Introduction of Wei Ling Xian: Chinese Clematis Root
✵This article documents the herb Chinese Clematis Root—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors—as well as the botanical sources defined in classical herbal texts. The officially recognized species are: (1) Clematis chinensis Osbeck, (2) Clematis hexapetala Pall., and (3) Clematis manshurica Rupr. Two additional species commonly used are: (4) Clematis meyeniana Walp. and (5) Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. The article provides detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these five species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the dried herb Radix Clematidis; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Radix Clematidis (Chinese Clematis Root)
Pinyin Name: Wēi Línɡ Xiān
English Name: Chinese Clematis Root
Latin Name:Radix Clematidis Properties and Flavors: Warm, pungent, salty, slightly bitter
Brief Introduction:Radix Clematidis is the dried root and rhizome of Clematis chinensis Osbeck, Clematis hexapetala Pall., or Clematis manshurica Rupr. It is used (1) to dispel wind-dampness and unblock the collaterals for treating wind-damp bi syndrome (e.g., rheumatic or rheumatoid arthralgia), and (2) to resolve fishbones lodged in the throat. Common names include Clematis Root, Chinese Clematis Root, and Six-petal Clematis Root. It is also referred to as Radix Clematidis and Wēi Línɡ Xiān.
Botanical Source: Official herbal classics define Radix Clematidis (Chinese Clematis Root) as the dried root and rhizome of (1) Clematis chinensis Osbeck, (2) Clematis hexapetala Pall., and (3) Clematis manshurica Rupr. Other authoritative herbal classics extend this definition to include (4) Clematis meyeniana Walp. and (5) Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. All belong to the genus Clematis L., family Ranunculaceae (the buttercup family), order Ranunculales. The species designated in classical texts—and other commonly utilized species—are described below:
(1) Clematis chinensis Osbeck.
Botanical Description:Clematis chinensis Osbeck is also known as Clematis chinensis Retz. or Clematis sinensis Lour.; it is commonly known as Wēi Línɡ Xiān. A woody vine, the plant grows up to 3–10 meters long. When dried, the whole plant turns black. The stem is glabrate. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 4.5–6.5 cm long; leaves are pinnately compound with five leaflets (lobules), sometimes three or seven; each leaflet is chartaceous (papery), narrowly ovate, ovate, oval (egg-shaped), or ovate-lanceolate—or linear-lanceolate—1.5–10 cm long and 1–7 cm wide; the apex is sharply pointed or acuminate; the base is rounded, broadly cuneate, or shallowly cordate; margins are entire; both surfaces are glabrate, or the abaxial surface is sparsely pubescent.
Cymose inflorescences are coniform and polyanthous (multiflorous), axillary or terminal; flowers are hermaphroditic, 1–2 cm in diameter; 4 sepals, sepals are long-circular or round-obovate, 0.5–1.5 cm long and 1.5–3 mm wide, explanate, white, with often convex apices; the outer margin is densely tomentose or pubescent near the center; petals are absent; stamens are numerous and of unequal length, glabrous; carpels are numerous and pilose.
Achenes are oblate and oval (egg-shaped), 3–7 mm long, sparsely appressed-pilose; the persistent style is plumose, 2–5 cm long. Flowering occurs from June to September; fruiting occurs from August to November.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows at altitudes of 80–1,500 meters above sea level, on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valley shrublands, along ditch sides, and on roadside grasslands.
Growth Characteristics:Clematis chinensis prefers a warm and humid climate; calcareous, humus-rich soil is most suitable for cultivation.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is elongated and cylindrical, 1.5–10 cm long and 0.3–1.5 cm in diameter, with numerous rootlets arising from both sides and the lower portion; the surface is pale brownish-yellow to tan (chocolate brown); the cortex is often dehiscent and fibrous; nodes are prominent; and a woody stem base often persists at the apex. The texture is tough; the fracture surface is fibrous. The root is long-cylindrical and slightly twisted, 7–20 cm long and 0.1–0.3 cm in diameter; the surface is tan (chocolate brown) or dark brown, with fine longitudinal striations; sometimes the bark exfoliates, exposing the pale yellow xylem (wood); the texture is hard and brittle, easily broken; the cortical portion of the fracture surface is broad and regularly fissured, separating from the xylem (wood). The herb has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Dispel wind and eliminate dampness, unblock meridians, and relieve pain. It is indicated for rheumatic arthralgia, numbness of the limbs, muscular and arterial tension, impaired flexion and extension, pharyngeal obstruction by bone fragments, beriberi-related swelling and pain, malaria, and phlegm-damp retention.
