Long Dan Cao

Gentiana scabra Bunge (Gentianaceae) is a perennial herb 30-60 cm tall native to northeast China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East, with erect simple stems, opposite ovate to lanceolate leaves with three prominent veins and rough margins, and terminal or upper axillary clusters of large funnel-shaped deep blue to violet flowers in late summer and autumn. The rhizome bears numerous slender pale yellow roots which are harvested in autumn after the aerial parts wither, washed, and sun-dried. In TCM, Long Dan Cao is bitter in flavor and cold in nature, entering the Liver and Gallbladder channels; it drains damp-heat from the lower burner, clears Liver fire, and is used for jaundice, eczema, and red eyes. The bitter glycosides are also recognized as classical Western bitters.