Gentiana Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Gentiana Root, known in Chinese as 秦艽 (Qínjiāo) and scientifically as Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae, 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 Qinjiao, Da Jiao, Xi Qinjiao, and Luobo Jiao. It is the root of plants from the Gentianaceae family used for rheumatism: Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., or Gentiana dahurica Fisch. Qinjiao is mainly produced in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, with Gansu having the largest output and best quality; it is also found in Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, and Shanxi. Gentiana straminea is mainly produced in Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Hubei; Gentiana crassicaulis is mainly from Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan; Gentiana dahurica is mainly from Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi. The first three are commonly called “Qinjiao” or “Mahua Jiao” according to their characteristics, while the last is called “Xiao Qinjiao.” The roots are harvested in spring and autumn, with mud and sand removed. Qinjiao and Mahua Qinjiao are sun-dried after softening and sweating until the surface turns reddish-yellow, or dried directly without sweating; Xiao Qinjiao is rubbed to remove the black skin while fresh and then dried.

[Properties] The taste is pungent and bitter; the nature is slightly cold. It enters the stomach, liver, and gallbladder meridians.

[Actions] Dispels wind-dampness, clears damp-heat, relieves bi syndrome pain, and reduces deficiency heat.

[Applications]
1. Used for wind-damp painful obstruction and muscle and tendon spasms. It can be applied regardless of the duration or whether the bi syndrome is cold or hot, but due to its slightly cold nature, it is especially suitable for wind-damp-heat bi with prominent heat signs such as joint redness and swelling, often combined with Fangji (Stephania), Zhimu (Anemarrhena), and Ren Dong Teng (Lonicera stem). For cold-dominant cases, it should be combined with Qianghuo (Notopterygium), Guizhi (Cinnamon twig), and Fuzi (Aconite), as in the formula Duhuo Jisheng Tang.
2. Used for hemiplegia after stroke, numbness of skin and flesh, stiff tongue, and inability to speak; can be combined with Tianma (Gastrodia), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), as in Da Qinjiao Tang.
3. Used for bone steaming fever and pediatric malnutrition heat. For yin deficiency bone steaming fever, it can be combined with Qinghao (Artemisia annua), Biejia (Turtle shell), Zhimu, and Chaihu (Bupleurum), as in Qinjiao Biejia San; for pediatric malnutrition heat, often combined with Bohe (Mint) and Gancao (Licorice), as in Qinjiao San.
4. Used for damp-heat jaundice, often combined with Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris), Huangqin (Scutellaria), and Fuling (Poria), as in Qinjiao San.
Additionally, Qinjiao combined with Shengdi (Rehmannia) and Huaimi (Sophora flower) can treat intestinal wind bleeding, hemorrhoids, and constipation; combined with Shengma (Cimicifuga) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia) can treat urticaria and itching.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decocted in water, 3–9 g; soaked in alcohol or used in pills and powders. External use: appropriate amount, ground to powder and sprinkled.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Qinjiao mainly contains three alkaloids: Qinjiao alkaloid A (also called Qu Longdan alkaloid), alkaloid B (Gentianine), and alkaloid C, with alkaloid A being the most abundant. It also contains volatile oils, flavonoids, and sugars. The bitter component is gentiopicroside.
2. Pharmacological effects: Ethanol extracts and alkaloid A of Qinjiao have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects; alkaloid A shows notable analgesic effects in mouse hot plate tests; it also has significant anti-allergic and antihistamine effects; it inhibits skin fungi and bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella, Staphylococcus, and Diplococcus pneumoniae; additionally, it can raise blood sugar and has diuretic effects.
3. Clinical reports: Prevention of complications after tooth extraction: equal parts of Qinjiao and Fangji are dried, ground, sieved, and encapsulated. Each capsule contains 0.3 g; take 2 capsules half an hour before surgery, 1 capsule 6 hours after surgery, for 3 days total. In 36 cases observed, significant pain relief and anti-swelling effects were noted. [Metallurgical Medicine, 1987, (1):73]