Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 鉤藤 · Gou Teng |
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| Medicinal Part | Stems and woods |
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| Efficacy Category | Wind-extinguishing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried branch with hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. (Rubiaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Cool |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Pericardium |
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What Is Gou Teng?
Gou Teng (Uncaria Stem with Hooks) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Cool
Channels Entered: Liver, Pericardium
Gou Teng: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis
Botanical Origin
The dried branch with hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. (Rubiaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has thin stem, two firm hooks, smooth and purplish-red.
Macroscopic Features
Stem is cylindrical or sub-square, 2~6mm diameter. Externally reddish-brown to purplish-brown or brown, with thin wrinkles without hair. Stem has raised nodes, two opposing hooks curved downward or singular hook, 1~2cm long, shaped like a ship's mast, gradually pointy apex and relatively round base. Hook base has indented points of fallen leaf stem and ring-like scars of stipules. Light, hard texture; fractured surface has brownish-red outer layer; pith is pale brown or pale yellow. faint odor; tasteless.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; CoolLiverPericardium
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, calms the liver, extinguishes wind, relieves tentany. Apply to infantile frightened epilepsy, night cry, exuberating heat stirring wind, eclampsia, dizzing due to liver yang, head swelling pain due to liver fire.
Classical Formulas Containing Gou Teng
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gou Teng? Is it the same as large-leaf Uncaria or “cat’s claw”?
Official Gou Teng (钩藤) is the dried hook-bearing stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla, U. macrophylla, U. hirsuta, U. sinensis or U. sessilifructus. The pharmacopoeial name is Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis. Only stems that carry hooks are the official drug; bare rods are weaker. Mao Zhua Cao is the tuber of Ranunculus ternatus, a different clearing-and-dissipating herb. West African “cat’s claw” is not Gou Teng. Write Gou Teng on the script.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Gou Teng?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Gou Teng is sweet and cool, enters the Liver and Pericardium channels, and acts to extinguish wind and settle fright, and clear heat to calm the Liver. It is used for internal stirring of Liver wind, fright-epilepsy and convulsions, high-fever fright spasms, a cold that carries fright, infantile night crying, pregnancy eclampsia, headache and dizziness. Sweet-cool and not drying, it clears heat and extinguishes wind while it calms and anchors Liver Yang—suited to heat generating wind, not to deficient-cold wind without fire.
Why is Gou Teng added late? Does it need processing?
The pharmacopoeia specifies 3–12 g, added late. The active alkaloids do not survive long boiling; drop it in for the last few minutes when the rest of the pot is nearly done. Long boiling weakens the Liver-calming force. Slices are usually used raw and cut; they are not routinely fried. Double hooks and many hooks are better. Do not cook Gou Teng from the start like an ordinary root.
Learn More About Gou Teng
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Gou Teng.
Read the Gou Teng Guide →
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.
