Gentianae Radix Et Rhizoma
Aliases：Dǎn Cǎo (Bile Herb); Líng Yóu (Mound-wandering Herb); Cǎo Lóng Dǎn (Grass Gentian); Shān Lóng Dǎn (Mountain Gentian); Shuǐ Lóng Dǎn (Water Gentian); Kǔ Lóng Dǎn Cǎo (Bitter Gentiana Herb); Dì Dǎn Cǎo (Ground Gentian); Sì Yè Dǎn (Four-leaf Gentian).
Lóng Dǎn (Chinese Gentian) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried root and rhizome of Gentiana manshurica Kitag., Gentiana scabra Bge., Gentiana triflora Pall., or Gentiana rigescens Franch., plants of the Gentianaceae family. The first three species are commonly known as "Lóng Dǎn" (Gentian), and the last species is commonly known as "Jiān Lóng Dǎn" (Hard Gentian).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and dries dampness; purges liver and gallbladder fire.
Indications
Used for damp-heat jaundice, genital swelling and itching, leukorrhea, eczema with pruritus, red eyes due to liver fire, tinnitus and deafness, hypochondriac pain with bitter taste in the mouth, excessive sexual desire (priapism or hypersexuality), and convulsions due to wind (infantile convulsions / seizures).
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory Effect: Active components in Gentiana root (such as gentiopicroside and amarogentin) can exert anti-inflammatory effects by blocking signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK, thereby inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6. Hepatoprotective and Choleretic Effect: Exhibits protective effects on the liver and promotes bile secretion. Antibacterial Effect: Shows inhibitory effects against various pathogenic microorganisms. Other Effects: Also exhibits antipyretic, antitumor, antioxidant, sedative, antihypertensive, stomachic, and gastrointestinal regulatory effects, among others.
Ingredients
Iridoids: The main components, including gentiopicroside (gentiopicrin), swertiamarin, sweroside, amarogentin, loganin, etc. Flavonoids. Triterpenoids. Alkaloids: Such as gentianine, gentioflavine, etc. Others: Such as xanthones, amino acids, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 3–6g; or prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for washing; or ground into powder and mixed for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: As this herb is bitter and cold in nature, it may easily damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach. Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency and fluid damage. Contraindicated in patients with qi deficiency, blood deficiency, or those without damp-heat and excess fire patterns. Should not be taken for a prolonged period.
Selected Formulas
For damp-heat jaundice (Zabing Yuanliu Xizhu, Kushen Wan; Sheng Hui Fang, Longdan San) Take Longdancao (Gentiana) combined with Kushen (Sophora) in pills; or combined with Zhizi (Gardenia), Dahuang (Rhubarb), and Baimaogen (Imperata) in powder form. For damp-heat descending with genital swelling and itching, eczema, and yellowish foul leukorrhea (Lanshi Micang, Longdan Xiegan Tang) Take Longdancao with Zexie (Alisma), Mutong (Akebia), and Cheqianzi (Plantago seed). Decoct in water and drink. For liver-fire headache, red eyes, deafness, hypochondriac pain, and bitter taste (Lanshi Micang, Longdan Xiegan Tang) Take Longdancao with Chaihu (Bupleurum), Huangqin (Scutellaria), and Zhizi (Gardenia). Decoct in water and drink. For high fever, convulsions, and spasms due to extreme liver heat generating wind (Xiao'er Yaozheng Zhijue, Liangjing Wan) Take Longdancao with Niuhuang (Bovine bezoar), Qingdai (Indigo), and Huanglian (Coptis). Make into pills and take. For high fever, convulsions, and spasms due to extreme liver heat generating wind (Xuanming Lun Fang, Danggui Luhui Wan) Take Longdancao with Huangbai (Phellodendron), Dahuang, and Luhui (Aloe). Make into pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Gentiana Congee: Take 10g of Gentiana root (Lóng Dǎn Cǎo) and 20g of bamboo leaves (Zhú Yè), and decoct them in water to extract the liquid. Use this liquid instead of water to cook 100g of white rice into a congee. This congee helps clear liver fire, calm the heart, and relieve restlessness. It is suitable for those suffering from insomnia, irritability, red eyes, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root and rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place.