Administration of RaRadix Clematidis (Wēi Línɡ Xiān):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Clematidis (Wēi Línɡ Xiān)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–9 grams; (2) Internally: decoction in water, 2–3 qian (≈6–9 grams); infusion in wine; or preparation as pills or powder. External use: mashed fresh herb applied topically. (3) Internally: decoction in water, 6–9 grams; or preparation as pills, powder, or wine infusion. External use: appropriate amount, mashed and applied topically; fumigation and wash with aqueous decoction; or preparation as a foaming agent.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Clematidis should be used with caution during pregnancy.
(2) Clematis hexapetala Pall.
Botanical Description:Clematis hexapetala Pall. is also known as Clematis angustifolia Jacq.; it is commonly known as Mián Tuán Tiě Xiàn Lián. An upright herb, the plant grows up to 30–100 cm tall. The stem is cylindrical, with vertical grooves, sparsely pilose, and becomes glabrescent as it matures. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 0.5–3.5 cm long; leaf blades are coriaceous, green, and often turn black upon drying; they are 1- or 2-pinnately divided; lobes are linear-lanceolate, long-elliptic-lanceolate, elliptic, or linear, 1.5–10 cm long and 0.1–2 cm wide; the apex is acute or convex, sometimes obtuse; margins are entire; both surfaces—or veins—are sparsely villous or glabrate; reticulate venation is prominent.
Cymes are apical or axillary and usually bear 3 flowers, sometimes solitary; pedicels are pilose; bracts are linear. Flowers are hermaphroditic, 2.5–5 cm in diameter; sepals (calyx lobes) number 4–8, usually 6, oblong or narrowly obovate, 1–2.5 cm long and 0.3–1 cm wide, white and explanate; the outer surface is densely white-tomentose—resembling cotton balls in buds—the inner surface is glabrous; petals are absent; stamens are numerous, filaments thin and elongated (~9 mm long) and glabrous, anthers are linear; carpels are numerous and white-pilose.
Achenes are obovate, oblate, or flattened, ~4 mm long, densely pilose; the persistent style is plumose, 1.5–3 cm long. Flowering occurs from June to August; fruiting occurs from July to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes, in montane meadows or on stabilized dunes.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is short-cylindrical, 1–4 cm long and 0.5–1 cm in diameter. Roots are few, 4–20 cm long and 0.1–0.2 cm in diameter; the surface is tan (chocolate brown) to brownish-black; the duramen (wood core) of the fracture surface is circular and small, occupying less than half the root diameter. The herb tastes salty.
(3) Clematis mandshurica Rupr.
Botanical Description:Clematis mandshurica Rupr. is also known as Clematis terniflora DC. var. mandshurica (Rupr.) Ohwi; it is commonly known as Là Liǎo Tiě Xiàn Lián. A climbing vine; stems and branches are glabrous or glabrescent, except nodes, which are white-pilose. Leaves are pinnately compound with three leaflets; leaflets are entire, more or less coriaceous, oval (egg-shaped), ovate-oblong, or lanceolate-ovate; apices are acuminate or acute, rarely obtuse—not slightly concave; the adaxial surface is glabrous with conspicuous reticulate venation; the abaxial surface is glabrescent.
Inflorescences are elongated and erect, up to 25 cm long; peduncles and pedicels are glabrescent or slightly pubescent; sepals are glabrous or slightly pubescent on the outer surface, except the margin, which is tomentose.
Achenes are small, 4–6 mm long. Flowering occurs from June to August; fruiting occurs from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shrublands on hillsides or mountain slopes, in groves (holt or mixed woodland), or along forest edges.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is cylindrical, 1–11 cm long and 0.5–2.5 cm in diameter. Roots are numerous, slender and elongated, densely arranged in a horsetail-like pattern; the surface is brownish-black or tan (chocolate brown), bearing numerous conspicuous fine wrinkles; the cortical portion of the fracture surface is white; the duramen (wood core) is orbicular, thin, and small. The herb tastes pungent.
(4) Clematis meyeniana Walp.
