Ji Xue Teng

Other Names : Millettia Vine
Millettia is a type of climbing vine native to east Asia. The plant derives its Chinese name ("ji xue teng") because of the color contained in its resin. The stems of the millettia vine contain a reddish-brown colored resin, similar to dried chicken's blood. ("Ji" means chicken and "xue" means blood in Chinese.) In traditional Chinese medicine, the stems are used in herbal medicines. The branches and leaves are removed first, then the stem is sliced and allowed to dry in the sun.

Special Precautions of Ji Xue Teng

While there are no reports of millettia toxicity due to taking large doses, it should not be taken by women during pregnancy. It is considered relatively safe for long-term use, provided it is used as directed. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with millettia. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking millettia or any herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Benefits and uses of Ji Xue Teng are

• Promotes the movement of blood, tonify the blood - blood deficiency patterns such as irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, accompanied with abdominal pain.
• Invigorate the channels, relax the sinews - numbness of the extremities, lower back pain, knee pain, damp bi-syndrome, w/blood deficiency or stasis.
• Several studies have shown that millettia can treat cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, and some types of skin diseases.
• There is also evidence that suggests millettia can boost the immune system, and even fight some forms of cancer. However, many of these studies have included millettia as part of a larger formula, so the specific role of millettia in treating these conditions remains unclear.