What are the effects and benefits of Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla)? A detailed explanation

Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla) is a perennial medicinal herb with certain pharmacological effects. What are its effects and benefits? Let us introduce them in detail below.

Introduction to Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla)

Gentiana dahurica is a perennial herb, 10-25 cm tall, the whole plant smooth and hairless, the base wrapped by persistent fibrous leaf sheaths. There are multiple fibrous roots, twisted to the left into a conical root. Most branches grow in clusters, ascending obliquely, yellow-green or purple-red, nearly round, smooth. The rosette leaves are lanceolate or linear-elliptic.

Stem and root tissue morphology: Gentiana dahurica has few stem leaves, linear-lanceolate to linear, apex acuminate, base gradually narrowed, margin rough, with 1-3 leaf veins, all prominent on both surfaces, the midvein protruding on the underside, the leaf stalk wide, the leaves becoming smaller and the stalks shorter toward the upper part of the stem.

Flower structure: Gentiana dahurica has terminal and axillary cymes, arranged in a loose inflorescence, the pedicels extending obliquely, yellow-green or purple-red, extremely unequal in length, the common peduncle up to 5.5 cm long, the calyx tube membranous, yellow-green or tinged with purple-red, apex acuminate, margin rough, veins on the back inconspicuous, the sinuses wide, round or truncate, the corolla deep blue, sometimes with numerous yellow spots at the throat, tubular or funnel-shaped, the lobes ovate or ovate-elliptic. The stamens are inserted in the middle-lower part of the corolla tube, regular, the filaments linear-subulate.

Seed introduction: The capsule is enclosed, sessile, narrowly elliptic; the seeds are light brown, glossy, oblong, with fine reticulate markings on the surface. The fruiting period is generally from July to September.

The effects and benefits of Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla)

Dispels wind and removes dampness, harmonizes blood and relaxes the sinews, clears heat and promotes urination. Treats rheumatic arthralgia, contracture of the sinews and bones, jaundice, blood in the stool, bone-steaming tidal fever, infantile malnutrition fever, and difficult urination.

1. Dispels wind-dampness: used for systemic rheumatic pain, often combined with Notopterygium root (Qianghuo) and Saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng).

2. Reduces deficiency heat: used for yin deficiency fever, often combined with turtle shell (Biejia) and Lycium root bark (Digupi).

How to select Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla)

Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla): subcylindrical in shape, thick at the top and thin at the bottom, twisted and not straight, 10-30 cm long, 1-3 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-brown or grayish-yellow, with longitudinal or twisted wrinkles, and the top has remnant stem bases and fibrous leaf sheaths. The texture is hard and brittle, easily broken, the fracture slightly oily, the bark yellow or brownish-yellow, the wood yellow. The odor is distinctive, the taste bitter and slightly astringent.

The above is the relevant introduction to Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla); we hope it is helpful to you.