Name: Gambir
Latin Name: Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus
Pin Yin: Gou Teng
Location: China and other parts of southeast Asia

Overview: Externally, gambir is powerfully astringent. It restrains excessive discharges, overcomes relaxation and congestion, and checks local hemorrhages. Gambir is now used in place of catechu (extract of wood of Areca Catechu) as it carries practically the same bodies in more available form, though it contains less tannin than that extract. It may be used in relaxed sore throat, relaxed uvula, and the relaxation and congestion of the fauces common to speakers and singers. A gargle or the troches may be employed. It is rarely used, by injection, in leucorrhoea, and in powder or tincture to control epistaxis. It is a good astringent for congested and spongy gums.

Internally, the powerfully astringent properties of gambir are utilized in the control of serious diarrhea. If there is much mucus present a purge of castor oil is advised, to be followed by the gambir alone, or with camphorated tincture of opium. It is seldom used in modern Eclectic practice.

History: In traditional Chinese medicine, gambir is used to calm wind to relieve convulsions; calm the liver; and remove (or clear away) heat.

Primary Uses:

• Relieves muscle spasms to
• dilate peripheral blood vessels
• lower blood pressure
• treat hypertension and dizziness
• Slows respiration
• Decreases heart rate
• Treat epilepsy, convulsion, and anxiety

Parts Used: leaf and twig

Safety: Excess amounts of gambir have been known to cause diarrhea, kidney damage, swollen feet and nausea. Because the herb acts as a sedative, it may enhance the effects of anesthesia. The high tannin and catechin content of gambir can irritate the stomach and cause gastrointestinal pain. As a result, long-term and/or excessive use of herbs that contain tannins (such as gambir) is not recommended. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before taking gambir or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy.

Supporting Research:

• Uncaria contains several alkaloids in the same class as rauwolfia alkaloids, notably rhynchophylline, which have sedative and anticonvulsant actions, and reduce blood pressure. The mechanism of action appears to be depletion of catecholamines and serotonin in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Uncaria is frequently recommended in China for treatment of headaches, and especially hypertensive headache.¹
• Another potent herb is Uncaria rhynchophylla, which the Chinese have used for centuries “to relieve headache and dizziness resulting from hypertension” (Horie 1992). The plant contains an alkaloid called “hirsutine” that exerts a profound vasorelaxant effect on the circulatory system (Endo 1983). Researchers believe Uncaria’s vasorelaxing mechanism is what produces such consistent results in keeping blood pressure normal (Endo 1983). Uncaria “appears to be a potent and long-lasting vasodilator,” one research group reported (Kuramochi 1994).²
• These findings suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of Uncariae Ramulu possibly results from its suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation in the brain. ³

¹Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, [SIMPLE TRADITIONAL FORMULAS FOR PAIN].

²Bruce A. Sadilek, N.M.D., [5 Ways to Help You Take Control of Your Blood Pressure], The Journal of Longevity.

³Ching-Liang Hsieh, Ming-Feng Chen, Tsai-Chung Li, Shih-Chang Li, Nou-Ying Tang, School of Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, 91 Hseuh-Shin Road, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC, [Anticonvulsant Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack. in Rats with Kainic Acid-induced Epileptic Seizure].