A perennial herb. Rootstock horizontal, golden yellow, woody, jointed, densely fibrous, very bitter; leaves ternatisect: leaflets 5.0-7.5cm, ovate-lanceolate; flowers white; follicles many-seeded.

Tonic and stomachic (rhizome); antidiabetic

Plants for a Future
Herb Information

Berberine, coptine, coptisine and jatrorrhizine. (rhizome)

Efficacious in debility, atonic dyspepsia and in mild forms of intermittent fevers. It is also used as a salve for the eyes; controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation (roots)

Do not use if suffering from nausea or vomiting caused by a stomach hypoactivity or diarrhea due to spleen or kidney deficiency.