Lóng Dǎn Cǎo (龙胆草), known in English as Chinese gentian (Gentiana manshurica), is a cold, bitter Chinese herb from the Clear heat category. It enters the Liver, Gallbladder and Stomach channels. Its main action: drains Damp-Heat from Liver and Gallbladder.
| Pinyin | Lóng Dǎn Cǎo (Long Dan Cao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 龙胆草 |
| English | Chinese gentian |
| Botanical name | Gentiana manshurica |
| Category | Clear heat |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–6g |
| Cautions | Spleen and Stomach Cold/deficiency; no Damp-Heat |
Actions
- Drains Damp-Heat from Liver and Gallbladder
- Drains Fire from Liver and Gallbladder
- Stops convulsions from Liver Fire
Indications
- Liver/GB Damp-Heat: hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, ear infections, vaginal discharge, hot genital itching
- High fever with convulsions
How to remember Lóng Dǎn Cǎo
Clear heat herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Stomach and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Bitter, Stomach channel: like most Clear heat herbs
- Liver and Gallbladder channels: from its action “Drains Damp-Heat from Liver and Gallbladder”
Formulas containing Lóng Dǎn Cǎo
Other Clear heat herbs
- Shí Gāo
- Zhī Mǔ
- Huáng Qín
- Huáng Lián
- Huáng Bǎi
- Zhī Zǐ
- Jīn Yín Huā
- Lián Qiào
- Pú Gōng Yīng
- Tiān Huā Fěn
- Lú Gēn
- Zhú Yè
- Xià Kū Cǎo
- Jué Míng Zǐ
- Kǔ Shēn
- Qín Pí
- Bái Xiān Pí
- Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng
- Bái Huā Shé Shé Cǎo
- Bǎn Lán Gēn
- Tǔ Fú Líng
- Shè Gān
- Dì Gǔ Pí
- Qīng Hāo
- Yín Chái Hú
- Hú Huáng Lián
- Mǔ Dān Pí
- Chì Sháo
- Xuán Shēn
- Shuǐ Niú Jiǎo
- Bái Wēi
- Bái Tóu Wēng
- Bài Jiàng Cǎo
- Yú Xīng Cǎo
- Shān Dòu Gēn
- Mǎ Bó
- Yě Jú Huā
- Lǜ Dòu
- Hé Yè
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lóng Dǎn Cǎo?
Lóng Dǎn Cǎo is cold and bitter.
Which channels does Lóng Dǎn Cǎo enter?
Lóng Dǎn Cǎo enters the Liver, Gallbladder and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Lóng Dǎn Cǎo?
Drains Damp-Heat from Liver and Gallbladder; Drains Fire from Liver and Gallbladder; Stops convulsions from Liver Fire.
What is Lóng Dǎn Cǎo used for?
Liver/GB Damp-Heat: hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, ear infections, vaginal discharge, hot genital itching; high fever with convulsions.
Which formulas contain Lóng Dǎn Cǎo?
Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng.
Practise Lóng Dǎn Cǎo 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.