Huang Qin - Baical Skullcap Root, Scutellaria
TCM Materia Medica
Huang Qin TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "huang qin" which in english is 
"baical skullcap root, scutellaria", is categorized within the "herbs that clear heat and dry dampness" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the gall bladder, large intestine, lung and stomach 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: 6-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Clears heat, drains fire, especially from the upper warmer - heat patterns with fever, irritability, thirst, cough, thick, yellow sputum, hot sores and swellings.
- Clears heat, dries dampness - damp-heat in the stomach or intestines, diarrhea, dysentery; damp warm-febrile disease with fever, stifling sensation in the chest, thirst with no desire to drink; damp-heat in the lower jiao - lin syndrome; damp-heat jaundice.
- Clears heat, stops bleeding - vomiting and/or coughing of blood, nosebleed, blood in the stool.
- Clears heat, calms the fetus - restless fetus due to heat.
- Sedates liver yang rising - headache, irritability, red eyes, bitter taste, flushed face.
Huang Qin may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: cough, fever, irritability and/or jaundice
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, huang qin is generally included in the following 23 formulas:
ViewAn Gong Niu Huang Wan (Calm The Palace Pill With Cattle Gallstone)
Resuscitates, clears heat, calms shen, and expels phelgm - coma arising from stroke, convulsions, loss of consciousness.
ViewBan Xia Xie Xin Wan (Pinellia Drain Epigastrium Pills)
Distension and fullness of the epigastrium usually without pain. Borborygmus (gurgling sounds), and diarrhea if spleen qi is affected. Vomiting with possible dry heaves due to rebellious stomach qi…
ViewChai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Wan (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig and Ginger Decoction)
Shaoyang disorder with water accumulation - A modification of xiao chai hu tang with gui zhi and gan jiang to work with mixed pattern cases of "heat above, cold below". Generally for patients with e…
ViewChai Hu Gui Zhi Tang Wan (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
A combination of gui zhi tang and xiao chai hu tang - together they work with both taiyang and shaoyang syndromes - common colds and flu, fever, chills, joint pain, nausea, abdominal/epigastric diste…
ViewChai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone, and Oyster Shell Formula)
Palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, agitation/irritibility, and insomnia from heat due to liver yang or fire. Mental disorders such as including biopolar and schizophrenia resulting from distrubed …
ViewChu Kou Wei Wan (Chu Kou Wei Wan)
Acid reflux and/or burning sensation in the epigastrium, throat, or mouth from stomach fire. Ulcers, sores, or other types of abcess in the mouth due to persistent stomach heat. Constant sense of h…
ViewDang Gui Wan (Tangkuei Powder)
For recovery of qi and blood after acute trauma or accident, similar in usage to ba zhen wan. A range of menstrual issues when they arise from qi and blood deficiency - amenorrhea, menorrhagia, irre…
ViewFang Feng Tong Sheng Wan (Ledebouriella Pills to Sagely Unblock)
High fever with aversion to cold. Thick phlegm that may be both in sinus and chest. Vertigo or dizziness that is caused by excess heat. Rashes, carbuncles, and other types of skin disorders that…
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…
ViewHuang Lian Shang Qing Wan (Coptis Clearance Pill)
Dispels wind heat, clear toxic heat - generally used short-term for inflammatory conditions of the face, mouth, head - sore throat, conjunctivitis, acne, swollen gums. Can be a supportive formula fo…
ViewJiang Ya Wan (Repress The Blood Pressure Pills)
Hypertension particularly with ascendent yang and heat signs - red face, red tongue, headaches, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
ViewLi Dan Wan (Benefit The Gallbladder Pills)
A range of gallbladder, liver and related digestive/obstructive issues - clears damp heat from the liver and gall bladder in TCM terms. Symptoms may include gallstones and/or a range of digestive is…
ViewLong Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentiana Purge Liver Formula)
Hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, easily angered, headache, dizziness, red, and possibly sore, eyes resulting from liver fire rising. Urinary symptoms such as painful, hot…
ViewPu Ji Xiao Du Wan (Universal Benefit Decoction To Eliminate Toxin)
Acute febrile disorder (wind-heat & damp-phlegm) of the head - strong fever and chills, burning pain of head and face, red and/or swollen eyes, sore throat, aversion to cold, dryness, thirst. …
ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)
Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…
ViewQing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)
Cough with thick yellow or green phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and possible fullness of the chest due to damp heat accumulation in the lungs.
ViewSan Huang Xie Xin Wan (Drain The Epigastrium Decoction)
Damp-heat excess with interior climbing - fever, restlessness, red eyes, constipation, possibly in severe cases delirium from high fever. A range of digestive/epigastric issues from damp-heat - ga…
ViewTian Ma Gou Teng Wan (Gastrodia and Uncaria Formula)
Headaches, vertigo, dizziness, tinnitis, floaters or blurry vision, insomnia as a result of liver yang rising. Siezures, spasms, convulsions or other types of involuntary muscle activity due to liv…
ViewXiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
Shao Yang Syndrome (or "lesser yang stage") - alternating fever and chills, hypochondriac pain, irritability, bitter taste in mouth, poor appetite, nausea. Often used for illnesses (chronic or short…
ViewXie Xin Wan (Drain the Epigastrium Formula)
Signs of damp-heat with interior clumping which may settle into the abdominal region and/or rise upward to the head. Fever, irritability, red eyes, constipation, dark urine, flushed face - middle …
ViewXin Yi Qing Fei Wan (Magnolia Flower Drink To Clear The Lungs)
Colds and/or allergies with heat signs (yellow mucus and/or fever, etc.). Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell. Nasal polyps with the right underly…
ViewYi Zi Wan (Decoction B)
Hemorrhoids and/or constipation from an accumulation of damp-heat and toxins in the lower jiao - possibly bleeding hemorrhoids, pain, rectal prolapse, anal itching. With the right underlying factors…
ViewZhong Feng Hui Chun Wan (Stroke Recovery Pills)
Bell's Palsy, facial paralysis, slurry of speech, difficulty swallowing. Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack.
As noted above, huang qin 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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