Qín Jiāo (秦艽), known in English as Large-leaf gentian root (Gentiana macrophylla), is a neutral, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Stomach, Liver and Gallbladder channels. Its main action: expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi.
| Pinyin | Qín Jiāo (Qin Jiao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 秦艽 |
| English | Large-leaf gentian root |
| Botanical name | Gentiana macrophylla |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Chronic pain from deficiency; loose stools |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi
- Clears Damp-Heat, treats jaundice
- Clears deficiency Heat
Indications
- Wind-Damp Bi with aching joints and cramping sinews
- Hemiplegia after Wind-stroke
- Damp-Heat jaundice
- Steaming bone and tidal fever
- Childhood nutritional impairment with fever
How to remember Qín Jiāo
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver channel: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Gallbladder channel: from its action “treats jaundice”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
- Stomach channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Qín Jiāo
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qín Jiāo?
Qín Jiāo is neutral and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Qín Jiāo enter?
Qín Jiāo enters the Stomach, Liver and Gallbladder channels.
What are the actions of Qín Jiāo?
Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi; Clears Damp-Heat, treats jaundice; Clears deficiency Heat.
What is Qín Jiāo used for?
Wind-Damp Bi with aching joints and cramping sinews; hemiplegia after Wind-stroke; Damp-Heat jaundice; steaming bone and tidal fever; childhood nutritional impairment with fever.
Which formulas contain Qín Jiāo?
Qīng Gǔ Sǎn and Juān Bì Tāng.
Practise Qín Jiāo 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.