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Scutellaria Root

황금 (黃芩) · Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
Heat-clearing, dampness-drying herb Cold Bitter Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine
NatureCold
TasteBitter
MeridiansLung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine
Part usedRoot
FamilyLamiaceae
CategoryHeat-clearing, dampness-drying herb
Find by concern: ChillsDiarrheaBoils

Overview

Scutellaria root is one of the most enduring heat-clearing herbs in East Asian medicine, its old alternate name "rotten intestine" (腐腸) referring simply to the hollow, decayed-looking core of the aged root — not its action. The Donguibogam already distinguishes two grades by shape, a distinction still used by herb graders today.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性寒, 味苦, 無毒. 治熱毒骨蒸, 寒熱往來, 解熱渴. 療黃疸, 腸澼泄痢, 痰熱胃熱, 利小腸. 治乳癰, 發背, 惡瘡, 及天行熱疾.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is cold, its taste bitter, and it is non-toxic. It treats heat-toxin bone-steaming fever and alternating chills and fever, and relieves heat and thirst. It treats jaundice, dysentery-type diarrhea, phlegm-heat and stomach heat, and benefits the small intestine. It treats breast abscess, back carbuncles, malign sores, and epidemic febrile disease.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Clears heat, drains fire
  • Dries dampness
  • Resolves toxin
  • Cools blood

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Fever with alternating chills
  • Jaundice
  • Damp-heat diarrhea or dysentery
  • Breast abscess and boils

Traditional preparation

Decoction 4–12g; wine-fried for upper-body use, plain-fried for lower-body use per traditional practice.

Cautions

Caution: Cold and drying; not suited to cold-deficiency of the spleen and stomach or to those without heat signs. Consult a professional.
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Frequently asked questions

Why was scutellaria root once called "rotten intestine"?

The Donguibogam explains this old alternate name (腐腸) comes from the hollow, decayed-looking core of the aged root — a description of its appearance, not a warning about its action.

What is scutellaria root's main traditional use?

Clearing heat, especially fever with alternating chills and heat-toxin conditions — the Donguibogam also records it for jaundice, damp-heat diarrhea, and breast abscess.

Sources