Chinese gentian / long dan (龙胆)

Gentiana scabra

Chinese

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Safety information

Toxicity: Intensely bitter; large doses -> GI upset, headache.

Contraindications: Spleen-stomach deficiency/cold (TCM); caution in those with low appetite.

Interactions: Classic formula (with mu tong) historically carried aristolochic-acid risk from the mu tong substitute, not from gentian itself — buy AA-free formulations.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

in formula (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang) · root and rhizome

Part used: root and rhizome

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

decoction · root and rhizome

Part used: root and rhizome

Traditional use: clears damp-heat from liver/gallbladder, drains liver fire; jaundice, red eyes, bitter taste, genital damp-heat, convulsions

Proposed mechanism: secoiridoid glycosides (gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, loganic acid) — hepatoprotective, choleretic, anti-inflammatory

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Eye inflammation / conjunctivitis genital damp heat convulsions Jaundice

Nutritional notes

n/a

Healing traditions

Chinese

Sources (2)

[E20] Long-Dan Chinese Pharmacopoeia review
[E21] genus Gentiana phytochemistry/pharmacology review (J. Ethnopharmacol)

All sources →