Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Piperis Kadsurae Caulis |
|---|
| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 海風藤 · Hai Feng Teng |
|---|
| Medicinal Part | Stems and woods |
|---|
| Efficacy Category | Wind-damp dispelling |
|---|
| Botanical Origin | The dried vine stem of Piper kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi (Piperaceae). |
|---|
| Nature & Flavour | Acrid, Bitter; Slightly warm |
|---|
| Channels Entered | Liver |
|---|
What Is Hai Feng Teng?
Hai Feng Teng (Kadsura Pepper Stem) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Taiwan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid, Bitter; Slightly warm
Channels Entered: Liver
Hai Feng Teng: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Piperis Kadsurae Caulis
Botanical Origin
The dried vine stem of Piper kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi (Piperaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Taiwan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is firm, with distinct nodes, and a faintly pungent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Cylindrical or flattened stems, 0.3~2cm diameter; externally greyish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles and node-rings; fracture with a dotted vascular pattern.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid, Bitter; Slightly warmLiver
Traditional Functions
Dispels wind-damp, unblocks the channels, and relieves pain. Apply to wind-damp bi, stiff joints, and aching of the low back and knees.
How Hai Feng Teng Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Hai Feng Teng is classified among the Wind-damp dispelling herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hai Feng Teng? Are Qing Feng Teng and Luo Shi Teng the same?
Official Hai Feng Teng (海风藤) is the dried stem of Piper kadsura. The pharmacopoeial name is Piperis Kadsurae Caulis. It is also called wind vine. Qing Feng Teng is the stem of Sinomenium: bitter-acrid and neutral, dispels wind-damp, frees the channels and promotes urination. Luo Shi Teng is bitter and slightly cold: dispels wind, frees the collaterals, cools Blood and reduces swelling. Write Hai Feng Teng. Use caution in yin vacuity with Blood heat.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Hai Feng Teng?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Hai Feng Teng is acrid, bitter and slightly warm, enters the Liver channel, and acts to dispel wind-damp, free the channels and stop impediment pain. It is used for wind-cold-damp impediment, pain of the limbs and joints, sinew spasm, and difficulty flexing and extending. Acrid-bitter and slightly warm, it suits wind-cold-damp impediment—not yin vacuity with Blood heat, or damp-heat impediment.
How do you choose Hai Feng Teng versus Qing Feng Teng? Can Luo Shi Teng replace it?
Kadsura stem is slightly warm and leans to wind-cold-damp impediment and spasm. Orientvine is neutral and also promotes urination, and may be paired in wind-damp-heat impediment. Star-jasmine stem is slightly cold and cools Blood; it cannot replace warming and freeing the channels by equal weight. Commercial kadsura tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Hai Feng Teng
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Hai Feng Teng.
Read the Hai Feng 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.
