Editor: Qiao Qiao
Although Hu Huang Lian (Huang Lian) and Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) differ by only one character, both possess the ability to clear heat and dry dampness. However, they are two distinct Chinese medicinal herbs with significant differences, and they should not be used interchangeably in prescriptions.This issue will introduce the characteristics and effects of both herbs.
Basic Information on Huang Lian
Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) is the dried rhizome of the Ranunculaceae family plant, Coptis chinensis, or its varieties. It has a bitter taste and a cold nature; it enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine meridians. It clears heat, dries dampness, drains fire, and detoxifies. It is indicated for damp-heat obstruction, vomiting with sour regurgitation, dysentery, jaundice, high fever with delirium, excessive Heart fire, irritability and insomnia, palpitations, blood-heat vomiting and nosebleeds, red eyes, toothache, thirst, and carbuncles; it is also used externally for eczema, damp sores, and purulent ear discharge. Due to its extreme cold nature, excessive or prolonged use can harm the Spleen and Stomach, and it is contraindicated in those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold; moreover, its bitter and drying properties can injure Yin fluids, so caution is advised for those with Yin deficiency and fluid damage.
Basic Information on Hu Huang Lian
Hu Huang Lian (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora) is the rhizome of the Scrophulariaceae family plant, Hu Huang Lian or Tibetan Hu Huang Lian. It has a bitter taste and a cold nature; it enters the Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. It clears heat, cools the blood, and dries dampness; it is indicated for dysentery, convulsions, heat from exhaustion, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, hemoptysis, epistaxis, fire eye, and anal fistula. Caution is advised for those with Spleen and Stomach weakness.
Similarities Between Hu Huang Lian and Huang Lian
Both herbs are bitter and cold, clear heat, and dry dampness, and they both enter the Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. They are effective in eliminating damp-heat accumulation in the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine, and are key medicines for treating dysentery. Both should be avoided in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold.
Differences Between Hu Huang Lian and Huang Lian
Different Effects
Hu Huang Lian is particularly effective for treating heat due to Yin deficiency, heat from exhaustion, tidal fever, flushed cheeks, and night sweats; while Huang Lian is adept at draining excess fire from the Heart, indicated for excessive Heart fire disturbing the mind, irritability, and insomnia. Additionally, Hu Huang Lian can be used for pediatric dyspeptic fever, poor digestion, abdominal distension with emaciation, and persistent low fever; it is especially effective in clearing damp-heat accumulation in the Large Intestine, commonly used for treating hemorrhoids and pain; whereas Huang Lian is better for treating excess heat in the Sanjiao, high fever, and irritability; it excels in treating damp-heat stagnation in the Middle Jiao leading to Qi stagnation, fullness in the chest, vomiting with sour regurgitation, and toothache due to Stomach fire, carbuncles, and toxic sores.
Different Appearances
Hu Huang Lian is a perennial herb with hairs. Its rhizome is cylindrical and slightly woody, measuring 15 to 25 cm in length. The leaves are near the base; they are somewhat leathery, spoon-shaped, 5 to 10 cm long, with a pointed tip and a narrow base forming a winged petiole, with serrated edges.
Huang Lian is also a perennial herb, with basal leaves that are thick and paper-like, ovate-triangular, and three-parted, with the central lobe being ovate-rhombic, deeply lobed, and serrated edges, with lateral lobes unevenly deeply lobed.
Sources:“Huang Lian” and “Hu Huang Lian” Baidu Encyclopedia, “Differences Between Hu Huang Lian and Huang Lian” Yangshengzhijia website
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