The source is from the roots of a perennial herb, Gentiana macrophylla Pall. or G. straminea Maxim. or G. crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., family Gentianaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan provinces and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, etc.. Dug and collected in spring and autumn, dried in the sun, the crude one being cut into pieces for being used.

Medicinal Properties: Bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the stomach, liver and gallbladder meridians.

Actions: Expel wind and dampness, relieve pain of Bi-syndrome and asthenia heat, and clear away dampness-heat.

Application
1. It is indicated for Bi-syndrome of wind-dampness type. It is cold but not dry in nature, so it is suitable for all kinds of Bi-syndrome of wind-dampness type, especially for heat-Bi-syndrome. If joints are red, swollen and painful, it is usually combined with Rendongteng (Caulis Lonicerae), Fangji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae), and Huangbai (Cortex Phetlodendri), etc.; for Bi-syndrome of wind-cold-dampness type, usually combined with Qianghuo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii ), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis ) , Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) , etc..
2. For bone steaming and hectic fever, it is usually used together with Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), Digupi (Cortex Lycii Radicis), and Biejia (Carapax Trionycis), etc., such as Qinjiao Biejia Tang (Decoction).
3. For jaundice of dampness-heat type, it is usually combined with Yinchenhao (Cacumen Artemisiae Scopariae), Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae), and Zhuling (Polyporus), etc..

Usage and Dosage:
3 - 9 g is used in decoction for oral use.