Huáng Jīng (黄精), known in English as Polygonatum rhizome (Polygonatum sibiricum), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Spleen, Lung and Kidney channels. Its main action: tonifies qi, nourishes Yin.
| Pinyin | Huáng Jīng (Huang Jing) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 黄精 |
| English | Polygonatum rhizome |
| Botanical name | Polygonatum sibiricum |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Lung, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Damp or Phlegm; qi stagnation; loose stools |
Actions
- Tonifies qi, nourishes Yin
- Strengthens Spleen, moistens Lung
- Benefits Kidney essence
Indications
- Spleen and Stomach qi deficiency with fatigue
- Stomach Yin deficiency with dry mouth and poor appetite
- Dry cough from Lung deficiency
- Consumptive cough with blood
- Deficient essence and Blood with sore, weak back and knees and early greying
- Wasting-thirst
How to remember Huáng Jīng
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Strengthens Spleen”
- Lung channel: from its action “moistens Lung”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Benefits Kidney essence”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are cool or cold)
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Huáng Jīng?
Huáng Jīng is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Huáng Jīng enter?
Huáng Jīng enters the Spleen, Lung and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Huáng Jīng?
Tonifies qi, nourishes Yin; Strengthens Spleen, moistens Lung; Benefits Kidney essence.
What is Huáng Jīng used for?
Spleen and Stomach qi deficiency with fatigue; Stomach Yin deficiency with dry mouth and poor appetite; dry cough from Lung deficiency; consumptive cough with blood; deficient essence and Blood with sore, weak back and knees and early greying; wasting-thirst.
Practise Huáng Jīng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.