Ji Xue Teng (鸡血藤) — TCM Herb for Blood Deficiency, Anaemia & Dysmenorrhea

At a Glance

Herb: Ji Xue Teng
Chinese name: 鸡血藤 (Jī Xuè Téng)
Latin name: Spatholobi Caulis
Nature: Warm
Taste: Bitter / Sweet
Meridian: Liver / Kidney
Category: Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis
Introduction: 鸡血藤 (Jī Xuè Téng, Spatholobus Stem) is the dried stem of Spatholobus suberectus, a woody climbing vine in the Fabaceae family native to southern China, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia. The name ‘chicken blood vine’ derives from the deep red resinous exudate that oozes from a fresh cut stem — resembling chicken blood — caused by the high concentration of flavonoids and tannins in the resin canals. The vine is harvested in autumn and winter, sliced into thick cross-sections showing the characteristic concentric red-brown ring pattern.
In TCM theory, Ji Xue Teng invigorates blood and relaxes the sinews, nourishes blood and regulates menstruation. It is unique in simultaneously invigorating and nourishing the blood — making it suitable for both blood stasis and blood deficiency patterns, and ideal for gynaecological conditions that combine these two pathologies. It is among the most important herbs for treating blood deficiency with numbness, menstrual irregularity, and anaemia.

Modern pharmacological studies validate haematopoietic-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and estrogenic activities. Formononetin and calycosin — isoflavonoids from the stem — account for phytoestrogenic effects and haematopoietic stimulation.

Invigorates blood and removes stasis (活血化瘀): For blood stasis — dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea from stasis, abdominal masses, traumatic injury.
Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation (养血调经): For blood deficiency menstrual disorders — scanty menstruation, pale menstrual blood, amenorrhea from blood deficiency.
Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals (舒筋活络): For numbness and weakness in limbs from blood deficiency not nourishing sinews; wind-cold-damp bi syndrome with blood deficiency.
Stimulates haematopoiesis (现代): Promotes red blood cell and platelet production; used for leukaemia recovery, aplastic anaemia support.

Clinical Application:
Dysmenorrhea with blood stasis: With Yi Mu Cao, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua
Amenorrhea from blood deficiency: With Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Bai Shao, He Shou Wu
Limb numbness from blood deficiency: With Huang Qi, Dang Gui, Wei Ling Xian
Wind-cold-damp bi with blood deficiency: With Du Huo, Qin Jiao, Dang Gui
Aplastic anaemia and leukaemia support: High doses 30–60g with Huang Qi, Dang Gui, Bu Gu Zhi
Radiation-induced leukopenia: Large doses to stimulate bone marrow recovery
Dosage: 9–15g in decoction; 30–60g for haematopoietic indications.

Use cautiously in pregnancy — blood-invigorating action may stimulate uterus. Not appropriate for bleeding disorders without blood stasis. Phytoestrogenic activity: use with caution in oestrogen-sensitive cancers (breast, uterine); consult oncologist. Warm nature: use cautiously in yin deficiency heat patterns — combine with yin-nourishing herbs if needed.

Ji Xue Teng Gao (鸡血藤膏): Ji Xue Teng concentrated extract — classical preparation for anaemia, menstrual irregularity, and wind-damp bi.
Sheng Xue Tang (生血汤): Ji Xue Teng, Huang Qi, Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Rou Gui — modern formula for aplastic anaemia and post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression.

Ji Xue Teng + Dang Gui: Invigorates and nourishes blood, regulates menstruation; for dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity from blood deficiency-stasis. Source: Modern gynaecological clinical formula.
Ji Xue Teng + Huang Qi: Tonifies qi to generate blood, stimulates haematopoiesis; for anaemia and leukopenia with qi-blood deficiency. Source: Modern oncology support.
Ji Xue Teng + He Shou Wu: Nourishes liver-kidney, replenishes blood; for deep blood deficiency with premature greying and weakness. Source: Classical tonic combinations.
Ji Xue Teng + Wei Ling Xian: Unblocks collaterals, relaxes sinews, relieves numbness; for bi syndrome with blood deficiency. Source: Modern bi syndrome formulas.
Ji Xue Teng + Yi Mu Cao: Invigorates uterine blood, regulates menstruation; for amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea from blood stasis. Source: Gynaecology classics.

Yin Pian Xin Can (《饮片新参》): ‘Invigorates blood and relaxes sinews, nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, strengthens the Spleen and tonifies the Kidney. Treats hand-foot numbness, limb paralysis, wind-damp impediment pain, women’s menstrual irregularity, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (《本草纲目拾遗》): ‘Expels stagnant blood, generates new blood, smooths the flow of the meridians; treats summerheat sha and wind-blood impediment patterns.’
Z hong Hua Ben Cao (《中华本草》): ‘Invigorates and supplements blood, frees the meridians and activates the collaterals, relaxes sinews and stops pain; especially skilled at treating gynecological blood-aspect conditions.’