✵The article records information on the herb Chinese Gentian, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical sources—four plant species: (1) Gentiana manshurica Kitag., (2) Gentiana scabra Bunge., (3) Gentiana triflora Pall., and (4) Gentiana rigescens Franch. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four species; the characteristics of the herb Chinese Gentian; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Gentianae (Chinese Gentian)
Pinyin Name: Lónɡ Dǎn
English Name: Chinese Gentian
Latin Name:Radix Gentianae Properties and Flavor: Cold, bitter
Brief Introduction:Radix Gentianae is the dried root and rhizome of Gentiana manshurica Kitag., Gentiana scabra Bunge., Gentiana triflora Pall., or Gentiana rigescens Franch. It is used to clear heat, dry dampness, and purge liver and gallbladder fire for treating: (1) damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder—manifesting as morbid leukorrhea, jaundice, or eczema; and (2) liver fire—manifesting as headache, hypochondriac pain, deafness, or convulsions. The herb is commonly known as Radix Gentianae, Chinese Gentian, or Lónɡ Dǎn.
Gentiana is a perennial herb indigenous to the alpine and subalpine pastures of central and southern Europe. Its thick, wrinkled, ringed, and forked root is brown externally and yellow internally. The simple, upright, glabrous stem grows up to 120 cm tall; opposite, bluish-green, elliptical leaves bear prominent curved veins. Three to ten yellow flowers arise together in the axils of calathiform (bowl-shaped) bracts after the plant is about ten years old. The fruit is an oblong, two-valved capsule.
Flowers and Fruit: The flowers are yellow, terminal and pedicled, and arranged axillary in cyme-like false whorls. The calyx is deeply bifid. The corolla is rotate and divided almost to the base into five or six lanceolate lobes. There are five stamens with 8-mm-long anthers and one superior ovary. The fruit is 6 cm long and capsule-shaped. Most seeds are flat, oblong, or rounded, with a membranous margin.
Leaves, Stems, and Root: Yellow Gentian is a completely glabrous perennial plant that grows up to 140 cm tall. The rhizome bears multiple heads, and its apex may reach the thickness of a human forearm. The main root is a taproot, extending up to 1 meter in length. The stem is cylindrical, unbranched, hollow, and longitudinally grooved in the upper portion, reaching finger thickness. The leaves are elliptical and bluish-green, with strongly arched veins, measuring up to 30 cm in length and 15 cm in width.
Botanical Source:Radix Gentianae (Chinese Gentian) is the dried root and rhizome of the following species: (1) Gentiana manshurica Kitag., (2) Gentiana scabra Bunge., (3) Gentiana triflora Pall., or (4) Gentiana rigescens Franch. These plants belong to the genus Gentiana (Gentiana Tourn. ex L.), family Gentianaceae (gentian family), order Gentianales. These four commonly used species are described below.
(1) Gentiana manshurica Kitag.
Botanical Description:Gentiana manshurica Kitag is commonly known as Tiao Ye Long Dan (strip-shaped leaf Gentiana) or Shui Long Dan, among others. This species differs from Gentiana scabra Bunge in that its leaves are thick, more or less coriaceous, and sessile; the upper leaves are linear-lanceolate to linear, with an obtuse base and a slightly revolute margin (curling outward). One or two flowers; calyx lobes are linear-lanceolate and longer than or equal in length to the calyx tube; corolla lobes are acuminate at the apex.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, or in humid areas, at altitudes of 110–1,100 meters above sea level.
Growth Characteristics:Gentiana manshurica prefers a cool climate; soil requirements are not strict, but light clay and humus-rich soil are suitable. It should not be cultivated in areas with high aridity and intense direct sunlight.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizomes of Gentiana manshurica Kitag are mostly straight, lumpy, or elongated in block-like form, 0.5–1.5 cm long and 4–7 mm in diameter, bearing 2–16 roots clustered at the lower part—often fewer than 10. The roots are about 15 cm long and 2–4 mm in diameter; the surface is yellowish-brown or taupe brown (grayish-brown), bearing twisted vertical wrinkles; fine transverse striations are conspicuous on the upper part, and a few protruding rootlet scars are present.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) hepatoprotective effect, lowering serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), choleretic effect, anti-inflammatory activity, and inhibition/killing of Plasmodium; (2) erythrine relaxes smooth muscle and lowers blood pressure; (3) enhances gastric juice secretion and promotes digestion; (4) diuretic effect; (5) antibacterial activity, etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Clears heat and dries dampness; purges liver fire and calms fright or convulsion. It is indicated for damp-heat jaundice; painful, burning urination; swelling and itching of the genital region; damp-heat-induced leukorrhea; headache and distension of the head due to excessive liver and gallbladder fire; red, swollen, and painful eyes; tinnitus and ear swelling; hypochondriac pain and bitter taste in the mouth; fever; infantile convulsions and spasms, etc.
