Coptidis Rhizoma
黄连
Source
This product is the dried rhizome of the plants in the Ranunculaceae family, including Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis Franch.), San Jiao Ye Huang Lian (Coptis deltoidea C.Y. et Hsiao), or Yun Lian (Coptis teeta Wall.).
Alias
Huang Lian, Wang Lian, Wei Lian, Chuan Lian, Ji Zhua Lian.
Habitat and Growth Environment
Mainly produced in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hubei.
Grows in cool, damp, shaded mountainous areas, wild in valleys with dense forests at altitudes of 1000 to 1900 meters. Cultivated in high-altitude, cool mountainous regions, particularly in Sichuan.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in autumn, removing fibrous roots and soil, then dried and cleaned of residual fibrous roots.
Identification of Characteristics
Often clustered, commonly curved, resembling chicken feet, with single rhizomes measuring 3 to 6 cm in length and 0.3 to 0.8 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish-yellow or yellow-brown, rough, with irregular nodular protrusions, fibrous roots, and remnants of fibrous roots. Some segments are smooth like stems, commonly referred to as “crossing the bridge.” The upper part often retains brown scales, with remnants of stems or petioles at the tip. Hard texture, uneven fracture surface, with the cortex being orange-red or dark brown, and the wood part being bright yellow or orange-yellow, arranged radially, with some having hollow pith. Slightly aromatic, extremely bitter taste.
Nature and Taste
Cold in nature, bitter in taste. Enters the Heart (Xin), Spleen (Pi), Stomach (Wei), Liver (Gan), Gallbladder (Dan), and Large Intestine (Da Chang) meridians.
Functions
Clears heat and dries dampness, drains fire and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for damp-heat distension, vomiting with sour regurgitation, damp-heat diarrhea, high fever with delirium, irritability and insomnia, blood-heat vomiting and epistaxis, carbuncles and boils, red eyes and toothache, diabetes, and external treatment for eczema, wet sores, and purulent ear discharge.
Pharmacological Research
Animal studies indicate that berberine has antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties, promotes bile secretion, has anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cerebral ischemia, antimicrobial, hypotensive, anti-myocardial ischemia, and anti-myocardial infarction effects, anti-arrhythmic properties, inhibits the central nervous system, stops diarrhea, has anti-ulcer effects, promotes bile secretion, lowers blood sugar, inhibits DNA synthesis, and inhibits platelet aggregation.
Chemical Composition
Contains berberine, as well as coptisine, methylcoptisine, palmatine, berberrubine, epiberberine, and other alkaloids. The authenticity of Huang Lian can be identified using nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy. Berberine is the main active component in Huang Lian.
Contraindications
This product is very cold; excessive long-term use can harm the Spleen and Stomach. It is contraindicated for those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency and cold. Bitter and dry properties can harm Yin fluids; use with caution in those with Yin deficiency and fluid damage.
Editor: Science and Education Department
