Huáng Qín (黄芩) — Baicalin / Skullcap root

Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis, Chinese skullcap root) is one of the most important Chinese herbs for clearing Damp-Heat and Lung Heat, and one of the most extensively researched anti-inflammatory and antiviral herbs in the Chinese Materia Medica. Cold, bitter and entering the Lung, Gallbladder, Stomach and Large Intestine channels, it treats fevers, coughs with yellow phlegm, Damp-Heat dysentery, jaundice and urinary infections; it also calms the fetus in pregnancy Heat patterns and clears Liver Fire in hypertension. The active constituents baicalin, baicalein and wogonin are among the most pharmacologically studied compounds in Chinese herbal medicine.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic
9. Frequently asked questions

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 88 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. Incompatibilities

Huáng Qín (黄芩) Baicalin / Skullcap root is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

7. 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.

Pattern contraindications

Contraindicated in Cold patterns, Spleen Yang deficiency with loose stools, Yin and Blood deficiency — the cold-bitter nature is drying and damages fluids and Yang when misapplied.

Modern drug interactions

Berberine and baicalein constituents have documented CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein interactions — can raise levels of ciclosporin, statins and similar substrates. Tell your doctor if you take prescription medication.

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.

8. 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.

9. Frequently asked questions about Huang Qin

What is Huang Qin used for?

Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis, Chinese skullcap root) is used to clear Heat and dry Damp, particularly Damp-Heat in the Upper and Middle Jiao. Classical indications include cough with yellow sputum from Lung Heat, Damp-Heat dysentery and diarrhoea, urinary infections, jaundice, hypertension from Liver Fire, and bleeding from Heat. It also calms the fetus in pregnancy Heat patterns — one of the few Cold herbs considered safe in pregnancy under qualified supervision.

What is Huang Qin in English?

Huang Qin (黄芩, huáng qín) is known in English as Chinese skullcap root or baicalin (after its principal bioactive constituent). Its Latin botanical name is Scutellaria baicalensis. It is not the same plant as American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), which has different chemistry and uses.

Is Huang Qin the same as baicalin?

Baicalin is the principal flavonoid glycoside found in Huang Qin root — it is the active constituent, not a separate herb. Pharmaceutical-grade Huang Qin granules contain standardised levels of baicalin alongside baicalein and wogonin, the other principal flavonoids responsible for the herb's anti-inflammatory, antiviral and neuroprotective effects.

Can Huang Qin be used during pregnancy?

Yes — Huang Qin is one of the few Cold-natured Chinese herbs traditionally considered safe in pregnancy, and is classically used to “calm the fetus” in Heat patterns including threatened miscarriage from Heat disturbing the fetus. However, it must be prescribed by a qualified RCHM herbalist with pregnancy training and only when the TCM pattern is genuinely a Heat presentation.

What formulas contain Huang Qin?

Huang Qin appears in dozens of classical Chinese herbal formulas including Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Shao Yang fever, the most famous formula in Chinese medicine), Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (severe Heat-toxin), Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Liver Fire and Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat), Huang Qin Tang (Damp-Heat dysentery) and Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (epigastric focal distension).

Does Huang Qin interact with medications?

Yes. The flavonoid constituents of Huang Qin have documented interactions with CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, which can raise blood levels of ciclosporin, statins, certain anticoagulants and similar substrates. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist if you take prescription medication, and use Huang Qin only under the care of a qualified RCHM herbalist.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.