State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Alias

Huang Bo

Pharm Name

Phellodendri Cortex

Common Name

Phellodendron Bark

Category

Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

Ingredients

Taste

Bitter

Pao Zhi

Dry-fried to lessen its cold nature, reducing its potential damage to the Spleen & Stomach; often used to direct lower burner fire downward and protect Kidney water. Salt-fried to direct the empty fire back to the Mingmen.

Temperature

Cold

Action / Indication

1. Drains damp-heat, particularly from the lower burner: for such problems as thick, yellow vaginal discharge, foul-smelling diarrhea, or dysenteric disorder. Also for damp heat pouring downward or hot leg qi with such symptoms as red, swollen, and painful knees, legs, or feet. Also for damp-heat jaundice.
2. Drains Kidney fire: for ascending Kidney fire with signs of yin deficiency such as steaming bone disorder, night sweats, afternoon fevers and sweating, sometimes accom panied by nocturnal emissions and spermatorrhea.
3. Drains fire and resolves fire toxicity: for fire toxin-gener ated sores and damp lesions of the skin.

Treatment Principles

Drains Damp-Heat
Drains Deficiency Fire
Clears Heat Toxin

Contraindication

Stomach/Spleen deficiency cold, and Kidney yang deficiency. Do not use long-term.

Dosages

3-12g. Use raw for heat toxin, salt-fried for Kidney yin deficiency, wine-fried for Heart fire, and charred to stop bleeding.

Meridians

KD, UB

Tom's Comment

1. Huang Bai is bitter and sour. Caution should be used in patient with a history of stomach hyperacidity.
2. Huang Bai is one of the marquee herbs to address deficiency heat. It is often combined with Zhi Mu to moderate its drying effect.

Source

Formula Type