Wei Ling Xian – Chinese Clematis Root – Radix Clematidis

Wei Ling Xian

English Name: Chinese Clematis

Literal Name: “mighty curative immortal”

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Clematidis

Medica Category: Wind Damp Dispelling Herbs – Pain Relieving Herbs

Properties: Wei Ling Xian enters the Urinary Bladder channel; it is acrid and salty in nature and warm in temperature.

What is Wei Ling Xian?:

The Chinese Herb Wei Ling Xian is the dried roots of the Chinese clematis (Clematis chinensis Osbeck), a flowering, climbing vine in the Ranunculaceae family native to lowland areas throughout China and South through to Vietnam. It is rooted in the soil, and these roots (after being cleaned and dried) are used as medicine in TCM.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Wei Ling Xian:

Wei Ling Xian dispels and wind-damp and opens the channels and collaterals. It is used to relieve bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) and clinically it is most effective at relieving musculoskeletal pain and spasming and cramping muscles.

Wei Ling Xian treats (small/tiny) fishbones lodged in throat that cannot be dislodged by coughing or vomiting (combine with Sha Ren, sugar, and a little white vinegar). Traditionally it was thought that this mixture dissolved the fishbones, but in actuality Wei Ling Xian relaxes the muscles of the throat so that the bones are released and can pass down into the digestive tract.