Mu Tong
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Akebia Caulis
Special Precautions of Mu Tong
- Avoid during Pregnancy.
- Toxic - can lead to renal failure (aristolochic acid). There are different varieties of mu tong in the market. Before the Qing dynasty, however, it was not toxic because mu tong was derived from either the plant of Akebia guinata or the plant Akebia lobata. Today, ninety five percent of mu tong (guan mu tong 關木通) used in China is from the stem of Aristolochia debilis, a toxic plant usually grown in the northeastern provinces of China, formally called Manchuria. Only rarely in a few localities in China, is mu tong obtained from Akebia guinata or Akebia lobata being used. Many cases of kidney failure have been reported in the China from taking this formula.Today in China, all manufactured formulae that contain guan mu tong (aristolochia debilis) are being banned because of the toxicity to the kidneys. A recent study shows that all herb tested in American listed as Akebia are actually Aristolochia debilis. If you use this formula, make sure you are not using guan mu tong. Use chuan chuan mu tong or huai tong, or bai mu tong tong instead. Manufactured formulae that contain guan mu tong are being banned in China because of the toxicity to the kidneys.
Benefits and uses of Mu Tong are
- Promotes urination, drains heat from the heart through the small intestine - irritability with sores of the mouth or tongue, scanty urination, lin syndrome, edema.
- Promotes lactation, unblocks the blood vessels - insufficient lactation, less commonly for amenorrhea and bi-syndrome.
