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Cura x Cura

Huang Bai黄柏

Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex · Phellodendron Bark · Amur Cork Tree Bark

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The bark of the cork tree, and the lower-burner member of the three great bitter-cold herbs alongside Huang Qin and Huang Lian. It dries damp-heat in the bladder, intestines and genital region, and it drains the deficiency fire that stirs when Kidney yin runs low — the role it plays in Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. Raw bark is the coldest and most draining; dry-frying blunts that enough for a weak Stomach to tolerate, and wine-frying carries the same action upward for damp-heat in the eyes, mouth and upper body.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Kidney · Bladder · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

3–12 g in decoction
黄柏Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, dries dampnessDamp-heat in the lower burner: burning urination, yellow vaginal discharge, damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, damp-heat jaundice, hot swollen legs and feet.
  • Drains fire, resolves toxicityHot sores and abscesses, eczema and weeping skin lesions — taken internally and used as a wash or paste externally.
  • Drains deficiency fireSteaming bone sensation, night sweats and nocturnal emission where Kidney yin is depleted and fire stirs — classically paired with Zhi Mu.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Huang Bai

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Burning urination, vaginal discharge, damp-heat diarrhea
    - Damp-heat jaundice, hot and swollen lower limbs
    - Sores, eczema and weeping skin lesions
    - Night sweats and steaming bone heat of yin deficiency

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Urinary tract infectionVaginitisEczemaNight sweats

Contraindications

Cautions

Strongly bitter and cold, and hard on digestion: wrong for Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold with poor appetite and loose stools, and not to be continued at length without reassessment. Where it must be given to a weak digestion, the dry-fried form and a shorter course are preferred.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Take in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision — its coldness is not suited to unsupervised use.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.