Practical
Plants

Coptis chinensis

Huang Lian

a perennial evergreen member of the Coptis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Coptis
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.25 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Huang Lian is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[6]. The root is a pungent, very bitter, cooling herb that controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation[7]. It is one of the most frequently used herbs in prescriptions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus[6]. The root is analgesic, locally anaesthetic, antibacterial, antidote, antipyretic, bitter, blood tonic, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, sedative, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[10][11][2][4]. It is particularly helpful in the treatment of diarrhoea, acute enteritis and dysentery, whilst it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, fidget, delirium due to high fever, leukaemia and otitis media[4]. Externally it is used to treat various skin problems such as acne, boils, abscesses and burns whilst it is also used as a gargle for mouth and tongue ulcers, swollen gums and toothache[8]. As an eyewash it is used to treat conjunctivitis[8]. The root is harvested in the autumn and used fresh or dried[7].

Product or use
Anaesthetic
Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Blood tonic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A bright yellow pigment found in the roots can be used for dyeing[7]. Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[5].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Damp coniferous woods and bogs[7]. Forests, shaded places in valleys at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[3]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[3]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[1][5]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  9. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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