# Chicken Blood Vine (Jixueteng / Caulis Spatholobi): Identity, Uses, Evidence, Safety # 계혈등(鷄血藤): 정체·쓰임·근거·안전성 > CommonSense

# Chicken Blood Vine (Jixueteng / Caulis Spatholobi): Identity, Uses, Evidence, Safety

# 계혈등(鷄血藤): 정체·쓰임·근거·안전성

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## English

### 1) What “Gyehyeoldeung / Jixueteng” is (core identity)

**Gyehyeoldeung (계혈등, 鷄血藤)** is the crude drug commonly referred to in Chinese medicine as **Ji Xue Teng (鸡血藤)**, and in pharmacognosy as **Caulis Spatholobi / Spatholobi Caulis**. In mainstream TCM usage, it is the **dried vine stem of *Spatholobus suberectus* Dunn (Fabaceae/Leguminosae)**. ([PMC][1])
Its name (“chicken-blood vine”) comes from the **reddish resin/juice** that can exude when the vine is cut or injured—visually reminiscent of blood. ([PMC][1])

**Important nuance (nomenclature/accepted sources):** depending on country and standard terminology, “계혈등” may be tied to *Spatholobus suberectus* as the representative source, but some Korean terminology references also list additional related botanical sources under the same Korean term. ([Herba][2])
Because of that, **“what plant it is” can differ by pharmacopoeia/monograph and by supply chain**—a practical quality-control issue, not just an academic detail.

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### 2) Traditional functions and typical indications (how it is “positioned” in East Asian medicine)

Across Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean traditional use, *Spatholobus suberectus* vine stem decoctions have been used for **blood-related patterns** (e.g., anemia-like weakness, pallor), **menstrual irregularities**, and **rheumatic/bi pain** (wind-damp with blood deficiency or blood stasis features). ([SAGE Journals][3])

A concise way TCM texts often frame it is:

* **“Nourish/tonify blood + invigorate blood”** (a dual nature: supporting blood while also moving it)
* **“Unblock channels, relax sinews”** → used when pain/numbness/stiffness is linked to poor circulation or “stasis” concepts ([americandragon.com][4])

Traditional indication clusters commonly listed in reviews include:

* **Anemia-like syndromes and blood deficiency**
* **Menstrual abnormalities** (irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea patterns in TCM framing)
* **Rheumatoid/arthralgia-type complaints**
* **Purpura and similar bleeding/bruising pattern discussions** in ethnomedical contexts ([ScienceDirect][5])

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### 3) Phytochemistry (what’s inside)

Modern reviews consistently describe the vine stem as rich in **phenolic constituents**, especially **flavonoids/isoflavonoids**, alongside other phenolics (including catechin-type compounds). ([SAGE Journals][3])
A well-cited analytical study reports notable **phenolic/procyanidin-type components** and characterizes major phenolics using LC-MS approaches. ([MDPI][6])

Practical implication: because the material’s activity is tied to multi-compound phenolic profiles, **processing, extraction method, and authenticity** can significantly change what a consumer actually ingests.

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### 4) Modern pharmacology: what research suggests (and what it does *not* prove)

A large portion of the modern literature is **preclinical** (cell/animal). Reviews summarize potential activities such as:

* **Hematopoietic-related effects** (blood cell production–related findings in models)
* **Anti-inflammatory / antioxidant activities**
* **Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial signals**
* **Anticancer-related mechanisms** in laboratory contexts ([PMC][1])

There are also disease-model studies (example):

* An **atopic dermatitis–like mouse model** study reported improvement in inflammatory markers and clinical-like scores with a *S. suberectus* water extract. ([PMC][7])

And hematopoietic protection has been explored in specific experimental settings:

* A study examined **radiation-induced hematopoietic injury** models using Ji-Xue-Teng extracts. ([PMC][8])

**Critical reading point:** these findings are **not the same as proven clinical efficacy** for a specific diagnosis in humans. They are better treated as **hypothesis-supporting signals** that justify why the herb remained interesting for centuries and why researchers keep studying it.

