
Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou Teng)
Gou Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) is a Chinese herb with potent antiviral properties, known for its calming and sedating effects. It is particularly beneficial for managing anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances, especially when these symptoms are linked to Lyme disease or viral co-infections.
Gou Teng supports cardiovascular health, making it an excellent choice for addressing palpitations, high blood pressure, or other heart-related symptoms associated with chronic infections. Additionally, it is widely used to combat brain fog and cognitive dysfunction, thanks to its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, further enhancing its role in supporting nervous system and overall health in Lyme protocols.
Gou Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) is a Chinese herb with potent antiviral properties, known for its calming and sedating effects. It is particularly beneficial for managing anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances, especially when these symptoms are linked to Lyme disease or viral co-infections.
Gou Teng supports cardiovascular health, making it an excellent choice for addressing palpitations, high blood pressure, or other heart-related symptoms associated with chronic infections. Additionally, it is widely used to combat brain fog and cognitive dysfunction, thanks to its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, further enhancing its role in supporting nervous system and overall health in Lyme protocols.
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PRODUCT DETAILS
INGREDIENTS
CLINICAL USES
| Neuroprotective | Supports neurological health, useful for treating Lyme-related neuroborreliosis and symptoms like brain fog, memory issues, and neuropathy. |
| Anti-Inflammatory | Reduces inflammation in the nervous system and joints, helping with pain and inflammation commonly seen in Lyme disease. |
| Antioxidant | Protects cells from oxidative damage, important for managing the oxidative stress associated with chronic Lyme and Herxheimer reactions. |
| Antimicrobial | Provides some antibacterial activity, particularly against Borrelia (Lyme) and co-infections like Ehrlichia and Babesia, though more research is needed. |
| Calming Effect | Traditionally used to help calm the nervous system, useful for managing stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances common in Lyme patients. |
| Liver Support | May help detoxify the liver, important for Lyme patients undergoing antibiotic or herbal treatment protocols. |
| Pain Relief | Alleviates musculoskeletal pain and helps ease headaches or migraines that often accompany Lyme disease. |
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS
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19 reviews for Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou Teng)
FAQ
What makes Apex Botanical tinctures different from other herbal tinctures?
Our tinctures stand out due to the premium quality of herbs we use. Crafted at a concentration of 1:4, our herbal tinctures prioritize both potency and effectiveness.
Unlike many other companies that employ a uniform alcohol percentage across all products, our approach is nuanced. We tailor the alcohol concentration for each herb based on the distinct medicinal properties of the plant.
This strategy reflects our commitment to a sophisticated extraction of medicinal compounds, effectively setting Apex Botanicals apart in the realm of herbal tinctures.
How should I consume my herbal tincture?
Herbal tinctures are generally taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before and after meals). They can be taken directly or added to 1oz of water if the taste is hard to swallow.
Dosing of herbal tinctures will generally vary from 1 drop once per day up to 1 tsp 3 times per day. When taking anti-microbial herbal tinctures, starting at a lower dose and increasing slowly is the general rule of thumb.
*Be sure to speak with your primary care provider to determine the correct dose for your needs.
How long should I take my herbal tincture for?
The length of time a tincture should be taken will vary considerably based on your state of health, the infection / symptom you’re trying to treat and other medications or treatments you are concurrently taking.
Most people with chronic tick-borne infections take an herbal tincture for between 3 months and 2 years.
As a general rule, its recommended to take an herbal tincture for at least 1 month to see the best results.
Are herbal tinctures safe for children?
Generally speaking, it is safe for children to consume herbal tinctures, but dosing should be adjusted. Refrence 'Clarks Rule' for further information.
*Always consult your primary care provider before starting a new protocol or giving your child herbal tinctures.
Are herbal tinctures safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Some herbs are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and should be avoided. We do our best to indicate this on the product information page but are not held liable for any errors or omissions.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your primary care provider before consuming any herbal tinctures.
Will my herbal tincture interact with medications or supplements?
Interactions of herbal tinctures with medications or supplements do exist. We strongly recommended consulting with your primary care provider or pharmacist before taking any herbal tinctures if you are concerned about potential contraindications.
What does a 1:4 ratio imply and how does it compare to 1:2 or 1:5+?
The ratio describes the concentration of a tincture. We use a 1:4 ratio, meaning 1 part dried herb (in grams) to 4 parts menstruum (the combined alcohol and herb).
A ratio of 1:5 has more liquid to the same amount of herb and is therefore more diluted.
A ratio of 1:10 or higher is very diluted and requires very high daily doses and is not recommended.
Tinctures made at 1:2 are often too concentrated for Lyme patients and commonly induce Herx reactions that can be very intense.
Most tinctures on the market are made at 1:5. We’ve chosen to use 1:4 to ensure greater potency while still being very safe and tolerable.
Does higher alcohol content mean an herbal tincture is more or less potent?
Using the correct alcohol percentage to extract the specific medicinal constituents of that herb is of highest importance when making a tincture. Using more or less alcohol essentially reflects the chemical nature of the compounds that we want to extract into the liquid portion.
A tincture made at 40% versus one made at 80% is not twice at strong. It simply implies that for the first herb, 40% alcohol will optimally extract the medicinal qualities. For the second herb, 80% is the concentration for optimal extraction.
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our tinctures are made using the correct concentrations.
*Please note that not all herbal tinctures on the market are made with the appropriate alcohol concentration so use our site as a reference or conduct your own research to make sure you’re purchasing the best formulated tincture possible.
Click here to read our complete list of Frequently Asked Questions.
SHARING THE GIFT OF WELLNESS
Free Herbal Protocol Guide for Lyme & Co-Infections
This comprehensive educational guide, developed by our Medical Director, Dr. Sal Meli ND, provides evidence-based insight into the physiological mechanisms of tick-borne infections and the supportive role of botanicals in addressing these challenges.
This resource is designed to simplify complex concepts and empower readers to make informed decisions about their approach to tick-borne infections.




Great support every time.
Helped reduce twitching and that wired feeling before bed. I’m falling asleep easier now which is huge for me.
Calms my nervous system fast. Less internal buzzing and fewer anxiety spikes
Not dramatic but steadier mood overall
High quality products and great customer service.Their information PDF is top notch.
I use this when my head feels inflamed. It takes the edge off within an hour. Subtle but noticeable.
apex team went above and beyond to asnwer my questions. if you need help deciding what to take just email them