Botanical Description:Clematis meyeniana Walp. is commonly known as Máo Zhù Tiě Xiàn Lián. A woody vine; older branches are cylindrical with longitudinal striations; branchlets (twigs) bear ridges. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 4–8 cm long; leaves are trifoliolate; leaflets are more or less coriaceous, oval (egg-shaped) or ovate-oblong—sometimes broadly ovate—3–12 cm long and 2–7.5 cm wide; apices are acute, acuminate, or sharply pointed; bases are rounded, shallowly cordate, or broadly cuneate; margins are entire; both surfaces are glabrous; veins are prominent.
Coniform cymes are axillary or terminal (apical), polyanthous (multiflorous); persistent bud scales are usually absent; flower bracts are small and subulate; flowers are hermaphroditic; sepals (calyx lobes) number four, oblong-oval or lanceolate, ~10 mm long and ~3 mm wide; outer margins are tomentose; the inner surface is glabrous; petals are absent; stamens are numerous and glabrous; anthers are longer than filaments; carpels are numerous and pilose.
Achenes are sickle-shaped, narrowly ovate or narrowly obovate, 3–4.5 mm long, pilose; persistent styles are plumose, up to 2.5 cm long. Flowering occurs from June to August; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows at altitudes of 250–1,850 meters above sea level, in open forests on hillsides and mountain slopes, in roadside shrublands, or in valleys and along streams.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome and roots resemble those of Clematis chinensis Osbeck, making differentiation difficult. The herb has a mild taste.
(5) Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth.
Botanical Description:Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. is also known as Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. var. biternata W. T. Wang; it is commonly known as Zhù Guǒ Tiě Xiàn Lián or Guāng Guǒ Tiě Xiàn Lián. It is a vine. The stem is cylindrical, with longitudinal striations; the stem and leaves are glabrous and often turn black upon drying. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 5–7.5 cm long; leaves are pinnately to bipinnately compound, with 5–15 leaflets; the two basal pairs of leaflets are often 2–3-lobed; leaves at the base of the stem are simple or trifoliolate; leaflets are chartaceous (papery) or thinly coriaceous, broadly ovate, ovate, oblong-ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, 3–13 cm long and 1.5–7 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or acute, occasionally emarginate; the base is rounded or broadly cuneate, sometimes shallowly cordate or truncate; margins are entire; both surfaces have prominent reticulate veins.
Cymose inflorescences are axillary or terminal, polyflorous; flowers are hermaphroditic, with 4 sepals (calyx lobes) that are linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, 1–1.5 cm long, white, spreading, and turning black upon drying; petals are absent; stamens are numerous and glabrous; carpels are numerous and glabrous.
Achenes are terete-subulate (cylindrical and tapering), 5–8 mm long, turning black upon drying, glabrous; persistent styles are plumose, 1–2 cm long. Flowering occurs from June to July; fruiting occurs from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in hilly and mountainous regions, valleys, shrublands near streams, and forest edges, at altitudes of 100–1,800 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root surface is pale brown, with conspicuous vertical wrinkles; the fracture surface is horny. The herb has a mild taste.
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References:
1.Introduction of Wei Ling Xian: Chinese Clematis Root.
✵This article documents the herb Chinese Clematis Root—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors—as well as the botanical sources defined in classical herbal texts. The officially recognized species are: (1) Clematis chinensis Osbeck, (2) Clematis hexapetala Pall., and (3) Clematis manshurica Rupr. Two additional species commonly used are: (4) Clematis meyeniana Walp. and (5) Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. The article provides detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these five species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the dried herb Radix Clematidis; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Wēi Línɡ Xiān
Botanical Description: Clematis chinensis Osbeck is also known as Clematis chinensis Retz. or Clematis sinensis Lour.; it is commonly known as Wēi Línɡ Xiān. A woody vine, the plant grows up to 3–10 meters long. When dried, the whole plant turns black. The stem is glabrate. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 4.5–6.5 cm long; leaves are pinnately compound with five leaflets (lobules), sometimes three or seven; each leaflet is chartaceous (papery), narrowly ovate, ovate, oval (egg-shaped), or ovate-lanceolate—or linear-lanceolate—1.5–10 cm long and 1–7 cm wide; the apex is sharply pointed or acuminate; the base is rounded, broadly cuneate, or shallowly cordate; margins are entire; both surfaces are glabrate, or the abaxial surface is sparsely pubescent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows at altitudes of 80–1,500 meters above sea level, on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valley shrublands, along ditch sides, and on roadside grasslands.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is elongated and cylindrical, 1.5–10 cm long and 0.3–1.5 cm in diameter, with numerous rootlets arising from both sides and the lower portion; the surface is pale brownish-yellow to tan (chocolate brown); the cortex is often dehiscent and fibrous; nodes are prominent; and a woody stem base often persists at the apex. The texture is tough; the fracture surface is fibrous. The root is long-cylindrical and slightly twisted, 7–20 cm long and 0.1–0.3 cm in diameter; the surface is tan (chocolate brown) or dark brown, with fine longitudinal striations; sometimes the bark exfoliates, exposing the pale yellow xylem (wood); the texture is hard and brittle, easily broken; the cortical portion of the fracture surface is broad and regularly fissured, separating from the xylem (wood). The herb has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste.
