Gentiana macrophylla, Qin Jiao 秦艽

Large Leaf Gentian
Qin Jiao (TCM)
Gentiana dahurica
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 141 (1915)

Gentiana macrophylla flower
(Photo by Orchi) (Wikimedia)

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Botanical name:
Gentiana spp.
A number of species are used:
  1.  G. macrophylla
  2. G. straminea
  3. G. crassicaulis
  4. G. dahurica

Parts used:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/slightly Cool, neutral in regards to dryness. Bitter, Pungent

Classification:
D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Damp, Soothes the Sinews:
-Wind-Damp joint pain

2. Clears Deficient Heat:
-Night Sweats, Low-Grade Fever

3. Clears Damp-Heat, Opens Obstructions:
-Jaundice

4. Moves the Bowels:
-gentle laxative, useful for dryness of the Intestines

5. Externally:
-powder is applied to chronic Skin Ulcers (Ben Cao Gang Mu)


Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
The powder can be mixed with water, a suitable decoction, wine, or alcohol for topical application.

Comment:
Gentians are widely used in the various traditions. In general, they are viewed as Cold, and good to clear Heat and Damp from the Liver. The standard species such as the European Gentian and the Chinese Long Dan Cao are largely synonymous. The Western Gentian has been used in formulas for Arthritis and Joint disease, similar to Gentian Qin Jiao. This suggests that most or all the Gentians may be used for this function, but that Gentiana Qin Jiao is more specific for this indication.

Substitute:
... available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Joint Pain, Arthritis:
i. hot joint pain, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
ii. Wind-Damp joint pain, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
iii. Wind-Damp joint pain, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
iv. Wind-Cold-Damp Joint pain, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
2. Body pain with fever and restlessness, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
3. Tuberculosis, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
4. Deficient Heat, Low-grade Fever after Febrile diseases:
i. Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
iii. Hectic Fever in children, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
5. Hemiplegia with tightness of the sinews, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
6. Childhood Malnutrition:
i. Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
ii. with Wind-Damp arthralgia, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
7. Jaundice,:
i. Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
8. Constipation from dryness, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
9. Severe Diarrhea, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version
10. Threatened Miscarriage, Gentiana macrophylla Qin Jiao with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Da Qin Jiao Tang
Qin Jiao Tian Ma Tang
Qin Jiao San
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San

Cautions:
Not used in Spleen and Stomach deficiency with loose bowels.

Main Preparations used: