Herbs & Botanicals · Chinese gentian root for joints
Qin jiao
Gentiana macrophylla · also called Large-leaf gentian root, qin jiao, Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, 秦艽
Qin jiao is the dried root of a Chinese gentian plant, used in Chinese medicine for stiff, aching joints and jaundice. Evidence in people is thin: we found no controlled trial, only traditional use, reviews and animal or lab studies. Avoid it in pregnancy, and check the Latin name on formulas, because the kidney-toxic 'fang ji' herbs are sometimes confused with other root herbs.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Qin jiao
Qin jiao is a bitter gentian root from Chinese medicine, used mostly for joint pain. Studies are mainly in animals and cells, so we cannot say if it works in people. Avoid it in pregnancy and check the Latin names on formulas.
What it is
Qin jiao is the dried root of Gentiana macrophylla, and by pharmacopoeia also G. crassicaulis, G. straminea and G. dahurica. All are accepted names in the plant database we checked.
Its main marker compounds are bitter iridoids such as gentiopicroside, loganic acid and sweroside. It is related to the European gentian and centaury.
What the evidence shows
In Chinese practice it is a core herb for damp-heat and wind-damp joint pain, usually in a mixed formula. Reviews say it is used in rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and stroke, but their abstracts give no numbers.
A root extract lowered swelling and an inflammation chemical in rats with induced arthritis. A cell study and a mouse stomach study used the isolated compound. None of this proves a benefit in people.
The 'fang ji' name mix-up
Joint-pain formulas often list several roots. Qin jiao is a gentian. 'Fang ji' is a different herb: Stephania tetrandra (hang or han fang ji) has been substituted with Aristolochia fangchi (guang fang ji), which holds aristolochic acid, linked to kidney failure and urinary-tract cancer.
We found no source saying qin jiao contains aristolochic acid or is itself swapped with these plants. The practical step is to read the Latin name of every ingredient and to avoid any product that cannot show it.
Other cautions
Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding: classical sources say not in pregnancy and no modern safety data exist.
Bitter herbs can upset the stomach; ask a doctor first if you have an ulcer, high stomach acid, loose stools, low blood pressure, a slow heartbeat or take heart, diabetes, sedative or blood-thinning medicines. No study tested these combinations.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Wind-damp joint pain and stiffness
- Jaundice and damp-heat
- Fevers and post-stroke limb problems (traditional)
Studied for research
- Joint pain and arthritis: insufficient
- Liver and bile effects: insufficient
- Immune regulation: insufficient
Main compounds
- Gentiopicroside
- Loganic acid
- Sweroside
- Gentianine (alkaloid)
Common forms
- Dried sliced root
- Decoction in Chinese formulas
- Granules or tablets in patent formulas
Research links: PubMed: Qin-Jiao systematic review (2026) · PubMed: rat arthritis extract study · PubMed: fang ji mix-up paper · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Gentiana macrophylla Pall.
- Naming authority
- GBIF species match read 2026-10-25: G. macrophylla Pall. ACCEPTED, key 7761022, family Gentianaceae. Other official source species also accepted: G. straminea Maxim. (3840852), G. dahurica Fisch. (7269903), G. crassicaulis Duthie ex Burkill (7839292).
- Common names
- Qin jiao (Chinese (pinyin)); Large-leaf gentian (English); Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Pharmacopoeia Latin)
- Botanical family
- Gentianaceae
- Classification
- Plantae > Gentianaceae > Gentiana > Gentiana macrophylla
- Native range
- Not verified in the sources read (Asian herb in Chinese medicine).
- Habitat
- Not covered.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: Dried root is the medicinal part.; Stems: Not covered.; Leaves: Not covered.; Flowers: Not covered.; Fruit: Not covered.
- Cultivation
- Not covered.
- Harvest and processing
- A 2021 study found sweating and drying methods change the content of active iridoids; the authors favour shade or oven drying without sweating.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Fang ji (Stephania tetrandra / Aristolochia fangchi); Note: Different herbs with similar-sounding names in joint-pain formulas; the Aristolochia one is kidney-toxic. Not a look-alike of qin jiao itself as far as we read.; Name: Other adulterant plants; Note: A 2023 paper says adulterants exist and can be told apart by chemical fingerprint; it does not name them in the abstract.; Name: Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea); Note: Different species; the EU bitter-tonic herb. See the Gentian page.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not covered.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese medicine | 'Dispels wind-dampness, clears damp-heat and false heat, relieves joint pain'; used for joint pain, jaundice, fevers and post-stroke limb problems, mostly within mixed formulas. | p41203091 |
| Modern integrated practice in China | Reviews describe use in rheumatic and immune conditions, ulcerative colitis and stroke; details not read. | p38146635 |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentiopicroside PubChem 88708 | secoiridoid glycoside | Root | Main marker compound. Anti-inflammatory and protective effects in lab and animal studies only. 10 7 1 13 | Laboratory research |
| Loganic acid PubChem 89640 | iridoid | Root | Quality marker named in a 2023 paper. 10 8 | Laboratory |
| Sweroside PubChem 161036 | secoiridoid glycoside | Root | Quality marker named in a 2023 paper. 10 8 | Laboratory |
| Gentianine PubChem 354616 | pyridine-type alkaloid | Root (alkaloids reported) | Alkaloid reported in gentian-family roots; activity not read here. 10 4 | Not read |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation (prostaglandin E2; interleukin-1 beta signalling) | Not read beyond abstracts/titles | Root extract lowered PGE2 and swelling in rats; gentiopicroside limited an inflammation response in rat cartilage cells. 14 1 | Animal / lab |
| Stomach-lining protection | HSP70, glutathione, SOD, TNF-alpha, IL-6 (markers) | Isolated gentiopicroside improved markers and damage in mice. 13 | Animal research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- In rats, gentiopicroside from the G. macrophylla decoction peaked higher (7.43 vs 5.78 micrograms/mL) and later than the pure compound.
- Distribution
- Not covered.
- Metabolism
- Not covered.
- Elimination
- Pure compound half-life about 3.4 hours in rats.
- Bioavailability
- Total exposure was about 1.8 times larger from the decoction than from the pure compound (rats).
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Most mechanism work uses isolated gentiopicroside. In rats, the decoction gave more total gentiopicroside exposure than the pure compound, so animal results with the compound do not map one-to-one onto the traditional decoction.
Nutritional composition
Qin jiao is not a nutrient or food.
7 not enough evidence
What is Qin jiao good for?
These are the uses people ask about. For each one the honest rating so far is 'insufficient': traditional use and lab work, but no human trial we could read.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Wind-damp joint pain and stiffness (traditional use)
Not enough evidenceIn Chinese medicine qin jiao is a classic herb for aching, stiff joints, usually used inside a mixed formula. The reviews we read describe this use, but we found no controlled trial of the root.
3 studiesNo amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist abo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None found as a controlled trial in the sources we read. Two reviews describe clinical use in rheumatic disease without giving trial data.
Results
Not known: the review abstracts give no numbers.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
Traditional use and review statements, but no trial results we could read. Reviews do not rate the quality of the evidence in their abstracts.
Form and dose studied
No amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with joint pain in Chinese-medicine practice
Limits
Abstracts only. No pooled data, no comparator, mostly mixed formulas.
Why researchers looked
Qin jiao has been used for centuries for 'wind-damp' joint pain, so researchers study it for rheumatic conditions.
Traditional use
Chinese medicine groups qin jiao with herbs that 'dispel wind and dampness' and relieve joint pain. A 2026 review calls it a core herb for damp-heat joint pain.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not established in people; lab work points to anti-inflammatory chemistry (see the animal entry).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not replace prescribed arthritis care. Check the Safety tab first: pregnancy, stomach ulcers and look-alike 'fang ji' herbs matter.
Inflammation in rats with induced arthritis (animal study)
Not enough evidenceA qin jiao root extract reduced swelling and an inflammation chemical in rats with induced arthritis. This is an animal result and does not show a benefit in people.
2 studiesNo amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist abo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of this extract was found.
Results
In rats with induced arthritis the Gentiana macrophylla root extract significantly lowered PGE2, paw thickness and ankle swelling, and the authors call the effect comparable to prednisone.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given as a pooled effect size; rat data only.
Why this rating
One 2004 rat study. Results in rats often do not carry over to people, and the herb was not tested against placebo in people.
Form and dose studied
No amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Rats with induced arthritis
Limits
Abstract read. Animal only; short treatment; extract not described in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
To test whether the traditional joint-pain use has a measurable anti-inflammatory basis.
Traditional use
Used for joint pain in Chinese medicine.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Lowered the inflammation chemical prostaglandin E2 in inflamed tissue (rats).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Animal results say nothing about safety in people. Check the Safety tab first: pregnancy, stomach ulcers and look-alike 'fang ji' herbs matter.
Cartilage-cell protection in the lab (gentiopicroside)
Not enough evidenceA lab study of rat cartilage cells suggests the main qin jiao compound, gentiopicroside, may calm an inflammation signal. It is a cell-dish result only.
2 studiesNot applicable: an isolated compound in cell culture is not a herbal …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None.
Results
Not known beyond the study title.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
We read only the title. Cell studies cannot show benefit in people.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable: an isolated compound in cell culture is not a herbal product.
Who was studied
Rat cartilage cells
Limits
Title only; cell culture.
