Huáng Bǎi · Phellodendron Bark
Huáng Bǎi (黄柏, Phellodendron Bark) is a herb of Cold nature and Bitter flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to clear Heat and Dry Dampness, Drain Kidney Fire, Clear Deficiency Heat.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Huáng Bǎi
- Characters
- 黄柏
- Botanical name
- Phellodendron amurense Rupr.
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Part used
- Bark
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Bitter
- Meridians
- Bladder, Kidney, Large Intestine
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China, Japan, Korea
Actions according to tradition
- Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
- Drain Kidney Fire
- Clear Deficiency Heat
- Detoxify
Traditional uses
- Damp-heat in lower jiao (urinary disorders, jaundice)
- Leukorrhea and vaginal discharge from damp-heat
- Kidney yin deficiency with excess fire (afternoon fever, night sweats)
- Hot and swollen joints from damp-heat
- Skin lesions and eczema from damp-heat
Studied effects and current applications
- Clears damp-heat from lower jiao
- Drains kidney fire from yin deficiency
- Addresses hot and painful joints from damp-heat
- Treats skin conditions from damp-heat
- Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory (berberine)
Applications under investigation
- Urinary tract infections
- Type 2 diabetes (berberine)
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Metabolic syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen and stomach cold deficiency
- Cold diarrhea
- Yang deficiency conditions
Relative contraindications
- Prolonged use without digestive support
- Pregnancy
- Avoid during pregnancy. Cold bitter nature can damage fetal yang.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution. Cold nature may affect digestion via breast milk.
- Children
- Use cautiously in children. Short-term for acute damp-heat conditions only.
- Older adults
- Use cautiously in elderly with cold spleen-stomach. Combine with warming herbs.
Possible adverse effects
- Digestive upset
- Diarrhea from cold nature
- Loss of appetite
When to stop
- Digestive weakness appears
- Diarrhea develops
- Yang deficiency worsens
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes medications | Metformin, Insulin, Glipizide | Moderate | Berberine synergistically lowers blood sugar - risk of hypoglycemia Monitor blood glucose closely. May need medication adjustment. |
| Antibiotics | Tetracyclines, Ciprofloxacin | Mild | Additive antimicrobial effects Generally safe synergistic combination |
| Immunosuppressants | Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus | Moderate | Berberine affects CYP3A4 and may increase drug levels Monitor drug levels carefully |
With other herbs
- zhi_mu Classic Er Miao San combination for damp-heat
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-12 grams daily
- Powder
- 1.5-3 grams daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1 month max continuous
- Maximum
- Avoid prolonged use - damages spleen yang
- Children
- Use cautiously in children. Reduce dose for younger children.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 3-12g in 3 cups water 30 min. Take cold or room temperature.
Damp-heat conditions
Mix 1.5-3g in water. Take 2-3 times daily.
Metabolic conditions, convenience
Make concentrated decoction, apply to skin 2-3 times daily.
Eczema, skin infections, damp-heat sores
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, fellodendrime) and limonoids
Protoberberine alkaloid · Antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory
AMPK inhibition, bacterial topoisomerase IV, DPP-4 and PCSK9 · 1-6% in bark (less than Huang Lian)
Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid · Hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, mild sedative
Autonomic ganglionic blockade, NF-κB inhibition · 0.5-2%
Protoberberine and aporphinic alkaloids · Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypotensive
α-adrenergic blockade, COX-2 inhibition · 0.3-1.0%
Triterpene limonoids · Digestive bitter, antiparasitic, antitumor
Bitterant activity (stimulates bile secretion), activity against Leishmania · 0.1-0.5%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (March-May) or autumn (September-October), trees over 10 years old
Inner bark collected in spring or fall. Phellodendron amurense (关黄柏, northern) and P. chinense (川黄柏, Sichuan) trees are the two sources.
Inner bark (outer cork removed) cut into strips or slices and dried. Intense yellow indicates high concentration of berberine.
Strips or slices mixed with salt water and fried over medium heat. Salt directs the action more specifically towards the Kidney.
Crust fried over high heat until external charring. Enhances hemostatic action.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
