Huang Bai - Amur Cork Tree Bark, Phellodendron
TCM Materia Medica
Huang Bai TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "huang bai" which in english is 
"amur cork tree bark, phellodendron", is categorized within the "herbs that clear heat and dry dampness" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the kidney and urinary bladder channels and exhibits bitter (ku) and cold (han) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 3-12g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Drains damp heat from the lower jiao - thick-yellow leukorrhea, foul-smelling diarrhea, dysentery; damp-heat pouring downward or hot leg qi - red, swollen, painful knees, legs, and/or feet; damp-heat jaundice.
- Drains kidney fire with signs of yin deficiency - steaming bone disorder, night sweats, afternoon fever and sweating, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea.
- Drains fire, relieves toxicity - sores and lesions of the skin.
Huang Bai may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: diarrhea, dysentary, jaundice, knee pain, leg pain, leukorrhea, night sweats (sleep hyperhidrosis), skin problems (rash) and/or spermatorrhea
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, huang bai is generally included in the following 5 formulas:
ViewEr Xian Wan (Two Immortal Decoction)
Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang deficiencies with Empty Heat - hormonal issues such as menopause (possibly w/hypertension), amenorrhea, hot flashes along with associated symptoms of fatigue, depression, i…
ViewHuang Lian Jie Du Wan (Coptis Decoction To Relieve Toxicity)
Clears fire toxins (damp heat, toxic heat, fire) from all three jiaos - formula has an antibiotic function which has a broad range of uses in conditions arising from damp heat in the body. Acute bac…
ViewQing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan (Clear Summer Heat and Augment the Qi)
Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions. One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one dis…
ViewSi Miao Wan (Four Marvels Powder)
Damp-Heat Bi-Syndromes in Chinese Medicine terms - arthritis with hot swollen joints. With the right underlying diagnosis both osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis would respond. Gout. Weakness…
ViewWu Mei Wan (Mume Fruit Pill)
Generally used with roundworms - abdominal pain, irritability, stifled chest w/heat, vomiting after eating, cold hands and/or feet. Chronic diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive disorders characterize…
As noted above, huang bai is within the herbs that clear heat and dry dampness functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... for damp-heat patterns with dysenteric disorders, urinary difficulty or pain, jaundice, furuncles, eczema. bitter and cold - clear heat and drain dampness; avoid in cases of stomach and/or spleen deficiency. often combined with herbs that…)".
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