Sharpleaf Uncaria Stem with Hools

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei.

Stem is cylindrical or sub-square, 2~6mm diameter. Externally reddish-brown to purplish-brown or brown, with thin wrinkles without hair. Stem has raised nodes, two opposing hooks curved downward or singular hook, 1~2cm long, shaped like a ship's mast, gradually pointy apex and relatively round base. Hook base has indented points of fallen leaf stem and ring-like scars of stipules. Light, hard texture; fractured surface has brownish-red outer layer; pith is pale brown or pale yellow. faint odor; tasteless.

Superior medicinal material has thin stem, two firm hooks, smooth and purplish-red.

Sweet; cool

Clears heat, calms the liver, extinguishes wind, relieves tentany. Apply to infantile frightened epilepsy, night cry, exuberating heat stirring wind, eclampsia, dizzing due to liver yang, head swelling pain due to liver fire.