Gong Lao Ye
Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr.
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Deficiency Heat; Nourishes Yin; Resolves Phlegm and Stops Cough; Dries Dampness; Resolves Toxicity; Cools the Blood
Botanical Description
Mahonia bealei (now Berberis bealei) is an evergreen shrub in the Berberidaceae growing 2-4 m tall with stout, sparsely branched stems and yellow inner bark and wood. The large odd-pinnate compound leaves are 30-50 cm long with 9-15 thick, leathery, blue-green leaflets that are ovate to broadly ovate, with several stiff spiny teeth on each margin. Dense erect or spreading racemes of fragrant pale yellow flowers are borne in clusters at the stem tips in late winter to early spring, followed by drooping bunches of blue-black, glaucous, berry-like fruits. Native to mountain forests of central and southern China, it is now widely cultivated as an ornamental and has become naturalised in parts of the southeastern United States.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gong Lao Ye (mahonia leaf, Oregon grape leaf) is a bitter, cold herb used in Chinese medicine to clear Heat and Damp-Heat, with a particular affinity for conditions involving the Liver, Gallbladder, and skin. It is used for jaundice from Damp-Heat, urinary tract infections, dysentery, and inflammatory skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis-type patterns. Its Yin-nourishing quality also gives it applicability in deficiency-heat patterns, distinguishing it from purely excess-clearing bitter herbs.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.