Phellodendron chinense

Phellodendron chinense, known in Chinese as “Huangbo,” has a long history of medicinal use in East Asia. In the classic Chinese pharmacopeia, the bark is boiled as a decoction to treat “heat‑dampness” in the stomach, to clear phlegm, and to relieve urinary tract infections (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020). Among the Korean traditional medicine practitioners, a tincture of the bark is prescribed for chronic bronchitis and as a topical poultice for skin abscesses (Korean Pharmacopoeia, 2015). Vietnamese healers also employ a decoction of the bark to reduce fevers and to treat dysentery, noting its cooling and drying properties (Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Handbook, 2018). In all three cultures, the bark is the primary material; the leaves and roots are rarely used in therapeutic preparations.

A simple, safe decoction can be made at home. Take 10 g of dried Phellodendron chinense bark and add it to 200 ml of boiling water. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, then strain the liquid into a cup. Drink one cup in the morning and one in the evening for mild digestive support. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a history of liver disease, consult a qualified practitioner before use, as the alkaloids in the bark can be potent and may cause dryness or mild gastrointestinal upset at high doses.

The therapeutic effects of Huangbo are largely attributed to its berberine‑rich alkaloid profile. Berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, and phellodendrine have all been isolated from the bark and are known for their antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory, and antidiarrheal activities. These compounds explain the traditional use of the bark for infections, heat‑related ailments, and digestive disorders. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that berberine, in particular, inhibits bacterial growth and modulates inflammatory cytokines, supporting the empirical observations recorded in centuries of traditional practice.

Today, Phellodendron chinense bark is available as a standardized extract in many herbal supplement lines, and ongoing research is exploring its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent and as a complementary therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Its continued use in traditional medicine, combined with contemporary scientific validation, keeps Huangbo a relevant and respected herb in both cultural and clinical contexts.

Common products:
• Timber for furniture, cabinetry, and general construction; used in China.
• Ornamental tree in landscaping ( parks, streetscapes, gardens).

Industrial and craft applications:
• Wood suitable for plywood and veneer.
• No additional documented industrial/craft applications (e.g., fiber, adhesives, resins, colorants) are reported for this taxon.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
• No documented edible or beverage uses are reported for this taxon.

Colorants and tanning:
• No documented dye, ink, or tannin-use reports for this taxon.

Wood and fiber:
• Wood described as dense, hard, and with fine grain; suitable for high-quality furniture and cabinetry.
• No documented bast or fiber use for this taxon.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
• No documented essential-oil, perfume, or cosmetic uses are reported for this taxon.

Properties relevant to use:
• Physical properties reported for the wood (density, hardness, fine grain) underpin its suitability for furniture and cabinetry.
• No additional physical/chemical properties directly supporting other uses are documented for this taxon.

Standards and regulation:
• Timber-related standards (ISO/ASTM/EN) apply generally to hardwood products, but no taxon-specific regulations are documented.

Sustainability and sourcing:
• Range noted as S. China to C. China; commonly cultivated in China for wood production, with some horticultural planting.
• No taxon-specific sustainability/harvest reports are documented.

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No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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