Why researchers looked
Gentiopicroside is the best-known compound in the root, so it is tested on joint cells.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Limited an interleukin-1 beta inflammation response in rat cartilage cells (from the title; abstract not read).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Jaundice, liver and bile effects (traditional use and lab pharmacology)
Not enough evidenceQin jiao is traditionally used for jaundice and 'damp-heat'. Reviews list liver-protective and bile-promoting effects from lab and animal work, but we found no human trial.
4 studiesNo amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist abo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None found. The 2026 review abstract does not say which studies were in people.
Results
Reviews describe protective effects in pharmacology studies. Numbers not in the abstracts.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
Traditional use plus lab and animal findings only. Do not use the herb to treat jaundice: jaundice needs a doctor.
Form and dose studied
No amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Lab and animal models; traditional use in adults
Limits
Abstracts only; animal/lab level.
Why researchers looked
Gentiopicroside and related compounds protected the liver in lab and animal studies, so researchers pursue it.
Traditional use
Chinese medicine lists clearing damp-heat and jaundice among its uses.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Liver-protective and bile-promoting effects reported in pharmacology studies (reviews).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) needs medical assessment. Unknown liver safety: see the Safety tab.
Immune-regulating effects (lab and animal pharmacology)
Not enough evidenceReviews report immune-regulating effects of qin jiao compounds in lab work. We found no human trial.
2 studiesNo amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist abo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None found.
Results
Described in review abstracts without numbers.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
Review statements about pharmacology; no human data in the abstracts.
Form and dose studied
No amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Lab and animal models
Limits
Abstracts only.
Why researchers looked
Qin jiao is used in rheumatic and immune-type conditions in Chinese practice.
Traditional use
Used in rheumatic conditions in Chinese medicine.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Immune-regulating activity listed in pharmacology reviews.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Immune-active herbs may matter for people on immune-suppressing medicines; no study tested this. Ask a doctor.
Stomach-lining protection in mice (gentiopicroside)
Not enough evidenceIn mice, the main qin jiao compound reduced alcohol-induced stomach lining damage. This is an animal result and does not make the herb safe for stomach ulcers in people.
1 studiesNot applicable: an isolated compound in mice.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None in people.
Results
Mice given the isolated compound for 3 days before alcohol had less stomach-lining damage.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
One mouse study of the isolated compound.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable: an isolated compound in mice.
Who was studied
Mice
Limits
Abstract read. Mice only; isolated compound only.
Why researchers looked
Bitter gentian-family compounds act on the stomach, so a protective effect was tested.
Traditional use
Not a main traditional use in the sources we read.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Raised protective markers and lowered inflammation markers in stomach tissue (mice).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not read this as safe for ulcers: bitter herbs can raise stomach acid in some people. See the Safety tab.
Ulcerative colitis and stroke (clinical use claims)
Not enough evidenceOne review says qin jiao is mainly used in rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and stroke and calls the results good. The abstract gives no numbers or trial details, so we cannot rate it.
2 studiesNo amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist abo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 review states clinical use and 'good therapeutic effects' in the abstract without numbers. We did not read the underlying trials.
Results
Not known.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
A claim in a review abstract, with no data, no comparator and no quality rating.
Form and dose studied
No amount or form is recommended here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults in Chinese clinical practice (as the review states)
Limits
Abstract only; likely mixed formulas; quality unknown.
Why researchers looked
Reviewers collected Chinese clinical papers on these conditions.
Traditional use
Post-stroke limb problems are a listed traditional use in a consumer reference.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not stop prescribed treatment for stroke or colitis. See the Safety tab.