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### 5) Safety, contraindications, and interaction risk (high-priority)

Because “blood-moving” herbs can alter uterine tone and bleeding dynamics in traditional theory—and because some sources explicitly note uterine stimulation—**pregnancy is commonly treated as a contraindication or high-caution situation**. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])
Many references also advise caution in **heavy menstrual bleeding** patterns. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])

**Drug–herb interaction risk:** if a product is used in a way that meaningfully affects circulation/platelet activity, it is prudent to treat it as potentially interactive with:

* **Anticoagulants/antiplatelets** (e.g., warfarin, DOACs, aspirin, clopidogrel)
* **NSAIDs** in some cases (bleeding risk stacking)
  A broad clinical review of herb–drug interactions highlights antithrombotics as a frequent interaction hotspot. ([SMJ][10])

**Bottom line for safety:** the highest-yield risk controls are:

* avoid during **pregnancy**
* be cautious with **bleeding disorders, heavy menses**, or **perioperative settings**
* be cautious if on **antithrombotic therapy** or if you have a history of significant bleeding

(This is general risk framing, not individualized medical advice.)

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### 6) Authenticity and adulteration (why quality control matters)

In the marketplace, stems from different vines can look similar after drying, and multiple “xue teng / teng” materials have overlapping folk names. Peer-reviewed work shows that **DNA barcoding (e.g., ITS2, rbcL, psbA-trnH)** can reliably distinguish **Spatholobi Caulis** from commonly confused or substituted materials (including similarly named caulis drugs). ([PubMed][11])

Practical implication:

* “계혈등” on a label does not automatically guarantee *Spatholobus suberectus* content.
* Standardization requires **botanical authentication + chemical profiling** (both matter).

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### 7) Future outlook (where the field is heading)

The most meaningful “future” developments are likely to be:

1. **Tighter authentication and traceability** (DNA-based and chemical marker panels) ([PubMed][11])
2. **Better-defined active fractions/markers** (linking phenolic/flavonoid profiles to reproducible biological endpoints) ([MDPI][6])
3. **Human-grade clinical evidence** that separates: (a) single-herb effects vs (b) multi-herb formula effects, and clarifies safety in real-world populations ([ScienceDirect][5])

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## 한국어

### 1) 계혈등(鷄血藤)이 무엇인가

**계혈등(鷄血藤)**은 한의·중의에서 흔히 **“계혈등/계혈등(鸡血藤, Ji Xue Teng)”**, 생약학적으로는 **Spatholobi Caulis(Caulis Spatholobi)**로 불립니다. 주된 기원은 **콩과(Fabaceae/Leguminosae) 덩굴식물인 *Spatholobus suberectus* Dunn의 덩굴성 줄기(등경)**로 설명됩니다. ([PMC][1])
이름의 어원은 줄기를 자르거나 상처를 내면 **붉은 수지/액이 배어 나와 닭피처럼 보인다**는 데서 왔다는 설명이 널리 인용됩니다. ([PMC][1])

**주의할 점(기원 혼선):** 국내 표준 용어/자료에서는 “계혈등”에 대해 *Spatholobus suberectus* 외에 **다른 연관 기원종을 함께 언급**하는 경우도 있어, 유통품·공정서·표기 기준에 따라 “같은 이름인데 다른 식물” 문제가 생길 수 있습니다. ([Herba][2])
따라서 계혈등은 내용물이 무엇인지(정품/위품) 자체가 품질에서 핵심 이슈가 됩니다.

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### 2) 전통적 효능(개념)과 적용 영역

문헌·리뷰에서 공통적으로 정리되는 전통적 적용 축은 다음과 같습니다.

* **혈(血) 관련 허약/빈혈 유사 증상**
* **월경 이상**(불순, 통경, 무월경 등 “조경(調經)” 범주)
* **류머티즘성 통증·저림·마비**처럼 “경락이 막히고 근이 뻣뻣한” 양상 ([SAGE Journals][3])

한마디로 요약하면, 계혈등은 전통적으로 **“보혈(養血) + 활혈(活血)”의 성격을 함께 가진 약재**로 다루어지며, **혈허(血虛)와 어혈(瘀血)이 섞여 보이는 상황**에 배치되는 경우가 많다고 설명됩니다. ([americandragon.com][4])

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### 3) 성분(현대 분석 관점)

최근 정리 논문들은 계혈등 줄기에서 **페놀성 성분이 풍부**하며, 특히 **플라보노이드/이소플라보노이드 계열이 핵심 축**이라는 점을 반복적으로 강조합니다. ([SAGE Journals][3])
또 다른 분석 연구에서는 **프로시아니딘(procyanidin) 등 페놀성 성분군**을 LC-MS 기반으로 규명·특성화한 결과가 보고됩니다. ([MDPI][6])

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### 4) 약리 연구(무엇이 “가능성”이고, 무엇이 “확증”이 아닌가)

현대 연구는 상당 부분이 **세포/동물 기반**입니다. 리뷰에서 요약되는 가능성으로는:

* 조혈(혈구 생성) 관련 실험 신호
* 항염·항산화
* 면역 조절 및 항균 관련 신호
* 항암 기전 탐색(실험실 수준) ([PMC][1])

