Líng Yáng Jiǎo (羚羊角), known in English as Antelope horn (Saiga tatarica (horn)), is a cold, salty Chinese herb from the Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind category. It enters the Liver and Heart channels. Its main action: calms Liver, extinguishes Wind, stops spasms — very strong.
| Pinyin | Líng Yáng Jiǎo (Ling Yang Jiao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 羚羊角 |
| English | Antelope horn |
| Botanical name | Saiga tatarica (horn) |
| Category | Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty |
| Channels | Liver, Heart |
| Dosage | 1–3g (decoct separately 2hr; or powder 0.3–0.6g) |
| Cautions | Endangered species — often substituted with Shan Yang Jiao; Cold patterns; no Wind or Heat |
Actions
- Calms Liver, extinguishes Wind, stops spasms — very strong
- Clears Liver Heat, brightens eyes
- Clears Heat, resolves toxicity
Indications
- Liver Wind convulsions from high fever
- Liver Fire headache
- Epidemic febrile disease with delirium
How to remember Líng Yáng Jiǎo
Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind herbs are mostly cool or cold, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Cold: like most Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Calms Liver”
- Learn by heart
- Salty: Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind herbs vary in flavour
- Heart channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Líng Yáng Jiǎo?
Líng Yáng Jiǎo is cold and salty.
Which channels does Líng Yáng Jiǎo enter?
Líng Yáng Jiǎo enters the Liver and Heart channels.
What are the actions of Líng Yáng Jiǎo?
Calms Liver, extinguishes Wind, stops spasms — very strong; Clears Liver Heat, brightens eyes; Clears Heat, resolves toxicity.
What is Líng Yáng Jiǎo used for?
Liver Wind convulsions from high fever; Liver Fire headache; epidemic febrile disease with delirium.
Practise Líng Yáng Jiǎo 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.