The efficacy, functions, contraindications, and consumption methods of Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) and its nutritional value.
Efficacy and Functions of Huang Lian: Huang Lian is the dried rhizome of the plants Coptis chinensis, Coptis teeta, or Coptis deltoidea from the Ranunculaceae family. It has the effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, and detoxifying. It is used for symptoms such as damp-heat stagnation, vomiting with sour regurgitation, dysentery, jaundice, high fever with delirium, excessive heart fire, irritability and insomnia, blood heat leading to vomiting blood, red eyes, toothache, diabetes, and carbuncles. Other names include: Huang Lian, Chuan Lian, Jiang Lian, Chuan Huang Lian, Jiang Huang Lian, Jiang Chuan Lian, Jiang Zhi Huang Lian, Yu Lian, Yu Huang Lian, Chao Huang Lian, Wu Yu Huang Lian, Jiu Lian, Jiu Huang Lian, Jiu Yin Lian, and Zhu Dan Zhi Chao Huang Lian. It is used for warm diseases with high fever, thirst and irritability, blood heat leading to erratic behavior, and heat toxin sores and ulcers. For high fever in warm diseases and excessive heart fire, it can be combined with Zhi Zi (Gardenia) and Lian Qiao (Forsythia); for blood heat leading to erratic behavior, it can be combined with Huang Qin (Scutellaria) and Da Huang (Rhubarb); for heat toxin sores and ulcers, it can be combined with Chi Shao (Red Peony) and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan). Additionally, Huang Lian can be used for stomach fire excess with symptoms of middle jiao disturbance, in combination with Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena). It can be applied topically to treat sores in the mouth and tongue. It is also used for damp-heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach, vomiting, and dysentery. When combined with Huang Qin and Da Huang, it can treat damp-heat accumulation. For damp-heat lingering in the intestines and stomach, it is often combined with Ban Xia (Pinellia) and Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings); combined with Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Huang Qin, and Ge Gen (Pueraria) to treat dysentery.
Properties and Channels: Bitter, cold. It enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine channels.
Main Functions and Indications: Clears heat, dries dampness, purges fire, and detoxifies. It is used for damp-heat stagnation, vomiting with sour regurgitation, dysentery, jaundice, high fever with delirium, excessive heart fire, irritability and insomnia, blood heat leading to vomiting blood, red eyes, toothache, diabetes, and carbuncles. It can also be used externally to treat eczema, damp sores, and purulent ear discharge. Jiu Huang Lian is effective in clearing heat from the upper jiao. It is used for red eyes and oral sores. Jiang Huang Lian clears the stomach and stops vomiting, used for cold-heat intermingling, damp-heat obstruction, and symptoms of fullness and vomiting. Yu Huang Lian soothes the liver and stomach and stops vomiting, used for disharmony between the liver and stomach, leading to vomiting with sour regurgitation.
