Chou Wu Tong (臭梧桐) — TCM Herb for Bi-Syndrome & Hypertension

At a Glance

• Herb: Chou Wu Tong
• Chinese name: 臭梧桐 (Chòu Wú Tóng)
• Latin name: Clerodendri Trichotomi Folium
• Nature: Cool
• Taste: Bitter / Sweet
• Meridian: Liver
• Category: Herbs that Expel Wind-Dampness
• Introduction: Chou Wu Tong (Folium et Ramulus Clerodendri Trichotomi) is the leaf and young stem of Clerodendrum trichotomum, a deciduous shrub named ‘Stinking Parasol Tree’ for the pungent odor released when its leaves are crushed. First recorded in the Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (1765 CE), this bitter and cool herb is clinically valued both for Wind-Damp-dispelling and for its reliable antihypertensive effect via Liver Yang-descending action. Clerodendrin and acacetin glycosides demonstrate anti-inflammatory and hypotensive activity in modern research. Its classical pairing with Xi Xian Cao in Xi Tong Wan remains a standard preparation for both rheumatic Bi-syndrome and hypertension.

Action

• Dispels Wind-Damp and relieves Bi-syndrome pain
• Descends Liver Yang and lowers blood pressure
• Resolves Heat-toxin and reduces skin eruptions

Clinical Application

• Wind-Damp or Wind-Damp-Heat Bi-syndrome with joint pain and muscle stiffness
• Hypertension with dizziness, headache, and tinnitus from Liver Yang rising
• Skin eruptions, eczema, and urticaria from Damp-Heat
• Half-body Wind (hemi-paralysis) — included in formulas for post-stroke sequelae

Precautions

• Dose: 5–15 g dried herb in decoction; fresh herb up to 30 g
• The unpleasant odor largely dissipates during decoction
• Avoid in deficiency-cold patterns — bitter cool nature may injure Spleen-Stomach Yang
• Monitor blood pressure when combined with antihypertensive medications — additive effect possible

Formula

• Xi Tong Wan (豨桐丸) — Chou Wu Tong + Xi Xian Cao, the classical patent formula for Wind-Damp Bi-syndrome and hypertension
• Combined with Gou Teng and Du Zhong for hypertension from Liver Yang rising
• Topical wash preparation for eczema and skin eruptions from Damp-Heat

Combinations

• Harlequin Glorybower (臭梧桐) + Siegesbeckia Herb (豨莶草) → Xi Tong Wan (豨桐丸): expel wind-damp, lower blood pressure; rheumatism with hypertension
• Harlequin Glorybower (臭梧桐) + Prunella Spike (夏枯草) + Gambir Vine (钩藤) → clear liver heat, lower blood pressure; hypertension with headache and dizziness

Pharmacological Effects

• Antihypertensive
  • clerodendrin — relaxes vascular smooth muscle, lowers blood pressure
• Anti-inflammatory
  • flavonoids, acteoside
• Analgesic; sedative
  • mild
• Antihistamine
  • topical use for skin itching
• Antifungal; antibacterial; classically paired with 豨莶草
  • 豨桐丸) — one of the most widely used antihypertensive herb pairs in TCM
  • suitable when wind-damp bi and hypertension co-exist

Classic Description

• Ben Cao Tu Jing (《本草图经》): ‘Treats all wind-damp conditions; stops pain; cooked as a wash for the skin to expel wind-damp.’
• Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (《本草纲目拾遗》): ‘Treats wind-damp, stops pain, cools blood, lowers blood pressure; the leaves can kill parasites and treat malignant sores and skin itching.’
• Zhong Hua Ben Cao (《中华本草》): ‘Expels wind-damp, unblocks the channels and collaterals, calms liver yang; treats wind-damp painful impediment, limb numbness, hypertension, eczema, and sores.’
• Zhe Jiang Zhong Yao Shou Ce (《浙江中药手册》): ‘Dispels wind and activates blood; treats rheumatism and joint pain.’