(177) Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

[HB KIM]

Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

Basic understanding

1. It is very common for people who suffered from stress and psychological disorders. Many patients come to acupuncture clinic are to seek treatment for function problem, but not for structural problem, so Huang Lian can be very useful.
2. Huang Lian clears heat by descending Upper jiao heat to Low jiao.
3. In order to harmonize between Water and Fire, Water must go up and Fire must go down. If Fire is not going down, you can use Huang Lian.

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Clinical application

1. Emotional stress
a. Pain at RN17, chest discomfort, bitter taste, red eyes, gastric pain, face/chest heat cold hands/feet, autonomic system disorders.
b. If acute stress, you can use Move Qi herbs, i.e. Xiang Fu, Chai Hu, Chen Pi, Qing Pi
c. If it's chronic to 5-10 years, you should Tonify Heart and Sedate Fire. Huang Lian is used for "sedating fire".
d. Huang Lian opens the chest by removing heat congestion.
e. For age 30-40, if there are history of severe emotional stress, use 3-4g of Huang Lian
f. Case: Female, 40, Stress from money and husband, chest pain, chest discomfort, no disorder found by MD, RN17 area pain, breathing difficulty, heavy feeling on the chest, bitter taste, heat of head/face, cold of hand/feet ---- (Formula writing) Long Yan Rou 12g, Suan Zao Ren 8g, Huang Lian 4g, Zhi Zi 3g, Zhu Ru 3g

2. Gastritis due to stress
Case: Very sensitive patient, indigestion when there is stress, nausea, gastric pain, pain on RN14 ---- (Formula writing) Bai Zhu 8g, Huang Lian 4g, Ban Xia 4g, Hou Po 4g, Sheng Jiang 3p, Da Zao 2p  (For this case, one should sedate HT more than tonify SP)

3. Cold Hands/Feet
Case: Dry mouth, bitter taste, Heat in chest/head, Cold in abdomen and Hands/Feet ---- (Formula writing) Huang Lian 8g, Chi Shao 6g, Dang Gui 6g, Mu Dan Pi 4g, Chai Hu 4g, Chen Pi 4g, Gui Zhi 2g  (For this case, Huang Lian can warm the abdomen and hands/feet by distributing heat evenly)

4. Thyroid disorder
Case: 38 year old female, hyperthyroidism, rapid pulse, palpitation, diarrhea, frequent urination, angry easily, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, irregular menstruation, hot easily, hot and wet palm ---- (Formula writing) Long Yan Rou 12g, Huang Lian 6g, Mai Men Dong 4g, Wu Wei Zi 4g, Sha Shen 4g, Xia Ku Cao 3g, Zhi Zi 3g  (For this case, if patient is taking western drug already, make 2 hours apart from taking this herbal formula)

5. Hair Loss (due to Stress)
a. Etiology: KD Yin deficiency can't cool down HT Fire - HT Fire going up and drying hair - Hair can't be nourished.
b. Patients might also have insomnia, chronic stress, upper heat and lower cold
c. Treatment principle: Hair is the surplus of Blood, so tonify LV Blood and Clear HT Fire, Use Huang Lian + Wu Yao combination
d. Case: 40 yr female, Hair loss due to stress, red face, thin and rusty hair, O shape hair loss at DU20 or other area ---- (Formula writing) Bai He Shou Wu 12g, Shu Di Huang 12g, Dang Gui 4g, Dang Gui Wei 4g, Huang Lian 4g, Chuan Xiong 3g, Wu Yao 3g, Hong Hua 2g