Actions of Huang Lian: 1. Treats heart-kidney disharmony, insomnia: 5 qian of Sheng Chuan Lian, 5 fen of Gui Xin (Cinnamon Heart). Grind finely, form into pills with honey, take with warm salt water. (Jiao Tai Wan from Si Ke Jian Xiao Fang) 2. Treats excess heat in the heart: 7 qian of Huang Lian, 1.5 sheng of water, decoct to 1 sheng, take warm before meals. Reduce dosage for children. (Xie Xin Tang from Ju Fang) 3. Treats organ toxins: Powdered Ying Zhao Huang Lian, mix with one clove of garlic, roast until soft, grind and form into pills the size of a walnut. Take 30-40 pills with aged rice wine. (Suan Lian Wan from Ben Shi Fang Shi Yi) 4. Treats severe heat, irritability, vomiting, moaning, confusion, and inability to lie down: 3 liang of Huang Lian, 2 liang each of Huang Qin and Huang Bai, 14 pieces of Zhi Zi (broken). Cut the four ingredients, boil with 6 sheng of water to obtain 2 sheng, divide into two doses. Avoid pork and cold water. (Huang Lian Jie Du Tang from Wai Tai Mi Yao Fang) 5. Treats febrile disease with heat in the chest, evil qi in the stomach, abdominal pain, and desire to vomit: 3 liang of Huang Lian, 3 liang of Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted), 3 liang of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), 3 liang of Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, peeled), 2 liang of Ren Shen (Ginseng), 0.5 sheng of Ban Xia (washed), 12 pieces of Da Zao (broken). Combine the seven ingredients, boil with 10 dou of water to obtain 6 sheng, strain. Take warm, 3 times during the day and 2 at night. (Huang Lian Tang from Shang Han Lun) 6. Treats severe cold dysentery with slippery intestines, red and white stools like fish brains, continuous pain: 6 liang of Huang Lian, 2 liang of Gan Jiang, 3 liang each of Dang Gui (Angelica) and E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin). Powder the four ingredients, mix with 8 he of vinegar, form into pills the size of a large soybean. Adults take 30 pills, children under a year take 3 pills, those over a year take 5 pills, adjust as needed, take 3 times a day. (Zhu Che Wan from Qian Jin Fang) 7. Treats red, painful eyes, clears heat: 0.5 liang of Huang Lian, 1 piece of Da Zao (cut). Combine and boil with 5 he of water to obtain 1 he, strain, and use to wash the eyes, 10 times during the day and 2 at night. (Huang Lian Jian from Seng Shen Ji Fang) 8. Treats spleen dampness, persistent diarrhea, food stagnation, abdominal pain, and can also treat children’s dysentery: 9. Treats vomiting of sour water with a wiry and slow pulse: Ren Shen, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Gan Jiang, Zhi Gan Cao, Huang Lian, decoct with water. (Lian Li Tang from Zheng Yin Mai Zhi) 10. Treats liver fire: 6 liang of Huang Lian, 1 or 0.5 liang of Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia). Powder and form into pills or steamed cakes. Take 50 pills with white soup. (Zuo Jin Wan from Dan Xi Xin Fa) 11. Treats various dysenteries and blood toxins: 0.5 jin of Ya Zhou Huang Lian, remove hair, cut, stuff into a fat pig’s intestine, tie, and boil in a sand pot with water and wine until soft, then grind and form into pills the size of a walnut. Take 100 pills with rice soup. (Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang) 12. Treats dysentery: Xuan Huang Lian and Qing Mu Xiang, pound and sift, form into pills the size of a walnut. Take 20-30 pills on an empty stomach, twice a day. For those with prolonged cold symptoms, use roasted garlic to form pills. Effective for infants. (Xiang Lian Wan from Bing Bu Shou Ji Fang) 13. Treats irritability and restlessness, chaotic heart, heat above, chest qi disturbance, and fullness below the heart: 4 qian of Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), 5 qian of Huang Lian, 2.5 qian of Sheng Gan Cao. Grind finely, soak in soup, steam into cakes, form into pills the size of millet. Take 10 pills after meals, swallow with saliva as needed. (Lian Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang) 14. Treats Shaoyin disease lasting more than 2-3 days, heart vexation, and inability to sleep: 4 liang of Huang Lian, 2 liang of Huang Qin, 2 liang of Shao Yao (Peony), 2 egg yolks, 3 liang of E Jiao. Combine the five ingredients, boil with 6 sheng of water, first boil the three ingredients to obtain 2 sheng, strain, melt the E Jiao, cool slightly, add egg