Ji Xue Teng (Spatholobus, Millettia Root and Vine)

Chinese Herb Actions

Chinese Herb Dosage

• What is the typical dosage of Ji Xue Teng?

  Commonly 9–15 g in decoction, with some materia medica sources giving a slightly broader 10–15 g range and a stated maximum of about 30 g. As a woody vine it is typically simmered somewhat longer than leafy herbs to extract its constituents fully.

  Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (Bensky; Chen & Chen). Reference only — not a prescription.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Are there cautions for Ji Xue Teng?

  Ji Xue Teng is traditionally avoided in pregnancy because of its blood-invigorating action, and it is also cautioned against in hypermenorrhea (excessively heavy menstrual bleeding), since moving the Blood could aggravate heavy flow. It is best used under a qualified practitioner, particularly where bleeding tendencies or pregnancy are relevant.

  Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (Bensky; Chen & Chen materia medica cautions).

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted

Western / Biomedical Research

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.

• Is there modern research on Ji Xue Teng (Spatholobus suberectus)?

  Yes — mostly preclinical (cell and animal) pharmacology, with growing interest in its role supporting blood-cell recovery. Spatholobus suberectus vine stem contains a large number of characterized flavonoids and other constituents, and recent reviews describe antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities in laboratory and animal models.

  • Hematopoietic / blood-count recovery (animal, preclinical) — an ethanol extract of Ji Xue Teng given to mice after radiation exposure reduced radiation-induced leucopenia (low white cell counts), thrombocytopenia, and drops in red-cell/hemoglobin levels, and supported bone-marrow cell recovery, alongside reduced oxidative stress in liver tissue. This preclinical finding is consistent with why the herb is widely used as supportive care for low blood counts in modern oncology-adjacent TCM practice — reported here strictly as research context, not a treatment claim, and not evidence for any specific chemotherapy regimen.
  • Comprehensive pharmacology/toxicology review — a 2023 review of botany, phytochemistry, traditional use, pharmacology, and toxicology of the vine stem catalogued around 145 chemical constituents and confirmed traditional use for Blood deficiency, irregular menstruation, and rheumatic numbness, alongside antioxidative, antitumor, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory findings in laboratory studies.
  • Cancer-pharmacology review — a separate 2022 review of its pharmacological potential in cancer describes antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties from in vitro and animal studies, noting the evidence base is preclinical and calling for future clinical trials.

  Human clinical trial evidence remains limited; the hematologic and anticancer findings above are preclinical (cell or animal) and are not a substitute for medical care during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

  Sources: PMID 30510630 (radiation-induced hematopoietic alteration, mouse model); PMID 37062528 (comprehensive pharmacology/toxicology review, Journal of Ethnopharmacology); PMID 36139460 (cancer pharmacology review, Cells); PMID 37393029 (systematic review of traditional uses and constituents, Journal of Ethnopharmacology). Research context, not a therapeutic claim.

Chinese Herb Notes

• What makes Ji Xue Teng different from other blood-invigorating or blood-tonic herbs?

  Ji Xue Teng is unusual because it works both sides of the Blood at once — most herbs that invigorate (move) Blood stasis are not also Blood tonics, and most Blood tonics do not relax the sinews. This dual nature is its defining teaching point and is why it appears in formulas for gynecological disorders where deficiency and stasis overlap, as well as in Bi-syndrome (Wind-Damp obstruction) prescriptions for numbness and joint pain where a purely stasis-moving herb would not also address underlying deficiency.

  Because it simultaneously moves and builds Blood while relaxing the sinews, it is frequently combined with other blood-regulating and Wind-Damp herbs in gynecological and orthopedic/rheumatic formulas rather than used alone. (Traditional formula context, not treatment advice.)

  Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references, cross-referenced against multiple online sources.