Líng Jiǎo Gōu Téng Tāng (羚角钩藤汤) — Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
This substance comes from an endangered or protected species and cannot be legally prescribed in the UK. The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) prohibits the use of any endangered species, and trade is restricted under CITES.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include Gou Teng, Shi Jue Ming, Ju Hua and Sheng Di Huang.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Líng Jiǎo Gōu Téng Tāng (羚角钩藤汤) — Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Líng Jiǎo Gōu Téng Tāng or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Ling Yang Jiao (antelope horn) (animal product)
- Gou Teng (uncaria)
- Sang Ye, Ju Hua, Sheng Di Huang, Bai Shao, Chuan Bei Mu, Zhu Ru, Fu Shen, Gan Cao (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Cools the Liver and extinguishes wind
- Nourishes Yin and relieves spasm
Traditional indications
- High fever with convulsions and tremor from Liver wind stirring
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Líng Jiǎo Gōu Téng Tāng. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include Gou Teng, Shi Jue Ming, Ju Hua and Sheng Di Huang. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Líng Jiǎo Gōu Téng Tāng contains ingredients from endangered or protected species. It cannot be legally prescribed in the UK, and such ingredients are restricted internationally under CITES and prohibited by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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