Luò Shí Téng (络石藤), known in English as Star jasmine stem (Trachelospermum jasminoides), is a cool, bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: expels Wind-Damp, unblocks channels — for Heat Bi.
| Pinyin | Luò Shí Téng (Luo Shi Teng) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 络石藤 |
| English | Star jasmine stem |
| Botanical name | Trachelospermum jasminoides |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Cold-Damp Bi; Spleen deficiency |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp, unblocks channels — for Heat Bi
- Cools Blood, resolves toxicity
Indications
- Wind-Damp Bi with Heat signs: hot, swollen, painful joints
- Carbuncles
- Sore throat
How to remember Luò Shí Téng
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver and Kidney channels: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Learn by heart
- Cool: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Heart channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Luò Shí Téng?
Luò Shí Téng is cool and bitter.
Which channels does Luò Shí Téng enter?
Luò Shí Téng enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Luò Shí Téng?
Expels Wind-Damp, unblocks channels — for Heat Bi; Cools Blood, resolves toxicity.
What is Luò Shí Téng used for?
Wind-Damp Bi with Heat signs: hot, swollen, painful joints; carbuncles; sore throat.
Practise Luò Shí 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.