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Cura x Cura

Qin Pi秦皮

Fraxini Cortex · Ash Bark · Fraxinus Bark

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The bark of the ash tree. Bitter, astringent and cold, entering the Large Intestine, Liver and Gallbladder — an unusual combination in which the bitter cold dries damp-heat while the astringency holds the bowel, which is why it belongs to the dysentery formulas alongside Bai Tou Weng 白头翁. Its second use is for the eyes: it clears Liver heat, and a strained decoction has long been used as an eye wash.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, astringent · Cold

Channels

Liver · Gallbladder · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
秦皮Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, dries dampness, checks dysenteryDamp-heat dysentery and diarrhea with urgency, burning and blood or pus in the stool; classically with Bai Tou Weng 白头翁 and Huang Lian 黄连.
  • Ends abnormal vaginal dischargeThick yellow discharge with an odour, from damp-heat pouring downward.
  • Clears Liver heat, brightens the eyesRed, swollen, painful eyes with a gritty sensation; used internally and as a strained external wash.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Qin Pi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat dysentery with blood or pus and urgency
    - Damp-heat diarrhea with burning
    - Thick yellow vaginal discharge from damp-heat
    - Red, swollen, painful eyes from Liver heat

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Bacterial dysenteryEnteritisConjunctivitisVaginal discharge

Contraindications

Cautions

Bitter and cold: not for Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, and not for diarrhea that is loose, watery and free of heat signs. Any external eye use requires a properly filtered, freshly prepared decoction and practitioner supervision. Not toxic.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

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.