예로, **아토피 피부염 유사 동물모델**에서 *S. suberectus* 물추출물이 염증성 지표와 증상 지표를 완화했다는 보고가 있습니다. ([PMC][7])
또한 특정 조건에서 **조혈 손상(방사선 등)**에 대한 보호 효과를 탐색한 연구도 존재합니다. ([PMC][8])

다만 이는 **사람에게서 특정 질환을 “치료한다”는 확정 근거와는 다르며**, 전통적 사용 맥락과 생물학적 가능성을 연결하는 “근거 축적” 단계로 이해하는 것이 안전합니다. ([ScienceDirect][5])

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### 5) 안전성·금기·상호작용(핵심)

전통적으로 활혈(혈행을 움직이는) 성격의 약재는 **임신 중 사용을 금기 또는 고위험 주의**로 두는 경우가 많고, 계혈등은 일부 자료에서 **자궁수축(자궁 흥분)과 연관**된 주의가 직접 언급됩니다. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])
또한 **월경과다(출혈이 많은 경우)**에는 신중하게 다루라는 취지의 언급도 있습니다. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])

**약물 상호작용 관점:** 항응고제·항혈소판제 등 **항혈전 약물**은 한약·생약과 상호작용 이슈가 자주 문제 되는 영역으로 정리되어 있어, 계혈등처럼 “혈행/응집”과 연결될 수 있는 약재는 보수적으로 접근하는 것이 합리적입니다. ([SMJ][10])

요약하면,

* **임신 중은 회피**
* **출혈성 질환/월경과다/수술 전후**는 보수적
* **항응고·항혈소판 약 복용자**는 특히 주의

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### 6) 정품·위품(혼입)과 품질관리

유통 단계에서 **줄기 형태 생약은 외형이 비슷해 혼입**이 발생하기 쉽습니다. 실제로 **DNA 바코딩(ITS2, rbcL, psbA-trnH 등)**을 이용해 계혈등과 유사 약재(이름·외형이 비슷한 줄기류 생약)를 감별·구분할 수 있다는 연구들이 보고되어 있습니다. ([PubMed][11])
즉, “계혈등”이라는 표기만으로는 충분하지 않고, **식물학적 동정 + 성분 프로파일**이 함께 가야 품질이 담보됩니다.

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### 7) 앞으로의 방향

계혈등 관련 “미래”에서 가장 중요한 흐름은 다음 3가지로 수렴할 가능성이 큽니다.

1. **감별·추적(Traceability) 고도화**: DNA 기반 + 화학지표 패널 ([PubMed][11])
2. **표준화된 유효지표 확립**: 플라보노이드/페놀 프로파일과 재현 가능한 생물학적 지표 연결 ([MDPI][6])
3. **사람 데이터의 질 개선**: 단미 vs 복합처방, 안전성(출혈·임신 등) 명확화 ([ScienceDirect][5])

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## 日本語

### 1) 鶏血藤（けいけつとう）とは何か

**鶏血藤（けいけつとう、鸡血藤：Ji Xue Teng）**は、生薬学では **Caulis Spatholobi / Spatholobi Caulis** と呼ばれ、代表的には **マメ科（Fabaceae）つる植物 *Spatholobus suberectus* Dunn の「つる茎（蔓の茎）」を乾燥した生薬**として整理されます。 ([PMC][1])
名称は、切断時ににじむ**赤い樹脂状の液**が“血”を想起させることに由来すると説明されることが多いです。 ([PMC][1])

※国や規格（用語集・公定書）によっては、同じ呼称の下で**近縁の別植物が言及**される場合があり、流通品の同定が重要になります。 ([Herba][2])

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### 2) 伝統医学での位置づけ（作用イメージ）

レビューでは、鶏血藤の伝統的用途は概ね次の領域に集約されます。

* **血に関する虚弱（貧血様）**
* **月経異常（不順・痛みなど）**
* **リウマチ様の痛み、しびれ、筋のこわばり**（“経絡を通す／筋をゆるめる”という枠組み） ([SAGE Journals][3])

「補いながら巡らせる（養血＋活血）」という“二面性”で語られることが多い点が特徴です。 ([americandragon.com][4])

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### 3) 成分（現代の分析）

多くの総説は、鶏血藤の茎に **フェノール性成分、とりわけフラボノイド系**が豊富であることを示します。 ([SAGE Journals][3])
また、プロシアニジン等のフェノール性成分群について、LC-MS 等で特徴づけた報告もあります。 ([MDPI][6])

