✵The article records the herb Large-leaf Gentian Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources comprising four plant species: (1) Gentiana macrophylla Pall., (2) Gentiana straminea Maxim., (3) Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., and (4) Gentiana dahurica Fisch. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four species; the morphological and quality characteristics of the herb Large-leaf Gentian Root; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Qín Jiāo
English Name: Large-leaf Gentian Root
Latin Name:Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae Property and Flavor: Neutral in nature; pungent and bitter
Brief Introduction:Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae is the dried root of Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., and Gentiana dahurica Fisch. It is used (1) to dispel wind-dampness, relieve arthralgia, and clear deficiency heat—for treating wind-damp (rheumatic or rheumatoid) pain and fever in phthisis—and (2) to clear damp-heat for treating jaundice. The herb is commonly known as Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae, Large-leaf Gentian Root, or Qín Jiāo.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works and authoritative materia medica define Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (Large-leaf Gentian Root) as the dried root of (1) Gentiana macrophylla Pall., (2) Gentiana straminea Maxim., (3) Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., and (4) Gentiana dahurica Fisch. These species belong to the genus Gentiana, family Gentianaceae (gentian family), order Gentianales. The species designated in classical works and accepted for medicinal use are introduced below:
(1) Gentiana macrophylla Pall.
Botanical Description:Gentiana macrophylla Pall. is commonly known as Qín Jiāo. It is a perennial herb growing 20–60 cm tall. Taproots are coarse and cylindrical, thick at the upper part and tapering toward the base, often twisted and branched; the middle portion frequently exhibits whorled arrangement. The rhizome bears numerous fibrous remnants of leaf bases. Stems are erect or ascending, cylindrical, and glabrous. Basal leaves are mostly tufted and sessile; leaf blades are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, up to 40 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with an acute apex, entire margin, and five prominent veins. Cauline leaves occur in 3–4 opposite pairs and are smaller; their bases are connate.
Inflorescences are mostly terminal and integrated, with axillary verticillasters on the upper stems; hypanthia (calyx tubes) dehisce along one side, and calyx teeth are shallow; the corolla is tubular, deep lilac-blue (deep royal purple), about 2 cm long, with a 5-lobed apex and 5 short pleats between the lobes; there are 5 stamens inserted at the middle of the corolla tube; the ovary is oblong and sessile.
Capsular fruits are oblong or elliptic. Seeds are elliptic, wingless, brown, and lustrous. The flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in mountainous meadows, on both sides of streams, on sloping roadside fields, and in shrublands, at altitudes of 400–2,400 meters above sea level.
Growth Characteristics:Gentiana macrophylla prefers a cool, humid climate and is cold-tolerant. It is best cultivated in fields with deep, fertile, humus-rich loam soil.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is slightly conical—thick at the top and tapering toward the base—7–30 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The surface is sallow (grayish yellow) or yellowish brown, bearing longitudinal or twisted grooves. The root head is often swollen and composed of several rhizomes; short fibrous vascular bundles from leaf bases persist at the stem base. The herb is hard and crisp, breaking easily; the fracture surface shows a yellow or brown cortex and a yellow xylem (wood). It has a distinctive odor and tastes bitter and astringent.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) anti-inflammatory effect; (2) effect on the central nervous system; (3) effect on the cardiovascular system; (4) effect on blood glucose; (5) anti-anaphylactic shock and antihistaminic effects.
Medicinal efficacy: Dispel wind and dampness, clear damp-heat, harmonize the blood and relax tendons, unblock meridians, clear deficient heat, clear heat and promote diuresis, resolve dampness and alleviate jaundice, and relieve arthralgia. It is indicated for rheumatic pain, numbness and pain, muscular spasm, jaundice, damp-heat jaundice, joint pain, hemiplegia, afternoon fever, infantile malnutrition fever, hematochezia (blood in stool), bone-steaming fever, dysuria (difficulty in urination), etc.
Administration of Radix Gentianne Macrophyllae (Qín Jiāo):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Gentianne Macrophyllae (Qín Jiāo)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:3–9 grams; (2) Internally: as a water decoction, 1.5–3 qian (≈4.5–9 grams); or infused in wine, or prepared as pills or powder. Externally: apply an appropriate amount of finely ground herb powder; (3) Internally: as a water decoction, 5–10 grams; or infused in wine; or prepared as pills or powder. Externally: apply an appropriate amount of finely ground herb powder.
(2) Gentiana straminea Maxim.
Botanical Description:Gentiana straminea Maxim is commonly known as Má Huā Jiāo. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 10–20 cm tall. The taproots are stout and conical. Basal leaves are mostly tufted and sessile; leaf blades are larger and lanceolate, with an acute apex, entire margins, and five prominent longitudinal veins—those on the abaxial surface are broad and protuberant. Cauline leaves are opposite and smaller.
Flowers are few and arranged in cymes, grow on long peduncles; the hypanthium (calyx tube) is yellowish-green, membranous, and dehiscent along one side, bearing 2–5 subequal calyx teeth; the corolla is tubular and yellow, funnelform (funnel-shaped), with numerous green spots in the throat; the apex is 5-lobed, with ovoid lobes; there are 5 stamens inserted in the middle to lower part of the corolla tube; the ovary is superior, unilocular, with two parietal placentae.
