龙胆·Radix Gentianae
Gentian Root
Long Dan Cao (龙胆) is the root of gentian, recorded as Radix Gentianae. It is bitter in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Liver, Gallbladder and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness. Its Chinese name reads as dragon's gall, for the bitterness.
| Pinyin | long dan cao |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 龙胆 |
| Latin Name | Radix Gentianae |
| English Name | Gentian Root |
| Japanese | ryutan |
| Korean | yongdamcho |
Excess Heat in the Liver channel with red, painful, swollen eyes (the juice may be used as eye drops)
Liver Fire with rib pain, red eyes, a bitter taste, deafness, jaundice, hot dysentery, a damp, swollen scrotum, vomiting, nosebleed, constipation, fright and mania
Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat or Liver Fire with red, painful, swollen eyes, stabbing chest pain, deafness, a bitter mouth, painful swollen testicles and scanty urine that is dark or cloudy and painful to pass
yin chen hao + zhi zi + da huang
Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat with jaundice, a bitter mouth and a full, painful chest
ku shen + huang bai + che qian zi
Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder channels causing eczema, vaginal discharge or genital itching
Liver Fire or rising Liver Yang with headache, vertigo and red, swollen eyes. Extinguishes Liver Wind that shows as tremors, twitching and spasms
niu huang + gou teng + huang lian
Liver Fire causing convulsions, above all in children
Red, swollen, painful eyes
| Age | Raw | Granule | Tincture | Concentrate | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any 3-10g; Tincture: 1-3ml | 3-10 g | — | 1-3 ml | — | — |
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