Achyranthes Root Extract Powder

Chinese Name	Huai Niu Xi 怀牛膝
Latin Name	Achyranthes bidentata Blume.
Other Names	Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, White Oxknee Root
Used Part	Root
Specification	Powdered Extract

Share to:

Achyranthes root, or known as Huai Niu Xi in Pinyin, is a common bulk Chinese herb. Being one of the most famous Four Huai medicines, it has a long history of cultivation and application in China. And it got its name because it was mainly produced in the historical Huai Qing Fu, where locates in today’s Jiaozuo in Henan province. In addition, the reason for the name of Niu Xi is twofold: the cylindrical Achyranthes have angular stem and enlarged node that looks like a bull’s knee, plus the healing power of this herb is just like the power of a bull. In TCM remedies it is commonly used as a medicine to unblock collaterals and activate blood. Clinically physicians love to prescribe it for the treatment of a variety of arthritis, osteoproliferation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (including coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral arteriosclerosis), and gynecological diseases (including emmeniopathy, leukorrheal diseases, and various antenatal and postpartum illness).

Clinical Usages and Indications

Invigorates blood, expels blood stasis – dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, lochioschesis.
Strengthens the sinews, bones, and joints – lower back and knee issues due to deficiency (tonifies the liver and kidneys).
Clears damp heat in the lower burner – damp-heat pouring downward manifesting as back and knee pain, w/lin.
Brings blood downward – yin deficiency with fire or hot blood in the upper warmer, vomiting blood, toothache, nosebleed, dizziness, headache, blurred vision (yang rising).

Nature & Flavor
Achyranthes (Niú Xī) root extract powder is bitter and slightly sour in taste, with a neutral temperature.

Meridian Entry
It predominantly enters the Liver and Kidney channels.

Primary Actions

Invigorate Blood & Break Up Stasis
– Promotes circulation to alleviate pain and resolve blood stasis.
Tonify Liver & Kidney; Strengthen Sinews & Bones
– Supports liver and kidney function, fortifying muscles, tendons, joints and bones.
Promote Diuresis & Unblock Painful Urinary Dysfunction
– Enhances fluid metabolism, relieving edema and difficult or painful urination.
Clear Heat & Stop Bleeding; Direct Rebellious Blood Downward
– Cools excess heat, halts bleeding, and guides errant blood downward to address hemorrhagic disorders.

Clinical Indications

Menstrual & Postpartum Disorders: Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum lochial retention or abdominal pain due to blood stasis.
Musculoskeletal Pain: Chronic low back or knee pain associated with liver–kidney deficiency or downward-flowing damp-heat.
Edema & Urinary Issues: Generalized swelling, scanty or painful urination, urinary tract discomfort.
Bleeding Syndromes: Hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria or abnormal uterine bleeding from heat or stasis.

Typical Dosage
3–6 g of standardized extract powder daily (equivalent to approximately 9–15 g of the raw herb), used in decoctions or encapsulated formulations.

Yang, H., Tang, R., Wu, H.-L., Li, J.-H., & Zhang, C. (2024). Osteoprotective effect of Achyranthes bidentata root extract on osteoporotic rats: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmaceutical Biology, 62(1), 691–701. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2024.2407531 (PubMed)
Suh, K. S., Lee, Y. S., & Choi, E. M. (2014). The protective effects of Achyranthes bidentata root extract on the antimycin A–induced damage of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Cytotechnology, 66(6), 925–935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-013-9645-4 (PubMed)
Zhang, R., Hu, S.-J., Li, C., Zhang, F., Gan, H.-Q., & Mei, Q.-B. (2012). Achyranthes bidentata root extract prevents OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.034 (PubMed)
Chen, Y.-R., Niu, Y.-S., & Zhou, H.-L. (2024). Achyranthes bidentata Blume (Amaranthaceae): A review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 76(8), 930–966. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgae012 (PubMed)
Shi, Y., Zhang, Z.-W., Du, M.-M., Wu, J., & Li, J.-X. (2023). Saponin extract from Achyranthes bidentata Blume alleviates disuse-induced muscle atrophy through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 312, 116458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116458 (PubMed)
Kiuchi, F. (2022). Saponin constituents of Achyranthes root. Journal of Natural Medicines, 76(2), 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-021-01591-1 (PubMed, Europe PMC)
Zhou, S., Chen, X., Gu, X., & Ding, F. (2009). Achyranthes bidentata Blume extract protects cultured hippocampal neurons against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 122(3), 547–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.025 (PubMed)
He, C.-C., Hui, R.-R., Tezuka, Y., Kadota, S., & Li, J.-X. (2010). Osteoprotective effect of extract from Achyranthes bidentata in ovariectomized rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(2), 229–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.11.016 (PubMed)
Shen, H., Yuan, Y., Ding, F., Liu, J., & Gu, X. (2010). Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides confer neuroprotection through inhibition of reactive oxygen species production, Bax expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by overstimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 88(3), 669–676. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.22221 (PubMed)
Wu, M., Yang, P., Wang, J., Yang, R., Chen, Y., Liu, K., Yuan, Y., & Zhang, L. (2024). Characterization of the components and metabolites of Achyranthes bidentata in the plasma and brain tissue of rats based on ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-MS). Molecules, 29(12), 2840. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29122840 (PubMed)

Send email directly to info@novoherb.com or leave a message below to get a wholesale bulk quotation on the following form. Free sample is available. You’ll get our feedback within 8 hours.