Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Mu Tong
English Name: Akebia Caulis

Clinical Usage and Indications

  • Promotes urination, drains heat from the heart through the small intestine - irritability with sores of the mouth or tongue, scanty urination, lin syndrome, edema.
  • Promotes lactation, unblocks the blood vessels - insufficient lactation, less commonly for amenorrhea and bi-syndrome.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Dosage and Preparation Notes

  • Dosage: 3-9g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Associated Temperature and Taste

Cautions and Contraindications

  • Avoid during Pregnancy.
  • Toxic - can lead to renal failure (aristolochic acid).

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

  • Long Dan Xie Gan Wan

    Formula Functions...  

    Hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, easily angered, headache, dizziness, red, and possibly sore, eyes, diminished hearing and/or swollen sensation in ears/head.  May have urinary symptoms such as painful, hot urination perhaps with swollen genitalia.  Women may have leukorrhea with a strong odor.

    The Pulse will be wiry, rapid and forceful and the Tongue will be red with a yellow tongue coating.


  • Related Products Available From Our Store


  • Xiao Feng Wan

    Formula Functions...  

    Itchy and red skin lesions, possibly with weeping, comprising such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, etc.

    The Pulse will generally be forceful, floating and rapid and the Tongue will have a yellow or white tongue coating.


  • Related Products Available From Our Store