Uncaria Stem with Hooks Classic Formulas … Natural Herb Library

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Extinguishes internal wind and stops spasms - Gou Teng is a standard herb for tremor, convulsion, pediatric febrile spasm, and other wind-stirring presentations.
Clears Liver heat and pacifies rising Yang - it is widely used for headache, dizziness, irritability, and red-eye patterns associated with upward Liver disturbance.
Relieves hypertension-style presentations within TCM pattern logic - later practice especially values Gou Teng when dizziness and headache reflect vascular tension or rising Liver Yang.

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang - classic warm-disease formula for heat-generated Liver Wind with high fever, spasms, and agitation.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin - later formula for Liver-Yang rising with headache, dizziness, and hypertension-style symptoms.
Gou Teng Yin - convulsion-oriented formula lineage using Gou Teng when internal wind and heat disturb the child or adult nervous system.

TCM Wiki describes Gou Teng as sweet and slightly cold, entering the Liver and Pericardium to extinguish wind, stop spasm, clear Liver heat, and pacify the Liver.
Traditional herbology also preserves the practical rule that Gou Teng should usually be added near the end of decoction.