- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (China)
- Other names
- Chinese gouddraad
Asia · Herb · № 304
Coptis chinensis
Herb · Asia
Chinese goldthread (huang lian)
Coptis chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with a weak, cold stomach or spleen, with yin deficiency or with vomiting from cold. Contains berberine: not during pregnancy or in newborns.
Preparation
Root.
Use in traditions
Described in herbal medicine (Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic). Huang lian is one of the bitterest Chinese herbs and a rich source of berberine. It is part of Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Japanese: Orengedokuto) and is used for heat, dysentery, restlessness and mouth ulcers.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.
Preparation and amount
Root.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- heart, liver, stomach, large intestine
Attributed effects
One of the strongest remedies against damp heat: diarrhoea, dysentery and vomiting from heat, high fever with restlessness, insomnia from heart fire, stomach fire with bad breath, mouth ulcers and gingivitis, and externally boils and red, swollen eyes.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 1–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Together with huang qin and huang bai it forms the 'three yellows', a classic detoxifying combination; with rhubarb added it is called the 'four yellows'. A small amount of cinnamon bark added helps with insomnia because heart and kidneys are not in contact.
Combinations
- With mu xiang for dysentery from heat
- With wu zhu yu for heartburn from liver heat
- With gardenia for heat in all three burners
Caution: Not with a weak, cold stomach or spleen, with yin deficiency or with vomiting from cold. Contains berberine: not during pregnancy or in newborns.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction