Phellodendron bark
Phellodendron amurense · 黄柏
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Huang bai, Amur cork tree bark, Chinese cork tree, Amur corktree
Pinyin: Huáng bǎi
Limited safety dataThe inner bark of a cork tree, used in Chinese medicine for damp heat in the lower body, urinary discomfort and sore skin.
Did you know? The inner bark is bright yellow and has long been used as a natural dye in East Asia.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used in tradition for bladder heat and urinary discomfort. Human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
- Skin. Used in tradition for sore or itchy skin. Lab studies only.Traditional proof
- Inflammation. Lab studies show anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used phellodendron bark for damp heat in the lower body, such as urinary discomfort, genital itching and discharge, and sore skin. It is part of Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Bitter, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 黄柏 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Kidney and Bladder channels.
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 3 to 12 grams of dried bark in a decoction. Capsules and tinctures should follow the label. Human doses are not well studied.
Decoction, capsule, powder and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows in northeast China, Korea and far eastern Russia. Dried bark is sold as slices or powder in herb shops, and as capsules and extracts online.
Be careful
Large doses can cause stomach upset. Safety data are limited in pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children. Avoid it in those groups unless a clinician advises otherwise.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, where it helps clear damp heat.
- Works well together
Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, a classic formula for heat and infection symptoms.
- Works well together
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron and Rehmannia Pill) combines them for night sweats and low heat that comes with weak body fluids (yin deficiency).
- Works well together
Also in Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, where gardenia helps clear heat.
Found in these formulas
Coptis Detox Decoction (TCM)
The honest take
Phellodendron bark is an old Chinese herb for damp heat, and lab studies show antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Human studies are very few, so claims for bladder or skin problems are mostly traditional. Use it as a traditional formula herb, not as a proven remedy.