CHINESE HERB: HUANG LIAN

Goldthread root

Name

Pinyin name: Huang Lian, Chuan Huang Lian, Chuan Lian

Latin name: Rhizoma Coptidis

English name: Coptis Rhizome, Goldthread Root

Origin

The root of a perennial plant named Coptis teeta Wall. in the Rununculacaeae family

Location and Harvest

Found commonly in the hilly areas, especially that of the Himalaya region such as Bhutan, Nepal, China, Vietnam

Collected in autumn

Properties

Taste: Extremely bitter

Nature: Cold; Heart, Large intestine, Liver and Stomach meridians entered

Best qualities

Big, strong and hard with reddish yellow cross section

Processing

Unprocessed or prepared with ginger or wine

Actions

- Clear heat and drain dampness

- Drain fire and resolve fire toxicity

- Clear blood heat and stop bleeding

- Clear heart fire

- Drain stomach fire

Indications

- Gastro- intestinal damp- heat syndrome with dysentery and vomiting

- Toxic heat with high fever, irritability, disorientation, delirium, rapid pulse, red tongue

- Excessive heat with painful, red eyes and sore throat, carbuncles, boils

- Blood heat with epistaxis, hemafecia and hematuria

- Heart and kidneys miscommunication with insomnia

Dosage

1.5- 10 grams

Contraindications and Cautions

- Contraindicated for those with nausea or vomiting due to Stomach Deficiency Cold

- Contraindicated for those with fever, insomnia and fright due to Blood Deficiency

- Use with cautions for those with diarrhea due to Spleen or Kidney Deficiency

- Should not be taken with pork

- It may antagonize Ju Hua, Xuan Shen, Bai Xian Pi, Jiang Cang, Kuan Dong Hua, Niu Xi