Huáng Qín · Baical Skullcap Root
Huáng Qín (黄芩, Baical Skullcap Root) is a herb of Cold nature and Bitter flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to clear Heat and Dry Dampness, Drain Fire, Stop Bleeding.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Huáng Qín
- Characters
- 黄芩
- Botanical name
- Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Bitter
- Meridians
- Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China, Mongolia, Russia
Actions according to tradition
- Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
- Drain Fire
- Stop Bleeding
- Calm Fetus
Traditional uses
- Damp-heat dysentery and jaundice
- Lung heat cough
- High fever and irritability
- Blood heat bleeding
- Restless fetus
Studied effects and current applications
- Reduces inflammation
- Antibacterial and antiviral
- Calms anxiety
- Lowers blood pressure
- Protects liver
- Stops abnormal bleeding
Applications under investigation
- Anxiety disorders
- Insomnia
- Respiratory infections
- Hypertension
- Hepatitis
- Threatened miscarriage
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Liver disease
- Surgery (within 2 weeks)
Relative contraindications
- Sedative medications
- Yang deficiency
- Pregnancy
- May stimulate menstruation. Avoid in pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding
- Insufficient safety data. Avoid.
- Children
- Insufficient safety data in children.
- Older adults
- Use with caution
Possible adverse effects
- Liver toxicity (contaminated products)
- Drowsiness
- Digestive upset
- Diarrhea
When to stop
- Liver problems
- Pregnancy
- Excessive sedation
- Before surgery
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatotoxic drugs | Acetaminophen, Statins | Moderate | Possible additive hepatotoxicity at high doses Monitor liver enzymes |
| Diabetes medications | Insulin, Metformin | Mild | May enhance blood glucose lowering (baicalin) Monitor blood glucose |
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin | Mild | Baicalin may affect CYP enzymes and drug metabolism Monitor INR |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 grams daily
- Powder
- 1-3 grams daily
- Extract
- As per label (baicalin)
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks max
- Maximum
- Avoid prolonged use
- Children
- Generally avoided in children.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 3-9g for 15-25 min. Can add last 10 min in formulas.
Upper burner heat, damp-heat
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Flavonoids flavone-C-glycosides (baicalin, baicalein, wogonin)
Flavone glucuronide · Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, anxiolytic
COX-2, PLA2 inhibition; blocking viral replication; GABA-A modulation; NF-κB inhibition · 9-13% in root (Huang Qin / Scutellaria baicalensis)
Flavone (baicalin aglycone) · Anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anxiolytic
5-LOX inhibition, tumor kinase (EGFR) inhibition, GABA modulation · 1-5%
Methoxylated flavone · Anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor
Positive modulation of GABA-A (benzodiazepine) receptors, selective apoptosis in tumor cells · 0.3-2%
Methoxylated flavone · Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antitumor
NF-κB inhibition, STAT3; G1 cell cycle block · 0.5-1.5%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (March-April) or autumn (October-November), 3-4 year old plants
Roots harvested in spring before sprouting or in autumn after the plant dries out. Plants from Shanxi and Gansu have higher baicalein content. The outer cortex and fine secondary roots are removed.
Root cleaned, softened with water to cut without breaking, sliced and dried. Softening should be brief to avoid loss of soluble baicalein. Standard shape.
Slices sprinkled with yellow wine (10 ml per 100 g) and fried over medium heat. The wine reduces the extreme coldness of the grass and directs it towards the upper Lung.
Slices fried over high heat until charred on the outside, keeping the interior brown. Enhances hemostatic action.
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.