Botanical Description: Clematis hexapetala Pall. is also known as Clematis angustifolia Jacq.; it is commonly known as Mián Tuán Tiě Xiàn Lián. An upright herb, the plant grows up to 30–100 cm tall. The stem is cylindrical, with vertical grooves, sparsely pilose, and becomes glabrescent as it matures. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 0.5–3.5 cm long; leaf blades are coriaceous, green, and often turn black upon drying; they are 1- or 2-pinnately divided; lobes are linear-lanceolate, long-elliptic-lanceolate, elliptic, or linear, 1.5–10 cm long and 0.1–2 cm wide; the apex is acute or convex, sometimes obtuse; margins are entire; both surfaces—or veins—are sparsely villous or glabrate; reticulate venation is prominent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes, in montane meadows or on stabilized dunes.
Botanical Description: Clematis mandshurica Rupr. is also known as Clematis terniflora DC. var. mandshurica (Rupr.) Ohwi; it is commonly known as Là Liǎo Tiě Xiàn Lián. A climbing vine; stems and branches are glabrous or glabrescent, except nodes, which are white-pilose. Leaves are pinnately compound with three leaflets; leaflets are entire, more or less coriaceous, oval (egg-shaped), ovate-oblong, or lanceolate-ovate; apices are acuminate or acute, rarely obtuse—not slightly concave; the adaxial surface is glabrous with conspicuous reticulate venation; the abaxial surface is glabrescent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shrublands on hillsides or mountain slopes, in groves (holt or mixed woodland), or along forest edges.
Botanical Description: Clematis meyeniana Walp. is commonly known as Máo Zhù Tiě Xiàn Lián. A woody vine; older branches are cylindrical with longitudinal striations; branchlets (twigs) bear ridges. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 4–8 cm long; leaves are trifoliolate; leaflets are more or less coriaceous, oval (egg-shaped) or ovate-oblong—sometimes broadly ovate—3–12 cm long and 2–7.5 cm wide; apices are acute, acuminate, or sharply pointed; bases are rounded, shallowly cordate, or broadly cuneate; margins are entire; both surfaces are glabrous; veins are prominent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows at altitudes of 250–1,850 meters above sea level, in open forests on hillsides and mountain slopes, in roadside shrublands, or in valleys and along streams.
Botanical Description: Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. is also known as Clematis uncinata Champ. ex Benth. var. biternata W. T. Wang; it is commonly known as Zhù Guǒ Tiě Xiàn Lián or Guāng Guǒ Tiě Xiàn Lián. It is a vine. The stem is cylindrical, with longitudinal striations; the stem and leaves are glabrous and often turn black upon drying. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 5–7.5 cm long; leaves are pinnately to bipinnately compound, with 5–15 leaflets; the two basal pairs of leaflets are often 2–3-lobed; leaves at the base of the stem are simple or trifoliolate; leaflets are chartaceous (papery) or thinly coriaceous, broadly ovate, ovate, oblong-ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, 3–13 cm long and 1.5–7 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or acute, occasionally emarginate; the base is rounded or broadly cuneate, sometimes shallowly cordate or truncate; margins are entire; both surfaces have prominent reticulate veins.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in hilly and mountainous regions, valleys, shrublands near streams, and forest edges, at altitudes of 100–1,800 m above sea level.
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