- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
Asia · Herb · № 679
Gentiana scabra
Herb · Asia
Chinese gentian (long dan cao)
Gentiana scabra
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.
Safety notes
Not for diarrhoea from spleen deficiency or without real damp heat. 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: Always have hepatitis, jaundice and convulsions assessed medically.
Preparation
Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that cool heat and dry dampness'. Long dan cao, 'dragon gall herb', is so bitter that it was named after dragon's gall. It is the chief herb of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as red eyes, a bitter taste and discharge.
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.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- liver, gallbladder, stomach
Attributed effects
Drains damp heat in jaundice, eye inflammation, sore throat and earache, foul-smelling itchy discharge and hot complaints around the genitals, cools liver fire in headache and red eyes and calms liver wind in cramps and febrile convulsions.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Main herb of long dan xie gan tang.
Combinations
- With chai hu, huang qin and gardenia for liver heat with red eyes or shingles
Caution: Always have hepatitis, jaundice and convulsions assessed medically.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction