Chinese goldthread / huang lian
Coptis chinensis
Other names: 黄连 / 黃連 huánglián, Chinese goldthread / huang lian
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Berberine can be unsafe in specific populations. Generally bitter and used short-term in traditional practice.
Contraindications: Pregnancy and breastfeeding; neonates/infants - berberine can displace bilirubin and is associated with risk of kernicterus in newborns (avoid in jaundiced neonates).
Interactions: Berberine inhibits CYP enzymes and can affect metabolism of co-administered drugs; caution with CYP3A4-metabolized drugs and cyclosporine.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Contraindicated.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
powder · rhizome
Part used: rhizome
decoction · rhizome
Part used: rhizome
Traditional use: clearing heat and drying dampness; damp-heat patterns and digestive complaints
Proposed mechanism: isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, coptisine)
Dosage note (descriptive only): used short-term in traditional practice
extract · rhizome
Part used: rhizome
Traditional use: anti-inflammatory/antibacterial/anticancer (lab/animal)
Proposed mechanism: berberine
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a nutritional food; principal actives are isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, etc.).
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Coptis chinensis (Wikipedia), English, accessed 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptis_chinensis
- Wu et al., Coptisine from Coptis chinensis exerts diverse beneficial properties: A concise review, J Cell Mol Med 2019, PMC6850926