Chuan Mu Tong

English Name: armand clematis stem, anemone clematis stem

Pharmaceutical Name: Caulis Clematidis Armandii

Medica Category: Water-Regulating and Damp-Resolving Herbs

Properties: Chuan Mu Tong enters the Urinary Bladder and Small Intestine channels; it is bitter in nature and cold in temperature.

What is Chuan Mu Tong?:

The Chinese Herb Chuan Mu Tong is the dried stem of one of two perennial woody climbing shrubs with shiny, dark green leaves and clusters of star-shaped, fragrant white flowers that bloom in late winter— the armand clematis (Clematis armandii Franch.) or the anemone clematis (Clematis montana Buch. -Ham).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Chuan Mu Tong:

Chuan Mu Tong promotes urination and is commonly used to address damp-heat dysuria characterized by painful, burning sensations during urination.

Chuan Mu Tong clears heat from the Heart and Small intestine channels to address ulcerations of the tongue and mouth coupled with irritability and burning sensations when urinating/dark yellow urine.

Chuan Mu Tong is used in China as food to promote lactation in nursing mothers.

–clinical/supplemental note:

Clematis armandii and Clematis montana are known as “Chuan Mu Tong” and are the most common botanical sources of “Mu Tong”; another less common variation of this herb is “San Ye Mu Tong”, which is derived from Akebia trifoliata.