Xuan'en Coptis

Xuan'en Coptis

　　Also known as: Coptis, Sichuan Coptis, Ginger Coptis, Sichuan Coptis Root, Ginger-processed Coptis, Ginger-Sichuan Coptis, Ginger-processed Coptis Root, Evodia Coptis, Evodia-processed Coptis, Stir-fried Coptis, Evodia-processed Coptis, Wine-processed Coptis, Wine Coptis, Wine-soaked Coptis, Pig Bile Stir-fried Coptis, Salt-stir-fried Coptis, Coptis Charcoal, Ginger Juice Stir-fried Sichuan Coptis, Tail Coptis, etc.

Source: This product is the dried rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C.Y. Cheng et Hsiao, or Coptis teeta Wall.

Original plant: A perennial herb with branched rhizomes resembling chicken claws. Basal leaves with long petioles; leaf blades ovate-triangular, triply divided, with the central lobe lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid, and serrated margins. Flower stalks 1–2, terminal, with umbellate inflorescences of 3–8 flowers. 2. Coptis teeta: The central lobe of the leaf is ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, with 3–6 pairs of pinnatifid lobes.

Properties and Meridians: Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, and Large Intestine meridians.

Functions and Indications: Clears heat, dries dampness, purges fire, and resolves toxins. Used for damp-heat distension, vomiting, acid regurgitation, diarrhea, jaundice, high fever with delirium, excessive heart fire, restlessness and insomnia, blood heat causing vomiting or nosebleed, red eyes, toothache, diabetes, boils and abscesses; externally for eczema, damp sores, and ear discharge. Wine-processed Coptis is especially good for clearing upper burner heat. Used for red eyes and mouth sores. Ginger-processed Coptis clears the stomach, harmonizes the stomach, and calms vomiting. Used for cold-heat complex, damp-heat obstruction, distension, and vomiting. Evodia-processed Coptis soothes the liver, harmonizes the stomach, and calms vomiting. Used for disharmony between liver and stomach, vomiting, and acid regurgitation.

Applications:

1. For conditions such as internal damp-heat, gastrointestinal damp-heat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Combined with Scutellaria and Rhubarb, it can treat damp-heat accumulation. For damp-heat lingering in the gastrointestinal tract, it is often combined with Pinellia and Bamboo Shavings; combined with Saussurea, Scutellaria, and Pueraria to treat diarrhea.

2. For febrile diseases with high fever, thirst, restlessness, blood heat causing bleeding, and heat-toxin sores. To treat febrile diseases with high fever and excessive heart fire, combine with Gardenia and Forsythia; for blood heat causing bleeding, it can be combined with Scutellaria and Rhubarb; for heat-toxin sores, it can be combined with Red Peony and Tree Peony Bark. In addition, Coptis can also be used for excessive stomach fire in middle-jiao diabetes, combined with Trichosanthes Root, Anemarrhena, and Rehmannia; applied to the mouth, it can treat mouth ulcers.

Dosage and Administration: Decocted and taken, 2–5g. Appropriate amount for external use.

Precautions: This product is extremely bitter and cold. Overuse or prolonged use may damage the spleen and stomach. Contraindicated in those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold. Bitter and drying, it may injure fluids; use with caution in those with yin deficiency and fluid damage.