Administration of Radix Gentianae(Lónɡ Dǎn):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Gentianae(Lónɡ Dǎn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–6 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–3 qián (≈3–9 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; external use: ground herb powder, mashed and applied topically; (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–6 grams, prepared as pills or powder; external use: appropriate amount, wash with decoction or apply ground herb powder topically.
(2) Gentiana scabra Bunge.
Botanical Description:Gentiana scabra Bunge is commonly known as Long Dan or Guan Yin Cao (“Grass of Guanyin’s Mercy”). It is a perennial herb reaching 30–60 cm in height. The rhizome is short and tufted with numerous slender roots up to 30 cm long. Scapes (flower stalks) are solitary and unbranched. Leaves are opposite and sessile; the lower leaves are scale-like with connate bases, 5–10 mm long; the middle and upper leaves are more or less coriaceous, with ovate or ovate-lanceolate blades 2.5–7 cm long and 0.7–3 cm wide; the apex is acute or long-acuminate; the base is cordate or rounded; the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is pale; the margin is revolute (curling outward), coarse and rough; with 3–5 prominent veins.
Flowers are numerous, grow in terminal or axillary clusters, sessile; each flower bears two lanceolate or linear-lanceolate bracts, 2–2.5 cm long; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), 2.5–3 cm long, with a 5-lobed apex, often evaginated outwardly or spreading irregularly; the corolla is tubular-campanulate, royal purple (bluish-violet or blue-purple), 4–5.5 cm long; sometimes the corolla throat bears numerous flavovirent (yellow-green) spots; the corolla apex is 5-lobed, with oval (egg-shaped) lobes and triangular folds; stamens are 5, inserted at the mid-level of the calyx tube, filaments broad at the base; the ovary is narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, 1–1.4 cm long, with an ovary stalklet ≈1 cm long; the style is short; the stigma is 2-lobed.
The capsule fruit is enclosed within the persistent calyx, oblong and petiolate. Seeds are numerous, brown, glossy, reticulately patterned, and winged at both ends. Flowering occurs from August to September; fruiting from September to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, along roadsides, in shrubs on riverbanks, and in grassy marshlands within forests, at altitudes of 200–1,700 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome of Gentiana scabra Bunge is mostly transverse, 0.5–3 cm long and 3–8 mm in diameter; it bears numerous stem scars and 4–30 roots at the lower part—often more than 20. The roots are slender and cylindrical, slightly twisted, and 1–3 mm in diameter. The surface is ash gray (grayish white) or brown, with conspicuous transverse striations on the upper part and vertical wrinkles with fine rootlet scars on the lower part. The herb is crisp in texture, hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture and softens), and exhibits a yellowish-brown fracture surface; the xylem (wood portion) appears as yellowish-white dotted circular rows, and the central pith is prominent. It has a faint odor and an intensely bitter taste.
(3) Gentiana triflora Pall.
Botanical Description:Gentiana triflora Pall. is commonly known as San Hua Long Dan (Triple-Flowered Gentiana) or Gentiana trifolia. This species differs from the first two in that the middle and upper leaves are more or less coriaceous, linear-lanceolate to linear, with a rounded base. Three flowers, rarely five; calyx lobes are narrowly triangular and shorter than the calyx tube; corolla lobes are obtuse at the apex.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands, glades, and shrublands, at altitudes of 440–950 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome of Gentiana triflora Pall. is mostly straight, 1–5.5 cm long and 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter. It bears 4–30 roots at the lower part—often more than 15—with diameters of 1–6 mm; the surface is yellowish-white, and transverse striations are conspicuous across the entire root.
(4) Gentiana rigescens Franch.
Botanical Description:Gentiana rigescens Franch. is also known as Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. or Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. var. stictantha Marq. It is commonly called Dian Long Dan, Gentiana yunnanensis, Ku Cao ("bitter grass"), Qing Yu Dan, and Xiao Qin Jiao. Its distinguishing features compared with the first three species include: absence of a basal rosette; cauline leaves arranged in multiple pairs; the lower leaves occur in 2–4 pairs and are scale-like; middle and upper leaf blades are ovate-oblong, obovate, or oval (egg-shaped), with a cuneate base and a slightly revolute margin (curling outward). Flowers are numerous, densely clustered in terminal capitate inflorescences and sparsely axillary, surrounded by uppermost bracteal, leaf-like clusters. Calyx lobes are irregular—two are large and obovate-oblong, with a narrowed base tapering into claw-like appendages. Stamens are inserted at the lower part of the corolla tube. Seeds are tawny (yellowish brown).
