Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chinese Goldthread (Coptis chinensis), known as "Huang Lian" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used for centuries in East Asian herbal medicine primarily to address digestive disturbances, including dyspepsia (indigestion). The main active constituent, berberine, is thought to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bitter tonic properties, which TCM practitioners believe help "clear heat" and support gastrointestinal function. Historical medical texts, such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later materia medica, list Goldthread as a standard remedy for "damp-heat" in the stomach, which can correspond to symptoms of dyspepsia (e.g., bloating, discomfort, and loss of appetite).

Modern scientific research has focused on berberine's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, with some laboratory and animal studies suggesting it may modulate gut microbiota and reduce gastric inflammation. However, high-quality clinical trials specifically demonstrating its efficacy for dyspepsia in humans are lacking. Therefore, the justification for Goldthread's use in dyspepsia is primarily rooted in longstanding traditional medical practice, with limited but suggestive preclinical mechanistic support and low-grade clinical evidence.

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