Connections to the rest of health
How Qin jiao connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Wind-damp joint pain and stiffness (traditional use): In Chinese medicine qin jiao is a classic herb for aching, stiff joints, usually used inside a mixed formula. The reviews we read describe this use, but we found no controlled trial of the root. | 4 6 9 |
| Pain Relief | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Wind-damp joint pain and stiffness (traditional use): In Chinese medicine qin jiao is a classic herb for aching, stiff joints, usually used inside a mixed formula. The reviews we read describe this use, but we found no controlled trial of the root. | 4 6 9 |
| Pain Relief | Not enough evidence | Inflammation in rats with induced arthritis (animal study): A qin jiao root extract reduced swelling and an inflammation chemical in rats with induced arthritis. This is an animal result and does not show a benefit in people. | 14 2 | |
| Inflammation Balance | Not enough evidence | Inflammation in rats with induced arthritis (animal study): A qin jiao root extract reduced swelling and an inflammation chemical in rats with induced arthritis. This is an animal result and does not show a benefit in people. | 14 2 | |
| Joint Support | Not enough evidence | Cartilage-cell protection in the lab (gentiopicroside): A lab study of rat cartilage cells suggests the main qin jiao compound, gentiopicroside, may calm an inflammation signal. It is a cell-dish result only. | 1 7 | |
| Liver Support | Not enough evidence | Jaundice, liver and bile effects (traditional use and lab pharmacology): Qin jiao is traditionally used for jaundice and 'damp-heat'. Reviews list liver-protective and bile-promoting effects from lab and animal work, but we found no human trial. | 4 6 7 9 | |
| Immune Modulation | Not enough evidence | Immune-regulating effects (lab and animal pharmacology): Reviews report immune-regulating effects of qin jiao compounds in lab work. We found no human trial. | 4 6 | |
| Digestive Support | Not enough evidence | Stomach-lining protection in mice (gentiopicroside): In mice, the main qin jiao compound reduced alcohol-induced stomach lining damage. This is an animal result and does not make the herb safe for stomach ulcers in people. | 13 | |
| Digestive Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Ulcerative colitis and stroke (clinical use claims): One review says qin jiao is mainly used in rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and stroke and calls the results good. The abstract gives no numbers or trial details, so we cannot rate it. | 6 9 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Wind-damp joint pain and stiffness (traditional use) Studied for: Inflammation in rats with induced arthritis (animal study) | 4 6 9 14 2 1 7 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Inflammation in rats with induced arthritis (animal study) Studied for: Immune-regulating effects (lab and animal pharmacology) | 14 2 4 6 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Jaundice, liver and bile effects (traditional use and lab pharmacology) | 4 6 7 9 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Jaundice, liver and bile effects (traditional use and lab pharmacology) Studied for: Stomach-lining protection in mice (gentiopicroside) | 4 6 7 9 13 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Ulcerative colitis and stroke (clinical use claims) | 6 9 |
C. Body parts and organs
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentiopicroside | Biological association | In vitro | Main marker compound. Anti-inflammatory and protective effects in lab and animal studies only. Preparation or compound: Root |
10 7 1 13 |
| Loganic acid | Biological association | Laboratory | Quality marker named in a 2023 paper. Preparation or compound: Root |
10 8 |
| Sweroside | Biological association | Laboratory | Quality marker named in a 2023 paper. Preparation or compound: Root |
10 8 |
| Gentianine | Biological association | Not read | Alkaloid reported in gentian-family roots; activity not read here. Preparation or compound: Root (alkaloids reported) |
10 4 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Qin jiao. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read our existing herb summary, then searched PubMed, read the abstract of each PubMed record cited, and checked names in GBIF and PubChem. Items marked summary-only or title-only were not read further.
Study library: every study we checked 15
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (authors not read) 2015 Gentiopicroside prevents interleukin-1 beta induced inflammation response in rat articular chondrocyte J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 26116164 |
Laboratory research lab |
Rat cartilage cells grown in a dish | Gentiopicroside (isolated compound) not applicable Not given here Not given here |
Title only (PubMed listing). The title says the compound limited an inflammation response to interleukin-1 beta in rat cartilage cells. We did not read the abstract. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Inflammation signals in cartilage cells Limitations: Title only. Cell-culture study; not a herbal product and not in people. Read: title-only |
| Andryszkiewicz 2025 Gentianaceae Family-Derived Bioactive Compounds-Therapeutic Values and Supporting Role in Inflammation and Detoxification Nutrients · PMID 40871648 · DOI |
Narrative review review-of-mixed |
Review of gentian-family plants (not only qin jiao) | Gentian-family roots and aerial parts, and their compounds root and aerial parts Not given here Not given here |
Describes xanthones, iridoids and flavonoids and their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other properties in many gentian-family plants. Calls them a promising source of natural agents and says more research and conservation are needed. Our earlier summary says it also cites the rat arthritis extract study and a cartilage-cell study of gentiopicroside, and warns in general terms about medicine interactions; we read only the abstract, so those details are summary-only. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Uses in skin, gut, liver, wound, arthritis and diabetes research Limitations: Abstract read; details beyond the abstract are summary-only. Covers the whole plant family, not qin jiao alone. Read: abstract |
