Sweet autumn clematis, a TCM herb for rheumatic disease

What is sweet autumn clematis(Wei Ling Xian)?
Clematis terniflora, a member in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, is native to Asia. Although deemed as an invasive species in a few areas, this vigorous woody vine has been cultivated in parts of North America mainly for landscaping purpose. Its pinnately compound leaves are opposite. White flowers usually open in September and attract many bees because of its sweet fragrance. By the way, it is commonly known as leatherleaf clematis too in some locations.

In China its dried root, namely Radix Clematidi in Pharmaceutical Latin, has long been used as a wind-damp expelling drug. Besides of clematis terniflora, many other species in the same genus are also considered with the same medicinal uses. They include Clematis chinensis Osbeck, Clematis hexapetala Pall., Clematis manshurica Rupr., C. meyeniana Walp., C. florida Thunb., C. uncinata Champ ex Benth., C. lasiandra Maxim., C. finetiana Levl. et Vant., and so on. Among them, the c. chinensis, mainly produced in Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang, is the most widely used species. Its root is normally dug out in fall. Next, the dirt should be removed before it is dried in the sun. Medicinally it is used cut and raw.

Clematis terniflora health benefits
Rheumatism is a common disease that will bring the sufferers nothing but pain. As one of main ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine for rheumatic disease, it works fast and efficiently. So, how was it found with this amazing healing power? In fact, this is a legend every generation tells the next. In ancient times, there was a person who couldn’t walk for more than 10 years because of suffering from rheumatism. He had been visited by many good doctors and none of them could help. His family was being forced to carry him to the street to try his luck. Fortunately, a monk came across and told him that there was an herb that could be the cure. It turned out that a few days after the medication this person was able to walk again. Now you may have already known what herb was used above. Ever since then it is widely used medicinally.

From the point of view of TCM, it is good at treating Bi syndrome, which refers to the main clinical sign of rheumatic fever, Rheumatoid Arthritis, reactive arthritis, fibrositis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Osteoarthritis, etc. The reason it works in the treatment of migratory arthralgia and wandering limb, joint pain is that it is cursorial in nature and with stronger ability of activating meridians to stop pain.