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Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix)

Bitter, neutral to extremely cold, non-toxic. It primarily treats various jaundice caused by heat syndromes (a syndrome characterized by yellowing of the skin, eyes, and urine due to damp-heat stagnation), intestinal dysentery and diarrhea (diarrhea and dysentery caused by damp-heat in the intestines), expels fluid retention, unblocks blood stasis (menstrual obstruction due to blood stasis or fluid-dampness), treats malignant sores, ulcerative carbuncles (sores where toxic pathogens deeply corrode muscles), fire burns, resolves phlegm-heat, clears stomach heat, relieves colic in the lower abdomen, aids digestion of grains, promotes urination through the small intestine, treats amenorrhea in women, dribbling blood in urination or abnormal uterine bleeding, and abdominal pain in children. Also known as Fuchang (Rotting Intestine), Kongchang (Hollow Intestine), Neixu (Internal Deficiency), Huangwen, Jingqin, and Dufu (Jealous Wife). Its seeds (or specific parts) treat pus and blood in the intestines. Grows in Zigui river valleys and Yuanju. Roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade. (When combined with Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), it stops abdominal pain; when combined with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Mumeng, and Muli (Ostrea Concha), it assists fertility; when combined with Huangbo (Phellodendri Cortex), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), and Chixiaodou (Adzuki Bean), it treats scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis). Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) and Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastii) serve as guiding herbs; it is incompatible with Congshi (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) and fears Dansha (Cinnabaris), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), and Lilü (Veratrum Nigrum).

Tao Hongjing stated: Zigui belongs to Jianping Commandery; currently, the best source is Pengcheng, and Yuzhou also produces it. The round ones are named Ziqin (Seed Scutellaria) and are superior; the broken ones are named Suqin (Old Scutellaria), and their interiors are rotten, hence the name Fuchang. Only those with deep color and solid texture are considered good. Common prescriptions use them frequently, but Daoist practitioners do not require them.

The *Tang Bencao* annotation states: Leaves are slender, opposite, growing in clusters, though some have single stems. Currently, those from Yizhou, ?zhou, and Jingzhou are excellent. Those from Yanzhou are large and solid, also good, named Tunwei Qin (Pig Tail Scutellaria). Chen Yuxi et al. according to *Yaoxing Lun* state: Huangqin is a minister herb, bitter and sweet in taste. It can treat heat toxins, bone-steaming fever (fever feeling as if emanating from the bones due to yin deficiency), alternating chills and fever, gastrointestinal discomfort, breaks up qi stagnation, treats five types of strangury (dysuria), promotes circulation and relief, removes joint irritability, resolves heat-thirst, treats abdominal pain caused by heat, and epigastric/abdominal fullness and hardness. Ri Huazi stated: It directs qi downward, treats epidemic heat diseases, carbuncles, drains pus, and treats mastitis (acute inflammation of breast tissue) and back carbuncles.

*Tujing* states: Huangqin grows in Zigui mountain valleys and Yuanju; currently, it is found in Sichuan, Shu, Hedong, and nearby counties in Shaanxi. The seedlings grow over one chi long, stems are as thick as chopsticks, leaves grow in clusters from all directions at ground level, resembling Zicao (Lithospermi Radix), about one chi high, though some have single stems. Leaves are slender, green, and opposite. Purple flowers bloom in June. Roots are yellow, as thick as Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), four to five cun long. Roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried for use. *Wu Pu Bencao* states: Huangqin is also named Yintou, another name is Neixu. In February, reddish-yellow leaves emerge, arranged in pairs or quads, stems are hollow, square or round, three to four chi high. Flowers are purple-red, fruits turn black in May, roots are yellow. Harvested in February and September. This differs slightly from what exists today. Zhang Zhongjing used Huangqin in all four formulas of Xiexin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) for treating epigastric fullness and stuffiness due to cold-heat complex, because it primarily treats various heat syndromes and benefits the small intestine. There is also Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction) for Taiyang disease where diarrhea stops after purgation, and Sanji San (Safety Pregnancy Powder) for maintaining pregnancy during gestation, both of which often use Huangqin. Modern physicians have found it effective, thus recording it. Additionally, *Qianjin Fang* records: The Prefect of Ba Commandery presented Jiajian Sanhuang Wan (Modified Three-Yellow Pill) to treat men suffering from five labors and seven injuries (chronic deficiency syndromes), xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), failure to build muscle, leukorrhea in women, and alternating cold and heat in hands and feet. In spring months: Huangqin 4 liang, Dahuang 3 liang, Huanglian 4 liang; summer months: Huangqin 6 liang, Dahuang 1 liang, Huanglian 7 liang; autumn months: Huangqin 6 liang, Dahuang 2 liang, Huanglian 3 liang; winter months: Huangqin 3 liang, Dahuang 5 liang, Huanglian 2 liang. These three ingredients are processed together according to the season, pounded, sifted, and formed into honey pills the size of adzuki beans. Take five pills with rice water, three times daily. If ineffective, gradually increase to seven pills. After one month of administration, the disease will be cured. Long-term consumption enables running as fast as a galloping horse; recent cases have verified this. Pork is contraindicated in diet. Tao Hongjing also stated: Round Huangqin is named Ziqin. Zhang Zhongjing used it frequently in formulas for miscellaneous diseases. *Qianjin Yi Fang* treats strangury. Huangqin 4 liang, placed in a bag, boiled in five sheng of water until reduced to three sheng, divided into three doses. Mei Shi treated huodan (erysipelas). Pound Huangqin into powder, mix with water, and apply topically.