Longdan Radix Gentianae
The source is from the root and rhizome of a perennial plant, Gentiana scabra Bye. or G. triflora Pall., family Gentianaceae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China, mostly in Northeast China, collected in autumn, dried in the sun. Usually the crude one is cut into segments for medication.
Medicinal Properties Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, and attributive to the liver, gallbladder and bladder meridians.
Actions Clear away heat and dry dampness and purge sthenic-fire from the liver and gallbladder.
Application
1. It is indicated for all syndromes due to dampness-heat of the lower energizer and especially good at damp-heat invasion of the lower energizer manifested as jaundice, brownish urine, pudendal swelling, pruritus vuluae, leukorrhea, and eczema, etc.. In treatment of jaundice, it is usually used together with Yinchen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae ) and Zhizi ( Fructus Gardeniae ); in treatment of pudendal swelling and pruritus vuluae, yellow and thick leukorrhea, swelling and painful scrotum and eczema with itching, usually combined with Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri ), Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis ) , and Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), etc..
2. For headache of liver-fire type marked by conjunctivitis, deafness, hypochondriac pain and bitter taste in the mouth, it is usually used together with Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri ), Huangqin ( Radix Scutellariae ), and Mutong ( Caulis Akebiae), etc., such as Longdan Xiegan Tang (Decoction).
3. For wind-syndrome due to the domination of liver meridian-heat with high fever and infantile convulsion, and convulsion of feet and hands, it is usually used together with Gouteng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), and Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), etc. to clear away liver-fire to stop wind.
Usage and Dosage 3 -6 g is used in decoction for oral use or used externally with proper dosage.
Notes Being extreme bitter and cold and easily injuring stomach-qi, it is not suitable to be used excessively or for a long time, and with caution for syndrome of deficiency and cold of the spleen and stomach and consumption of the body fluids due to yin deficiency.
