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Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) is a traditional Chinese herb. What medicinal effects does Huang Lian have? Let us explore the benefits and functions of Huang Lian together. There are three varieties of Huang Lian: Huang Lian, Sanjiao Ye Huang Lian, and Yun Lian.
Effects and Functions of Huang Lian
1. Medicinal Parts of Huang Lian
The medicinal part of Huang Lian is the dried rhizome.
2. Harvesting Huang Lian
Huang Lian can be harvested in the autumn. First, remove the fibrous roots and soil, then dry it for later use.
3. Efficacy of Huang Lian
1) Huang Lian has excellent anti-ulcer properties and can inhibit gastric acid secretion, effectively protecting the gastric mucosa. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and can inhibit bacteria.
2) Huang Lian has strong heat-clearing and damp-drying effects, and can clear fire and detoxify. It is used for damp-heat accumulation, and can treat vomiting and diarrhea, and is beneficial for jaundice.
3) Huang Lian can be used to treat high fever and delirium, and is beneficial for excessive heart fire. It helps with irritability and insomnia, and can be taken for blood-heat vomiting and nosebleeds. Huang Lian is also effective for toothache and has good effects on thirst.
4) Huang Lian can be used to treat eczema and damp sores, and is effective for purulent ear discharge. It can also clear heat from the upper jiao, and is effective for red eyes and oral ulcers, and can treat vomiting with acid regurgitation.
Aliases: Chuan Lian, Jiang Lian, Wei Lian
Huang Lian is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family, with its medicinal part being the rhizome. Sichuan is its main production area, but the best quality comes from Lixian County in Hunan. Huang Lian is usually harvested after the beginning of winter, dried, and the rough skin is removed for use.
Properties and Taste: Cold in nature, bitter in taste; enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine meridians.
Efficacy: Main treatment: Clears heat and dries dampness, clears fire and detoxifies, stops vomiting and diarrhea.
Indications include damp-heat accumulation, vomiting with acid regurgitation, diarrhea, jaundice, high fever and delirium, etc.
Contraindications: This herb is very bitter and cold; excessive or prolonged use can harm the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, those with Spleen deficiency causing nausea or diarrhea should use it cautiously.
Summary from Ancient Texts:
Ben Cao Xin Bian: Huang Lian is the best for clearing fire and can also enter the Liver. It is similar to other medicinal herbs that can enter the Heart, especially effective for stopping vomiting and alleviating thirst. … It calms the mind, stops nocturnal emissions, settles agitation, relieves fullness, and reduces swelling in women’s genitalia.
Ben Cao Zheng: Huang Lian is good for purging excess fire from the Heart and Spleen. If used improperly for deficiency heat, it can lead to Yang collapse. Therefore, it is advised to use it cautiously for those who are deficient and cold. Wang Haizang states that during summer, it should not be used for blood dysentery as it is internal Yin.
Selected Formulas:
Formula 1
Ingredients: 30 grams of Huang Lian,
Preparation: First, add Huang Lian to a pot with 300 ml of warm water, then simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, strain the residue to retain about 100 ml of the liquid.
Dosage: Take once, twice daily, for a maximum of 18 days.
Efficacy: Has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on arrhythmia.
Formula 2
Ingredients: Appropriate amount of Huang Lian.
Preparation: Grind Huang Lian into powder.
Dosage: 0.6 grams each time, 4-6 times daily, taken with water.
Efficacy: Suitable for those with pneumonia and fever.
Formula 3
Ingredients: 6 grams of Huang Lian.
Preparation: Brew Huang Lian with 100 ml of boiling water.
Dosage: Take once daily for 2 weeks.
Efficacy: Suitable for chronic gastritis.
Formula 4
Ingredients: 15 grams each of Huang Lian, Ejiao, and Dang Gui, 6 grams of dried ginger.
Preparation: Grind the above herbs into powder and form into pills.
Dosage: Twice daily, 6 grams each time.
Efficacy: Nourishes Yin and clears the intestines, used for dysentery with red and white pus and blood, or fresh blood with thick consistency, burning pain in the abdomen, frequent urge to defecate but unable to, little appetite, irritability, dry mouth, red tongue with little coating, or red tip of the tongue with lack of fluids, and thin rapid pulse.
Formula 5
Ingredients: 12 grams of Huang Lian, 10 grams each of Dang Gui Wei, Chi Shao, Fang Feng, and Xing Ren.
Preparation: Boil the above Chinese herbs in water, strain and reserve the liquid.
Dosage: Use for eye washing.
Efficacy: Clears heat, resolves stasis, and brightens the eyes, suitable for acute catarrhal conjunctivitis and epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis.
Formula 6
Ingredients: 15 grams each of Huang Lian, Huang Qin, and Da Huang.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water to extract the juice.
Dosage: One dose daily, divided into two parts, one for internal use and the other for hot compress on the affected area.
Efficacy: This formula has heat-clearing, damp-drying, and fire toxin-clearing effects, effectively alleviating conditions like eyelid inflammation.
Formula 7
Ingredients: 15 grams of Huang Lian, 12 grams each of Xi Yang Shen, Chen Pi, and Dang Gui, 6 grams of Gan Cao, and 1 gram of pearl powder.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water to extract the juice.
Dosage: One dose daily, taken in two portions.
Efficacy: This formula can tonify Qi and nourish blood, clear the heart and calm the spirit, suitable for diabetes combined with coronary heart disease and arrhythmia.
Note: For those with Qi and Yin deficiency, add Huang Qi and Mai Dong; for blood stasis and phlegm obstruction, add Dan Shen and Shi Chang Pu; for Spleen and Stomach cold deficiency, add Wu Zhu Yu and Dang Shen.
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Disclaimer: This article is reproduced from the internet and published materials. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal. The various prescriptions and remedies mentioned are for informational sharing only and do not constitute medical advice, recommendations, or guidance. Please use them under the guidance of a physician.