Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bai)
黄柏 · Huángbǎi
Phellodendron chinense (P. amurense)
Family: Rutaceae · Part used: Bark · Origin: Sichuan & Northeast China
Nature
Cold
Flavor
Bitter
Meridian
Kidney, Bladder, Large Intestine
Huang Bai descends where huang qin rises — clearing the deep damp-heat of the lower burner: urinary discomfort, leukorrhea, and the steaming bones of yin-deficiency fire. Charred, it stops bleeding; salt-fried, it drains kidney fire while preserving yin — the third of the great 'yellow' heat-clearers.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Clears lower-burner damp-heat
- •Drains kidney deficiency fire and preserves yin
- •Dries dampness and resolves toxicity
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Urinary discomfort with heat
- •Yellow leukorrhea
- •Jaundice
- •Leg qi and damp-heat limb sores
- •Night sweats and steaming bones
- •Genital itching (external wash)
📖 Usage & Dosage
3–12 g in decoction; salt-fried for deficiency fire, charred for bleeding.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Base
Phellodendron + anemarrhena added to Six-Ingredient Rehmannia — the yin-preserving fire-drain formula.
Si Miao Wan Base
Phellodendron + coix seed + atractylodes + achyranthes — the lower-limb damp-heat quartet.
🔬 Modern Research
Phellodendrine and berberine from huang bai are studied for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and uric-acid-lowering effects.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid with spleen-stomach deficiency cold and poor appetite.
