Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma
Aliases：Ling You、Ku Long Dan Cao、Di Dan Cao、Dan Cao
Longdancao (Gentianae Radix) is a Chinese medicinal herb that clears heat and dries dampness. It is the dried root and rhizome of Gentiana scabra Bge. or Gentiana triflora Pall. (family Gentianaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear Heat and dry Dampness; drain Liver and Gallbladder Fire.
Indications
Damp‑heat jaundice, genital swelling and itching, leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), eczema with pruritus, red eyes due to Liver fire, tinnitus and deafness, hypochondriac pain with bitter taste, and infantile convulsions (fright wind).
Modern Pharmacology
Hepatoprotective and choleretic: Gentiopicroside and other components protect the liver and promote bile secretion. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic: Inhibits inflammatory pathways, reduces inflammatory mediators, and alleviates pain. Antibacterial: Inhibits various skin fungi and bacteria. Stomachic (digestive): The bitter principles stimulate taste sensation, reflexively promoting gastric juice secretion and improving appetite. Antihypertensive: Shows blood pressure‑lowering effects in animal studies. Hypolipidemic and antitumor: Benzoic acid glycosides lower blood lipids; triterpenoids and iridoids exhibit cytotoxicity against liver cancer, colon cancer, and other cell lines. Sedative: Exhibits sedative effects in animal experiments.
Ingredients
Iridoids: Gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, etc. (quality control markers) Triterpenoids: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, etc. Flavonoids: Isoorientin, isovitexin, etc. Alkaloids: Gentianine, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Standard internal use: 3–6 g in decoction. Other uses: May be used in pills or powders. External use: Appropriate amount, decocted for washing the affected area; or ground into powder and applied as a rub.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold. This product is bitter and cold in nature, which may easily harm the Spleen and Stomach. It should not be used in cases of Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, Stomach deficiency with Spleen weakness, or in the absence of Damp‑Heat and excess Fire.
Selected Formulas
1. Longdan Xiegan Decoction (from Yifang Jijie – Collection of Medical Formulas) Composition: Sovereign: Longdan (Gentianae Radix) Minister: Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) Assistant: Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) Envoy: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) Indications: Liver‑Gallbladder excess fire (headache, red eyes, bitter taste, hypochondriac pain, deafness, ear swelling) Liver meridian damp‑heat (genital swelling/itching, painful turbid urination, yellow and foul leukorrhea) 2. Modified Applications Liver abscess: Add Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) and Jinqiancao (Lysimachiae Herba) Acute otitis media: Add Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Jinyinhua, and Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) Migraine (to enhance liver‑clearing and calming): Add Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica) and Yejiaoteng (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) 3. Other Clinical Combinations Damp‑heat jaundice: Combine with Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) and Zhizi Lower jiao damp‑heat: Combine with Huangbai (Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex) and Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix)
Medicinal Parts
dried root and rhizome
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place.