Jin Guo Lan
StarTinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat, soothes the throat, eliminates toxins and alleviates pain
Traditional Chinese Uses
Jin Guo Lan is the tuberous root of Tinospora sagittata (Radix Tinosporae, Menispermaceae), a bitter, cold, Heat-clearing and toxicity-resolving herb entering the Lung, Large Intestine, Heart, and Stomach channels. Its signature use is to clear Heat, soothe the throat, and relieve toxicity and pain: it is a go-to remedy for hot, swollen, painful sore throat and for mouth and throat sores. It also treats Heat-toxin abscesses and, topically, various skin and dermatological inflammations.
Through its bitter-cold clearing action it is additionally used for stomach and abdominal pain of Heat type. The root is decocted or ground to powder for internal use and can be applied externally to sores; its clerodane diterpenoids underlie the anti-inflammatory effect. Because it is markedly cold and bitter, it is used in measured dose and generally within a formula under professional guidance.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Jin Guo Lan (金果欖) is the tuberous root of Tinospora capillipes Gagnep. or Tinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep. (Menispermaceae), perennial twining vines native to southern China, particularly Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan. The plants climb over shrubs and trees, bearing slender stems, alternate cordate to sagittate leaves, and small greenish flowers in axillary racemes. The medicinal portion is the rounded to elongated tuber, gathered in autumn and winter, sliced, and dried. In traditional Chinese medicine, Jin Guo Lan is classified as bitter and cold, entering the Lung and Large Intestine channels, and is used to clear heat, detoxify fire toxin, relieve sore throat, and reduce swelling. It is widely employed for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, mumps, and intestinal heat patterns.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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