Huang Lian Su Wan (Coptis Extract) | by Lao Wei

Huang Lian Su Wan is a single-herb tablet made from goldthread, or coptis (Huang Lian), one of the classic bitter, cold herbs of Chinese medicine. This Lao Wei version comes as 80 tablets in a 29g bottle. It is also sold under the names Goldthread Tablets and Coptis Extract. The only other ingredient is magnesium stearate, an inactive ingredient used to form the tablets.

In Chinese medicine coptis is traditionally used to clear heat and transform dampness, especially in the stomach and intestines. Shoppers usually reach for it for occasional digestive upset, such as a spell of loose stools or indigestion after something did not agree with them. It is one of the herbs practitioners turn to when digestive discomfort feels hot, urgent or sour rather than cold and weak.

The suggested use is 4 tablets two times a day with warm water. The label notes that for more intense, short-term situations the dose may be raised to 4 to 8 tablets every 2 to 4 hours, then brought back down to the regular dose as the formula takes effect. If you are unsure which approach fits you, a Chinese medicine practitioner can help you choose.

Huang Lian Su Wan is meant for short-term use, from a few days up to a few weeks. Coptis is a very cold herb, and taking it too long or in large amounts can weaken the spleen and stomach in Chinese medicine terms. Watch for signs such as tiredness, a poor appetite, bloating or loose stools that feel cold and weak, and stop if they appear.

Because coptis is so cold, it is generally not a good fit for people whose digestion tends to run cold or weak, with signs like chilliness, fatigue and watery stools. Avoid it during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless a practitioner advises otherwise, and do not give it to children without professional guidance. If you take prescription medicines, check with your doctor before using it, since coptis can interact with some drugs.

Each bottle holds 80 tablets. At the suggested dose of 4 tablets twice a day, that works out to about 10 days. If you use the higher short-term dose for a day or two, the bottle will go faster. Since coptis is meant for short courses rather than long daily use, one bottle fits the way this formula is normally taken.

Coptis is famously bitter. In Chinese medicine its bitterness is part of how it is understood to clear heat and dry dampness. The tablet form makes it easy to take, since you swallow the tablets with warm water rather than tasting a tea. If you have ever tried coptis as a loose herb or powder, the tablets are a far more pleasant way to take it.

Coptis gets the English name goldthread from its thin, bright yellow roots, which look like strands of golden thread. That yellow color comes from berberine, a natural compound the herb is well known for. In Chinese the herb is called Huang Lian, and Huang means yellow, a nod to the same golden color. You may see any of these names on labels for this same herb.