Mu Tong (Caulis Akebiae / Caulis Clematidis Armandii)

This product is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In "Shennong's Materia Medica《神农本草经》" it is listed as a medium grade. Formerly known as "Tong Cao" at the time, the determination of what plant is the original on the market at the time was chaotic. However, the products are mainly divided into two categories: Guan Mu Tong and Chuan Mu Tong. The former is mainly sold in Northeast China, North China and East China; The latter is mainly sold in the central and southwestern regions. In addition, there is Mu Tong Ke Mu Tong which is old mainly locally.

1. Guan Mutong

Source: Aristolochia manshuriensis Koma. dried canes. All wild.

Origin: Mainly produced in Jilin Fusong, Ji'an, Heilongjiang Ning'an, Hulin, Liaoning Xinbin, Fengcheng and other places.

Character identification: This product is long cylindrical, ranging from tens of centimeters to several meters long. The diameter is 1~5cm, the outer epidermis is smooth, light yellow-brown or gray-yellow, and a few brown patchy corks remain. There are slightly raised knots, the texture is firm and light, the skin of the fractured surface is yellowish-white, the wood is yellow and broad, the duct holes are arranged neatly, the rays are obviously wheel-shaped, and the medulla is not obvious. Bitter taste. It is traditionally considered to be of better quality when the strip is fine, the diameter is 2~3cm, and the color more yellow.

2. Chuan Mu Tong (Shan Mu Tong, Huai Mu Tong)

Source: Clematis armandi Franch. of dried stems, wild.

Origin: Mainly produced in the southwest, central and southern regions, with Sichuan, Hunan and other provinces.

Trait identification: the stem is cylindrical, 30~70cm long, 1~2cm in diameter, the outer skin is grayish-yellow, and there are obvious regular longitudinal grooves on the whole. There are nodes on the stem, and the nodes are relatively expanded, and the distance between the nodes is 16~27cm. It is lightweight, tough and not easy to break. The cross section shows radial fragmentation. The fragmented lobes are covered with small holes. The breath is slight and bitter. There is also a kind of hydrangea rattan wood pass also made Kawaki universal. It is thought to be of better quality to have one with a uniform strip, yellow color inside and outside, and no black core.

3. White Mu Tong (Mu Tong)

Source: Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz var australis (Diels) Rehd. etc. for dried stems. All wild.

Origin: Sichuan, Hubei, Guangxi, Yunnan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu and other provinces.

Trait identification: The stem is round and curved, 30~60cm long, 1.3~2cm in diameter. The surface is grayish-brown, the outer skin is very rough with many irregular cracks, the nodes are not obvious, and only lateral branch fractures can be seen. The quality is solid and difficult to break. The section is not neat, the skin is thick, yellow-brown, the central wood is yellowish-white, there is a wheel-like pattern, and there is a small pith in the center. There is no smell, and the taste is bitter and astringent. It is considered to be of better quality to have one with a uniform strip and yellow inner color.

Main ingredient: Contains aristolochic acid.

pharmachologic effect

（1）  Diuretic: Experiments have proved that its diuretic effect is stronger than that of Dan Zhu Ye, but weaker than that of Zhu Ling.

（2）  Antibacterial and antifungal: in vitro test, it has inhibitory effect on gram-positive bacilli, dysentery bacilli and pathogenic dermatophytes.

Preparation: Sliced raw use.

Taste: bitter, cold.

Meridians: into the heart, small intestine, bladder meridians.

Function: Dilute water, reduce fire, strengthen menstruation.

Indications: poor urination, edema, chest feeling irritable and hot, dizziness and sore throat.

Clinical application

（1）  It is used for the treatment of heart fire (mouth and tongue sores, sore throat, irritability, poor sleep), used for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, can clear away heat and annoyance, often used with herbs such as Dan Zhu Ye and Sheng Di, as seen in Dao Chi San (formula details under the Dan Zhu Ye article).

（2）  It is used for the treatment of urinary stagnation, painful urination, and frequent urination (such as acute urethritis), and its diuretic and antibacterial effects can be used such as above in the Dao Chi San formula, or with Che Qian Zi, Bian Xu, Fu Ling, etc.

（3）  It is used for the treatment of edema (beriberi edema, nephritic edema) as an adjuvant drug. Often used with Zhu Ling, Fu Ling, such as in the formula Mu Tong San.

Precautions for use: Mutong is extremely bitter and cold, and the predecessors have said that it can vent the energy in the heart and kidneys, and it should not be added in a formula without good reason. Although the modern use of Mutong has been more common, the dosage should still be mastered and should not be too large. It has also been clinically observed that when taking more than 2 taels of Mutong at one time, it can cause renal failure, so it is necessary to be vigilant. For pregnant women it should use with caution; When the elderly and infirm want to use Mu Tong, the formula should add Dang Shen and Bai Zhu to prevent excessive Qi Loss.

Dosage: 2.4~9g.

Prescription examples

· Mu Tong San ("Zhengzhi Criterion" 《证治准绳》): Mu Tong 4.5g Su Ye 9g, Sang Bai Pi 6g, Zhu Ling 6g, Chi Fu Ling 9g, Bin Lang 9g, ground, add ginger, green onion white, decoction in water.

Note: The plant origin of the commercial Mu Tong is complex. The following three products are all used,

（1）  The original plants of Guan Mutong are mainly Aristolochiaceae Aristolochiaceae.

（2）  In addition to the common Xiao Mu Tong, there are a variety of plants of the genus Clematis of the Ranunculaceae family: such as hydrangea vine, female wilt, clematis microphylla, South China clematis ....... The medicinal material commodities are called Da Mu Tong in Sichuan when it is of a diameter of more than 1cm; while Those under 1cm are called Xiao Mu Tong.

（3）  The source of the Mu Tong Ke Mu Tong: there are five-leaf Mu Tong, three-leaf Mu Tong and white wood. Its goods are only produced locally, used locally, and rarely exported. Jiangsu uses the stem of the five-leaf Mu Tong calls it "Hai Feng Teng" for medicinal purposes. Its fruit is also used under the name “Yu Zhi Zi”, also known as “Ba Yue Gua” or “Ba Yue Zha”.

According to the description of "Tujing Materia Medica"《图经本草》, the medicinal use Mu Tong should be the Mu Tong Ke Mu Tong.

Sichuan also produces and sells a kind of Huaitong, which is the cane of the Aristolochiaceae plant Mubian Aristolochia, which is different from the Huaimutong in the Sichuan Mutong listed in the text, and should be distinguished.

Case Study ：Polymyalgia

Female patient, 57 years old, has Polymyalgia, is overweight and experiences 
acid reflux, hearing loss, varicose veins, dry skin, arthritis, and muscle aches.

TCM Diagnosis: Dampness and spleen deficiency

Treatment: Remove excessive dampness with 100g of Wu Ling San Formula (Ze Xie 15g, Zhu Ling 9g, Bai Zhu 9g, Fu Ling 9g, Gui Zhi 6g) to be taken before meals 5g, twice a day to remove excess dampness.

On returning appointment 2 weeks later symptoms have begun to lessen and decrease in dampness can be seen on tongue coating and tongue swelling has decreased.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.