Achyranthes Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Achyranthes Root, known in Chinese as 牛膝 (Niúxī) and scientifically as Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Achyranthes Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Achyranthes Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Achyranthes Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Achyranthes Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Achyranthes Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Huai Niuxi, Du Niuxi, Hong Niuxi, and Niugai Xi. It is the root of Achyranthes bidentata Bl., a plant of the Amaranthaceae family. It is mainly produced in Henan and other regions. The roots are harvested in winter when the stems and leaves wither, removing the fibrous roots and soil, then tied into small bundles and sun-dried until shriveled. The top ten ends are trimmed evenly and dried.

[Properties] Bitter and sour in taste, neutral in nature. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

[Actions] Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, activates blood circulation and unblocks menstruation, guides fire and blood downward, promotes urination and clears strangury.

[Applications]
1. Used for soreness and weakness of the waist and legs due to Liver and Kidney deficiency. Commonly combined with Eucommia (Du Zhong), Dipsacus (Xu Duan), and Taxillus (Sang Ji Sheng). For predominant Yang deficiency, combined with Aconite (Fu Zi), Cinnamon (Rou Gui), and Sichuan Pepper (Chuan Jiao), as in Jiu Jin Niuxi Wan (酒浸牛膝丸). For Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, combined with Turtle Shell (Gui Ban), Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang), and Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), as in Hu Qian Wan (虎潜丸). For damp-heat downward invasion causing joint redness, swelling, and pain or weakness of feet and knees, combined with Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), and Coix seed (Yi Yi Ren), as in Si Miao Wan (四妙丸). For wind-cold-damp painful obstruction of lower limb joints with limited movement, combined with Angelica Pubescens (Du Huo), Asarum (Xi Xin), and Taxillus (Sang Ji Sheng), as in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (独活寄生汤).
2. Used for blood stasis syndromes. For blood stasis causing amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea, combined with Angelica (Dang Gui), Safflower (Hong Hua), and Peach Kernel (Tao Ren). For difficult labor due to blood stasis and retained placenta, combined with Malva Seed (Dong Kui Zi), Dianthus (Qu Mai), and Angelica (Dang Gui), as in Niuxi Tang (牛膝汤). For traumatic injuries, combined with Safflower (Hong Hua), Dipsacus (Xu Duan), and Angelica (Dang Gui), as in Shu Jin Huo Xue Tang (舒筋活血汤).
3. Used for dizziness, headache, toothache, and vomiting blood or nosebleed. For Liver Yang rising causing headache and dizziness, combined with Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi), Fresh Oyster Shell (Sheng Mu Li), and Fresh Turtle Shell (Sheng Gui Ban), as in Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (镇肝息风汤). For stomach fire causing gum pain and oral ulcers, combined with Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang), Gypsum (Shi Gao), and Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), as in Yu Nu Jian (玉女煎). For blood heat causing vomiting blood or nosebleed, combined with Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Imperata Root (Bai Mao Gen), and Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi).
4. Used for painful, scanty urination, hematuria, and urinary difficulty. Often combined with Talcum (Hua Shi), Lygodium Spore (Hai Jin Sha), and Pyrrosia Leaf (Shi Wei), as in Shi Wei San (石韦散).

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decocted, 4.5–9 g; or soaked in wine; or used in pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, crushed and applied; juice squeezed and dropped into the nose; powder sprinkled into tooth gaps. To tonify Liver and Kidney and strengthen sinews and bones, stir-fry with wine; to activate blood circulation, unblock menstruation, promote urination, and guide fire downward, use raw.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of excessive menstruation and pregnancy. Use with caution in cases of middle Qi sinking, spleen deficiency with diarrhea, and seminal emission or spermatorrhea due to lower origin instability.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: The root contains triterpenoid saponins (which hydrolyze to oleanolic acid and sugars), as well as ecdysterone, achyranthes steroid, red amaranth steroid, and various amino acids including arginine and glycine, alkaloids, coumarin compounds, and trace elements such as iron and copper.
2. Pharmacological effects: Decoction of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects; extracts have some inhibitory effect on the heart and cause significant vasodilation; ecdysterone promotes bile secretion and accelerates recovery of liver function in deficient animals; decoction strongly stimulates isolated uterus of non-pregnant and early pregnant mice; decoction reduces whole blood viscosity, hematocrit, and erythrocyte aggregation index in rats and has anticoagulant effects; ecdysterone and achyranthes steroid significantly lower blood glucose in hyperglycemic rats; ecdysterone promotes hepatic glucose synthesis and protein synthesis in normal mice and glycogen synthesis in normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice; ecdysterone significantly lowers serum total cholesterol and free cholesterol and partially improves hepatic fat deposition; decoction enhances immune function and has mild diuretic effects.
3. Clinical reports: 1. Uterine dilation and induction of labor: Selected straight strips of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae about 0.5 cm in diameter and 5 cm long, surface scraped clean, soaked in 95% ethanol for 1 hour or sterilized in a wide-mouth bottle under high pressure. Before surgery, 2–4 dried sterilized roots are placed into the cervical canal and removed after 14–16 hours (not exceeding 24 hours), followed by curettage. Clinical observation of 100 cases showed good results. [Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1989,(3):36]
2. Measles complicated with laryngitis: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae 20 g, Licorice 10 g, add 150 ml water, decoct to 60 ml, orally administered 4–6 ml every 20–40 minutes. Total 119 cases treated, 117 cured, cure rate 98.32%. [Intermediate Medical Journal, 1987,(9):48]