| Chen 2021 Study on effects of sweating treatment and different drying methods on the quality of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix Sci Rep · PMID 33958629 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis laboratory |
Qin jiao root samples from one county, processed different ways | Gentianae macrophyllae Radix, processed by different sweating and drying methods root Not given here Not given here |
Sweating and drying methods changed the content of some active ingredients and the colour very significantly. The authors advise drying directly without sweating, using shade or oven drying, to better keep active constituents. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Five iridoid markers, fingerprints, ash, water and extract contents Limitations: Abstract read. Samples from one county; measures chemistry, not health effects. Read: abstract |
| Cui 2026 Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qin-Jiao): A systematic review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application and quality control J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 41203091 · DOI |
Systematic review review-of-mixed |
Literature review of qin jiao and closely related Gentiana species | Qin jiao root (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) and related Gentiana species root Not given here Not given here |
Reports 248 compounds in the herb and related plants (iridoid-type glycosides, triterpenoids, lignans, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids). Lists antiviral, liver-protective, bile-promoting and immune-regulating effects, and says the herb plays an important role in modern integrated treatment of rheumatic and immune diseases. The abstract gives no trial numbers, and it does not say which findings come from people. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traditional use, chemistry, pharmacology, clinical application, quality control Limitations: Abstract only. Narrative-style review: no pooled results, no quality rating of the studies. The abstract does not separate lab, animal and human work. Read: abstract |
| GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF species match: Gentiana macrophylla, G. straminea, G. dahurica, G. crassicaulis api.gbif.org · Source |
Database record database |
Taxonomic names | Gentiana species not applicable Not given here Not given here |
Read 2026-10-25: Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (key 7761022), G. straminea Maxim. (3840852), G. dahurica Fisch. (7269903) and G. crassicaulis Duthie ex Burkill (7839292) are each ACCEPTED, exact matches, family Gentianaceae. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted names Limitations: Name check only. Read: full-text |
| Liu 2024 A comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical application of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix Nat Prod Res · PMID 38146635 · DOI |
Narrative review review-of-mixed |
Literature review of qin jiao | Qin jiao root root Not given here Not given here |
Says iridoids and secoiridoids are the main active ingredients. Lists anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, liver-protective, immune-modulating and heart-protective effects in pharmacology studies. Says the herb is mainly used clinically for rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and stroke 'with good therapeutic effects', without giving numbers. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Chemistry, pharmacology, clinical use Limitations: Abstract only. The 'good therapeutic effects' statement has no numbers, comparator or quality rating in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Liu 2024 Regulatory mechanisms of Gentiopicroside on human diseases: a brief review Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · PMID 37632552 · DOI |
Narrative review lab-animal-review |
Review of lab and animal studies of isolated gentiopicroside | Gentiopicroside (isolated compound; the review names Gentiana lutea as a source) root (compound source) Not given here Not given here |
Summarises lab and animal findings: liver-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, pain-relieving, anti-tumour and immune-modulating effects. The review itself included only in-vitro and animal studies, and says the compound's bioavailability and pharmacokinetics need improving before wider clinical use. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Mechanisms and pharmacokinetics Limitations: Abstract read. By design it excludes human studies, so it says nothing about benefit in people. Read: abstract |
| Luo 2023 An integrated strategy for quality control of the multi-origins herb medicine of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix based on UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD RSC Adv · PMID 36936846 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis laboratory |
Qin jiao root samples from the four official species and adulterants | Gentiana macrophylla, G. crassicaulis, G. straminea and G. dahurica roots, and adulterants root Not given here Not given here |
States that the official root comes from G. macrophylla, G. crassicaulis, G. straminea or G. dahurica and that the herb has 'multi-origins and some adulterants'. Chemical fingerprints differed clearly between genuine root and adulterants, and the four species could be told apart. Marker compounds: loganic acid, 6'-O-glucosylgentiopicroside, swertiamarine, gentiopicroside and sweroside. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Chemical fingerprints, 93 compounds, five marker compounds Limitations: Abstract read. Laboratory chemistry, no patients. The abstract does not name the adulterant plants. Read: abstract |
| Me and Qi (consumer TCM reference Qin Jiao (Large-leaf gentian root) meandqi.com · Source |
Consumer reference tradition |
