Synopsis

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

Goldthread (Coptis chinensis), known as "Huang Lian" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has historically been used to support the "Spleen" system according to TCM theory. In TCM, the Spleen is responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, and transformation of food into Qi (vital energy). Goldthread is considered to have bitter and cold properties, traditionally used to clear heat, dry dampness, and resolve toxins—conditions often associated with what TCM describes as "damp-heat" affecting the Spleen and Stomach. Its use is particularly common in herbal formulas targeting digestive complaints, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and poor appetite, which are interpreted in TCM as Spleen dysfunctions.

From a scientific perspective, Coptis chinensis contains alkaloids such as berberine, which have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive regulatory effects in laboratory studies. However, direct scientific validation that Goldthread specifically supports the Spleen as defined by TCM is lacking; the modern biomedical concept of the spleen differs from TCM’s functional system. Thus, support for Goldthread’s use with the Spleen system is grounded primarily in traditional use and historical texts, rather than robust clinical trials or contemporary scientific evidence targeting the organ system as understood in Western medicine.

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