The capsule dehisces into two elliptic-lanceolate valves; the carpopodium (fruit stalk) is 7–12 mm long. Seeds are brown, glossy or lustrous, and narrowly oblong. Flowering occurs from July to September; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in high mountains and alpine regions, meadows (grasslands), and along stream banks, at altitudes of 2,000–5,000 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is slightly conical, 8–18 cm long and 1–3 cm in diameter. The lower portion of the main root is extensively branched, or the branches are largely separated and then loosely re-united, forming a slightly reticulate or twisted appearance—hence its common name Má Huā Jiāo ("Fried Dough Twist Gentian Root"). The texture is loose and crisp, easily broken, and the fracture surface is often withered or decayed.
(3) Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk.
Botanical Description:Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk is commonly known as Cū Jīng Qín Jiāo or Cū Jīng Lóng Dǎn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 20–40 cm tall. The rhizomes are stout and large, and most or all are divided into radicelles (rootlets), twisted together in a dextrorse (right-handed) spiral. The rhizome bears numerous fibrous remnant leaf bases; the stem is erect or obliquely ascending, cylindrical, and glabrous. Basal leaves are mostly tufted; leaf blades are larger, narrowly elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, up to 40 cm long and 4–5 cm wide, with a slightly acute apex, entire margins, and five prominent longitudinal veins extending through the leaf; cauline leaves are opposite and smaller.
Scapes are thick and short, slightly inclined; flowers are numerous, sessile, and densely clustered at the stem apex in capitate inflorescences; axillary inflorescences are rare and spirally arranged. The hypanthium (calyx tube) dehisces only along the adaxial (upper) side; calyx teeth are extremely shallow or absent. The hypanthium is galeate (hood-shaped), 2–2.2 cm long, yellow or bluish-violet (royal purple); the corolla is ≈3 cm long, with a slightly acute lobe apex and internal spotting. There are 5 stamens; the ovary is oblong and stipitate.
The capsule is enclosed within the persistent calyx, oblong and sessile. Flowering occurs from June to September; fruiting occurs from September to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in alpine meadows, grasslands on hillsides and mountain slopes, shrublands, and forest margins, at altitudes of 2,100–4,500 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The roots are slightly cylindrical, thicker and larger, mostly unbranched and rarely intertwined, 12–20 cm long and 1–3.5 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-brown or dark brown, marked by longitudinal, twisted wrinkles; the root head bears pale yellow (primrose-yellow) petiole remnants and fibrous vascular bundles from leaf bases. The herb tastes bitter and astringent.
(4) Gentiana dahurica Fisch.
Botanical Description:Gentiana dahurica Fisch is commonly known as Xiǎo Qín Jiāo or Dá Wū Lǐ Qín Jiāo and Dá Wū Lǐ Lóng Dǎn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 10–25 cm tall. Roots are simple or slightly branched, sinistrorse (left-handed) in twist, elongated and cylindrical, with a diameter of less than 1 cm. Basal leaves are tufted, with numerous fibrous remnant foliar bases at the base; leaf blades are long, narrowly lanceolate, and sessile. Cauline leaves are smaller, opposite, sessile, linear-lanceolate to linear, 2–5 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with entire margins.
Flowers are usually numerous or occur in clusters of 1–3, terminal, and arranged in verticillasters; the hypanthium (calyx tube) typically does not dehisce, though it may rarely split shallowly along one side; it bears five irregular, linear, acuminate lobes. The corolla is navy blue (dark blue); there are 5 stamens with linear-subulate filaments; the ovary is oblong and sessile; the style is linear; the stigma is bilobed.
Capsule fruit is elliptic, nearly equal in length to the corolla. The seeds are pale brown and lustrous. Its flowering period is from July to August, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on field ridges, roadsides, sandlots of floodplains, sunny hillsides or sunny mountain slopes, and dry steppes, at altitudes of 800–4,500 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The roots are slightly elongated fusiform (long spindle-shaped) or cylindrical, 8–20 cm long and 2–9 mm in diameter. The surface is brownish-yellow or tan (chocolate brown), with longitudinal or twisted grooves; the surface is yellow after peeling. The root head is slender, single, and occasionally bifurcated, with transverse wrinkles on the surface; the stem base and short fibrous leaf sheaths remain at the apex. The main root is usually solitary or divided into several rootlets. The herb is crisp and easily broken, with a yellowish-white fracture surface. It has a slight odor and tastes bitter and astringent.
