters Heart and Liver. It nourishes and unblocks, which is why it is often paired with Suan Zao Ren and He Huan Pi. It nourishes blood more than it drains fire. Phlegm-fire internally harassing, a red tongue, and a yellow coating get worse if more enrichment is added.

Ye Jiao Teng is not a catch-all sleep herb. In phlegm-heat harassing the Heart or ascendant Liver yang with no blood deficiency, using it alone does little. Internal or external use should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Ye Jiao Teng: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Caulis Polygoni Multiflori

Botanical Origin

The dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Polygonaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hubei, Guangxi and Guangdong.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has distinct nodes, a purplish-brown surface, and is free of old coarse wood.

Macroscopic Features

Cylindrical segments, 3~7mm diameter; externally purplish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles and lenticels; nodes slightly enlarged; fracture pale yellow with a small pith.

Origin and Quality Identification

In traditional practice, the geographical origin (Dao Di) of an herb is highly valued.

Premium Regions: Wild or cultivated vines from Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan provinces are considered high quality due to generations of growing and harvesting expertise.
Quality Markers: A premium batch features long, cylindrical vines (0.3-0.7 cm in diameter) with a brown surface and twisted longitudinal wrinkles. It should be crisp and easy to snap. The cross-section has a light brown outer layer and a pale yellow center with tiny holes and a star-like radial pattern.
Lookalikes: It is sometimes confused with Hu Zhang Teng (Knotweed Vine), which has noticeable small bumps on its surface and a darker cross-section.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet; NeutralHeartLiver

1. Historical Records in Herbal Texts

While the ancient Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing didn't name the vine separately, it praised the whole He Shou Wu (Fleeceflower Root) plant for nourishing blood and treating skin sores. Later texts highlighted the vine specifically:

Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) formally separated the vine, noting its nighttime intertwining habit and recommending it as a bath wash for itchy, wind-related skin sores.
De Pei Ben Cao specifically documented its ability to treat "all-night sleeplessness," cementing its role as a spirit-calming herb.
Zhong Hua Ben Cao beautifully summarized its dual functions: "nourishing the heart to calm the spirit, and dispelling wind to unblock collaterals."

2. Evolution of Medicinal Understanding

The clinical focus of Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) has shifted over the centuries:

Early Use: Ancient practitioners focused heavily on its ability to clear wind and unblock meridians, using it mostly for skin sores and full-body muscle/joint aches.
Ming and Qing Dynasties: Practitioners began emphasizing its sedative properties for insomnia. Some used it for sleep issues tied to Heart Yin deficiency, while others used it for sleep disrupted by rheumatic body aches.
Safety Note: Despite its gentle nature, traditional texts warn that people with Spleen deficiency or chronic diarrhea should use it sparingly, as it might worsen loose stools.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Nourishes blood, calms the spirit, dispels wind, and unblocks the channels. Apply to insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, blood-deficiency wind, and aching numbness of the limbs.

1. Primary Focus: Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Spirit

Traditional Function: Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) is best known for nourishing Heart Qi and Heart Yin to calm the mind and improve sleep quality.
Target Symptoms: It is ideal for people suffering from insomnia, vivid dreams, light sleep, palpitations, or forgetfulness due to a deficiency in the Heart and Spleen. These individuals often have a pale complexion, general fatigue, and a dry mouth.
Common Pairings: For enhanced sleep support, it is often paired with Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) and Fu Ling (Poria). If there is a lack of Qi and blood, it is combined with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) and Dang Gui (Angelica Root).
When to Avoid: Do not use this herb if your insomnia is caused by an acute cold/fever, or if you have "damp-heat" (characterized by irritability, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a thick tongue coating). In these cases, the herb's nourishing nature might trap the "heat" inside your body.

2. Secondary Focus: Dispelling Wind and Unblocking Meridians

Traditional Function: It helps clear "wind" pathogens from the body's meridian pathways, improving circulation and relieving aches.
Target Symptoms: Used for rheumatic joint pain, muscle aches, numbness, or itchy skin caused by blood deficiency and "wind dryness." These symptoms typically worsen in cold or windy environments and improve slightly with movement.
Common Pairings: It is frequently paired with Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens Root) and Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe Stem) to relieve pain, or with Dang Gui (Angelica Root) and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) to address blood deficiency.
When to Avoid: Avoid using it if you have damp-heat arthritis (where joints are visibly red, swollen, and hot) or if you have bleeding tendencies or open skin sores.

3. Common Herb Pairings: Synergistic Duos

A classic TCM combination is Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) paired with Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed).
Why it works: Suan Zao Ren is slightly astringent and excellent at nourishing Heart Yin, while Ye Jiao Teng is better at keeping the meridian pathways clear and unblocked. Together, they form a balanced team that nourishes the heart without causing stagnation. This duo is perfect for people who have both insomnia and mild, lingering body aches. Always consult a TCM practitioner for the right dosage.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Components

Modern laboratory analysis shows that the plant contains anthraquinones (like emodin), flavonoids, terpenes, polysaccharides, and organic acids. While test-tube studies show that some of these compounds have mild antioxidant properties, human clinical trials are still limited.

