Coptis Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Coptis Root, known in Chinese as 黄连 (Huánglián) and scientifically as Rhizoma Coptidis, 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 Coptis Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Coptis 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, Coptis Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Coptis 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 Coptis 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 Wanglian and Zhilian. It is the rhizome of plants from the Ranunculaceae family: Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C.Y. Cheng et Hsiao, and Coptis teeta Wall. Coptis chinensis, commonly called “Weilian,” is mainly produced in Sichuan and Hubei provinces, with additional production in Shaanxi, Gansu, and Hunan. Coptis deltoidea, commonly called “Yalian,” is mainly produced in Emei, Hongya, and Ebian areas of Sichuan. Coptis teeta, also known as “Yunnan Huanglian” or simply “Yunlian,” is mainly produced in northwest Yunnan, including Deqin, Weixi, and Tengchong. The rhizomes are harvested in autumn, with fibrous roots and soil removed, then dried and residual fibrous roots knocked off.

[Properties] Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Heart, Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians.

[Actions] Clears heat and dries dampness; drains fire and detoxifies.

[Applications]
1. Used for damp-warm febrile diseases and summer-dampness with chest and epigastric fullness. When heat predominates over dampness in warm diseases with persistent fever, epigastric and abdominal fullness, and yellow greasy tongue coating, it is often combined with Magnolia officinalis and white cardamom, as in Wang’s Lian-Po Decoction (王氏连朴饮). For summer-dampness with heat and concurrent wind-cold, it is combined with Elsholtzia and Magnolia officinalis, as in Huanglian Xiangru Powder (黄连香薷散). For damp-heat with phlegm and symptoms of vexation and dizziness, it is combined with Pinellia, bamboo shavings, and bitter orange, as in Huanglian Wendan Decoction (黄连温胆汤). For phlegm-heat accumulation causing chest and epigastric fullness and pain on pressure, it is combined with Pinellia and Trichosanthes, as in Xiao Xianxiong Tang (小陷胸汤).
2. Used for damp-heat dysentery. For early-stage diarrhea with fever, it is combined with Pueraria root and Scutellaria, as in Pueraria-Scutellaria-Coptis Decoction (葛根黄芩黄连汤). For qi stagnation with tenesmus, it is combined with heated Aucklandia, as in Xianglian Pill (香连丸). For dysentery with toxic heat and purulent bloody stools, it is combined with Pulsatilla, Cortex Fraxini, and Phellodendron, as in Bai Tou Weng Decoction (白头翁汤). For chronic dysentery injuring yin with dry mouth and red tongue, it is combined with Angelica and donkey-hide gelatin, as in Zhuchche Pill (驻车丸).
3. Used for high fever, irritability, delirium, convulsions, and bleeding due to heat. For intense fire with high fever, irritability, delirium, it is combined with Scutellaria, Phellodendron, and Gardenia, as in Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (黄连解毒汤). For pediatric high fever with convulsions, it is combined with Gentiana, Indigo naturalis, and Uncaria, as in Liangjing Pill (凉惊丸). For heat forcing blood out causing hematemesis and epistaxis, it is combined with Scutellaria and rhubarb, as in Xiexin Pill (泻心丸).
4. Used for heat excess in the Heart, Liver, and Stomach. For heart fire causing palpitations and insomnia, it is combined with Cinnabar and Rehmannia, as in Cinnabar Anshen Pill (朱砂安神丸). For heart yin deficiency with virtual fire disturbing the heart causing vexation and insomnia, it is combined with donkey-hide gelatin and egg yolk, as in Huanglian Ejiao Decoction (黄连阿胶汤). For liver fire rising causing red swollen painful eyes, it is combined with Chrysanthemum, Gardenia, Prunella, and Cassia seeds. For stomach heat vomiting, it is combined with Pinellia, tangerine peel, and bamboo shavings, as in Huanglian Jupi Zhuru Decoction (黄连橘皮竹茹汤). For liver meridian fire invading the stomach causing epigastric pain, irritability, and acid regurgitation, it is combined with Evodia, as in Zuo Jin Pill (左金丸). For stomach fire causing swollen painful gums, it is combined with Rehmannia, Moutan bark, and Cimicifuga, as in Qingwei Powder (清胃散). For intense stomach fire causing excessive hunger and rapid digestion, it is combined with Ophiopogon, as in Xiaoke Pill (消渴丸).
5. Used for sore throat, oral ulcers, toxic sores and carbuncles, mumps, and erysipelas. For sore throat and oral ulcers, it is combined with Indigo naturalis and powdered Coptis root applied externally, as in Qingdai Powder (青黛散). For toxic sores and carbuncles, it is combined with Scutellaria and Forsythia, as in Huanglian Jiedu Decoction. For mumps, erysipelas, nasal furuncles, and lip furuncles, it is combined with Phellodendron, Angelica, and turmeric powder for topical application. For eczema, impetigo, and burns, it can be used alone as a powder for topical application or as an ointment. For ear swelling and purulent discharge, a solution of Coptis and borax is used as ear drops.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 2–5 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, powdered and applied topically; or decoction for washing; or ointment for topical application; or juice for soaking. For febrile diseases with high fever, damp-heat steaming, and intense toxic heat, use raw herb; for liver fire rising with red swollen painful eyes and headache, stir-fry with wine; for stomach heat vomiting, stir-fry with ginger juice; for liver fire invading the stomach with epigastric pain and acid regurgitation, stir-fry with Evodia decoction.

