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Cura x Cura

Huang Lian黄连

Coptidis Rhizoma · Coptis Rhizome · Golden Thread Root

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The most concentratedly bitter and cold herb in ordinary use, and the one aimed most directly at Heart fire and at damp-heat in the Stomach and intestines. Small doses do the work: a few grams settle burning epigastric pain, damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, mouth ulcers, and the restless insomnia of fire harassing the Heart. Dry-frying takes the edge off its coldness for a weak Stomach, and wine-frying lifts its action upward toward the eyes, mouth and head.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Heart · Spleen · Stomach · Gallbladder · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

2–5 g in decoction
黄连Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, dries dampnessDamp-heat in the Stomach and intestines: diarrhea and dysentery with urgency and foul stool, burning epigastric pain, acid reflux and vomiting.
  • Drains fire, resolves toxicityMouth and tongue ulcers, red painful eyes, hot boils and abscesses; also used topically.
  • Quiets fire harassing the HeartIrritable insomnia, agitation and palpitation where Heart fire is excessive.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Huang Lian

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery
    - Burning epigastric pain, reflux and vomiting of Stomach heat
    - Mouth and tongue ulcers, red eyes, hot sores
    - Restless insomnia of Heart fire

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

GastritisAcid refluxInfectious diarrheaMouth ulcers

Contraindications

Cautions

Extremely bitter and cold, and the easiest of the cold herbs to overuse: it injures Stomach yang and appetite, so it is wrong for cold from deficiency, for vomiting or insomnia arising out of yin deficiency, and for long courses without reassessment. Keep to the small doses above — with this herb, more is not better.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Take in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision, and not for extended periods.

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.