hu huang lian

胡黄连·Rhizoma Picrorhizae

figwort flower

About hu huang lian

Hu Huang Lian (胡黄连) is the rhizome of picrorhiza, recorded as Rhizoma Picrorhizae. It is bitter in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Liver, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat of the deficient kind.

Names

Pinyinhu huang lian
Chinese胡黄连
Latin NameRhizoma Picrorhizae
English Namefigwort flower·figwort flower; picrorhiza rhizome·Picrorhiza Rhizome
Japanesekooren
Koreanhohwangryeon

Classification

Channels
Large Intestine, Stomach, Liver
Flavour
Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Part used
Rhizome
Family
scrophulariaceae
Species
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Clears deficiency Heat

  • Heat signs from Yin deficiency, such as steaming bones or afternoon fever

Clears Heat and reduces childhood nutritional impairment

  • Childhood nutritional impairment with a swollen belly, afternoon fever, hemorrhoids and dysenteric diarrhea
  • Accumulation with Heat in a child: poor absorption, irritability, fever and a full abdomen

Drains Damp-Heat

  • Damp-Heat dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids or sores

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 1.5-10g; Tincture: 1-4ml1.5-10 g1-4 ml

Cautions