Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) is a very cold, bitter herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) renowned for its strong heat-clearing, fire-draining, and toxin-resolving properties. It is derived from the rhizome of Coptis chinensis and related species, and is one of the most powerful herbs for treating excess heat, damp-heat, and fire toxicity in the body. Huang Lian is used to address high fever, irritability, digestive disorders from damp-heat, red and painful eyes, skin eruptions, and infections affecting the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, or skin. It is also known for calming the Heart and helping with restlessness caused by excessive heat.
Functions & Benefits
Clears Heat and Drains FireRapidly reduces high fever, irritability, and heat in the Heart, Liver, and Stomach.
Resolves Damp-HeatTreats diarrhea, dysentery, and vomiting from damp-heat in the digestive system.
Detoxifies and Reduces InflammationAddresses skin sores, boils, abscesses, and carbuncles from fire toxicity.
Calms the Heart and Clears Heat from the SpiritHelps with restlessness, insomnia, and agitation caused by heat.
Indications (Who Can Benefit from It?)✔ Individuals with acute or chronic damp-heat in the digestive system.✔ People with infections of the skin, mouth, or gastrointestinal tract.✔ Those with red, painful eyes or swelling from Liver heat.✔ Patients with insomnia or restlessness caused by excessive internal heat.
Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCMTongue: Red with yellow coating, indicating heat and damp-heat.Pulse: Rapid and forceful, reflecting fire or damp-heat excess.
Related TCM PatternsDamp-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines – Causes diarrhea, dysentery, and foul stools.Heart Fire – Leads to insomnia, restlessness, and mouth ulcers.Liver and Gallbladder Heat – Produces red, swollen eyes and irritability.Fire Toxin – Manifests as skin sores, abscesses, and carbuncles.
Clinical Applications (For Reference Only)Acute Gastrointestinal Infections – Clears heat and reduces inflammation.Skin Sores and Infections – Drains fire toxin and aids healing.Mouth Ulcers from Heat – Cools heat in the Heart and Stomach.Insomnia from Heart Fire – Calms the spirit and promotes rest.
Common Herbal Formulas with Huang LianOften combined with Huang Qin and Huang Bai in San Huang Xie Xin Tang for fire and toxin, or with Ban Xia in Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang for damp-heat in the digestive system.
Precautions & ContraindicationsAvoid in cases of cold from deficiency or Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency.Not suitable for long-term use without professional supervision.Excessive use may damage Stomach Qi and cause digestive weakness.
Lifestyle & Dietary Recommendations✔ Include cooling foods such as cucumber, watermelon, and mung beans during treatment.✔ Avoid greasy, fried, and spicy foods that aggravate heat.✔ Maintain good hydration to support heat clearance.✔ Practice stress-reducing exercises to balance Heart and Liver Qi.
ConclusionHuang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) is a powerful, cold, and bitter herb in TCM that clears heat, drains fire, resolves dampness, and detoxifies the body. It is especially useful for gastrointestinal heat, fire toxin skin conditions, and calming Heart fire-induced restlessness.
