Chinese Herbalism
Niu Xi
Achyranthes bidentata
Also known as Huai Niu Xi, Ox Knee Root, Twotooth Achyranthes, tǔ niú xī (local, wild).
Niu Xi acts primarily as: Blood-invigorating, Liver/Kidney tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antiosteoporotic, Hypotensive, Uterine stimulant. Secondary actions include Invigorate blood, Tonify Liver and Kidney, Strengthen sinews and bones, Direct action downward, Promote urination.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Blood stasis with amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea
- Postpartum abdominal pain
- Sore weak low back and knees
- Joint pain of the lower limbs
- Osteoarthritis
- Lyme and rheumatic arthralgia of the lower limbs
- Hypertension with dizziness and headache
- Painful urination with blood
- Toothache and mouth sores from rising fire
- Trauma and bruising
Safety
The record lists 4 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Dried root decoction | Dried root decoction: 6-15 g/day (use raw to invigorate blood and direct downward | 6000-15000 mg |
| Tincture (1:5) | Tincture (1:5): 2-4 ml three times daily | 2-4 mL |
| Powder/capsule | Powder/capsule: 1-3 g/day | 1000-3000 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
primary-actions. Niu Xi acts primarily as: Blood-invigorating, Liver/Kidney tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antiosteoporotic, Hypotensive, Uterine stimulant. Secondary actions include Invigorate blood, Tonify Liver and Kidney, Strengthen sinews and bones, Direct action downward, Promote urination.
indications. Niu Xi is traditionally indicated for: Blood stasis with amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, Postpartum abdominal pain, Sore weak low back and knees, Joint pain of the lower limbs, Osteoarthritis, Lyme and rheumatic arthralgia of the lower limbs, Hypertension with dizziness and headache, Painful urination with blood, Toothache and mouth sores from rising fire, Trauma and bruising.
dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Niu Xi: Dried root decoction: 6-15 g/day (use raw to invigorate blood and direct downward; prepared/wine-fried to tonify Liver-Kidney); Tincture (1:5): 2-4 ml three times daily; Powder/capsule: 1-3 g/day
safety-cautions. Niu Xi - Contraindications: Pregnancy (invigorates blood and moves downward), Excessive menstrual bleeding, Spleen deficiency with diarrhea, Spermatorrhea from deficiency without stasis | Side effects: Generally well tolerated, GI upset in sensitive individuals, Avoid in pregnancy | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy.
In formulas
Niu Xi stands in 85 documented formulas in the library, among them sõu fêng shùn gì wán, dà tóu wèn táng, yù nữ jian, nữ kẽ bǎi zì rén wán, dàng guì dì huáng yin, hũ gián wán.
Often paired with
RehmanniaRehmannia glutinosa
Dong QuaiAngelica sinensis
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
White PeonyPaeonia lactiflora
Sichuan Lovage RhizomeLigusticum chuanxiong
Mai Men DongOphiopogon japonicusNearby on the shelf
Net-leaf plantainGoodyera
NettlesUrtica dioica
Night-blooming cereusSelenicereus grandiflorus
NirgundiVitex negundo
Noble dendrobiumDendrobium nobile
NoniMorinda citrifolia
Nut grassCyperus rotundus
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