Gentiana algida, Spang rgyan
Alpine Gentian, Small-leaf Gentian
Spang rgyan སྤང་རྒྱན (Tibet)
Bai Hua Long Dan 白花龙胆, Gao Shan Long Dan 高山龙胆 (TCM)
Botanical name:
Gentiana spp.
The standard species listed is G. algida
Several varieties listed:
- Spang rgyan dkar po (White flowered): G. algida (primary species), G. szechenyii, G. stipitata, G. nubigena, G. argentea
- Spang rgyan dkar po chung ba (White flowered): G. algida
- Spang rgyan sngon po (Blue flowered): G. veitchiorum, G. sino-ornata, G. lawrencei, G. filistyla, G. tizuensis
- Spang rgyan nag po (Black flowered): G. phyllacalyx, G. wardii, G. nubigena, G. veitchiorum, G. przewalskii
- Spang rgyan sngo nag (Black): G. filistyla
- Spang rgyan rigs: G. algida var. przewalskii
- Spang rgyan khra bo: G. veitchiorum, G. stipitata, G.tizuensis, G. algida var. parviflora
- Spang–ma’i me tog: G. algida flower
- Spang rgyan me tog ser skya: G. algida var. przewalskii
The White variety is principally used.
Other species listed as Tibetan sources include: G. purdomii, G. yunnanensis
In Buryat region, Gentiana decumbens, G. macrophylla, G. urnula and other are used.
Parts used:
Flower; Whole herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Stops Cough: (Tibet, TCM)
-Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma
-Lung infection including Pneumonia
-Sore Throat, Pharyngitis, Hoarseness
-White variety is used for Lung disorders
2. Drains Fire, Resists Poison: (Tibet, TCM)
-Cold and Fever (TCM)
-Infectious and Toxic Fever (Tibet)
-Fever from Poisoning
-chronic skin diseases, Small Pox (Black variety)
-Red and sore Eyes (Tibet, TCM)
3. Clears Heat and Damp: (TCM)
-Headache from Liver heat
-painful dribbling Urine
-Skin diseases, Eczema, Scrotal Eczema
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Substitute:
1. In Buryat region, Camomile flowers are reportedly used
2. Buryat physicians reportedly use other local Gentian species as listed above. Common Gentian or Gentian Long Dan Cao may be used as the source.
Main Combinations:
1. Cough, Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Gentiana algida with Clove, Tabasheer, Licorice, Costus, Chebulic Myrobalan (as in Clove 6 of Tibetan Medicine)
2. Bronchial Asthma, to Clove 6 (above), add Cinnamon, Raisin, Bistort, Pomegranate, Saffron (as in Clove 11 of Tibetan Medicine)
3. For the ‘7Types of Throat Disease’ (Laryngitis, pharyngitis, hoarseness, loss of voice, swollen sore throat etc). Gentiana algida with Chebula, Tabasheer, Licorice, Rhodiola, Cardamon and Clove (as in Pill for Throat diseases of Tibetan Medicine)
4. Chronic Cough, Wheezing, Breathlessness from Lung weakness, Gentiana algida with Triphala, Elecampane, Licorice, Raisin, Rhodiola (as in Principle 25 of Tibetan Medicine)
Major Formulas:
Tibetan:
Clove 6 (Li shi drug pa)
Clove 35 (Li shi so lnga)
Frankincense 4 Decoction (Spos dkar bzhi thang)
Gentian 7 Decoction (Kyi lche bdun thang)
Gentiana algida 15 (Spang rgyan dkar po 15)
Great Measles Decoction (Sib thang chen mo)
King of Cough Medicines (Glo sman rgyal po sbyor ba)
Principle 25 (Gtso bo nyer lnga)
Tabasheer 5 (Cu gang lnga pa)
Cautions:
Avoid in Cold and Weak Stomach
Main Preparations used:
Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine
GENERAL / REVIEW:
–Tibetan medicine Bang Jian: a comprehensive review on botanical characterization, traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
–[Varieties textual research and usage investigation of white flos gentianae, a Tibetan medicine].
GASTRIC STIMULATORY:
–Iridoids and Flavonoids of Four Siberian Gentians: Chemical Profile and Gastric Stimulatory Effect.
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Herb categories: Gentiana algida