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### 4) 薬理研究の現状（ヒトでの確証とは別）

現状の知見は **細胞・動物実験が中心**です。総説で挙げられる可能性は、抗炎症・抗酸化、免疫調節、造血関連のシグナル、抗腫瘍機序探索など。 ([PMC][1])
例として、**アトピー性皮膚炎様モデル**で水抽出物が炎症指標を抑えたという報告があります。 ([PMC][7])
放射線による造血障害モデルでの検討も報告されています。 ([PMC][8])

ただし、これらは**臨床的有効性の確定**ではなく、伝統的使用の背景を支える“研究途上の根拠”と理解するのが妥当です。 ([ScienceDirect][5])

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### 5) 安全性（重要ポイント）

“血を動かす”性質の生薬は一般に**妊娠中は禁忌／要注意**とされがちで、鶏血藤も**子宮収縮を促すため妊娠中禁忌**と明記する資料があります。 ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])
月経過多など出血が多い状況も慎重扱いが推奨されます。 ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])

また、抗凝固薬・抗血小板薬などは生薬との相互作用が問題になりやすい領域であり、保守的に考えるべきです。 ([SMJ][10])

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### 6) 真偽判定（混入・偽和の問題）

乾燥した「つる茎」生薬は外観が似やすく、混入が起こり得ます。DNA バーコーディング（ITS2, rbcL など）で鑑別可能であることが示されています。 ([PubMed][11])

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## Español

### 1) Qué es “Gyehyeoldeung / Jixueteng”

**Gyehyeoldeung (계혈등, 鷄血藤)** corresponde, en la tradición china, a **Ji Xue Teng (鸡血藤)** y, en farmacognosia, a **Caulis Spatholobi / Spatholobi Caulis**. La referencia más habitual es que se trata del **tallo leñoso de la liana *Spatholobus suberectus* Dunn (familia Fabaceae/Leguminosae), seco**. ([PMC][1])
El nombre (“liana de sangre de pollo”) se asocia a la **exudación rojiza** cuando el tallo se corta o se daña. ([PMC][1])

Matiz importante: según el estándar/país, el término “계혈등” puede incluir **menciones a otras fuentes botánicas relacionadas**, lo que hace crítica la autenticación del material en el comercio. ([Herba][2])

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### 2) Usos tradicionales (cómo se entiende en medicina tradicional)

En revisiones modernas, su uso tradicional se concentra en:

* **Trastornos “relacionados con la sangre”** (debilidad tipo anemia)
* **Alteraciones menstruales** (irregularidad, dolor, etc.)
* **Dolor reumático, entumecimiento y rigidez** (marco de “activar circulación y desbloquear canales”) ([SAGE Journals][3])

A menudo se describe como una planta con doble perfil: **“nutre la sangre” y también “mueve la sangre”**, por lo que se ubica en escenarios donde se combinan deficiencia y estasis en el lenguaje tradicional. ([americandragon.com][4])

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### 3) Composición química (qué se ha encontrado)

Las revisiones señalan abundancia de **compuestos fenólicos**, especialmente **flavonoides/isoflavonoides**, además de otros fenoles (incluidos compuestos tipo catequina). ([SAGE Journals][3])
También existen estudios analíticos centrados en **prociánidinas y fenoles** caracterizados por técnicas LC-MS. ([MDPI][6])

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### 4) Evidencia moderna (qué sugiere, y qué no demuestra)

La mayor parte de la evidencia es **preclínica** (células/animales). Se describen actividades potenciales antiinflamatorias, antioxidantes, inmunomoduladoras y señales relacionadas con hematopoyesis, además de exploraciones anticancerígenas a nivel mecanístico. ([PMC][1])
Ejemplo: un estudio en un **modelo murino tipo dermatitis atópica** reportó mejora de marcadores inflamatorios con extracto acuoso. ([PMC][7])

Punto crítico: esto no equivale a eficacia clínica confirmada en humanos; es evidencia de plausibilidad biológica. ([ScienceDirect][5])

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### 5) Seguridad e interacciones (prioridad)

En muchos enfoques tradicionales, las hierbas que “mueven la sangre” se tratan con **precaución o contraindicación en embarazo**. Para Ji Xue Teng se menciona explícitamente **estimulación de contracciones uterinas** y, por ello, contraindicación en embarazo en algunas fuentes. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])
También se recomienda cautela en **menstruaciones muy abundantes**. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])

Respecto a interacciones: los **antitrombóticos (anticoagulantes/antiagregantes)** son un foco frecuente de interacciones con productos herbales, por lo que se justifica una postura conservadora. ([SMJ][10])

