Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Spatholobi Caulis |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 雞血藤 · Ji Xue Teng |
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| Medicinal Part | Stems and woods |
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| Efficacy Category | Blood-activating |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried vine of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn.(fabaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter, Sweet; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Kidney |
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What Is Ji Xue Teng?
Ji Xue Teng (Suberect Spatholobus Stem) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter, Sweet; Warm
Channels Entered: Liver, Kidney
Ji Xue Teng: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Spatholobi Caulis
Botanical Origin
The dried vine of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn.(fabaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has numerous resinous secretions.
Macroscopic Features
Oval, long cylindrical or irregular angled cut pieces, 0.3~1 cm thick. Cortex is grayish-brown, sometimes with grayish-white spots, reddish-brown color where the cork falls off. Out surface has reddish-brown or brown xylem, and numerous ducts; cortex has resinous secretions that appear reddish-brown to blackish-brown, alternating with the xylem in an arrangement that presents with 3~8 eccentric semi-circular rings; pith is off to one side. Hard texture, faint odor, astringent taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter, Sweet; WarmLiverKidney
Traditional Functions
Invigorates blood, nourishes blood, and unblocks the channels. Apply to menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, numbness of the limbs, and wind-damp bi from blood deficiency with stasis.
How Ji Xue Teng Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Ji Xue Teng is classified among the Blood-activating herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ji Xue Teng? Are sargentodoxa and Chinese angelica the same?
Official Ji Xue Teng (鸡血藤) is the dried stem of Spatholobus suberectus. The pharmacopoeial name is Spatholobi Caulis. It is mainly produced in Guangxi and Fujian. Sargentodoxa is bitter-neutral: clears heat, resolves toxin, moves Blood and dispels wind. Chinese angelica is sweet-acrid and warm: tonifies and moves Blood, regulates menstruation and stops pain. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Ji Xue Teng. Use caution in Blood heat and pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ji Xue Teng?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ji Xue Teng is bitter, sweet and warm, enters the Liver and Kidney channels, and acts to move and tonify Blood, regulate menstruation and stop pain, relax the sinews and free the channels. It is used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, wind-damp bi pain, numbness and paralysis, and Blood vacuity with sallow complexion. Bitter-sweet and warm, it suits Blood vacuity with Blood stasis—not reckless Blood heat, or absence of stasis.
How do you choose raw versus prepared stem? Can Chinese angelica replace it?
Raw stem is stronger for moving Blood. Prepared stem leans to tonifying Blood. Chinese angelica leans to tonifying Blood and regulating menstruation; it cannot replace relaxing the sinews and freeing the channels by equal weight. Commercial spatholobus tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Ji Xue Teng
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Ji Xue Teng.
Read the Ji Xue 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.