[Cautions] Use with caution in patients with spleen and stomach deficiency cold.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: The rhizome contains berberine, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine, magnoflorine, ferulic acid, phellodendrone, and phellodendrin lactone.
2. Pharmacological effects: Coptis and berberine exhibit inhibitory effects on various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, pneumococcus, meningococcus, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus anthracis, and Shigella dysenteriae. They also inhibit multiple influenza viruses, dermatophytes, amoebae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas, and Leishmania. Intravenous berberine lowers blood pressure in anesthetized animals, reduces myocardial oxygen consumption in failing hearts, protects against myocardial ischemia and infarction, and has antiarrhythmic effects. Berberine has central nervous system inhibitory and antipyretic effects. Both Coptis and berberine significantly inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro. Additional effects include anti-ulcer, choleretic, antitumor, and radioprotective actions.
3. Clinical reports:
1) Atrophic gastritis: 500 g Coptis, 100 g hawthorn, 50 ml vinegar, 500 g sugar soaked in 400 ml boiling water for 7 days. Dose: 50 ml three times daily after meals. Among 24 cases, 23 showed restoration of gastric mucosa, disappearance of pain and distension, and normalization of gastric juice analysis; one case discontinued treatment. [Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986, 27(6):28]
2) Type 2 diabetes: Berberine 0.3–0.5 g orally three times daily, dose adjusted according to preprandial blood glucose. Among 60 cases, fasting blood glucose significantly decreased, symptoms disappeared, serum insulin increased significantly (P<0.01), total effective rate 90%. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1988, 8(12):711] 3) Osteomyelitis of finger bones: 65 g Coptis powdered, boiled thrice with water (15 min each), cooled. The solution used to soak affected finger in a small porcelain cup after removing dressings, once daily for 1–3 hours. All 87 cases cured. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1985, 5(10):604] 4) Otitis media: 15 g Coptis, 1 g borneol, 100 ml 75% ethanol prepared as ear drops. After disinfection, 2 drops twice daily into affected ear. Among 53 cases, cure rate 92.5%. [Research on Chinese Patent Medicine, 1986, (7):47] 5) Hyperlipidemia: Berberine tablets (0.1 g per tablet containing 0.1 g berberine hydrochloride) 0.3–0.4 g orally three times daily. In 37 cases, TC, TG, Apo A1, Apo B levels were observed; all except Apo A1 showed significant changes. In 25 hypercholesterolemia cases, 20 markedly effective (80%), 5 effective (20%), total 100%. In 28 hypertriglyceridemia cases, 21 markedly effective (75%), 7 effective (25%), total 100%. [Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2002, 22(4):269] 6) Impetigo: Appropriate amount of berberine tablets powdered and mixed with sesame oil into a paste, applied evenly with cotton swab about 2 mm thick, 4 times daily for 5 days per course. Among 40 cases, 27 cured after first course, 12 after second, 1 improved; total effective rate 97.5%. [Chinese Clinical Medicine, 2003, 4(20):52]