Traditional Chinese medicine description | Qin jiao root root Not given here Not given here |
Lists traditional uses (wind-damp joint pain, muscle cramps, post-stroke limb problems, fever, jaundice) and cautions (pregnancy, loose stools, mild nausea, palpitations, slow heartbeat, stomach irritation, possible interactions with heart, diabetes and sedative medicines). Summary-only: we used it through our earlier herb summary and did not re-open it. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traditional uses and cautions Limitations: Not an official source. Not confirmed by any regulator or trial we read. Read: summary-only |
| NCBI PubChem 2026 PubChem compound records: gentiopicroside, loganic acid, sweroside, gentianine pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Source |
Database record database |
Chemical records | Isolated compounds not applicable Not given here Not given here |
Read 2026-10-25: gentiopicroside CID 88708 (C16H20O9); loganic acid CID 89640 (C16H24O10); sweroside CID 161036 (C16H22O9); gentianine CID 354616 (C10H9NO2). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Compound IDs and formulas Limitations: Identity check only. Read: full-text |
| Tankeu 2016 Differentiation between two 'fang ji' herbal medicines, Stephania tetrandra and the nephrotoxic Aristolochia fangchi, using hyperspectral imaging Phytochemistry · PMID 26632529 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis laboratory |
Powders of two different 'fang ji' plants | Stephania tetrandra root and Aristolochia fangchi root root Not given here Not given here |
Explains that Stephania tetrandra ('hang fang ji') and Aristolochia fangchi ('guang fang ji') are two different plants both called 'fang ji', that the first is sometimes substituted or adulterated with the kidney-toxic second, and that A. fangchi contains aristolochic acid (a carcinogen linked to kidney disease and urinary-tract cancer). The imaging method detected adulteration as low as 10%. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Whether imaging can tell the two plants apart Limitations: Abstract read. About 'fang ji' herbs, not qin jiao. It does not mention qin jiao at all. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2007 Pharmacokinetic behavior of gentiopicroside from decoction of Radix Gentianae, Gentiana macrophylla after oral administration in rats Arch Pharm Res · PMID 17958334 · DOI |
Animal pharmacokinetic animal |
Rats | Gentiana macrophylla root decoction versus isolated gentiopicroside root Not given here Not given here |
After oral dosing, gentiopicroside from the G. macrophylla decoction reached a higher peak (7.43 vs 5.78 micrograms/mL) later (about 2.1 h vs 0.75 h) than the pure compound, and total exposure (AUC) was about 1.8 times larger. The authors conclude the compound was better absorbed from the decoction than on its own. The pure compound's half-life was about 3.4 h. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood levels of gentiopicroside over time Limitations: Abstract read. Rats only; one compound; the study is a pharmacokinetic comparison, not a safety or benefit study. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2018 Protective effect of gentiopicroside from Gentiana macrophylla Pall. in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in mice Phytother Res · PMID 29226586 · DOI |
Animal experiment animal |
Mice with alcohol-induced stomach lining damage | Gentiopicroside (isolated compound), by mouth root (compound source) Not given here Not given here |
Mice given the compound for 3 days before alcohol had less severe stomach lining damage, with higher protective markers (heat shock protein-70, glutathione, superoxide dismutase) and lower inflammation markers (TNF-alpha, IL-6). The authors suggest it may be developed as an anti-ulcer agent. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Severity of stomach lining damage and tissue markers Limitations: Abstract read. Mice; the isolated compound, not the whole root; pre-treatment before an alcohol injury. It does not show that the herb is safe for people with ulcers. Read: abstract |
| Yu 2004 Inhibitory effects of the Gentiana macrophylla (Gentianaceae) extract on rheumatoid arthritis of rats J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 15374610 · DOI |
Animal experiment animal |
Rats with induced arthritis | Gentiana macrophylla root extract, by mouth root Not given here Not given here |
In rats with induced arthritis the extract significantly lowered PGE2 in inflamed tissue and reduced paw thickness and ankle swelling. The authors say the anti-inflammatory activity was comparable to prednisone. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Inflammation chemical PGE2 in inflamed tissue, paw (sole) thickness, ankle circumference Limitations: Abstract read. Rats, short treatment ('acute'), induced arthritis. Results in rats often do not carry over to people. The abstract does not describe how the extract was made or standardised. Read: abstract |
| Zhou 2023 Overview of aristolochic acid nephropathy: an update Kidney Res Clin Pract · PMID 37448287 · DOI |
Narrative review human-review |
Review of aristolochic acid nephropathy | Aristolochic acid (from Aristolochia-type herbs) not applicable Not given here Not given here |
Aristolochic acid nephropathy is a rapidly progressive scarring of the kidney from aristolochic acid, first reported in Belgium nearly 30 years ago. Cases fell sharply where such herbs are controlled but are still reported occasionally. There is no effective treatment to delay or reverse the kidney damage, and the real number of cases may be underestimated. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Disease pattern and public-health picture Limitations: Abstract read. About aristolochic acid in general. It does not say qin jiao contains it. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No controlled human trial of qin jiao alone for any use.
- Safety in liver, pregnancy and breastfeeding not documented in official sources we read.
- No interaction study, including with blood thinners.
