Natural Herb Library

Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread

Chinese
黄连
Pinyin
Huang Lian
Latin
Rhizoma Coptidis
Botanical illustration of Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread, Coptis spp., showing broader mixed-market Huang Lian trade material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Huang Lian (黄连), this bitter, cold herb enters the Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, Gallbladder, and Spleen. Traditionally, it clears heat and dries dampness ... Huang Lian is one of the strongest bitter-cold herbs for damp-heat diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, and greasy obstructive heat in the middle burner, most often applied for diarrhea, fever, and oral ulcers. Modern research has identified Berberine among its active constituents.

Part used: Rhizome

Also Known As

Coptidis Rhizoma Goldthread Rhizome Generic Huang Lian

Latin: Rhizoma Coptidis | Pinyin: Huang Lian | Chinese: 黄连

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, Gallbladder, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and dries dampness ... Huang Lian is one of the strongest bitter-cold herbs for damp-heat diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, and greasy obstructive heat in the middle burner.
  • Drains fire and resolves toxicity ... it is used for high fever, mouth sores, swollen painful throat, toxic skin lesions, and intense excess-fire presentations.
  • Clears Heart fire ... classical use includes vexation, insomnia, irritability, and agitation when blazing Heart fire disturbs the spirit.

Secondary Actions

  • This page is the broader generic Huang Lian lane and should be kept distinct from the already-live `rhizome-of-chinese-goldthread` page, which is specifically `Chuan Huang Lian`.
  • The strong bitter-cold profile is the point ... Huang Lian is not a mild digestive bitter and can easily burden weak digestion when used outside true heat patterns.

Classic Formulas

  • Huang Lian Jie Du Tang ... definitive fire-draining and toxin-resolving formula for high fever and severe excess heat.
  • Zuo Jin Wan ... classical pairing with Wu Zhu Yu for Liver fire invading the Stomach with acid reflux or vomiting.
  • Huang Lian E Jiao Tang ... combines Huang Lian with yin-nourishing substances for Heart-Kidney disharmony with insomnia and vexation.

Classical References

  • Traditional materia medica treats Huang Lian as one of the key bitter-cold rhizomes for damp-heat, toxic fire, and Heart fire.
  • The distinction from `Chuan Huang Lian` in this dataset is mainly a source and market-lane distinction, not a separate core therapeutic family.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Berberine ... the best-known alkaloid in Huang Lian
  • Coptisine, palmatine, and epiberberine ... additional protoberberine alkaloids central to herb pharmacology
  • Magnoflorine and related alkaloids ... supportive components in anti-inflammatory and metabolic research

Studied Effects

  • A 2019 comprehensive review summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Coptidis Rhizoma, making it a strong modern anchor for the generic Huang Lian lane (PMID 30963783).
  • A 2009 review examined Coptidis rhizoma and berberine as potential antineoplastic agents, illustrating how modern attention extends well beyond the herb's classic dysentery and fire-toxin roles (PMID 19686830).
  • A 2019 systematic review summarized modern pharmacologic studies on the antihyperglycemic effects of Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids, supporting the herb's ongoing metabolic research relevance (PMID 30836124).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold
  • Loose stool or poor appetite without true damp-heat or fire
  • Jaundiced neonates or use around newborns without specialist oversight

Cautions

  • Huang Lian is intensely bitter and cold and can weaken already fragile digestion.
  • Berberine-rich preparations are not automatically equivalent to crude-decoction Huang Lian slices, but both deserve interaction awareness.
  • This broader Huang Lian page should not be read as chemically or clinically separate from the already-live Chuan Huang Lian lane.

Drug Interactions

  • CYP substrate drugs and glucose-lowering therapy ... berberine-rich preparations may alter drug handling or add glucose-lowering effect

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread used for?

Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread is traditionally used to Clears heat and dries dampness ... Huang Lian is one of the strongest bitter-cold herbs for damp-heat diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, and greasy obstructive heat in the middle burner., Drains fire and resolves toxicity ... it is used for high fever, mouth sores, swollen painful throat, toxic skin lesions, and intense excess-fire presentations., Clears Heart fire ... classical use includes vexation, insomnia, irritability, and agitation when blazing Heart fire disturbs the spirit.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2019 comprehensive review summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Coptidis Rhizoma, making it a strong modern anchor for the generic Huang Lian lane (PMID 30963783).; A 2009 review examined Coptidis rhizoma and berberine as potential antineoplastic agents, illustrating how modern attention extends well beyond the herb's classic dysentery and fire-toxin roles (PMID 19686830)..

What are other names for Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread?

Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread is also known as Coptidis Rhizoma, Goldthread Rhizome, Generic Huang Lian. In TCM: 黄连 (Huang Lian); Rhizoma Coptidis.

Is Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread?

Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread should not be used in: Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold; Loose stool or poor appetite without true damp-heat or fire; Jaundiced neonates or use around newborns without specialist oversight. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread interact with any medications?

Rhizome of Chinese Goldthread may interact with: CYP substrate drugs and glucose-lowering therapy ... berberine-rich preparations may alter drug handling or add glucose-lowering effect. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.