Witnessed by: TCM
Chinese gentian (Gentiana scabra), of the Gentianaceae family. Perennial of grassy hillsides with deep-blue trumpet flowers; native range: north-eastern and northern China. Globally recognized as long dan cao (龙胆草) in Chinese. The part used is root and rhizome. Thin fibrous rootlets from a short crown, intensely bitter, with a cold, draining taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CHINESE GENTIAN
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Chinese gentian
- Scientific name
- Gentiana scabra Bunge
- Family
- Gentianaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Gallbladder · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- drains damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder channels, drains ascendant Liver fire
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in Spleen-Stomach deficiency with loose stool and in patterns without genuine damp-heat or fire
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