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References:
1.Introduction of Qin Jiao: Large-leaf Gentian Root
✵The article records the herb Large-leaf Gentian Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources comprising four plant species: (1) Gentiana macrophylla Pall., (2) Gentiana straminea Maxim., (3) Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., and (4) Gentiana dahurica Fisch. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these four species; the morphological and quality characteristics of the herb Large-leaf Gentian Root; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Qín Jiāo
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works and authoritative materia medica define Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (Large-leaf Gentian Root) as the dried root of (1) Gentiana macrophylla Pall., (2) Gentiana straminea Maxim., (3) Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., and (4) Gentiana dahurica Fisch. These species belong to the genus Gentiana, family Gentianaceae (gentian family), order Gentianales. The species designated in classical works and accepted for medicinal use are introduced below:
Botanical Description: Gentiana macrophylla Pall. is commonly known as Qín Jiāo. It is a perennial herb growing 20–60 cm tall. Taproots are coarse and cylindrical, thick at the upper part and tapering toward the base, often twisted and branched; the middle portion frequently exhibits whorled arrangement. The rhizome bears numerous fibrous remnants of leaf bases. Stems are erect or ascending, cylindrical, and glabrous. Basal leaves are mostly tufted and sessile; leaf blades are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, up to 40 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with an acute apex, entire margin, and five prominent veins. Cauline leaves occur in 3–4 opposite pairs and are smaller; their bases are connate.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in mountainous meadows, on both sides of streams, on sloping roadside fields, and in shrublands, at altitudes of 400–2,400 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is slightly conical—thick at the top and tapering toward the base—7–30 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The surface is sallow (grayish yellow) or yellowish brown, bearing longitudinal or twisted grooves. The root head is often swollen and composed of several rhizomes; short fibrous vascular bundles from leaf bases persist at the stem base. The herb is hard and crisp, breaking easily; the fracture surface shows a yellow or brown cortex and a yellow xylem (wood). It has a distinctive odor and tastes bitter and astringent.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) anti-inflammatory effect; (2) effect on the central nervous system; (3) effect on the cardiovascular system; (4) effect on blood glucose; (5) anti-anaphylactic shock and antihistaminic effects.
Botanical Description: Gentiana straminea Maxim is commonly known as Má Huā Jiāo. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 10–20 cm tall. The taproots are stout and conical. Basal leaves are mostly tufted and sessile; leaf blades are larger and lanceolate, with an acute apex, entire margins, and five prominent longitudinal veins—those on the abaxial surface are broad and protuberant. Cauline leaves are opposite and smaller.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in high mountains and alpine regions, meadows (grasslands), and along stream banks, at altitudes of 2,000–5,000 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is slightly conical, 8–18 cm long and 1–3 cm in diameter. The lower portion of the main root is extensively branched, or the branches are largely separated and then loosely re-united, forming a slightly reticulate or twisted appearance—hence its common name Má Huā Jiāo ("Fried Dough Twist Gentian Root"). The texture is loose and crisp, easily broken, and the fracture surface is often withered or decayed.
Botanical Description: Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk is commonly known as Cū Jīng Qín Jiāo or Cū Jīng Lóng Dǎn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 20–40 cm tall. The rhizomes are stout and large, and most or all are divided into radicelles (rootlets), twisted together in a dextrorse (right-handed) spiral. The rhizome bears numerous fibrous remnant leaf bases; the stem is erect or obliquely ascending, cylindrical, and glabrous. Basal leaves are mostly tufted; leaf blades are larger, narrowly elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, up to 40 cm long and 4–5 cm wide, with a slightly acute apex, entire margins, and five prominent longitudinal veins extending through the leaf; cauline leaves are opposite and smaller.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in alpine meadows, grasslands on hillsides and mountain slopes, shrublands, and forest margins, at altitudes of 2,100–4,500 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The roots are slightly cylindrical, thicker and larger, mostly unbranched and rarely intertwined, 12–20 cm long and 1–3.5 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-brown or dark brown, marked by longitudinal, twisted wrinkles; the root head bears pale yellow (primrose-yellow) petiole remnants and fibrous vascular bundles from leaf bases. The herb tastes bitter and astringent.
Botanical Description: Gentiana dahurica Fisch is commonly known as Xiǎo Qín Jiāo or Dá Wū Lǐ Qín Jiāo and Dá Wū Lǐ Lóng Dǎn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 10–25 cm tall. Roots are simple or slightly branched, sinistrorse (left-handed) in twist, elongated and cylindrical, with a diameter of less than 1 cm. Basal leaves are tufted, with numerous fibrous remnant foliar bases at the base; leaf blades are long, narrowly lanceolate, and sessile. Cauline leaves are smaller, opposite, sessile, linear-lanceolate to linear, 2–5 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with entire margins.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on field ridges, roadsides, sandlots of floodplains, sunny hillsides or sunny mountain slopes, and dry steppes, at altitudes of 800–4,500 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The roots are slightly elongated fusiform (long spindle-shaped) or cylindrical, 8–20 cm long and 2–9 mm in diameter. The surface is brownish-yellow or tan (chocolate brown), with longitudinal or twisted grooves; the surface is yellow after peeling. The root head is slender, single, and occasionally bifurcated, with transverse wrinkles on the surface; the stem base and short fibrous leaf sheaths remain at the apex. The main root is usually solitary or divided into several rootlets. The herb is crisp and easily broken, with a yellowish-white fracture surface. It has a slight odor and tastes bitter and astringent.
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