2. Modern Pharmacological Research Directions

From a modern science perspective, research on Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) focuses mostly on two areas:

Nervous System: Animal studies indicate that the herb's extracts may have a mild sedative effect, helping to reduce spontaneous movement and prolong sleep time in mice.
Inflammation: Researchers are also looking into its potential to regulate inflammatory responses, mirroring its traditional use for skin and joint issues.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

It is important to keep these scientific observations in context:

Lab vs. Real World: Results from test tubes and animal models do not directly translate to human clinical effectiveness.
Format Differences: Highly concentrated extracts or isolated single compounds used in labs act very differently from the traditional water decoction (tea) used in TCM.
Holistic Synergy: TCM views herbs as a complex, whole system. Pointing to a single chemical component does not fully explain the overall traditional effects of the entire herb.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Shared Traits with Similar Herbs

Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) is often compared to He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark):

Both are famous for calming the spirit and treating insomnia.
Both address body discomfort caused by emotional stress or blocked energy.
Both require proper dosage control and are not meant for everyone to use long-term.

2. Core Differences

Nature and Flavor: Both are neutral in temperature, but Ye Jiao Teng has a slightly bitter taste, which gives it the ability to unblock meridians. He Huan Pi lacks this bitterness and focuses more on smoothing out emotions.
Core Strength: Ye Jiao Teng excels at treating insomnia accompanied by physical aches and pains (dispelling wind). He Huan Pi is a master at treating insomnia caused by emotional depression, stress, or chest tightness.
Action Direction: Ye Jiao Teng nourishes while gently clearing physical blockages. He Huan Pi specifically targets stagnant emotional energy (Qi) without a strong nourishing effect.

3. A One-Sentence Summary

Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) is your go-to for insomnia paired with body aches, while He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark) is best for insomnia driven by emotional stress and a heavy heart.

Classical Formulas Containing Ye Jiao Teng

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

天麻鉤藤飲Assistant

Formula CategoryLiver-Wind Extinguishing FormulasPrimary PatternLiver FirePrimary FunctionCalm Liver Yang, extinguish internal wind, clear heatRelated ConditionsHeadache·Dizziness & Vertigo·Tinnitus·Anxiety Restlessness

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Teas and Meals

Ye Jiao Teng and Red Date Tea:
- Ingredients: 10g Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine), 3 red dates (pitted).
- Method: Rinse the herb, place both ingredients in a cup, and steep with boiling water for 15 minutes.
- Best For: Mild insomnia accompanied by fatigue and a pale complexion.
- Avoid If: You have damp-heat (bitter mouth, thick tongue coating) or a weak digestive system (frequent diarrhea). Limit to 2-3 times a week.
Ye Jiao Teng and Sang Zhi Porridge:
- Ingredients: 15g Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine), 10g Sang Zhi (Mulberry Twig), 50g rice.
- Method: Boil the herbs in water for 20 minutes, remove the solids to keep the liquid, then use that herbal broth to cook the rice into a soft porridge.
- Best For: Mild rheumatic pain with slight body aches.
- Avoid If: You are pregnant or have hot, swollen joints. Limit to 1-2 times a week.

2. Preparation Differences

Raw Use: The raw, dried vine is the standard form used in clinics. It requires no special processing (like frying or roasting) to be effective.
Brewing Tips: Soak the herb for 30 minutes before boiling. Add enough water to cover the herbs by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes.
Dosage Warning: Dietary amounts for teas and soups should always be much smaller than clinical prescription doses.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycles

Dosage: Clinical prescriptions usually call for 10-15g. For home wellness (like teas), stick to a smaller dose of 5-10g.
Duration: Do not use this herb continuously for long periods. A typical home-use cycle should not exceed 2 weeks. If your sleep or pain doesn't improve, stop and consult a professional.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Damp-Heat / Acute Illness: If you have a fever, a thick/sticky tongue coating, or a bitter taste in your mouth, avoid this herb. Its nourishing nature can make these "excess" conditions worse.
Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant and nursing women should avoid it due to a lack of safety data. Children and the elderly should only use it under strict medical supervision.
Underlying Conditions: People with liver or kidney impairment should not self-prescribe, as their bodies may struggle to metabolize it. Do not use if you are allergic to plants in the buckwheat (Polygonaceae) family.

2. Medication Interactions and Dietary Notes

Drug Interactions: Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine) may enhance the effects of Western sedatives or sleeping pills, potentially causing extreme drowsiness.
Other Meds: It might have minor interactions with blood thinners or blood pressure medications. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before mixing TCM herbs with prescription drugs.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose

Mild Side Effects: It is generally very safe at standard doses. However, taking too much can cause mild digestive upset, such as nausea, bloating, or loose stools.
When to Seek Help: If you experience an allergic reaction (like a skin rash or itching), persistent vomiting, breathing difficulties, or if your symptoms suddenly worsen, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ye Jiao Teng

What is Ye Jiao Teng? Are Shou Wu Teng, He Shou Wu and Ji Xue Teng the same?

