Source Chinese Gentian is the dried root and rhizome of Gentiana manshurica Kitag, Gentiana scabra Bge., Gentiana triflora Pall. or Gentiana rigescends Franch. (Fam. Gentianaceae).
Producing Areas Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Northeast China.
Producing Bitter, Cold
Channels Gall Bladder, Liver
Action
- Eliminates heat and damp from the liver and gallbladder channels
For bloodshot eyes, conjunctivitis, sore throat, bitter taste in the mouth, jaundice, ear pain or sudden deafness, pain and swelling in the genital area, or strong-smelling vaginal discharge and itching. - Sedates liver fire
For hypertension, headache, red eyes, dizziness, tinnitus, fever, spasms, rib pain, or convulsions.
Usage and Dosage
The crude is for damp-heat in the lower energiser. The stir-baked with wine is for hyperactivity of liver-fire. The stir-baked with pork liver extract is for purging fire. 3 – 10g is decocted for oral use. Suitable amount of decoction or powder is used externally.
Notes Not used for the person with asthenic cold of the spleen and stomach. Use with caution in the case with consumption of the body fluids due to yin deficiency.
There are no crosswise wrinkles on the surface. Its outer covering is membranous, easily exfoliated. It is hard and crisp. The wooden part is yellowish white, easily separated from the skin part.
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and mould.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is long and thick in size, yellow or yellowish brown in colour.
Professional Advice
Fakes Guijiu, the dry root and rhizome of Podophyllum emodii Wall.var.chinense Sprague, is in the same shape of Longdan. The surface is brown in colour. The broken surface is powdery, white in the skin part and yellow in the wooden part.