Pinyin: huang bo

Properties: bitter, cold
Channels Entered: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Large Intestine

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
1. Clears Heat and Dries Dampness

2. Sedates Fire and Eliminates Toxins

3. Clears Deficiency Heat

DOSAGE
3 to 10 grams in decoction. The maximum dosage of Huang Bai is 30 grams. The unprocessed herb more effectively clears excess heat and eliminates toxins. The salt-fried herb more effectively clears deficiency heat from the Kidney. Frying with grain-based liquor enhances its function to clear Heart fire. The charred herb more strongly stops bleeding.

CAUTIONS I CONTRAINDICA TIONS
• Bitter and cold, Huang Bai consumes yin and fluids and is not suitable for long-term use, especially in patients with deficiency and cold of the Spleen and Stomach.
• Huang Bai is contraindicated in patients with general yang deficiency, or Spleen or Kidney yang deficiency.