Hǎi Fēng Téng (海风藤), known in English as Kadsura pepper stem (Piper kadsura (stem)), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Liver channel. Its main action: expels Wind-Damp and unblocks the channels.
| Pinyin | Hǎi Fēng Téng (Hai Feng Teng) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 海风藤 |
| English | Kadsura pepper stem |
| Botanical name | Piper kadsura (stem) |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Liver |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with heat |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp and unblocks the channels
- Relieves pain
Indications
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain, stiffness, sinew spasm and limited movement
- Pain from injury
How to remember Hǎi Fēng Téng
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver channel: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
Formulas containing Hǎi Fēng Téng
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hǎi Fēng Téng?
Hǎi Fēng Téng is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Hǎi Fēng Téng enter?
Hǎi Fēng Téng enters the Liver channel.
What are the actions of Hǎi Fēng Téng?
Expels Wind-Damp and unblocks the channels; Relieves pain.
What is Hǎi Fēng Téng used for?
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain, stiffness, sinew spasm and limited movement; pain from injury.
Which formulas contain Hǎi Fēng Téng?
Juān Bì Tāng.
Practise Hǎi Fēng Téng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.