Natural Herb Library

Akebia, Clematis Stem

Chinese
木通
Pinyin
Mu Tong
Latin
Caulis Akebiae
Botanical illustration of Akebia, Clematis Stem, Akebia quinata, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, stem cross-section, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Mu Tong (木通), this bitter, cold herb enters the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder. Traditionally, it clears Heart Fire and drains heat through the Small Intestine, most often applied for urinary tract infection, mouth sores, and insufficient lactation. Modern research has identified Oleanolic acid among its active constituents.

Part used: Stem

Also Known As

Akebia

Latin: Caulis Akebiae | Pinyin: Mu Tong | Chinese: 木通

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Heart Fire and drains heat through the Small Intestine … used for mouth and tongue sores, irritability, and scanty dark urine from Heart Fire transferring to the Small Intestine
  • Promotes urination and drains damp-heat … used for Lin syndrome (painful, burning, scanty urination), edema, and damp-heat accumulation in the Lower Jiao
  • Promotes lactation and unblocks the blood vessels … used for insufficient milk secretion from blocked collaterals after delivery
  • Stimulates menstrual flow … used for amenorrhea from blood stasis with heat

Secondary Actions

  • Expels damp-heat from the joints … secondary application for hot, painful joint bi-syndrome
  • Guides heart fire downward through urination to relieve inflammation of the mouth and tongue

Classic Formulas

  • Ba Zheng San (八正散) … Eight-Herb Powder for Rectification; treats damp-heat Lin syndrome with painful, difficult urination, and urinary tract inflammation
  • Dao Chi San (导赤散) … Guide Out the Red Powder; treats Heart Fire transferring to Small Intestine with tongue sores, irritability, and scanty dark urine

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Oleanolic acid … primary triterpenoid; anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and cytotoxic against liver cancer cell lines
  • Hederagenin … triterpenoid sapogenin; anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive
  • Triterpenoid saponins (akequintoside F, pulsatilla saponin A, asperosaponin C) … anti-inflammatory and diuretic
  • Phenylethanoid glycosides … antioxidant secondary metabolites
  • Megastigmane glycosides … additional bioactive terpenoid derivatives

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive … saponin and sapogenin (oleanolic acid, hederagenin) fractions demonstrate significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models (PMID 15857214)
  • Neuroprotective … oleanane triterpenoids inhibit Aβ42-induced fibrillogenesis; potential application in Alzheimer's prevention (PMID 28054176)
  • Diuretic … aqueous extract increases urinary output in preclinical models, supporting traditional Lin syndrome use

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy … contraindicated; stimulates uterine activity and menstrual flow
  • Qi deficiency with spermatorrhea … bitter, cold, draining action depletes Qi and Essence
  • Aristolochic acid adulteration … CRITICAL: stub Latin 'Caulis Aristolochiae' refers to Guan Mu Tong (Aristolochia manshuriensis), a Group 1 IARC carcinogen causing irreversible progressive renal fibrosis and urothelial carcinoma; only authenticated Caulis Akebiae is safe

Cautions

  • Adulteration risk is high … dried stems of Akebia and Aristolochia manshuriensis (Guan Mu Tong) are morphologically similar; verify botanical identity by DNA testing or authenticated supplier
  • Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis is banned in many countries and removed from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 edition); Caulis Akebiae is the officially approved substitute
  • Not for long-term use … cold draining nature depletes Yang and Qi
  • MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Akebia, Clematis Stem used for?

Akebia, Clematis Stem is traditionally used to Clears Heart Fire and drains heat through the Small Intestine … used for mouth and tongue sores, irritability, and scanty dark urine from Heart Fire transferring to the Small Intestine, Promotes urination and drains damp-heat … used for Lin syndrome (painful, burning, scanty urination), edema, and damp-heat accumulation in the Lower Jiao, Promotes lactation and unblocks the blood vessels … used for insufficient milk secretion from blocked collaterals after delivery, Stimulates menstrual flow … used for amenorrhea from blood stasis with heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive … saponin and sapogenin (oleanolic acid, hederagenin) fractions demonstrate significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models (PMID 15857214); Neuroprotective … oleanane triterpenoids inhibit Aβ42-induced fibrillogenesis; potential application in Alzheimer's prevention (PMID 28054176).

What are other names for Akebia, Clematis Stem?

Akebia, Clematis Stem is also known as Akebia. In TCM: 木通 (Mu Tong); Caulis Akebiae.

Is Akebia, Clematis Stem safe during pregnancy?

Akebia, Clematis Stem is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Akebia, Clematis Stem?

Akebia, Clematis Stem should not be used in: Pregnancy … contraindicated; stimulates uterine activity and menstrual flow; Qi deficiency with spermatorrhea … bitter, cold, draining action depletes Qi and Essence; Aristolochic acid adulteration … CRITICAL: stub Latin 'Caulis Aristolochiae' refers to Guan Mu Tong (Aristolochia manshuriensis), a Group 1 IARC carcinogen causing irreversible progressive renal fibrosis and urothelial carcinoma; only authenticated Caulis Akebiae is safe. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.