Phellodendron amurense, also known as Amur cork tree, is a traditional medicinal herb widely used in Chinese medicine (where it is called "Huang Bai"). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is primarily used to clear heat, dry dampness, and treat conditions like diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and certain skin diseases. Its main active constituents include berberine and other alkaloids, which have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies.

Regarding gallbladder health, the use of Phellodendron amurense is mostly based on traditional frameworks. In TCM, "damp-heat" in the liver and gallbladder is believed to contribute to symptoms such as jaundice, sluggish digestion, and abdominal discomfort. Huang Bai is sometimes included in formulas intended to "clear damp-heat" from the liver and gallbladder area, especially in cases described as "sluggish gallbladder" (though this is a conceptual diagnosis rather than a strictly anatomical one).

There is minimal direct scientific evidence to support the use of Phellodendron amurense for gallbladder dysfunction or for people who have had their gallbladder removed. Most research has focused on its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and possible hepatoprotective effects, but not specifically on gallbladder motility or bile flow. Thus, its use for this indication is justified by tradition rather than scientific study.