Largeleaf Gentian Root is the dried root of Gentiana macrophylla Pall, Gentiana straminea Maxim, Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. or Gentiana dahurica Fisch. (Fam. Gentianaceae). The drug derived from the first three species falls into two groups and are known as "Qinjiao" and "Mahuajiao" respectively. The drug derived from the last one is commonly known as "Xiaoqinjiao". The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from soil. "Qinjiao" and "Mahuajiao" are then softened in the sun, piled up to evaporate the water contained in the drug until a reddish-yellow or greyish-yellow colour is developed on the surface, spread out and dried in the sun; or dried in the sun directly after collection; as for "Xiaoqinjiao", the black bark is rubbed off freshly and dried in the sun.

Action: To relieve rheumatic conditions, and to remove damp-heat.

Indications: Rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis with muscular contracture and sever joint pain; fever recurring daily in the afternoon, fever in infants with malnutrition.

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