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Huang Bai (黃柏), the bark of Phellodendron, clears heat and dries dampness, especially of the lower burner, drains fire and resolves toxicity, and clears the deficiency fire of the Kidney.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Phellodendron chinense (Cortex Phellodendri)
Common English Name
Phellodendron bark
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Channels Entered
Kidney, Bladder, Large Intestine
Actions & Functions
- Clears damp-heat from the lower burner (urinary, vaginal discharge, leg qi)
- Drains fire and resolves toxicity (sores)
- Drains Kidney deficiency fire (night sweats, seminal emission)
Indications
Damp-heat of the lower burner with painful urination, foul vaginal discharge and damp-heat leg qi; yin-deficiency fire with night sweats and nocturnal emission; and damp-heat sores and jaundice.
Dosage
3-12 g in decoction.
Common Combinations
With Zhi Mu (Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan) for yin-deficiency fire; with Cang Zhu (Er Miao San) for damp-heat of the lower burner.
Cautions & Contraindications
Very cold; avoid in Spleen deficiency with loose stools.
