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Akebiae Trifoliatae Caulis
Trifoliate akebia
木通 〔木通〕 mù tōng
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Akebia quinata (Thun.) Decne.; Akebia triofoliata (Thunb.) Koidz.; Akebia triofoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. var. australis (Diels) Rehd. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin in unofficial sources: Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. var. australis (Diels) Rehd.; Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz.; Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne.
Use: Medicinal
Category: Water-disinhibiting dampness-percolating agents / Urine-disinhibiting strangury-freeing agents
Properties: Bitter; cold.
Channel entry: Heart, small intestine, and bladder channels.
Actions and indications:
- Disinhibits urine, frees strangury, and disperses swelling: Heat strangury with rough and painful urination; water swelling.
- Clears heart fire: Mouth and tongue sores; heart vexation, and reddish urine.
- Frees menstruation and promotes lactation: Amenorrhea and scant breast milk.
- Additional uses: Mù tōng can disinhibit the blood vessels and free the joints in the treatment of
damp-heat impediment (shī rè bì). For this purpose, combine it with Sāng zhī (桑枝 Mori Ramulus, mulberry twig) and Yì yǐ rén (薏苡仁 Coicis Semen, coix [seed]). - Mù tōng has several different forms that must be differentiated so that it can be used safely. The Akebia species are all interchangeable and safe for use, but they are not always the product sold on the market as mù tōng.
Dosage and method: Oral: 3–6g in decoctions.
Warnings: All forms of mù tōng are used with caution in pregnancy.
Product description: Akebia manshuriensis, traditionally called guān mù tōng, is now the most commonly used form of Mutong Caulis. Its straight or flexuous wood stem is about 1–2.5 cm in diameter, swelling to up to 3.5 cm at the nodes or branching points. The exterior surface is a grayish or yellowish brown, sometimes with horizontal fissures. The thicker cork is removed to reveal a lustrous, pale brown endodermis with longitudinal ridges (the stele sheath fiber bundles). The stems are hard, although the finer ones break easily and smoothly. The decocting pieces are slices 2–4 mm thick. They reveal this medicinal's most distinctive quality: The light, airy structure of the woody part of the stem, reflected in the literal meaning of the Chinese name.
Quality: A fresh yellow color of the cut surface is a sign of superior quality.
Production area: Hēilóngjiāng, Jílín, Liáoníng, Shānxī, Gānsū, and Shǎnxī (Shaanxi).
Etymology: The term mù tōng 木通, literally wood clear all the way through,
reflects the light airy structure of this stem, and its ability to disinhibit urine and drain fire.