The official name is Shou Wu Teng, the dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum (the same plant as fleeceflower root), commonly called Ye Jiao Teng. The pharmacopoeial name is Polygoni Multiflori Caulis. He Shou Wu is the tuberous root of the same plant: tonifies Liver-Kidney, benefits essence-Blood and darkens hair; raw root also moistens the intestines and resolves toxin. Hepatotoxicity risk is mainly with the root—do not swap stem and root by equal weight. Ji Xue Teng is the stem of Spatholobus: invigorates and tonifies Blood and soothes sinews—not Ye Jiao Teng. Write Ye Jiao Teng or Shou Wu Teng.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ye Jiao Teng?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Shou Wu Teng is sweet and neutral, enters the Heart and Liver channels, and acts to nourish Blood and calm the spirit, and dispel wind and unblock the collaterals. It is used for insomnia with profuse dreaming, Blood-vacuity body pain and wind-damp impediment pain; externally for itching. Sweet-neutral, it enters Heart-Liver—suited to Heart-Liver Blood vacuity, vacuity vexation insomnia and Blood-vacuity collateral obstruction, not to excess-fire mania or exterior fever that would trap the pathogen. The stem and root share related chemistry; long high-dose courses need attention to liver function.

Does Ye Jiao Teng need special processing? How do wash and decoction differ?

Decoction usually uses washed, sectioned stem and benefits from longer boiling. Insomnia more often joins sour jujube seed and silktree bark; itching may be washed with a decoction, external amount as needed. An external wash does not replace patterned internal use and is not a stand-in for “He Shou Wu darkens hair.”

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a sleep tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 9–15 g. It is not a four-season “Ye Jiao Teng sleep tea.” Excess-fire insomnia and exterior fever only grow more disturbed. Vacuity-vexation insomnia and Blood-vacuity body pain need a practitioner to name a short course; those with liver disease should not self-dose large amounts long term.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Use caution in Spleen-Stomach deficient cold with loose stool, excess-fire mania and exterior fever. Pregnancy, abnormal liver function or a family history of liver disease need a practitioner; do not treat the stem as He Shou Wu for long tonic use. Stop and seek care if poor appetite, yellow eyes or dark urine appear.

Can Ye Jiao Teng calm the spirit, unblock collaterals and stop itch?

It can help Heart-Liver Blood-vacuity insomnia and Blood-vacuity collateral obstruction. Vacuity-vexation insomnia joins sour jujube seed, silktree bark, Poria spirit and Polygala. Blood-vacuity body pain joins angelica, Spatholobus and mulberry twig. Wind-rash itching may be washed with a decoction. It nourishes Blood, calms the spirit and unblocks collaterals—not a specific for every insomnia, every impediment pain or every itch. Severe insomnia with depression, and jaundice, need specialist assessment.

Can Ye Jiao Teng be drunk daily as a sleep, hair-darkening or anti-itch tea?

Blood-vacuity insomnia and body pain may enter a short formula; excess fire and exterior patterns only linger more. “Ye Jiao Teng darkens hair and aids sleep” often confuses stem with root and does not replace sleep and dermatologic assessment—nor long He Shou Wu-style tonic use. Nourishing Blood and calming the spirit should name Shou Wu Teng 9–15 g.

How do you choose among Ye Jiao Teng, He Shou Wu, Suan Zao Ren, He Huan Pi and Ji Xue Teng?

Fleeceflower stem is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood, calms the spirit, dispels wind and unblocks collaterals—Heart-Liver, specific for vacuity-vexation insomnia, Blood-vacuity body pain and external wash for itch. Fleeceflower root is sweet-astringent and slightly warm: tonifies Liver-Kidney, benefits essence-Blood and darkens hair—a tuber with higher liver-injury risk. Sour jujube seed is sweet-sour-neutral: nourishes the Heart, benefits the Liver, calms the spirit and constrains sweat—vacuity-vexation insomnia specifically. Silktree bark is sweet-neutral: resolves depression, calms the spirit and invigorates Blood to disperse swelling—emotional constraint. Spatholobus is bitter-sweet-warm: invigorates and tonifies Blood and soothes sinews—Blood vacuity with stasis and numbness. Insomnia favors Ye Jiao Teng, Suan Zao Ren and He Huan Pi; darkening hair and essence-Blood favor processed He Shou Wu (practitioner only); numbness favors Ji Xue Teng. They may be paired; do not take the stem as the root in large long courses, and use caution in liver disease.

Which herbs is Ye Jiao Teng combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Vacuity-vexation insomnia joins sour jujube seed, silktree bark, Poria, Polygala and angelica. Blood-vacuity body pain joins angelica, Spatholobus and mulberry twig. Itching may be washed alone or with Kochia and Dictamnus. Write Ye Jiao Teng or Shou Wu Teng 9–15 g; do not dispense fleeceflower root in place of the stem.

How do you choose and store Ye Jiao Teng?

Choose stout stems with a purple-brown or reddish-brown surface, yellowish-white wood, reddish-brown bark, faint odor and a slightly bitter-astringent taste. Moldy, moth-eaten, hollow and overly leafy lots are inferior. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Shou Wu Teng / Ye Jiao Teng; do not replace nourishing Blood, calming the spirit and unblocking collaterals with fleeceflower root or Spatholobus by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.