yolks, and mix well. Take warm, 3 times a day. (Huang Lian E Jiao Tang from Shang Han Lun) 15. Huang Lian (remove hair), Wu Zhu Yu (remove stems, roast), Bai Shao (White Peony) each 5 liang: grind finely, form into pills the size of a walnut. Take 20 pills with concentrated rice decoction on an empty stomach, 3 times a day. (Wu Ji Wan from Ju Fang) 16. Treats insufficient heart qi, vomiting blood, and also treats cholera: 2 liang of Da Huang, 1 liang each of Huang Lian and Huang Qin. Combine the three ingredients, boil with 3 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng. Take in one dose. (Xie Xin Tang from Jin Kui Yao Lue) 17. Treats children’s stomach heat causing vomiting of milk: 2 qian of Huang Lian, 2 qian of Xiao Ban Xia (Pinellia). Grind finely, divide into 100 portions, take 3 times a day, 1 portion each time. (Liaoning Zhong Cao Yao Xin Yi Liao Fa Zi Liao Xuan Bian) 18. Treats children’s oral sores: Huang Lian and Aloe in equal parts, grind to powder. Take 5 fen with honey water. For Ma Ya Gan, add Chan Hui in equal parts, reduce Qing Dai by half, and add a little musk. (Jian Bian Dan Fang) 19. Treats carbuncles and abscesses, both before and after rupture: Huang Lian and Bing Lang in equal parts, grind to powder, mix with egg white for topical application. (Jian Yi Fang Lun) 20. Treats diabetes with excessive thirst and sweet urine: 1 winter melon, 10 liang of Huang Lian. Cut off the top of the winter melon, remove the seeds, fill with Huang Lian powder, and steam until the Huang Lian is cooked. Strain the juice, take 1 large cup, twice a day, but consume only 2-3 pieces of melon as needed. (Jin Xiao Fang) 21. Treats women with heat exhaustion and emaciation: 3 liang of Huang Lian (remove hair), 1 liang of Ren Shen (remove root), 1 liang of Chi Fu Ling (Poria), 1 liang of Huang Qi (Astragalus, sliced), 0.5 liang of Mu Lei (Morus), and 1.5 liang of Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell, soaked in vinegar and roasted). Combine the herbs, grind finely, use a fresh pig stomach to stuff the mixture, sew it up, and steam until soft. Grind to a paste, form into pills the size of a walnut. Take 30 pills with porridge before meals. (Huang Lian Zhu Du Wan from Sheng Hui Fang) 22. Treats fullness below the heart, with a soft pulse: 2 liang of Da Huang, 1 liang of Huang Lian. Combine and soak in 2 sheng of Ma Fei soup, strain. Take warm again. (Da Huang Huang Lian Xie Xin Tang from Shang Han Lun) 23. Treats small chest obstruction, pain below the heart, with a floating and slippery pulse: 1 liang of Huang Lian, 0.5 sheng of Ban Xia (washed), and 1 large piece of Qiao Lou. Combine and boil with 6 sheng of water, first boil the gourd to obtain 3 sheng, strain, then add the other ingredients and boil to obtain 2 sheng, strain. Take warm in three doses. (Xiao Xian Xiong Tang from Shang Han Lun) 24. Treats pustular sores and acute eczema: 3 qian each of Huang Lian, Pine Resin, and Hai Piao Xiao (Cuttlefish Bone). Grind finely, add 2 qian of beeswax, dissolve in an appropriate amount of cooked sesame oil, and mix into an ointment. Apply to the affected area three times a day. Before applying the medicine, use a hot towel to wet the area to help the scabs fall off. (Inner Mongolia Zhong Cao Yao Xin Yi Liao Fa Zi Liao Xuan Bian) 25. Treats pregnancy-related irritability, dry mouth, and inability to sleep: Huang Lian powder, take 1 qian with porridge, or steam Huang Lian into pills with wine, which is also effective. (Fu Ren Liang Fang) 26. Treats diarrhea caused by the poisonous herb Ba Dou: powdered Gan Jiang and Huang Lian, take a pinch. (Bu Que Zhou Hou Fang) Contraindications for Huang Lian: Huang Lian is very bitter and cold; excessive or prolonged use can harm the spleen and stomach, and it should be avoided in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency and cold. It is also contraindicated for those with yin deficiency and fluid damage. Caution is advised for those with stomach deficiency and vomiting, spleen deficiency and diarrhea, and nocturnal kidney leakage. Huang Lian is incompatible with Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Wu Hua (Corydalis), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Bai Xian (White Fresh), and should be avoided with Kuan Dong Hua (Tussilago), Bai Jiang Can (Silkworm), and pork; it is also incompatible with Niu Xi (Achyranthes).