Huáng Qín (黄芩) — Baicalin / Skullcap root

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Huáng Qín (黄芩) — Scutellaria baicalensis — is known in English as Baicalin / Skullcap root. It belongs to the category of Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Huáng Qín as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Clears Heat and dries Dampness — the primary herb for Damp-Heat in the Upper and Middle Jiao
2. Clears Lung Heat and stops cough
3. Clears Heat and stops bleeding
4. Calms the fetus — safe to use in pregnancy for Heat conditions
5. Clears Shao Yang Heat (combined with Chai Hu)

Indications

1. Cough with yellow sputum from Lung Heat — the most important herb for Lung Heat
2. High fever and Shao Yang disorders — alternating chills and fever
3. Damp-Heat in the digestive tract — diarrhoea, dysentery and jaundice
4. Urinary tract infections from Damp-Heat
5. Bleeding from Heat — haemoptysis, haematuria and uterine bleeding from Blood Heat
6. Threatened miscarriage from Heat disturbing the fetus
7. Hypertension from Liver Fire

4. Key formulas containing Huáng Qín

Huáng Qín appears in the following key formulas:

• Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
• Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin) is one of the most extensively pharmacologically studied Chinese medicinal herbs. Its primary bioactive constituents are baicalin, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A. Baicalin has documented anti-inflammatory effects (inhibiting NF-kB and COX-2), antiviral activity (including against influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and HIV), anti-cancer properties, neuroprotective effects and blood glucose-lowering activity. Wogonin has specific anti-anxiety and sedative effects via GABA-A receptor modulation. Clinical research confirms benefits in respiratory infections, inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety and as an adjunct in cancer care. Huang Qin is one of the most frequently studied anti-viral herbs.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Contraindicated in Cold and deficiency patterns. Avoid in Spleen and Stomach deficiency-Cold. Although it calms the fetus in Heat patterns, it should be used in pregnancy only under professional guidance.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Huáng Qín as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Allergies, Urinary tract infections, High blood pressure, Anxiety. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.