Huai Niu Xi - Lab Tested, 1lb

Pharmaceutical Latin: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae
Common English Names: Achyranthes Root, White Oxknee Root
Chinese Name: (Niu Xi)

Overview

Huai Niu Xi is classified in the materia medica category of Herbs that Regulate the Blood, specifically as an herb that invigorates the Blood. This herb has a bitter and sour taste with a neutral temperature. It enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. One source considers this herb to be a Yin Tonic.

Actions and Therapeutic Applications

Invigorates the Blood and Expels Blood Stasis: Huai Niu Xi is indicated for Blood Stasis with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and retained lochia. It also treats pain due to trauma.

Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, Strengthens the Sinews and Bones and Benefits the Joints: This herb is used for low back and knee pain and soreness due to Kidney and Liver Deficiency.

Descends Blood and Fire: Huai Niu Xi treats Blood Heat in the Upper Jiao with epistaxis, hematemesis and bleeding gums. It addresses Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising with toothaches. It is also indicated for Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire with dizziness, headache and blurred vision.

Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao: This herb treats Damp-Heat Pouring Downward with knee pain, or lower back painful obstruction. It serves as an auxiliary for painful urinary dysfunction (Lin) or vaginal discharge, especially for Stone Lin with lower back pain and bloody urine.

Clinical Notes and Preparation Methods

This herb directs the effects of the formula to the lower body. Some sources say that this herb helps clear pus and regulates water metabolism.

Prepared Form: In prepared form, this herb breaks up Blood Stasis, unblocks menstruation and guides Blood downward to treat amenorrhea, mobile and fixed abdominal masses, postpartum abdominal pain due to Blood Stasis, difficult labor, retained placenta, swelling and pain from external injury and joint pain due to Bi Syndrome. In its prepared form, it tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones and is used for aching weakness of the lower back and knees and lack of strength in the sinews and bones.

Dry-fried Achyranthes (Chao Niu Xi): Has its slippery, downward-draining properties eliminated and has an enhanced ability to tonify the Liver and Kidneys.

Salt-fried Achyranthes (Yan Chao Niu Xi): Goes directly into the Kidney channel to tonify the Kidneys and nourish the sinews and bones. It is used for lower back ache and leg atrophy due to Kidney Deficiency and exhaustion of Jing.

Wine-fried Achyranthes (Jiu Niu Xi): More strongly invigorates the Blood, unblocks the collaterals, stops pain and unblocks menstruation. It is used to treat mobile and fixed abdominal masses, difficult labor and retained placenta.

Charred Achyranthes (Niu Xi Tan): Used to treat Deficiency Fire blazing upward with bleeding gums, nosebleed and toothache.

Comparison with Related Herbs

Both Niu Xi and Rz. Curcumae Longae (Jiang Huang) break up Blood Stasis, drive Blood downward, unblock menstruation, stop pain and affect the sinews. Niu Xi strengthens tendons and bones by tonifying the Liver and Kidneys which Jiang Huang does not do. Jiang Huang more powerfully breaks up Blood Stasis, promotes the movement of Qi, and affects the sinews by expelling Wind Bi.

Rx. Achyranthis Longifoliae (Aspera) (Yu Niu Xi) is bitter, sour, neutral, invigorates Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, clears Heat, eliminates toxins and promotes urination. It treats amenorrhea, arthritis, throat swelling and pain, diphtheria, edema of the lower extremities, hematuria and trauma-related pain. The dosage is 10-15g.