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands and shrublands on hillsides and mountain slopes, in forests and valleys, at altitudes of 1,100–3,000 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome of Gentiana rigescens Franch. is nodular, bearing 1–10 residual stem bases and 4–30 roots at the lower part. The roots are slender, fusiform (spindle-shaped), slightly curved, and 1–4 mm in diameter. The surface is pale brown or tan (chocolate brown), and the transverse section reveals a white duramen (wood core) at the center.
✵The article records information on the herb Chinese Gentian, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical sources—four plant species: (1) Gentiana manshurica Kitag., (2) Gentiana scabra Bunge., (3) Gentiana triflora Pall., and (4) Gentiana rigescens Franch. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four species; the characteristics of the herb Chinese Gentian; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Lónɡ Dǎn
Flowers and Fruit: The flowers are yellow, terminal and pedicled, and arranged axillary in cyme-like false whorls. The calyx is deeply bifid. The corolla is rotate and divided almost to the base into five or six lanceolate lobes. There are five stamens with 8-mm-long anthers and one superior ovary. The fruit is 6 cm long and capsule-shaped. Most seeds are flat, oblong, or rounded, with a membranous margin.
Botanical Description: Gentiana manshurica Kitag is commonly known as Tiao Ye Long Dan (strip-shaped leaf Gentiana) or Shui Long Dan, among others. This species differs from Gentiana scabra Bunge in that its leaves are thick, more or less coriaceous, and sessile; the upper leaves are linear-lanceolate to linear, with an obtuse base and a slightly revolute margin (curling outward). One or two flowers; calyx lobes are linear-lanceolate and longer than or equal in length to the calyx tube; corolla lobes are acuminate at the apex.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, or in humid areas, at altitudes of 110–1,100 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizomes of Gentiana manshurica Kitag are mostly straight, lumpy, or elongated in block-like form, 0.5–1.5 cm long and 4–7 mm in diameter, bearing 2–16 roots clustered at the lower part—often fewer than 10. The roots are about 15 cm long and 2–4 mm in diameter; the surface is yellowish-brown or taupe brown (grayish-brown), bearing twisted vertical wrinkles; fine transverse striations are conspicuous on the upper part, and a few protruding rootlet scars are present.
Botanical Description: Gentiana scabra Bunge is commonly known as Long Dan or Guan Yin Cao (“Grass of Guanyin’s Mercy”). It is a perennial herb reaching 30–60 cm in height. The rhizome is short and tufted with numerous slender roots up to 30 cm long. Scapes (flower stalks) are solitary and unbranched. Leaves are opposite and sessile; the lower leaves are scale-like with connate bases, 5–10 mm long; the middle and upper leaves are more or less coriaceous, with ovate or ovate-lanceolate blades 2.5–7 cm long and 0.7–3 cm wide; the apex is acute or long-acuminate; the base is cordate or rounded; the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is pale; the margin is revolute (curling outward), coarse and rough; with 3–5 prominent veins.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, along roadsides, in shrubs on riverbanks, and in grassy marshlands within forests, at altitudes of 200–1,700 meters above sea level.
Botanical Description: Gentiana triflora Pall. is commonly known as San Hua Long Dan (Triple-Flowered Gentiana) or Gentiana trifolia. This species differs from the first two in that the middle and upper leaves are more or less coriaceous, linear-lanceolate to linear, with a rounded base. Three flowers, rarely five; calyx lobes are narrowly triangular and shorter than the calyx tube; corolla lobes are obtuse at the apex.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands, glades, and shrublands, at altitudes of 440–950 meters above sea level.
Botanical Description: Gentiana rigescens Franch. is also known as Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. or Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. var. stictantha Marq. It is commonly called Dian Long Dan, Gentiana yunnanensis, Ku Cao ("bitter grass"), Qing Yu Dan, and Xiao Qin Jiao. Its distinguishing features compared with the first three species include: absence of a basal rosette; cauline leaves arranged in multiple pairs; the lower leaves occur in 2–4 pairs and are scale-like; middle and upper leaf blades are ovate-oblong, obovate, or oval (egg-shaped), with a cuneate base and a slightly revolute margin (curling outward). Flowers are numerous, densely clustered in terminal capitate inflorescences and sparsely axillary, surrounded by uppermost bracteal, leaf-like clusters. Calyx lobes are irregular—two are large and obovate-oblong, with a narrowed base tapering into claw-like appendages. Stamens are inserted at the lower part of the corolla tube. Seeds are tawny (yellowish brown).
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in grasslands and shrublands on hillsides and mountain slopes, in forests and valleys, at altitudes of 1,100–3,000 meters above sea level.
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