- Review abstracts do not separate lab, animal and human findings.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 6
- No clinical safety study of qin jiao was found. We found no controlled trial and no safety study in people. Most of what is known about cautions is traditional advice from a consumer reference, repeated in our earlier summary, and not confirmed by a regulator. Authoritative guidance 9 4
- Check the Latin name: not the same as the kidney-toxic 'fang ji' plants. Qin jiao (Gentiana, family Gentianaceae) is a different herb from 'fang ji'. Among the 'fang ji' herbs, one (Aristolochia fangchi, 'guang fang ji') contains aristolochic acid, which is linked to kidney failure and urinary-tract cancer, and Stephania tetrandra ('hang fang ji' or 'han fang ji') has been mixed up with it. We found no source that says qin jiao itself contains aristolochic acid. Joint-pain formulas often list several herbs, so read the full ingredient list with Latin names. Laboratory 11 15 5
- Pregnancy: avoid. A consumer reference says classical Chinese sources list qin jiao as not for use in pregnancy, and we found no modern safety data. Treat it as avoid. Traditional reference 9
- Stomach ulcers and acid: ask a doctor first. Bitter gentian-family herbs stimulate the stomach, and the same consumer reference lists stomach irritation and advises against use with loose stools. A mouse study of the isolated compound showed stomach-lining protection, but that does not show safety in people with ulcers. Traditional reference 9 13
- Heart rate, blood pressure and headache: possible, not proven. The consumer reference lists palpitations and slow heartbeat. Our Gentian page lists headache as a possible effect of yellow gentian; we found no study that measured headache, heart rate or blood pressure with qin jiao. Traditional reference 9
- Products can differ. The official root comes from four Gentiana species, adulterants exist, and drying methods change the chemistry, so two products may differ. Laboratory 8 3
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea, vomiting or stomach irritation Listed by a consumer reference; not confirmed in an official source or trial. | Not established | mild to moderate Not described | Traditional reference 9 |
| Palpitations or slow heartbeat Listed by the same reference; no clinical data found. | Not established | unknown Not described | Traditional reference 9 |
| Loose stools The reference advises against use when stools are already loose. | Not established | mild Not described | Traditional reference 9 |
Liver
No human liver-injury case reports were found, and LiverTox was not checked. A 2026 review lists liver-protective effects in pharmacology work, which is not a safety finding. Absence of reports is not proof of safety. 4
How often. No data.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice is established. Seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or strong tiredness.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Qin jiao supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 5
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines handled by the liver (general) drug | A 2025 review is said, in our earlier summary, to warn about possible interactions with liver-handled medicines. The review's abstract does not mention it, so this is summary-only. | Unknown. No study tested qin jiao with any medicine. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 2 | Tell a doctor or pharmacist you take it. |
| Diabetes medicines and blood-sugar control drug | Gentian-family compounds were studied for blood sugar in the lab; the consumer reference lists diabetes medicines. No human interaction data. | Theoretical. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 9 2 | Ask a doctor first if you take diabetes medicines; check blood sugar if you do use it. |
| Heart-rhythm medicines and sedatives drug | Listed by the consumer reference; no mechanism or study found. | Theoretical. | Traditional reference Not enough evidence 9 | Ask a doctor first. |
| Blood thinners (anticoagulants such as warfarin) and antiplatelet medicines drug | No source we read links qin jiao to bleeding or clotting. We did not find a specific study; this is a gap, not a clearance. | Unknown. | None found Not enough evidence 4 | Tell your prescriber, because joint-pain formulas often contain several herbs and not all are studied. |
| Medicines for stomach acid or ulcers drug | Bitter gentian-family herbs stimulate the stomach; no direct study with acid medicines. | Theoretical. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 13 | Ask a doctor first. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Avoid. Classical sources list it as not for pregnancy; no modern safety data. | Traditional reference 9 |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid. No safety data found; LactMed was not found to cover it (not verified). | None found 9 |
| Children | Avoid. No safety data in children found. | None found 4 |
| Stomach or duodenal ulcer, high stomach acid, or loose stools | Ask a doctor first. | Traditional reference 9 13 |
| Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat or heart-rhythm medicines | Ask a doctor first. | Traditional reference 9 |
| Kidney disease, or any product that lists 'fang ji' without a Latin name | Do not use a product if you cannot confirm the species. Aristolochia-type 'fang ji' can damage the kidneys. | Laboratory 11 15 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity study of the whole root in people was found. The sources we read are lab, animal and traditional.
Animal. No toxicity finding relied on here. Animal papers read were about effects, not toxicity.
Human doses studied. No human studies found.
High dose or long term signals. Not studied.
Overdose response. Unknown. Seek care if you feel unwell after a large amount.
Genotoxicity. Not covered for qin jiao (another gentian page mentions a bacterial-test signal for two xanthones of yellow gentian; not shown for qin jiao).
Toxic plant parts. Root is the used part. Look-alike Aristolochia 'fang ji' roots are toxic (kidney).
The main concerns are species substitution and variable quality.
Multi-origin herb and adulterants. The official root comes from four Gentiana species, and a 2023 paper says the herb has some adulterants; chemical fingerprints could tell the genuine root from them. 8
Processing changes chemistry. Sweating and drying methods changed the content of active ingredients in a 2021 study. 3
'Fang ji' substitution (a different herb). Stephania tetrandra has been substituted or adulterated with kidney-toxic Aristolochia fangchi. We found no report of qin jiao being swapped with it. 11
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|
When to get medical help
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or strong tiredness after a herbal mix: stop it and see a doctor.
- Reduced urine, swelling or new back pain after any herbal formula, especially one with 'fang ji': get medical help; it may be kidney harm.
- Fainting, a very slow pulse or severe headache: seek care.
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is qin jiao?
Does qin jiao work for arthritis?
Is qin jiao the same as fang ji or han fang ji?
