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Knowledge baseHerbs

Qin Jiao秦艽

Radix Gentianae MacrophyllaeGentiana Macrophylla Root

Also known asLarge Leaf Gentian Root · Chin-Chiu

Category
Herbs that dispel Wind-Dampness
Nature
slightly cold
Taste
bitter, pungent
Channels entered
Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach
Dosage
3–12 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–12 g
Tincture
1–4 ml

Actions & indications

Expels Wind-Dampness, opens the channels and soothes the sinews and collaterals
  • Wind-Damp Bi and cramping, especially in the limbs
  • Acute or chronic Cold disorders
Clears Deficiency Heat
Yin Deficiency, especially with empty Fire (fever, Steaming Bone Disorder)
Resolves Dampness and reduces jaundice
Damp-Heat jaundice, especially acute or infantile jaundice
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Dry constipation

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Spleen Deficiency Cold with loose stools or diarrhea.
  • Contraindicated in frequent urination.
  • Contraindicated in chronic pain accompanied by emaciation.
  • High doses may cause nausea and vomiting.
  • This herb may induce drowsiness.

Interactions

This herb may enhance the sedative action of barbiturates.

Combinations

Notes

  • This herb works well for pain in the lower body.
  • It ranks among the primary herbs for patients of weak constitution who have joint pain in the lower body.
  • It is likewise excellent for generalized body pain.
  • It suits presentations of every type — acute, chronic, hot, and cold.
  • It is frequently added to offset the drying tendency of other Wind-Dampness-dispelling herbs.
  • Since it is slightly cold rather than warm like most Wind-Cold-Damp herbs, it suits Heat Bi particularly well.
  • Applications include steaming-bone disorder, Heat from consumption, Heat during pregnancy, and constrained Heat linked to childhood nutritional impairment.
  • Qin Jiao and Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian share an ability to treat Wind-Dampness pain and restricted movement, particularly in the lower body. Qin Jiao leans cooling, works mainly by expelling Dampness, and is therefore best suited to Wind-Dampness with a Heat tendency — the more pronounced the Dampness, the better it fits. It also addresses steaming bones from exhaustion and Damp-Heat jaundice. Wei Ling Xian, by contrast, is warm and strongly mobilizing, making it best for Cold Bi with pain, restricted movement, or even paralysis; it also softens hard masses to resolve clumping and is used for a fish bone lodged in the throat.
  • Qin Jiao and Rx. Gentianae Long Dan Cao both eliminate Dampness, clear Heat, and treat Damp-Heat jaundice. Qin Jiao expels Wind-Dampness without being overly drying, and is used chiefly for Wind-Damp Bi and Steaming Bone disorder with tidal fever. Long Dan Cao, bitter and very cold, mainly drains Fire from the Liver channel, clears Lower Jiao Damp-Heat, and addresses Liver Fire manifesting as red eyes, vertigo, and tinnitus; it also treats cramping and spasm from Liver Heat generating Wind, and vaginal swelling and itching from Lower Jiao Damp-Heat.
  • Dry-fried Large Gentian Root, Chao Qin Jiao, is slightly warm and well suited to Wind-Damp-Cold Bi.

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