Gentiana Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Gentiana Root, known in Chinese as 龙胆 (Lóngdǎn) and scientifically as Radix Gentianae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Gentiana Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Gentiana Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Gentiana Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Gentiana Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Gentiana Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Longdan Cao, Cao Longdan, and Shui Longdan. It is the root and rhizome of plants from the Gentianaceae family: Gentiana manshurica Kitag., Gentiana scabra Bge., Gentiana triflora Pall., or Gentiana rigescens Franch. The first three are commonly called “Longdan,” while the last is commonly called “Jian Longdan.” It is distributed throughout China, with the greatest production in the northeast, hence also called “Guan Longdan.” It is harvested in spring and autumn by digging up, removing stems and leaves, washing off soil, and drying in the sun.
[Properties] Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.
[Actions] Clears heat and dries dampness; drains Liver fire and calms convulsions.
[Applications]
1. Used for damp-heat jaundice, genital swelling and itching, eczema with pruritus, leukorrhea, and turbid painful urination. For damp-heat jaundice, it can be combined with Sophora flavescens (Kushen) as in Kushen Wan, or with Gardenia jasminoides (Zhizi), Rheum palmatum (Dahuang), and Imperata cylindrica root (Baimaogen) as in Longdan San; for damp-heat descending to the lower body causing genital swelling, itching, and foul yellow leukorrhea, it is often combined with Alisma orientale (Zexie), Akebia quinata (Mutong), and Plantago asiatica seed (Cheqianzi) as in Longdan Xiegan Tang; for painful, turbid urination, it can be combined with Mutong and Cheqianzi.
2. Used for Liver and Gallbladder fire excess causing headache, red eyes, hypochondriac pain, and bitter taste in the mouth; it can be combined with Bupleurum chinense (Chaihu), Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), and Gardenia jasminoides (Zhizi) as in Longdan Xiegan Tang; for Liver channel wind-heat causing red, swollen, painful eyes and pterygium, it can be taken soaked in wine; if eyelids are red, ulcerated, swollen, itchy, painful, with excessive tearing and difficulty opening, it can be externally washed with decoction of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng), raw Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Sheng Gancao), and Asarum sieboldii (Xixin).
3. Used for Liver channel heat excess causing high fever convulsions and limb spasms; it can be combined with Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang), Indigo naturalis (Qingdai), and Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) as in Lianggan Wan; for pediatric convulsions, it can be combined with Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao), Poria cocos (Fushen), and Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong).
Additionally, Gentiana root can be used for oral ulcers and sore throat caused by heat toxin stagnation. Clinically, it is often used to treat hypertension due to Liver Yang rising, showing certain efficacy.
[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 3–6 g, or incorporated into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, decocted for washing, or ground into powder and applied topically.
[Cautions] Contraindicated in patients with spleen and stomach deficiency; use with caution in those with Yin deficiency and fluid injury.
[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: The root and rhizome contain gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, sweroside, gentiobiose esters, gentianine, gentiocrucine, sweroside derivatives, gentian yellow alkaloids, gentian trisaccharides, and secoiridoid glycosides such as qinjiao B and qinjiao C.
2. Pharmacological actions: Gentiana injection significantly increases bile flow; Gentiana reduces liver necrosis and hepatocyte damage in animal models and counteracts carbon tetrachloride-induced impairment of hepatic glycogen synthesis; gentiopicroside increases isolated intestinal tension and contraction amplitude; Gentiana injection has marked diuretic effects; Gentiana decoction exhibits varying degrees of inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Nocardia asteroides; gentianine stimulates the central nervous system but at higher doses produces anesthetic and sedative effects; large doses of gentianine lower blood pressure and inhibit the heart, slowing heart rate.