No. Qin jiao is a gentian. Fang ji is another herb used in joint-pain formulas; its names are confused with each other, and one kind (Aristolochia fangchi, guang fang ji) holds aristolochic acid, which harms the kidneys. We found no source that says qin jiao contains it. Read the Latin names on any formula.
Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Avoid it. Classical sources say not in pregnancy, and no modern safety data were found for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Can it affect the stomach?
Can it lower blood pressure or cause headaches?
Some gentian-family bitters are linked to headache, and a reference lists palpitations and slow heartbeat. We found no study measuring these for qin jiao, so the effect is possible but unproven.
Does it interact with medicines?
What is in qin jiao?
Are all qin jiao products the same?
Is it good for the liver or jaundice?
It is used that way traditionally, and reviews list liver-protective effects in lab work. No human trial was found. Yellow skin or eyes need a doctor.
What does the research say overall?
How much should I take?
Amounts are not covered here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist who knows Chinese herbs.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read our existing herb summary, then searched PubMed, read the abstract of each PubMed record cited, and checked names in GBIF and PubChem. Items marked summary-only or title-only were not read further.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 15
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- (authors not read). Gentiopicroside prevents interleukin-1 beta induced inflammation response in rat articular chondrocyte. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015. PMID 26116164. (title-only)
- Andryszkiewicz W, Chmielewska M, Ciecierska J, Lenkiewicz P, Marciniak W, Raczycka W, Wojno A, Kulbacka J, Niewinski P, Bieszunska-Kusiak K. Gentianaceae Family-Derived Bioactive Compounds-Therapeutic Values and Supporting Role in Inflammation and Detoxification. Nutrients. 2025. PMID 40871648. DOI 10.3390/nu17162619. (abstract)
- Chen Q, Shi Z, Wang Y, Zhang R, Hu H. Study on effects of sweating treatment and different drying methods on the quality of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix. Sci Rep. 2021. PMID 33958629. DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-88511-1. (abstract)
- Cui DX, Zhang M, Yu FY, Wei R, Shi RT, Zhang FH, Li X, Yang WZ. Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qin-Jiao): A systematic review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application and quality control. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID 41203091. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120853. (abstract)
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF species match: Gentiana macrophylla, G. straminea, G. dahurica, G. crassicaulis. api.gbif.org. 2026. (full-text)
- Liu C, Song X, Sun Y, Li Y, Li X, Zhang D. A comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical application of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix. Nat Prod Res. 2024. PMID 38146635. DOI 10.1080/14786419.2023.2298724. (abstract)
- Liu B, Pang F, Bi H, Guo D. Regulatory mechanisms of Gentiopicroside on human diseases: a brief review. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024. PMID 37632552. DOI 10.1007/s00210-023-02672-6. (abstract)
- Luo J, Yuan H, Liang L, Xie Q, Jiang S, Fu Y, Chen S, Wang W. An integrated strategy for quality control of the multi-origins herb medicine of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix based on UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD. RSC Adv. 2023. PMID 36936846. DOI 10.1039/d2ra07591a. (abstract)
- Me and Qi (consumer TCM reference, not an official source). Qin Jiao (Large-leaf gentian root). meandqi.com. . (summary-only)
- NCBI PubChem. PubChem compound records: gentiopicroside, loganic acid, sweroside, gentianine. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2026. (full-text)
- Tankeu S, Vermaak I, Chen W, Sandasi M, Viljoen A. Differentiation between two 'fang ji' herbal medicines, Stephania tetrandra and the nephrotoxic Aristolochia fangchi, using hyperspectral imaging. Phytochemistry. 2016. PMID 26632529. DOI 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.11.008. (abstract)
- Wang CH, Cheng XM, He YQ, White KN, Bligh SW, Branford-White CJ, Wang ZT. Pharmacokinetic behavior of gentiopicroside from decoction of Radix Gentianae, Gentiana macrophylla after oral administration in rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2007. PMID 17958334. DOI 10.1007/BF02980251. (abstract)
- Yang Y, Wang Z, Zhang L, Yin B, Lv L, He J, Chen Z, Wen X, Qiao B, Sun W, Fang M, Zhang Y. Protective effect of gentiopicroside from Gentiana macrophylla Pall. in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in mice. Phytother Res. 2018. PMID 29226586. DOI 10.1002/ptr.5965. (abstract)
- Yu F, Yu F, Li R, Wang R. Inhibitory effects of the Gentiana macrophylla (Gentianaceae) extract on rheumatoid arthritis of rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004. PMID 15374610. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2004.06.025. (abstract)
- Zhou Q, Jiang L, Su T, Liu G, Yang L. Overview of aristolochic acid nephropathy: an update. Kidney Res Clin Pract. 2023. PMID 37448287. DOI 10.23876/j.krcp.22.211. (abstract)