What are the functions and effects of Gentiana scabra (Dragon胆草)?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main functions and effects of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao) include clearing heat and removing dampness, purging fire from the liver and gallbladder, relieving bitter taste in the mouth, improving red eyes, and assisting in reducing jaundice. Gentiana is usually administered by oral intake of decoction, and the dosage should be controlled according to a physician's instructions. Due to its cold nature and bitter taste, it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or without excess heat and dampness, to avoid damaging the spleen-stomach yang qi and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Generally speaking, the main functions and benefits of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao) include clearing heat and dampness, purging fire from the liver and gallbladder, relieving bitter taste in the mouth, improving red and swollen eyes, and assisting in reducing jaundice. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Clearing Heat and Dampness
Gentiana is cold in nature and bitter in taste, capable of eliminating damp-heat from the body. For symptoms caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat, such as swelling and itching of the genital area, yellowish thick vaginal discharge, short and dark urination, eczema with itching, appropriate use of Gentiana can clear heat and remove dampness, alleviate accumulation of damp-heat in the body, and relieve discomfort in the skin and genital areas caused by damp-heat.
2. Purging Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
Gentiana enters the liver and gallbladder meridians and is particularly effective in clearing excessive fire from these organs. For symptoms caused by excessive liver and gallbladder fire, such as headache, red eyes, tinnitus, hearing loss, irritability, anger, and rib pain, Gentiana can directly clear liver fire through its bitter and cold properties, alleviate discomfort caused by excessive heat in the liver and gallbladder, and assist in restoring balance to liver and gallbladder functions.
3. Relieving Bitter Taste in the Mouth
When there is excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder or internal accumulation of damp-heat, symptoms such as bitter taste in the mouth and oral stickiness may occur. Gentiana can improve oral odor caused by internal heat and reduce the sensation of bitterness in the mouth by clearing liver and gallbladder fire and eliminating damp-heat, thus restoring a fresh feeling in the mouth.
4. Improving Red Eyes
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that "the liver opens into the eyes," and excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder can easily lead to redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes, as well as blurred vision. Gentiana can purge fire from the liver and gallbladder; once the heat dissipates, symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes can be relieved, helping to alleviate eye discomfort and protect eye health.
5. Assisting in Reducing Jaundice
For jaundice caused by accumulation of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, Gentiana can clear heat, remove dampness, promote bile secretion, and aid in reducing jaundice. It helps promote bile excretion, reduce bile stasis, alleviate jaundice symptoms, and assist in improving metabolic disorders caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
When using Gentiana, decoction for oral administration is commonly adopted, and the dosage should be controlled according to medical advice. Due to its cold and bitter nature, it is contraindicated for individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach or without excessive damp-heat and fire, to avoid damaging the yang energy of the spleen and stomach and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should consult a healthcare professional before use to ensure safety. Long-term or excessive use should be avoided to prevent stomach irritation from excessive bitterness and coldness.
