The efficacy and function of Coptis chinensis

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Coptis chinensis?

[Other name] Rhizoma Coptis chinensis (Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica).

[Source] It is the root and stem of the Berberidaceae plant Euonymus japonicus . It can be harvested throughout the year, remove branches and leaves, wash and dry.

[Original form] An evergreen shrub, 1 to 2 meters tall or taller, completely smooth and hairless. The stem is thick and dark brown in color. The odd-pinnate compound leaves are alternate, 20 to 30 cm long, with a flat and broad base of the petiole, shallow grooves on the ventral surface, and obvious nodes; the leaflets are leathery, 5 to 7 in number, elliptical, 6.5 to 7.5 cm long, 2.5 to 4 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, with sharp awns, often with 1 to 2 sharp teeth on both sides of the leaf tip, cuneate base, and the base of the lower pair of leaflets is often unequal. The raceme grows in clusters at the top of the branches, is 10 to 20 cm long, with numerous yellow flowers; there is one bract, which is triangular, brown, and about 1.5 mm long; there are 9 sepals, which are yellow and petal-shaped, arranged in 3 whorls, with 3 petals in each whorl; there are 6 petals, which are smaller than the inner sepals and are rectangular; there are 6 stamens, and the filaments are short rods; the ovary is superior, and the stigma is capitate and flat. The berries are bluish-black. Flowering period is from May to June. Fruiting period is July to August.

[Properties] The stem is cylindrical, dark brown or gray-brown on the surface, with shallow longitudinal grooves and transverse cracks. The young stem is relatively smooth, often with protruding leaf scars and petiole residues. The cork is loose, and yellow xylem can be seen at the detached place; the texture is hard and brittle, the broken surface is cracked, light yellow; the cross section is nearly circular, the pith is light yellow, the xylem is yellow, and the rays are clear. The roots are cylindrical, slightly twisted, brown-yellow in surface, with longitudinal grooves and root scars; they are hard, not easy to break, and have yellow cross section.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, cold, non-toxic.

[entry into meridians] Enters the heart and liver meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Clears heart and stomach fire, detoxifies. It is used to treat jaundice, heat dysentery, and red eyes; it is also used to treat knife wounds and burns externally. (The properties and flavors are from Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica)

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 5 qian. For external use: mash and apply.

【Note】 "Guangxi Chinese Medicine Annals": "People with cold constitution and weak constitution should avoid using this medicine."

[Remarks] The roots of plants of the same genus, such as Euonymus japonicus, Euonymus semi-covered, Euonymus dulongensis, are also known as Coptis chinensis or Coptis chinensis in Guangxi, and are used in the same way as this product.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica"

Through the above, we have learned about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Coptis chinensis. I hope everyone can prescribe the right medicine and consume Coptis chinensis correctly in life.