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### 6) Autenticidad (adulteración)

Por la similitud visual de tallos secos, hay riesgo de sustitución/mezcla. Se ha mostrado que **DNA barcoding (ITS2, rbcL, etc.)** discrimina *S. suberectus* de materiales confundibles. ([PubMed][11])

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## Français

### 1) Qu’est-ce que le « Gyehyeoldeung / Jixueteng »

**Gyehyeoldeung (계혈등, 鷄血藤)** correspond généralement à **Ji Xue Teng (鸡血藤)** en médecine chinoise et à **Caulis Spatholobi / Spatholobi Caulis** en pharmacognosie. La référence la plus courante indique qu’il s’agit de la **tige de liane séchée de *Spatholobus suberectus* Dunn (Fabaceae/Leguminosae)**. ([PMC][1])
Le nom est associé à l’**exsudat rougeâtre** libéré lors de la coupe, évoquant du sang. ([PMC][1])

Nuance essentielle : selon les standards/terminologies, le terme coréen peut parfois intégrer des **mentions d’autres sources botaniques apparentées**, d’où l’importance de l’authentification. ([Herba][2])

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### 2) Usages traditionnels (positionnement)

Les synthèses modernes relient son usage traditionnel à :

* des troubles « liés au sang » (fatigue/affaiblissement type anémie)
* des **irrégularités menstruelles**
* des douleurs rhumatismales, engourdissements et raideurs, dans une logique de « circulation » et de « déblocage des canaux » ([SAGE Journals][3])

Il est souvent décrit comme ayant une double dimension : **« nourrir le sang »** tout en **« activant la circulation du sang »**. ([americandragon.com][4])

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### 3) Chimie (constituants)

Les revues mettent en avant une richesse en **polyphénols**, notamment **flavonoïdes/isoflavonoïdes**, ainsi que d’autres composés phénoliques (catéchines, etc.). ([SAGE Journals][3])
Des travaux analytiques décrivent également des profils de **procyanidines** et autres phénoliques via LC-MS. ([MDPI][6])

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### 4) Données modernes (préclinique majoritaire)

L’essentiel des données est **préclinique**. Les revues recensent des signaux anti-inflammatoires, antioxydants, immunomodulateurs, ainsi que des explorations liées à l’hématopoïèse et à des mécanismes anticancéreux en laboratoire. ([PMC][1])
Exemple : un modèle murin de **dermatite atopique-like** a montré une amélioration de paramètres inflammatoires avec un extrait aqueux. ([PMC][7])

Interprétation : ces signaux soutiennent une plausibilité, mais ne constituent pas une preuve clinique définitive chez l’humain. ([ScienceDirect][5])

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### 5) Sécurité (points critiques)

Les plantes « qui activent le sang » sont souvent **déconseillées/contre-indiquées pendant la grossesse**. Des sources indiquent explicitement une **stimulation des contractions utérines**, motivant l’évitement en grossesse. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])
Prudence également en cas de **règles très abondantes**. ([Musculoskeletal Key][9])

Concernant les interactions : les **antithrombotiques** figurent parmi les classes les plus concernées par les interactions plante-médicament, justifiant une approche prudente. ([SMJ][10])

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### 6) Authenticité et adultération

Les tiges sèches se ressemblent : substitution/mélange possibles. Des études montrent que le **DNA barcoding (ITS2, rbcL, etc.)** aide à authentifier *S. suberectus* et à le distinguer d’espèces confondantes. ([PubMed][11])

[1]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9497142/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "A Review of the Pharmacological Potential of Spatholobus ..."
[2]: https://herba.kr/boncho/?id=10640&m=view&t=dict&utm_source=chatgpt.com "계혈등(鷄血藤) - 한약자원연구센터"
[3]: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1934578X221142724?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological ..."
[4]: https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/JiXueTeng.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ji Xue Teng - 鸡血藤 - Caulis Spatholobi - Chinese Herbs"
[5]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874123007225?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Spatholobi caulis: A systematic review of its traditional uses ..."
[6]: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/7/7549?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Spatholobus suberectus"
[7]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9251377/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Spatholobus suberectus Dunn Water Extract Ameliorates ..."
[8]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6230390/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Protective Effect of JXT Ethanol Extract on Radiation ..."
[9]: https://musculoskeletalkey.com/endometriosis-nei-ji/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Endometriosis—Nei Ji"
[10]: https://www.smj.org.sg/sites/default/files/SMJ-59-230.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "herb-drug interactions with aspirin"
[11]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27279702/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DNA Barcoding Identification of Kadsurae Caulis and ..."